Page 109 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW SPECIAL ISSUE 7 B

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 1 0 9

In 2022, 2023 and 2024 there was no championship organized due to changed international
regulations.

This change of regulations was prompted by court rulings, particularly in Belgium, the
‘home’ country of the FCI. Until then, it had been customary to measure the shoulder
height of Whippets and Italian Greyhounds. Dogs that exceeded a certain predetermined
height were classified in the sprinter class for the rest of their racing career. This height
was determined by the respective breed standards. Dogs in the sprinter class were not
eligible for World and European championship titles. This was challenged in court and the

ruling found in favor of the owners. These dogs had a pedigree, so they were genuine
representatives of their breed and in no way inferior to their ‘smaller’ counterparts. Yet
this measurement method meant they were excluded from titles for the rest of their lives.
That was not allowed. It was permitted to classify dogs in a certain way, based on weight,
speed, or height, in order to ensure a fair and safe competition. However, it was not
permitted to sideline pedigree dogs for the rest of their lives and exclude them from the
possibility of winning titles. In addition, whereas the old Whippet standard specified a

height in centimeters for males and females, this was replaced in the new standard by a
‘preferred’ size. Another reason why this measuring had to be abandoned.

Under the new regulations there are 2 types of licences: a FCI CACIL licence (for dogs
with show results) and a FCI Open class licence.

FCI-Standard Nr.162 Whippet (into force per
04.09.2019): Desirable height at the withers: Males:
47-51 cm (18,5-20 inch); Females: 44-47 cm (17,5-18,5
inch)

The FCI breed standard of the Italian Greyhound nr.
200 is much stricter. SIZE AND WEIGHT: Height at
the withers: Males and females from 32 to 38 cm.
Weight: Males and females: maximum 5 kg.