Notes

Outline

Introducing the Whippet Learning about the breed through the AKC Standard

Topics of Discussion The Whippet - Bred for a Purpose

Bred for a Purpose Recognized by AKC in 1888.

Judging by the AKC Standard Putting the pieces together……….

Official Standard for the Whippet General Appearance- a medium sized sighthound giving the appearance of elegance and fitness, denoting great speed, power and balance without coarseness.

Whippet Standard- General Appearance A true sporting hound that covers a maximum of distance with a minimum of lost motion.  Should convey an impression of beautifully balanced muscular power and strength, combined with great elegance and grace of outline.

General Appearance (cont.) Symmetry of outline, muscular development and powerful gait are the main considerations; the dog being built for speed and work, all forms of exaggerations should be avoided.

Whippet Standard- Size, Proportion, Substance Ideal height for dogs, 19 to 22 inches; for bitches, 18-21 inches,measured at the highest point of the withers.  More than one-half inch above or below the stated limits will disqualify.

Size, Proportion, Substance (cont.) Length from forechest to buttocks equal to or slightly greater than height at the withers.  Moderate bone throughout.

Whippet Standard- Head Keen, intelligent, alert expression. Eyes large to round or oval in shape. Small and/or almond shaped eyes are undesirable and should be faulted. Eyes to be dark brown or nearly black in color.  Eye color can vary with coat color, but regardless of coat color, dark eyes are always preferred.

Head (cont.) Light eyes are undesirable and yellow eyes are to be strictly penalized. Blue eye(s) or any portion of  blue in the eye(s)k as well as both eyes not being the same color shall disqualify. Fully pigmented eye rims are desirable.

Head (cont.) Rose Ears, small, fine in texture; in repose, thrown back and folded along neck.  Fold should be maintained when at attention.

Head (cont.) Teeth of upper jaw should fit closely over teeth of lower jaw creating a scissors bite.  Teeth should be white and strong.

THE HEAD QUIZ… Which Whippet  head is most correct?

The Answer is…………… The Whippet below has the MOST correct Whippet head, showing the proper ear set, eyes and head proportions.

Whippet Standard- Forequarters Shoulder blade long, well laid back, with flat muscles, allowing for moderate space between shoulder blades at peak of withers. The points of the elbows should point neither in nor out, but straight back.

Forequarters (cont.) Forelegs straight, giving appearance of strength and substance of bone.  Pasterns strong, slightly bent and flexible.

Forequarters (cont.) Both front and rear feet must be well formed with hard, thick pads.  Feet more hare than cat, but both are acceptable.

Whippet Standard- Hindquarters Hindquarters- long and powerful.  The thighs are broad and muscular, stifles well bent; muscles are long and flat and carry well down toward the hock.  The hocks are well let down and close to the ground.

Hindquarters (cont.) Coat- short, close, smooth and firm in texture. Any other coat shall be a disqualification.  Old scars and injuries, the result of work or accident, should not be allowed to prejudice the dog’s chance in the show ring.

Whippet Standard- Neck Topline, Body-Neck long, clean and muscular, well arched with no suggestion of throatiness, widening gracefully into the top of the shoulder.

Neck (cont.) The backbone runs smoothly from the withers with a graceful natural arch, not too accentuated, beginning over the loin and carrying through over the croup; the arch is continuous without flatness.

Whippet Standard- Brisket Brisket very deep, reaching as nearly as possible to the point of the elbow.  Ribs well sprung but with no suggestion of barrel shape.  The space between the forelegs is filled in so that there is not appearance of a hollow between them.

Whippet Standard- Tail The tail, long and tapering, reaching to the hipbone when drawn through between the hind legs.  When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried low with only a gentle upward curve.

Whippet Standard- Gait Gait- low, free moving and smooth, with reach in the forequarters and strong drive in the hindquarters.

Gait (cont.) When moving and viewed from the rear, legs should turn neither in nor out, nor should feet cross or interfere with each other.

Gait (cont.) Crossing in front or moving too close should be strictly penalized.

Whippet Standard-Temperament Amiable, friendly, gentle, but capable of great intensity during sporting pursuits.

NOW IT’S TIME FOR A QUIZ!

TRUE OR FALSE? Missing eye rim pigment is a more serious fault than yellow eyes.

TRUE OR FALSE? Whippets should be slightly taller than long.

TRUE OR FALSE? The Whippet is considered a miniature Greyhound.

TRUE OR FALSE? The pasterns of the Whippet should be strong and straight.

TRUE OR FALSE? Judging the Whippet head is a small part of evaluating the overall dog.

TRUE OR FALSE? A Whippet can carry its tail in any position.

TRUE OR FALSE? A male Whippet measuring 22 ½ inches is disqualified.

HANDS ON WORKSHOP… Using the Wicket Type Comparisons Table, ramp or on the ground? Virtues vs. Faults Discussion Movement Demonstrations