The Irish Wolfhound Standard

General Appearance	Of great size, strength, symmetry and commanding appearance, very muscular, yet gracefully built.
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 the 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 the throat.
Forequarters	Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, turned neither in nor out. Leg and forearm muscular, and the 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/Movement	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 cm (31 in), bitches: 71 cm (28 ins). Minimum weight: 54.5 kg (120 lb) for dogs, 40.9 kg (90 lb) 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 cm (32-34 in) in dogs.
Faults	Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Note	Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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