The Irish Wolfhound Breed Standard

May 25, 2026

The Irish Wolfhound Breed Standard

As the Country of Origin, Mother Breed Club and the holder of the Country of Origin Breed Standard, the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland (IWCI) has always strived to champion the correct interpretation of their breed standard.  This process started many years ago with the publication of the Illustrated Breed Standard. This work was led by the late Betty Murphy, former President and Patron of both the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland affiliated to the Irish Kennel Club, and the Federation of Irish Wolfhound Clubs (FIWC) affiliated to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).  The work was then published and distributed by the FIWC.

In recent years it became apparent that further clarification was required in the written Irish standard to educate some judges in the show ring as to the correct interpretation of the standard, so that it clearly stated in writing what was allowed and what was regard as a fault.  It was hoped that these clarifications would encourage greater consistency in the interpretation of the standard within the show ring and assist breeders and judges in preserving correct Irish Wolfhound type for future generations.

A subcommittee of senior committee members of the IWCI was formed to work on the clarifications.  Together these individuals had 172 cumulative years’ experience in the breed.   This work took over a year to complete.

It was then submitted to the board of the Irish Kennel Club and approved and in line with Irish Kennel Club process it was added to the agenda of their next An Ard Chomhairle Meeting, where it was discussed, proposed, seconded, and approved.   It was then submitted by the Irish Kennel Club to the FCI for approval and circulation.  This process took many months and came to conclusion in April 2026 when the FCI notified the IKC that they had approved the Clarified Standard and had published it on their website.

The Irish Kennel Club supports the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland with the changes to the Breed Standard and views it as a positive development in the preservation and protection of our native breed and its heritage status.

Pat O Boyle                                                                        Anthony Dunne

President                                                                           President

Irish Kennel Club                                                            Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland

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