The Dog Centre - for professional dog trainers in the UK

Irish Wolfhound

General Appearance

Of great size, strength, symmetry and commanding appearance, very muscular, yet gracefully built.

  Below Average Above Key
Likelihood to wander   Medium    
Protectiveness   Medium    
Destructiveness     High  
Quietness     High  
Good with children     High  
Affinity to other dogs     High  
Size     High  
Lifespan Low     Below: < 10 years
Average: > 10 years
Above: > 15 years
Location     High Below: Town only
Average: Town and Country
Above: Country only

Characteristics

Of great power, activity, speed and courage.

Temperament

Gentle, kind and friendly nature.

Head and Skull

Head long, carried high, the frontal bones of forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between eyes. Skull not too broad. Muzzle long and moderately pointed. Nose and lips black.

Eyes

Dark. Elliptical (regular oval) and full. Eyelids black.

Ears

Small, rose shaped, of fine velvet texture. Preferably dark in colour, not hanging close to face.

Mouth

Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated but not desirable.

Neck

Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about throat.

Forequarters

Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, turned neither in nor out. Leg and forearm muscular, and whole leg strong and straight.

Body

Chest very deep. Breast wide. Back, long rather than short. Loins arched. Belly well drawn up

Hindquarters

Muscular thighs and second thighs, long and strong, good bend of stifle with hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.

Feet

Moderately large and round, turned neither in nor out. Toes well arched and closed. Nails very strong and curved.

Tail

Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness and well covered with hair, carried low with an upward sweep towards the extremity

Gait

Easy and active

Coat

Rough and harsh on body, legs and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.

Colour

Recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, wheaten and steel grey.

Size

Minimum height for dogs: 79 cms (31 ins), bitches: 71 cms (28 ins). Minimum weight: 54.5 kgs (120 lbs) for dogs, 40.9 kgs (90 lbs) for bitches. Great size, including height of shoulder and proportionate length of body is to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a breed that shall average from 81-86 cms (32-34 ins) in dogs.

Excercise Requirements

Considerable

Grooming Needs

Moderate

Notes

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum




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