Whippet Picture Gallery

Whippet Breeders

Whippet Clubs/Associations

The Full Whippet Description

Whippets are the fastest domestic animals of their size. They can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. But they are also quiet and well-behaved in the house. They are smart, loving, hardly little dogs who can live in the city.

Did you know?

The Whippet was originally bred to pursue and capture small game.
Whippets are a quiet and intelligent breed, and do not bark unnecessarily.

So you want to own a Whippet?

The Whippet is a hardy, 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 family and those they know.
Whippets are very adaptable, fitting in well with children, others dogs and even cats.

Indicative 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 muzzle with slight stop, rather wide 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 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, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck

Long, muscular, elegantly arched.

Forequarters

Shoulders oblique and muscular, blades carried up to 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

A very deep with plenty of heart room, brisket deep, well defined, broad back, firm, somewhat long, showing definite arch over loin but not humped. Loin 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 forward 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: 47-51 cms (181/2-20 ins); bitches: 44-47 cms (171/2-181/2 ins).