Below is the text of the original Irish Wolfhound Standard of Excellence, which was drawn up in 1885, principally by Captain GA Graham and Colonel JR Garnier.  The Standard was accepted and ratified by The Kennel Club in 1886.

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The 1885 Standard of Excellence 

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GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Irish wolfhound should not be quite so heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deer Hound, 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.

 

The minimum height and weight of dogs should be 31 inches and 120lbs, of bitches 28 inches and 90lbs. Anything below this should be debarred from competition. Great size including height at the shoulder and proportionate length of body is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a breed that shall average 32 to 34 inches in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, courage and symmetry.

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HEAD: Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised and very little indentation between the eyes. Skull, not too broad. Muzzle, long and moderately pointed. Ears. small and Greyhound-like in carriage.

 

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

 

CHEST: Very deep. Breast wide.

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BACK: Rather long than short. Loins arched.

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TAIL:  Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness and well covered with hair.

 

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

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BELLY: Well drawn up.

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FOREQUARTERS:  Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Leg - forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.

 

HINDQUARTERS:  Muscular thighs and second thigh long and strong as in the Greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.

 

FEET:  Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Toes, well arched and closed. Nails, very strong and curved.

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

 

COLOUR:  The recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, or any colour that appears in the Deerhound.

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FAULTS:  Too light or heavy a head, too highly arched frontal bone; large ears and hanging flat to the face; short neck; full dewlap; too narrow or too broad a chest; sunken or hollow or quite straight back; bent forelegs; overbent fetlocks; twisted feet; spreading toes; too curly a tail; weak hindquarters and a general want of muscle; too short in body.

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