Standard Post #4 Sorry for the delay. I decided to put up a little basic anatomy illustration just in case anyone doesnt already know where all the parts are. Here we go. AKC Standard Neck long, clean and muscular, well arched with no suggestion of throatiness, widening gracefully into the top of the shoulder. A short thick neck, or a ewe neck, should be penalized. The back is broad, firm and well muscled, having length over the loin. The backline 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. A dip behind shoulder blades, wheelback, fl at back, or a steep or flat croup should be penalized. 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 fi lled in so that there is no appearance of a hollow between them. There is a definite tuckup of the underline. The tail long and tapering, reaching to at least the inside of the hock when measured down along the hind leg. When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried low with only a gentle upward curve; tail should not be carried higher than top of back Elaboration The outline of the Whippet is arguably its most important and distinct feature. A correct and smooth melding of topline and underline with proper body length combined with well made running gear fore and aft makes for a beautiful and effi cient running machine. The body and outline of the Whippet should be a continuous series of ‘S’ curves, with the only hard angle found at the hock. The proper topline is often a point of confusion for judges new to Whippets, particularly those who come from level backed or high tail set breeds. Often in the show ring you will see a number of different toplines on the dogs in front of you - which of those is most correct? Please remember that, unlike most breeds that require short coupling through the loin, Whippets must have length, breadth and elasticity through the loin. This is an adaptation in breeds of extreme speed, primarily Whippets and Greyhounds wherein the loin provides the ‘hinge’ and flexibility to successfully perform the double suspension gallop (*see definition in Appendix) at speed. The topline possesses a smooth natural arc, analogous to the “curve of a well drawn bow”, with the highest point of the arch never being any higher than the highest point of the withers. This smooth muscular curve, which is a hallmark of the breed, allows the transmission of power from the hindquarters through the loin and forequarters when running. It should be noted, however, that short coupled or steep crouped individuals are more significantly hampered in successful performance at a run than those who are slightly too long or fl at because they are typically restricted in their rearward extension and thrust. Judges should also remember that the topline that the dog carries while standing should be maintained at a trot when in the show ring. All dogs, running hounds or otherwise, will possess a small ‘divot’ in the topline in the thoracic region at the anticlinal vertebrae (between the thoracic and the lumbar vertebrae). This is where the vertebrae change direction from pointing backward to forward. This slight indentation can also appear accentuated in dogs that are racing/ coursing fit by development of the rhomboid muscle over the shoulder area. A small ‘divot’ is normal; however an accentuated dip is incorrect. The underline is equally important and functions in concert with the topline during the Whippet’s working gait, the double suspension gallop. Sufficient ‘tuck up’ allows for the spine flexion and the folding of the body during the overreach phase when running at speed. The Whippet should have a smooth supple body with great flexibility. The body should be deep, capacious and oval shaped (NOT ROUND), providing great heart and lung room and must complement the functional topline and underline. The tail should reach at least to the hock when drawn down along the hind leg. A low tail set is important as the tail functions as a rudder when the dog is running at speed. A high tail set typically indicates an incorrect, short croup.
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 13:06:47 +0000
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