Raising whippet puppies is a journey full of exciting milestones, careful assessments, and thoughtful planning. With three litters currently keeping us all busy, we wanted to share a glimpse into how we evaluate our puppies as they grow and develop into the well-balanced, confident, and beautiful whippets we strive for at Ashsinhalt Whippets.
Meet the Litters
Saki x Shoya: These puppies have just turned 4 weeks old and have reached their first major evaluation stage.
Rikka x Kai: At only 1.5 weeks old, these little ones are still in their early, developmental phase, relying on their mother and beginning to open their eyes to the world.
Skye x Shoya: Now 5 weeks old, this litter is being lovingly raised by Skye’s owners, who are following all Puppy Culture protocols to ensure their optimal development.
The Evaluation Process
We begin formal conformation evaluations with our puppies at 4 weeks of age. For Saki x Shoya's litter, this means we’ve started taking weekly stack photos to assess their structure. These photos provide a detailed look at how their conformation develops over time. By 7 weeks, we usually make our picks for show and breeding prospects, but the evaluation process doesn’t stop there. We continue assessing these puppies up until 12 weeks of age to ensure we’ve made the best possible decisions for their futures.
What We’re Looking For
At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we have a clear vision of the ideal whippet and evaluate our puppies with this standard in mind:
Front Construction
Prominent forechest with a well-constructed front.
90-degree angulation from shoulder to upper arm.
Well-laid-back shoulders with elbows sitting in line with the point of the shoulder blade and tightly tucked against the chest.
Rear Structure
Balanced and moderate angulation in the rear.
A more open angle in the stifle and hock.
Long, strong hocks with excellent stability.
Overall Balance
Fine bone, bladed bone, and light substance, especially in males.
Tight skin and a high ear set.
Smooth underline with a tight tuck (especially in males).
A gentle rise over the loin in the lumbar section, with the lumbar section at least twice the length of the thoracic section of the spine, and a long, flat croup.
Head and Neck
Strong neck in proportion to the length of the head.
Good width and musculature.
A strong head with a powerful jaw, balanced width and depth, and proper muzzle length.
Additional Considerations
Topline development as they mature.
Bite alignment and the presence of two testicles in males.
Nail quality (thick and strong) and well-attached dew claws.
Breeding Philosophy
At Ashsinhalt Whippets, we strive for a small, fine, and shapely whippet that exemplifies elegance and function. Our goal is to produce dogs with:
Superior health and temperament.
Versatility in both performance sports and conformation showing.
Loving, stable dispositions that make them exceptional companions.
While many traits can’t be fully assessed in a puppy, our careful evaluation process ensures we’re making informed decisions about their potential. For this reason, we may have older puppies available for rehoming after their later evaluations are complete.
The Journey Ahead
It’s an incredible privilege to watch these puppies grow and to play a part in shaping their futures. With Saki x Shoya and Skye x Shoya’s litters now entering this critical stage of evaluation, and Rikka x Kai’s litter not far behind, we’re excited to see how each puppy develops and what they will contribute to the legacy of Ashsinhalt Whippets.
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