Height: 

The average wolf stands between 27 and 32 inches at the shoulder - though some are taller.

Weight:

The average wolf is between 75 and 125 pounds.  The largest documented wolf on record weighed 175 pounds.

Length:

An average wolf will measure between 50 and 70 inches long from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tails; about 1/4 of that length being their tails.  However, there have been reports of wolves measuring between 80 and 90 inches in length.

Pelage:

A wolf is double coated.  Regardless of color, the gray wolf has a gray undercoat with guard hairs that will give it the appearance of being anything from black, white, or shades of brown.  The hair is approximately 2 to 2 1/2 inches long.  Wolves also have a mane that begins at the base of the neck and extends down its back of longer hairs that are about twice as long as those on the rest of the body.    The widest part of the mane is over the shoulders and narrows as it goes down the back.

A wolf will molt (shed its under fur) each spring.  The coat is so thick that they are well protected from the elements.

Body Structure:

(Head)

The slope of the head is not defined (i.e. the stop).

Bullae tympani:  Is spherical without ribs. 

The eyes in wolves are more oblique.

Ears are erect, well furred, and rounded at the tips.

(Legs)

The elbows are pulled inwards to the chest with the toes pointing somewhat outward.  The legs are disproportionately long for the body size.  This position makes the shoulders more oblique and the chest appears more narrow of a dog of the same size.  The back legs often appear cowhocked. 

(Tail)

The tail is log shaped and hangs straight.  In a running position, the tail is usually out behind him. (A wolf will not curl its tail over its back like a husky.)  The tail has a scent gland located a few inches below the root known as the precaudal gland.

(Feet)

Wolves (like all canines) are digitigrades - meaning they walk on their toes.  A wolf has five toes on its front feet with the fifth toe never touches the ground and is what we refer to as a dewclaw.  The wolf does not have dew claws on the back feet; therefore, they only have four toes on their back paws.  A wolf's foot is disproportionately large.

TRAVEL:

When walking or trotting, a wolf places his hind legs in the prints of its forelegs.  Meaning the legs move forward in a straight line and traveling in a straight line.  (This characteristic is common for both fox and wolves.)  Whereas dogs will leave a more random or meandering pattern. 

Wolves can trot for hours and have been known to cover 60 miles in a single day.  For short distances, a wolf can reach a speed of approximately 40 miles per hour.

Communication:

A wolf communicates through body language, vocalization, and scent.