A Brief History of the Silken Windhound

After considering options since 1975, a Borzoi breeder, Francie Stull, determined that a smaller hound with wonderful temperament, long coat, all-around good health, with the poise and sporting abilities of the larger sighthounds, would be an ideal second breed for her kennel.

In the early 1980’s, an advertisement appeared in The Sighthound magazine for a Borzoi litter. Included was the famous Borzoi bitch, American, English Champion Stillwater Virginia Reel.

This beautiful bitch caught the eye of Kristull Kennel and the purchase of a pick puppy from her next litter was negotiated.

When bred to Stillwater White Lightning, Am. Eng. Ch. Stillwater Virginia Reel produced a blue brindle puppy, Stillwater Kristull Peacock. Peacock had the structure, personality and coat that formed the basis for the Silken Windhound when she was bred to Windsprite Autumnal Xenon.

With more than two hundred champion Borzoi in the record books, Kristull’s Silken Windhound foundation stock combined dogs from some of the best show and coursing Borzoi lines, a multi-generational line of small Whippet-based lurchers, and Whippets from both show and coursing lines.

The result of the breeding program was a magnificent little sighthound designed to fill a gap in the line-up of sighthound breeds – a medium-sized elegant hound, at home both in the show ring and in the field, about 18-24 inches at the shoulder, with an easy-care, long, silken coat in all sighthound colors and color combinations, and a steady, affectionate and confident personality.