Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Summary
The Irish Dog belongs to the ancient Celtic breeds that developed on the territory of Ireland thousands of years ago. The earliest references to large Irish dogs appear in the chronicles of Roman authors, who described them as powerful, courageous, and impressively tall hunters. These dogs were used for hunting wolves, deer, and other large game, and also served as guardians and protectors of settlements. Over time, the breed became a symbol of Irish nobility and accompanied warriors during campaigns. In the Middle Ages, Irish dogs gained significant popularity throughout Europe, valued for their strength, noble temperament, and loyalty. Later, as wolves disappeared, their numbers declined, but the breed was restored thanks to dedicated enthusiasts. Today, Irish dogs are known as noble, calm, and powerful companions, preserving their historical charisma and working essence.
General Appearance
The Irish Dog is large, tall, noble, with a strong bone structure and a harmonious, elongated format. The silhouette emphasizes a combination of power, endurance, and elegance. The head is long, dry, expressive, with smooth yet clearly defined lines. The neck is long, muscular, high-set. The chest is deep and broad; the back is strong and slightly elongated. The limbs are long, straight, sturdy, providing a wide stride and fast, light movement. The tail is long, sabre-shaped, mobile. The coat is coarse or harsh, lying close to the body and protecting against adverse weather. The overall impression is of a stately, confident dog combining grandeur, functionality, and working strength. Weak bone, excessive lightness or looseness, coarseness, or disrupted proportions are unacceptable.
Important Proportions
The Irish Dog has an elongated format: the body length exceeds the height at the withers. Long limbs and a deep chest provide a free stride and endurance during long work. The head length is approximately 40–45% of the body length, with muzzle and skull in harmonious proportion. The neck is long but strong, blending smoothly into the body. The ribcage is deep, with long, moderately curved ribs. Limbs are straight, parallel, with well-defined angulation ensuring a wide reach and stability of movement. The tail reaches the hocks or slightly longer. Short legs, insufficient chest depth, light bone, incorrect angulation, or excessive elongation that disturbs the silhouette are faults.
Behaviour and Temperament
The Irish Dog displays a calm, patient, confident, and noble temperament. It is devoted to its family, friendly to people, yet retains inner strength and the ability to protect if necessary. The temperament is stable and balanced, without nervousness or excessive excitability. Working qualities include courage, endurance, and strong motivation during long-distance movement. Due to its history, the breed is capable of independent decision-making but willingly cooperates with humans. Shyness, unjustified aggression, poor social contact, hysteria, or instability are unacceptable. The dog must present itself as a confident, noble, and reliable partner.
Head
The head of the Irish Dog is long, narrow, noble yet strong, with characteristic longitudinal lines emphasizing the breed’s elongated type. The skull is long, moderately broad, slightly convex, without coarseness. The stop is smooth but visible. The muzzle is long, straight, deep, well filled throughout, without narrowing or upturning. Jaws are strong, with a scissor bite; teeth are large and even. Cheeks are not prominent; outlines are dry and clean. The skin fits tightly; slight folds may appear when alert, but not looseness. The head must convey nobility, strength, and confidence. Short muzzle, weak jaws, round skull, looseness, or broken proportions are faults.
Facial Region
The facial region is long and expressive, with a strong, straight nasal bridge. The nose is large, with wide nostrils; pigmentation is typically black or dark brown. Lips are dry, tight, non-pendulous, forming a clean contour. The muzzle is deep, wide at the base, tapering gradually but remaining voluminous. The chin is defined but not coarse. Jaws are powerful, reflecting the breed’s hunting heritage. The face must appear stern, composed, and functional. Light nose pigment, weak lower jaw, pendulous lips, sharp profile breaks, or excessive narrowness or dryness are unacceptable.
Eyes
The eyes are oval, medium-sized, moderately deep-set, with an attentive, soft, calm, yet determined expression. Eye colour is predominantly dark brown, with hazel allowed, but overly light eyes detract from the breed type. Eyelids are dry, tight, without sagging or looseness. The expression should convey nobility, intelligence, balance, and inner strength. Round or protruding eyes, weak eyelid pigmentation, wetness, strabismus, or anxious expression are faults.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, thin, mobile, high-set, hanging along the cheeks as soft triangles. In rest they lie close to the head, emphasizing the elongated silhouette. When alert, they lift slightly at the base and turn forward while maintaining their drop shape. The edges are rounded; length is moderate. Coat on the ears is short and smooth. Oversized, heavy, low-set, outward-turned, or overly broad-based ears are faults.
Neck
The neck is long, dry, yet strong, broadening toward the shoulders. Muscular but not coarse, it gives an impression of nobility and ease of movement. The topline of the neck shows a slight arch, adding elegance. The skin is tight, without excess folds; mild looseness is allowed in more bearded varieties but without wetness. The neck must support the long head and ensure freedom of movement during running and hunting. Short, thick, loose, or weak necks, or abrupt transitions are faults.
Body
The body is tall, long, and light in outline but strong in structure. The chest is deep and spacious, reaching or slightly exceeding the elbows. Ribs are long and moderately curved, providing large lung capacity. The back is long, straight, and strong, without dips or roaching. The loin is slightly arched, muscular, providing flexibility and push power. The croup is broad, slightly sloping, assisting smooth movement. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing the dry, functional type. Narrow body, weak back, excessive length, looseness, or heaviness are faults. The body must show endurance and elegant strength.
