Whippet

Whippet

The Whippet is a hard, tough, swift and powerful athlete with a stable and steady disposition. Whippets can be aloof and may bark at strangers as they can become protective of their home. They are very friendly with the family and those they know. Whippets are very adaptable, fitting in well with children, others dogs and cats.There are olso breeds with more delightful charm than the dainty Whippet. Size tends to vary in different countries, although the standard requires an animal standing around the 20 inch mark, but no matter the size, the essence is in the balance of muscularity with neatness, power with elegance. Carrying a short, fine coat, clealiness is the Whippet's hallmark and ist is easy to get him tidy enough for the house within a very short time after returning from a country walk in winter.The decription of his temperament in the official standard, gently and affectionate, is a considerable understatement, he has a true love for the company of mankind and is equally at home in castle or cottage. Light enough to pick up when necessary, but spirited enough to spend a long day on exercise, with a tremendous turn of speed over short distances, he represents one of the most deservingly popular of all sporting dogs.

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 white between the eyes, jaws powerful and clean cut, nose black, in blues a bluish colour permitted, in livers a nose of the same colour, in whites or pari 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 i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeh and set square to the jaws.

Neck* Long, muscular,elegantly arched.

ForeQuarters* Shoulders oblique and muscular, blades carried up to the top of spine, where they are clearly defined. Forelegs straight and upright, front not too wide, pasterns strong with slight spring, elbows set well under body.

Body* Chest very deep with plenty of heart room, brisket deep, well defined, broad back, firm, somewhat long, showing definite arch over lion but not humped. Lion giving impression of strength and power, ribs well sprung, muscled on back.

HindQuarters* Strong broad across thighs, stifles well bent, hocks well let down, well developed second thighs, dog able to stand over a lot of ground and show great driving power.

Feet* Very neat, well split up between toes, knuckles well arched, pads thick and strong.

Tail* No feathering. Long, tapering, when in action carried in a delicate curve upward but not over back.

Gait Movement* Free, hindlegs coming well under body for propulsion. Forelegs thrown well foreward low over the ground, true coming and going. General movement not to look stilted, high stepping, short or mincing.

Coat* Fine, short, close in texture.

Colour* Any colour or mixture of colours.

Size* Height, dogs, 47-51cms * 18-20 inch *. bitches, 44-47cms and 17 - 18 inch *.

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.

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