Which breed is the tallest dog breed according to the AKC?

Which breed is the tallest dog breed according to the AKC? The Irish Wolfhound. The American Kennel Club describes this rough-coated sighthound as the tallest of all AKC-recognized breeds.

Irish Wolfhounds were developed in Ireland as large, fast hunting dogs. Gaelic hunters valued them for pursuing and dispatching wolves, as well as other large game. Their build combines the height and speed of a Greyhound-like sighthound with the strength needed for dangerous quarry. Historical references to large Irish dogs go back many centuries, including a Roman account from AD 391 describing enormous dogs sent to Rome.

The breed standard emphasizes height, but not every individual Irish Wolfhound will be taller than every Great Dane or Mastiff. AKC standards call for males to be at least 32 inches at the shoulder and females at least 30 inches. That minimum height is why the Irish Wolfhound generally wins the “tallest breed” category, while Great Danes often compete for records involving the tallest individual dog.

The Irish Wolfhound’s name can mislead modern readers: despite its imposing size and hunting history, the breed is generally known today for a calm, gentle temperament.