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This particular page started May 3 1998 |
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They are unique because they are the only sighthounds to have been created during the 1900s. Based on Whippets, with longhair added early on and a known Borzoi added during the 1980s, they are now emerging as a breed of their own. The early history is of the Silken Windhound and where the longhaired trait comes from is covered in haze. The originator, Walter Wheeler of kennel Windsprite USA, claims his dogs are purebred Whippets with long dormant longhaired traits since the time the Whippet itself was formed. There is still a Longhaired Whippet Association. But this was supposed to be about the
Silken Windhounds. Most Silken Windhounds (as opposed to
the "Longhaired Whippets" from kennel Windsprite) come
from Francie Stull, kennel
Kristull in USA, who started out with
dogs from kennel Windsprite. For more than a decade she has bred
her dogs without any outside influences and added Borzoi to the
lines. Mrs Stull has also added Whippets, wich results in smooth
animals in the first generation where some of them (may) carry
the recessive trait for longhair. The result is a small longhaired sighthound, breeding true and always carriying coat as long as you breed a Silken to a Silken. The interest of Silkens is growing, more breeders are joining and the Silkens are spreading into Europe. The main concern for now is to broaden the genepool, maybe still allow a few Whippets or Borzoi into the lines as well has dogs from kennel Windsprite. To get a wide base and keep them just as healthy as they are now is the primarily goal. Once this has been achieved the ultimate goal is to seek recognition as a new sighthound breed, but not until then. See the Silken Windhound FAQ The first European litter is expected
March 2001
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