Tail
The tail is long, strong at the base, tapering toward the tip. Set level with or slightly below the topline, continuing the silhouette harmoniously. In rest it hangs in a natural curve; in movement it rises but never above the topline, remaining straight or slightly curved. It must be mobile but not overly active. Coat is short or moderately long depending on coat type. Kinks, excessive curvature, too short, high carriage, ring tail, or rigid curl are faults.
Forequarters
Forelimbs are long, straight, dry, with strong bone and defined musculature. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, lying close, forming correct angulation for wide reach. Shoulders are strong without coarseness. Elbows point strictly backward, close but not tight to the body. Forearms are straight, long, stable. Pasterns are moderately sloping, elastic, providing shock absorption. Feet are compact, with tight toes and strong pads. Weak pasterns, out-turning, cow-footedness, light bone, looseness, or structural weakness are faults.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are long, strong, with harmonious angulation providing powerful drive and endurance. Thighs are broad, deep, muscular. Lower thighs are long, straight, forming a well-defined stifle. Hocks are low-set, strong, working in a single axis. Metatarsi are short, vertical. Feet are oval, tight, with strong pads. Straight hindquarters, weak ligaments, cow hocks, barrel hocks, or insufficient muscle development are faults. Correct hindquarters ensure speed, balance, and smooth movement.
Gait / Movement
Movement must be light, spacious, stable, with elasticity and strong drive. Gait reflects the breed’s purpose: fast travel over long distances during hunting or escort work. At the trot, the stride is wide, smooth, and free, with a stable topline. Forelimbs show good reach; hindlimbs provide strong propulsion. At higher speeds, coordination must remain intact, with focused, effortless movement. Short stride, stiffness, crossing limbs, wobbling, or weak drive are faults. Correct movement highlights endurance, grace, and power.
Coat
Coat depends on variety but must be dense, protective, and suitable for variable climates. Smooth coats are short, dense, close-fitting with natural sheen. Rough coats are coarse, harsh, medium-length, with dense undercoat for protection from cold and moisture. Coat must cover the body evenly, without bald patches or excessive softness. Sparse undercoat, excessive fluffiness, waviness, brittle hair, or poor protective qualities are faults.
Colour
Coat characteristics depend on type, but must be dense and protective. Smooth coats are short and tight; rough coats are harsh with undercoat. Coat must be even and functional. Sparse undercoat, excessive softness, waviness, brittleness, or lack of protection are unacceptable. (Note: This section is duplicated in your Russian version, so it is reproduced as given.)
Size
The Irish Dog is a large and giant breed; size is key to breed type. Height at the withers for males is typically 79–86 cm or higher; females 71–79 cm. Weight is proportional to height and bone, usually 40–60 kg, with higher weights acceptable if dry structure and function are maintained. The balance of mass, height, and body length is critical, avoiding heaviness or refinement. Chest is deep and broad; back is long and strong; limbs are tall and sturdy. Lack of height, light bone, squat proportions, or excessive length are faults. Size must emphasize grandeur, endurance, and noble power.
Faults
Faults include any deviations reducing harmony, strength, or breed type. Narrow or insufficiently deep chest, weak topline, loose back, excessive length or coarseness are structural faults. Head faults include short or narrow muzzle, light nose pigment, round eyes, loose lids, weak jaws. Limb faults include light bone, poor angulation, out-turning, cow-footedness, weak pasterns. Movement faults include short stride, stiffness, limb crossing, weak drive, instability. Behavioural faults include shyness, excessive suspicion, unjustified aggression, or lack of confidence.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying features include serious defects in structure, behaviour, or colour. These include aggression, pronounced fearfulness, or panic reactions. Structural disqualifications: incorrect bite, absence of multiple teeth beyond allowance, severe limb deformities, lameness, significant alopecia, spinal defects. Blue eyes, lack of pigmentation on eyelids or nose, marbled or nonstandard colours, large white patches, incorrect height or format are unacceptable. Ring tail, severe kinks, congenital deformities also disqualify. Any condition that compromises function, temperament, or breed type leads to disqualification.
Important Notes
The Irish Dog matures slowly; evaluation of young dogs must consider gradual development of bone, muscle, and breed characteristics. Temporary angularity, insufficient body fill, or mild looseness may be acceptable if overall proportions and future development are correct. Temperament is essential: the dog must be calm, confident, and noble, without nervousness or aggression. Movement must be wide, light, and free. Coat quality, protective properties, and proper pigmentation are evaluated carefully. Harmony is key — no element should disturb the impression of nobility and functional strength.
Conclusion
The Irish Dog is a unique breed combining grandeur, strength, elegance, and historical importance. It preserves the working qualities of ancient Celtic hunting dogs, showing endurance, bravery, and speed. Its temperament is calm, confident, and loyal. The exterior is built on harmony of long limbs, deep body, strong neck, and noble head. Movement is light, expressive, and stable. Breeding must maintain balance between height, bone strength, functionality, and temperament. A correctly developed Irish Dog embodies true dignity, power, and nobility, remaining a remarkable companion and heritage of ancient Irish tradition.
