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Silken Windhound is asmall longhaired sighthound which has been missing from the sighthoundgroup.
Silkens are healthy, truesighthounds, they have a really nice disposition, and have that long coatthat is so useful here up north, and which many people simply adore. Thegene pool consists of whippet and borzoi from various parts of the world,borzoi much much less than whippet. The standard states the size beingbetween 48 and 60 cm, ideal however being between 55-57 cm. All colorsand patterns are allowed. The desired structure is distinctively betweena borzoi and a whippet, it has never been a goal to produce a slightlyaltered copy of either breed.
Health has always beenemphasized in breeding, in addition to good nature. After this selectiononly best dogs with many desired traits and very little faults were chosento continue developing the breed to desired direction, but keeping thesize of the gene pool also in mind. They have the hunting instinct thatis so characteristic to sighthounds, but they have also proven to be verynice dogs for families with children. They are also unusually trainablefor a sighthound, in USA they are used in agility, as therapy dogs in hospitals,and also as so called service dogs who have about the same position insociety as seeing eye dogs, they help and support disabled people bothphysically and mentally. In Scandinavia they have so far been visitingmatch shows, coursing and track racing events, unofficial of course.
Silken Windhound is aseparate breed, and breeds absolutely true type. Only dogs that are registeredin International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS) are to be called SilkenWindhounds. ISWS registry is the one that will be transferred to AKC'sFoundation Stock Service (FSS) in the near future. Any other dogs by anyother name, no matter how alike looking, are not and will not be joinedinto the breed even if desired, the stud books are closed and have beenfor some time already. Pedigrees of registered Silkens are also DNA-verifiedto ensure the official parties that pedigrees are true and no shortcutswere made when Silkens start to pursue recognition. This will happen firstin AKC, then, in time, in FCI. FCI will come later since the rules statethat the breed has to be recognized in the country of origin first.
FinnishSilkens (texts in finnish)
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