The Whippet Breed Standard

A Breed Standard is the guideline that describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable, it should only be present in the right measure.

• 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 muzzle with slight stop, rather wide between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean-cut, nose black, in blues a bluish colour permitted, liver nose in creams and other dilute colours, in whites or parti-colour a butterfly nose 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 upper teeth closely overlapping 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 that the elbow falls directly under the withers when viewed in profile. Forearms straight and upright with moderate bladed bone. Front not too wide. Pasterns sloping 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 impression of strength and power. Definite tuck up.

• Hindquarters
  Strong, broad across thighs, with well developed second thighs. Stifles well bent without exaggeration with hocks well let down. Able to stand naturally over a lot of ground.

• Feet
  Oval, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick, nails strong.

• Tail
  No feathering. Long, tapering, reaching to at least the hock. When in action carried in a delicate curve not higher than the back.

• Gait/Movement
  Should possess great freedom of action. In profile should move with a long, easy stride whilst holding topline. The forlegs should be thrown forward low over the ground. Hind legs should come well under the body giving greater propelling power. General movement not to look stilted, high stepping, short or mincing. True coming and going.

• Coat
  Fine, short, close in texture.

• Colour
  Any colour or mixture of colours; except merle.

• Size
  Desirable height: dogs: 47-51 cms (18 1/2" - 20"); bitches 44-47 cms (17 1/2" - 18 1/2")

• 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.

• Note
  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.