NZKC Official Breed Standard ~ Whippet
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
Should convey an impression of beautifully balanced muscular power and strength, combined with great elegance and grace of outline. Symmetry of outline, muscular development and powerful gait are the main considerations; the dog being built for speed and work all forms of exaggeration should be avoided. The dog should possess great freedom of action, the forelegs should be thrown forward and low over the ground like a thoroughbred horse not in a Hackney-like action. Hind legs should come well under the body giving great propelling power, general movement not to look stilted, high stepping or in a short or mincing manner.
Head and Skull:
Long and lean, flat on top tapering to the muzzle, rather wide between the eyes, the jaws powerful and clean cut, nose black, in blues a bluish colour is permitted and in livers a nose of the same colour and in whites or parti-colour a butterfly nose is permissible.
Eyes:
Bright, expression very alert.
Ears:
Rose-shaped, small and fine in texture.
Mouth:
Level. The teeth in the top jaw fitting closely over the teeth in lower jaw.
Neck:
Long and muscular, elegantly arched.
Forequarters:
Shoulders oblique and muscular the blades carried up to the spine closely set together at the top. Forelegs straight and upright, front not too wide, pasterns strong with slight spring, elbows well set under the body.
Body:
Chest very deep with plenty of heart-room, brisket deep and well defined, back broad, firm, somewhat long and showing definite arch over the loin but not humped, loin giving the impression of strength and power, ribs well sprung; well-muscled on back.
Hindquarters:
Strong and broad across thighs, stifles well bent, hocks well let down, second thighs strong, the dog then being able to stand over a lot of ground and show great driving power.
Feet:
Very neat, well split up between the toes, knuckles highly arched, pads thick and strong.
Tail:
No feathering. Long, tapering, when in action carried in a delicate curve upward but not over the back.
Coat:
Fine, short, as close as possible in texture.
Colour:
Any colour or mixture of colours.
Weight and Size:
The ideal height for dogs is 47 cm (18.5 in) and for bitches 44 cm (17.5 in). Judges should use their discretion and not unduly penalise an otherwise good specimen.
FAULTS:
Front and Shoulders:
Weak, sloping or too straight pasterns, pigeon toes, tied elbows, loaded or bossy shoulders wide on top and straight shoulder-blades, flat sides. An exaggerated narrow front not to be encouraged.
Head and Skull:
Apple-skull, short foreface or down-face.
Ears:
Pricked or tulip.
Mouth:
Over or undershot.
Neck:
Throatiness at the join of neck and jaw, and at base of neck.
Body and Hindquarters:
A short coupled or cramped stance, also an exaggerated arch, a Camel or Humped back (the arch starting behind the shoulder-blades), a too short or overlong loin. Straight stifles, poor muscular development of thighs and second thighs.
Feet:
Splayed, flat or open.
Tail:
Gay, ringed or twisted, short or docked.
Coat:
Wire or broken coated; a coarse or woolly coat; coarse thick skin.
Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
