Breed Standard

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal charachteristics, 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 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 features or quality is desirable, it should only be present in the right measure.

UK Whippet Breed Record Holders

Breed Record Holder
Ch Nutshell of Nevedith
45 CCs

Dog Breed Record
Ch Shalfleet Simply A Lord
38 CCs

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.