Celtic Canines

Irish Wolfhound

F.C.I: No 160 1.2.01 Origin- Ireland

The I.K.C. standard for this breed includes an addendum which may not be included by the F.C.I.

Utilization: Up to the end of the 17th century, Irish Wolfhounds were used for hunting the wolves that infested large areas of Europe before the forests were cleared.

Classification FCI: Group 10 (sighthounds) Section 2 (rough-coat sighthounds) without working trial

Classification Ireland: Hound group

Brief Historical Summary: We know the continental Celts kept a greyhound probably descended from the greyhound first depicted in Egyptian paintings. Like their continental cousins, the Irish Celts were interested in breeding large hounds. These large Irish hounds could have had smooth or rough coats, but in later times, the rough coat predominated possibly because of the Irish climate. The first written account of these dogs was by a Roman Consul 391 A.D. when Setanta changed his name to Cu-Chulainn (the hound of Culann). Mention is made of the Uisneach (1st century) taking 150 hounds with them in their flight to Scotland. Irish hounds undoubtedly formed the basis of the Scottish to Scotland. Irish hounds undoubtedly formed the basis of the Scottish Deerhound. Paris of Irish hounds were prized as gifts by the Royal house of Europe, Scandinavia and elsewhere from the Middle ages to the 17th century. They were sent to England, Spain, France, Sweden, Denmark, Persia, India and Poland. In the 15th Century each county in Ireland was required to keep 24 wolfdogs to protect farmers’ flocks from the ravage of wolves. The Cromwellian prohibition (1652) on the export of Wolfhounds helped preserve their number for a time but the gradual disappearance of the wolf and continued demand abroad reduced their numbers almost to the point of extinction by the end of the 17th century. The revival of interest in the breed accompanied the growth of Irish nationalism in the late 19th century. The Irish wolfhound became a living symbol of Irish culture and of the Celtic past. At this time, one determined enthusiast, Capt. G A Graham, set about obtaining some of the few remaining hounds of the Wolfhound type that could still are found in Ireland, and with the use of Deerhound blood and the occasional outcrop of Borzoi and Great Dane, he eventually achieved a type of dog that bred true in every generation. The results were ultimately accepted as a legitimate revival of the breed. The Irish Kennel Club scheduled a class of Irish Wolfhounds at their show in April 1879, and a club was formed in 1885. The Irish Wolfhound now enjoys once again something of the reputation that it had in the Middle Ages. Wolfhounds are now owned and bred in fairly large numbers outside of Ireland.

General Appearance: The Irish Wolfhound should not be quite as heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deerhound, which in general type he should otherwise resemble. Of great size and commanding appearance, very muscular, strongly though gracefully built, movements easy and active; head and neck carried high; the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race (that shall average 32 inches (81 cm) to 34 inches (86 cm) in dogs) showing the requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.

Behavior and Temperament: “Lambs at home, lions in the chase”

Physical Characteristics Head: Long and level, carried high; to frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes.

Cranial Region: Skull: Not too broad

Facial Region: Muzzle: Long and moderately pointed. Teeth: Scissor bite ideal, level and acceptable. Eyes: Dark. Ears: Small Rose Ears (Greyhound like in carriage)

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

Body: Long, well ribbed up.
Back: Rather long than short.
Loins: Slightly arched
Croup: Great breadth across hips
Chest: Very deep, moderately broad, breast wide.
Ribs: Well sprung
Belly: Well drawn up.