Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standard
Effective January, 2004

General Appearance
The Whippet should be a dog of moderate size, very alter, that can cover a maximum of distance with a minimum of lost motion, a true sporting hound.  Should be put down in hard condition but with no suggestion of being muscle-bound.

Size
Ideal height for Dogs 19-22 inches (48-56 cm); for Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53 cm).  These are not intended to be definite limits, only approximate.

Coat and Colour
Coat close, smooth and firm in texture.  Colour immaterial.

Head
Long and lean, fairly wide between the ears, scarecely perceptible stop, good length of muzzle which should be powerful without being coarse.  Nose entirely black.  Teeth white, strong and even.  Teeth of upper jaw should fit closely over the lower.  Eyes large, intelligent, round in shape and dark hazel in colour, must be at least as dark as the coat colour.  Expression should be keen and alert.  A sulky expression and lack of alertness to be considered most undesirable.  Ears small, fine in texture, thrown back and folded.  Semi-pricked when at attention.

Neck
Long and muscular, well arched and with no suggestion of throatiness, widening gradually into the shoulders.  Must not have a tendancy to an "ewe" neck.

Forequarters
Shoulders long, well laid back with long, flat muscles.  Forelegs straight and rather long, held in line with the shoulders and not set under the body so as to make a forechest.  Elbows should turn neither in nor out and mvoe freely with the point of the shoulder.  Fair amount of bone, which should carry right down to the feet.  Pasterns strong.

Body
Back strong and powerful, rather long with a good, natural arch over the loin creating a definite tuck-up of the underline but covering a lot of ground.  Brisket very deep and strong, reaching as nearly as possible to the point of the elbow.  Ribs well sprung but with no suggestion of barrel shape.  Should fill in the space between the forelegs so that there is no appearance of a hollow between them.

Hindquarters
Long and powerful, stifles well bent, hocks well let down and close to the ground.  Thighs broad and muscular, the muscles should be long and flat.  A steep croup is most undesirable.  Feet must be well formed with strong thick pads and well-knuckled-up paws.

Tail
Long and taperin, should reach to the hip bone when drawn through between the hind legs.  Must not be carried higher than the top of the back when moving.

Gait
Low, free moving and smooth, as long as is commensurate with the size of the dog.

Faults
Light yellow or oblique eyes should be strictly penalized.  Gay ears are incorrect and should be severly penalized.  Loaded shoulders are a very serious fault.  A thin, flat, open foot is a serious fault.  A short, mincing gait with high knee action should be severely penalized.

Disqualification
An undershot mouth.
Any coat type other than as described in the standard.