As the old saw goes, “size matters,” and with a dog whose minimum size is 32 inches and 120 pounds,  it’s hard not to agree. The AKC breed standard of the tallest breed in the AKC includes the phrase, “commanding presence,” but anyone who has spent time with an Irish Wolfhound knows that the phrase goes far deeper than physical stature alone. There’s an intangible quality to the Irish Wolfhound that sets them apart, something that can’t be measured with a tape or scale.

We encourage you to read Joel Samaha’s remarks before he judged the 1985 IWCA National Specialty, but what follows is our own understanding of this phrase.

At the heart of this “commanding presence” is an IW’s bearing, his or her demeanor, if you will. Like the alpha pedog in a pack, there is a quiet confidence that radiates from this hound, a self-assuredness that has little to do with a self awareness of the dog’s own size.  Whether standing, coursing across a field,  or gaiting around a show ring, the Wolfhound is relaxed yet proud, unassuming yet dignified.

It is impossible to ignore.

Movement is one key element of the Irish Wolfhound’s presence. With effortless grace, each stride a Wolfhound makes is fluid, but purposeful. There’s power in that gait. A sound Wolfie is never clumsy, cloddy, or heavy. Their movement is balanced and harmonious, strong and agile, easy and active.  With their head and neck carried high, a Wolfhound is grace in motion,  a hallmark of the breed, and a critical part of what makes their presence so striking. A dog that is merely large may lumber or plod, but a Wolfhound with presence glides with sense of quiet authority.

Watch a few moments of breed judging at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2020:

 

Another significant aspect of “commanding presence” is expression. The eyes of an Irish Wolfhound are often described as soulful—alert, intelligent, and calm. Their gaze conveys wisdom and gentleness, a window into the breed’s thoughtful nature. This expression, paired with a relaxed yet proud posture, completes the picture of a dog that commands respect without ever demanding it. Note that the coat of arms of the 69th Infantry Regiment (also known as “The Fighting 69th”) bears the motto, “Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked.”

This phrase perfectly captures the full range of expression associated with the Irish Wolfhound’s temperament.

For good reason, breed experts and clubs consistently emphasize that presence is about the whole package: temperament, movement, and structure, but in our view, it is an indefinable aura that makes a Wolfhound stand out. It is not about being the biggest dog in the ring; it is about being the one that compels every eye simply by being itself.

It’s an impression that lingers long after the dog has left the room. It is, we fancy, the “ghost” of their spirit.

Top photo by EyeEm/Freepik