Irish Wolfhound Colors: Rarest to Most Common

Irish wolfhounds are massive, shaggy, powerful hounds with lovably calm personalities. These ancient hunting dogs come in a variety of colors, some of which the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes. Other shades are not permissible in show dogs. Naturally, some colors are more common than others – and you can expect to pay a high price for the rarer hues. Read on to discover 21 Irish wolfhound colors from the most common to the rarest!

1. Gray

The most common coat color for Irish wolfhounds is gray. Far from being one solid shade, the coat is a mixture of white and black hairs and varies from dark to light. The ears and muzzle have a greater concentration of black hairs while the chest and paws tend to be whiter. The AKC allows this coat color in show dogs.

2. Fawn

Fawn is a common and acceptable coat color for Irish wolfhounds. This light shade appears similar to cream or wheaten and may or may not come with markings.

3. Red

Red Irish wolfhound coats are surprisingly complex. This relatively common coat color includes shades of gold, bronze, copper, and cream, which mingle differently in the undercoat and overcoat. The muzzle, ears, and tip of the tail tend to be darker while the belly and legs are usually lighter. The AKC approves this coat color for show dogs.

4. Wheaten

The wheaten coat is one of the more common Irish wolfhound colors. It also happens to be on the AKC’s list of acceptable show dog colorations. So light it often appears similar to the much rarer white coat, wheaten ranges in hue from beige to gold. Black hairs are typically present on the muzzle, ears, legs, and top of the tail.

5. Black

Black is a fairly common Irish wolfhound coat color, though it typically doesn’t come in a single solid shade. The back and chest tend to be darkest while other parts of the body may be gray, cream, or tan. White markings are permissible for show dogs as long as they are not too prominent.

6. Cream

The cream coloration in Irish wolfhounds is an official coat type and fairly common, though observers often mistake it for fawn or white. Dilution genes cause a total lack of eumelanin and a near-total lack of pheomelanin in the coat, which reduces pigment production and thus produces a pale color. Black and white markings are typically absent.

7. Gray Wheaten

Gray wheaten is one of several Irish wolfhound colors not officially approved by the AKC, though it’s fairly common. It is simply a combination of the gray and wheaten coat types, which results in a wheaten base color mixed with gray. Various markings may be present.

8. Red Wheaten

The red wheaten coat color is a fairly common mixture of red and wheaten shades and is approved by the AKC. Reddish tones and white markings combine with a wheaten base to produce this unique hue. Additionally, the outercoat typically contains black hairs.

9. Silver

The silver coat type is one of the most striking Irish wolfhound colors. The AKC allows this relatively common coat type as part of its breed standard. The silvery sheen frequently combines with black hairs to create a variable effect, especially on the muzzle, ears, and back.

10. Wheaten and Brindle

The wheaten and brindle coat in Irish wolfhounds is a less common combination of the wheaten and brindle coat types. The characteristic brindle striping is present here but with a lighter wheaten base. The AKC allows it as part of its breed standard.

11. Black and Tan

This uncommon and unofficial coat color is a combination of black with tan markings, usually on the belly and legs.

12. Blue

Blue is a fairly uncommon but officially acceptable Irish wolfhound coat color. The bluish tint – most prominent around the muzzle and ears – is the result of a diluted black or brown coat. The rest of the coat is gray.

13. Blue Brindle

The blue brindle coat is a cross between the blue and brindle types. The brindle striping is present combined with shades of gray and a hint of blue. The AKC does not permit this as part of its breed standard, nor is it a common coat color.

14. Blue Fawn

Blue fawn is one of the less common and officially unacceptable Irish wolfhound colors, being simply a mix between the blue and fawn coat types. The base coat is a light or moderate fawn with bluish-gray hairs mixed in; as with the blue coat, the hints of blue are muted.

15. Brindle

Another uncommon Irish wolfhound color is brindle, which the AKC recognizes as an acceptable coat color. A recessive gene causes this distinctive tiger-stripe pattern, layering dark on light. Base colors include cream, light gray, red, and wheaten. Mature dogs may lose the brindle pattern as they age.

16. Gray and Brindle

Gray and brindle is an uncommon but officially acceptable Irish wolfhound coat color. It combines the gray and brindle coat types to produce distinctive brindle striping against various shades of gray.

17. Gray Wheaten and Brindle

The gray wheaten and brindle coat type is similar to gray brindle but with wheaten undertones. It is fairly uncommon and the AKC does not recognize it as an acceptable Irish wolfhound color.

18. Red and Brindle

The red and brindle coat type is one of the most striking Irish wolfhound colors. It combines the reddish tones of the red coat with the tiger-striped brindle to produce a rich, dark hue. It is fairly uncommon, but the AKC allows it as part of its breed standard.

19. Sable

Sable is a relatively uncommon coat color that has not gained recognition with the AKC. It is distinguished by hairs that are lighter at the roots than at the tips. The ears, back, sides, and tail of a sable Irish wolfhound are typically darker than the rest of the body.

20. Silver Brindle

Silver brindle is an uncommon and unofficial coat type that combines the gloss of the silver coat with the brindle’s bold striping.

21. White

True white – not cream, wheaten, or fawn – is the rarest of the many Irish wolfhound colors. A white coat will lack black hairs and black markings, though light gray hairs are permissible around the muzzle and ears. Despite its name, the coat may tend toward a creamy or gold hue and still be considered white. The AKC recognizes this coat type as part of its official breed standard.

Summary Table of Irish Wolfhound Colors

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