Height Size Standards

[turb065]

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i agree with karen that there should be a dq range on height as what is the point of having a so called standard. Possibly the heights are a touch low, but then up the limit, as when were the standards formed. I am going from what i've seen, and iv'e seen some huge whippets, albeit not in shows but to me its weird. Many times to people have come to me at obedience and said "ooooh an italian greyhound" even tho crispy is perfect height standard for a bitch? So i dunno. Agreed shape and gate etc are important things as well, so maybe the whippet world council (if there is a thing) need to get together and work something out. Its good to see there is such an opinion on this. 8)

 

[Seraphina]

Many times to people have come to me at obedience and said "ooooh an italian greyhound" even tho crispy is perfect height standard for a bitch?

My bitch is the same height (18.5") and NEVER was mistaken for Iggy. As well as bigger, Whippets are totally different shape, proportions and have different gait than Iggies. If people cannot tell Whippet from Iggie they do not know much about either breed; so why take any notice of what they have to say?

There have been many threads about the ignorant comments make about our dogs. When I first moved in this area people would approach me almost everyday to tell me that my Borzoi, very well bred 33" and with magnificent long coat, is a Saluki! There used to be Saluki living near some years before. When I got a Whippet, many people thought she was a baby Borzoi, and I swear she was not hairy at all! :lol:

Possibly the heights are a touch low, but then up the limit,

The limit has already been upped, and possibility of increasing it again has been very contentious issue for many years.

Also you have to realise that there are many unregistered Whippets bred. I have seen number of very large dogs bred from unregistered stock, some from racing lines. To people breeding these it really does not matter what the standard says; I have even met some "breeders" who did not know what The Standard is.

 

[elmaro]

Extreme_concerns.doc

I thought this article might be of interest ... it was forwarded to me by our judges training scheme here to think about what our role is as judges of the breeds. There are always going to be breeders that will breed to win and as judges I think it is important to stick to breed type, however in saying that whilst I think that height is important it is not the only thing that contributes to breed type. As a judge I wouldn't put a 21" dog at the end of the line if other attributes were far better than the 20" dog. Small dogs can win ... Tia is one of the smallest bitches getting around at the moment and holds her own very well and I have seen other smaller specimens do well in the show ring ... Its the overall package that judges should be looking for ...

Cheers

Elly

 

[Seraphina]

[ As a judge I wouldn't put a 21" dog at the end of the line if other attributes were far better than the 20" dog. Small dogs can win

I am sure they can, but it is just the bit more difficult if they are the only little one in the line up of large ones. Maybe judges should ask: " how old and how tall" , when they have dog on the table.

Excellent article Elly, hope it will make judges to think. :thumbsup:

 

[turb065]

To add to the issue Crispy stood next to a 21inch dog at obedience, soiasked the handler how tall do you think Crispy is? 16inch's was the reply And to her surprise when we pulled out the tape it came back at 18.5inch's. In a state of shock she was in agreeance about the height standard and said maybe they should have a "proper whippet class" meaning height standard is a dq offence. Its a funny issue when people cant tell the heights, but it happens in all breeds, and i guess thats why people are so selective in the judges they show under.

 

[Wayward_Angel]

height is just one of those issues that can be discussed forever ... And has been discussed for many years so nothing new in saying the breed is getting too big!! And nothing is more annoying when when you over hear someone at ringside saying "oh I would like a whippet BUT.. they are just too big today" and yep have heard that comment!! :angry:

The NZ standard ((which is the original english standard) says Ideal height Dogs 18.5" Bitches 17.5", with the added clause that judges should use their discretion and not penalise an othwise good specimen. This allows the judge to go either side of the height. a whippet shouldn't be confused with a small greyhound or large Iggy = on the otherhand a large course whippet is just as untypical as a very small, fine whippet.

Many of the best whippets over the years have been on the "big side" and given the breed the strenght it has today, and what would the breed be like today if they had been disqualified.

A judge is not allowed to measure in the ring in NZ, it has to be done outside the ring( not sure if they do it before or after judging, I have never been to a show where a judge has asked for this to be done. But I have heard that it was asked about 20yrs ago, at a whippet show I think?? and a few kicked up a stink - not sure if it was done though).

But then you get the judges who have an idea and will esimate the height by standing along side the dog and measure it against their leg.

There is alot more to a whippet then just height, and am sure judges, judge the overall dog/class in front of them on other things aswell ie. movement, shape etc... oh and also dosen't matter what the dog looks like sometimes the handler will always win

If we all knew who was gonna win the show we wouldn't bother in entering but we don't know (always) what the judge is going to put up so we enter... sometimes a judge will put up a dog at one show and dump it the next thats just show business.

in the end though personally dosen't matter to me if a dog is small or big BUT is Balanced for it's size and has breed TYPE which is the important thing!!

and all forms of exaggeration, does not mean underdone!!

 

[GotWhippet?]

Here is an article worth the read.

Preferred_Breed_Type

I really do like the quote "The best of the best or one that looks like the rest"