The Whippet Breed Standard
General Appearance : Balanced combination of muscular power and strength with elegance and grace of outline . Built for speed and work . All forms of exaggeration should be avoided .
Characteristics : An ideal companion . Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings .
Temperament : Gentle . affectionate . even disposition .
Head and Skull : Long and lean . flat on top , tapering to the muzzle with slight stop , rather wide between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean cut . Nose black , in blues a bluish nose is permitted , liver nose in creams and other dilute colours , in whites or parti- colour a butterfly nose is permissible .
Eyes : Oval , bright , expression very alert .
Ears : Rose shaped , small , fine in texture .
Mouth : Jaws strong with a perfect , regular and complete scissor bite , ie the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws .
Neck : Long , muscular , elegantly arched .
Forequarters : Shoulders well laid back with flat muscles . Moderate space between the shoulder blades at the withers. The upper arm is approximately of equal length to the shoulder , placed so the elbow falls directly under the withers when viewed in profile . Forearms straight and upright with moderate bladed bone . Front not too wide . Pasterns strong with slight spring .
Body : Chest very deep with plenty of heart room . Well filled in front . Brisket deep , Broad well muscled back , firm , somewhat long , showing graceful arch over the loin but not humped . Ribs well sprung . Loin giving the impression of strength and power . Definite tuck up .
Hindquarters : Strong , broad across the thighs , with well developed second thighs . Stifles well bent without exaggeration with hocks well let down . Able to stand over a lot of ground .
Feet : Oval , well split between the toes , knuckles well arched , pads thick , nails strong .
Tail : No feathering , long , tapering , reaching at least to the hock . When in action carried in a delicate curve not higher then the back .
Gait / movement : Should possess great freedom of action . In profile should move with a long , easy stride whilst holding the topline . The forelegs should be thrown forward and low over the ground . Hind legs should come well under the body giving great propelling power . General movement not to look stilted , high stepping , short mincing . True coming and going .
Coat : Fine , short , close in texture .
Colour : Any colour or mixture of colours .
Sizes : Desirable Height
Dogs 47 - 51 cms ( 18.5 - 20 ins )
Bitches 44 - 47 cms ( 17.5 - 18.5 ins )
Faults : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded , should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog .
Notes : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum .
Reprinted from the current ANKC breed standard .
Characteristics : An ideal companion . Highly adaptable in domestic and sporting surroundings .
Temperament : Gentle . affectionate . even disposition .
Head and Skull : Long and lean . flat on top , tapering to the muzzle with slight stop , rather wide between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean cut . Nose black , in blues a bluish nose is permitted , liver nose in creams and other dilute colours , in whites or parti- colour a butterfly nose is permissible .
Eyes : Oval , bright , expression very alert .
Ears : Rose shaped , small , fine in texture .
Mouth : Jaws strong with a perfect , regular and complete scissor bite , ie the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws .
Neck : Long , muscular , elegantly arched .
Forequarters : Shoulders well laid back with flat muscles . Moderate space between the shoulder blades at the withers. The upper arm is approximately of equal length to the shoulder , placed so the elbow falls directly under the withers when viewed in profile . Forearms straight and upright with moderate bladed bone . Front not too wide . Pasterns strong with slight spring .
Body : Chest very deep with plenty of heart room . Well filled in front . Brisket deep , Broad well muscled back , firm , somewhat long , showing graceful arch over the loin but not humped . Ribs well sprung . Loin giving the impression of strength and power . Definite tuck up .
Hindquarters : Strong , broad across the thighs , with well developed second thighs . Stifles well bent without exaggeration with hocks well let down . Able to stand over a lot of ground .
Feet : Oval , well split between the toes , knuckles well arched , pads thick , nails strong .
Tail : No feathering , long , tapering , reaching at least to the hock . When in action carried in a delicate curve not higher then the back .
Gait / movement : Should possess great freedom of action . In profile should move with a long , easy stride whilst holding the topline . The forelegs should be thrown forward and low over the ground . Hind legs should come well under the body giving great propelling power . General movement not to look stilted , high stepping , short mincing . True coming and going .
Coat : Fine , short , close in texture .
Colour : Any colour or mixture of colours .
Sizes : Desirable Height
Dogs 47 - 51 cms ( 18.5 - 20 ins )
Bitches 44 - 47 cms ( 17.5 - 18.5 ins )
Faults : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded , should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog .
Notes : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum .
Reprinted from the current ANKC breed standard .