Silken Windsprite

The Silken Windsprite is a versatile dog. It doesn’t need a large garden and is also comfortable in smaller flats, as long as it’s part of the family life.

Kennel keeping is out of the question for these social animals. They want to live amidst their humans, and since they’re so low-maintenance and inconspicuous indoors, their wish is readily granted.

How much exercise does a Silken Windsprite need?

Silken Windsprites need much less exercise than you might think. As much as it loves to sprint during walks, it equally cherishes a nap afterwards for recovery.

The key to keeping these dogs happy are the opportunities to sprint: The Silken Windsprite desires to run once or twice a day. But this doesn’t translate to a need for endurance training.

At the beginning of a walk, you may notice some restlessness which subsides after a few quick sprints. Then the energy reserves are spent and the dog is balanced.

How to keep your Longhaired Whippet entertained

• Many places have designated running tracks or even racecourses for sighthounds, where they can indulge in leash-free sprints.
• During regular walks, you can throw a ball using a ball thrower to a great distance and have your dog retrieve it. They also enjoy playing with Dog Frisbee immensely.
• Obedience, Agility, or Dogdancing are fun activities for Longhaired Whippets, stimulating their minds.

Jogging or running alongside a bicycle are less suitable activities for Silken Windsprites, as they only sustain such activities over short distances.

The Silken Windsprite is easy to care for. Only its long fur needs regular grooming to prevent tangling. Use a suitable brush that gently removes loose hairs without pulling. Dogs usually enjoy brushing as it helps them feel connected to their owner.All in the Green Area? Check your dog from nose to tail once a week. This ensures you don’t overlook any injuries or parasites

The Silken Windsprite is an easy eater. There are no special dietary rules for this breed. A normal, species-appropriate diet is sufficient:

• If your pet has had an exceptionally active day, adjust the food quantity to compensate for the increased calorie consumption.
• Choose high-quality dog food without additives. Both dry food and wet food are suitable.
• The main part of the diet should consist of high-quality protein, mainly from meat, making up about three-quarters of the food.
• Your dog doesn’t need much grain; avoid sugar entirely.
• Feeding twice daily is usually enough.

About Raw Feeding

The concept of Barfen (biologically appropriate raw feeding) is gaining attention. This is also a good option for the Silken Windsprite. Be aware, however, that this method of feeding fresh and raw meat means significantly more work for you.

With any dog breed, clean and regulated breeding plays a key role in ensuring good health into old age.

Make sure you purchase Silken Windsprite puppies only from breeders affiliated with an official breeding association. In Germany, for instance, there is the German Sighthound Breed and Racing Association (DWZRV). They commit to testing their dogs and limiting defects through intelligent breeding.

Breed-specific Illnesses

The Silken Windsprite is generally robust. However, it has inherited some health conditions from the Sheltie due to breeding. These include Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and MDR1, a defect in the blood-brain barrier. Breeders are aware of this and are careful to combat the problem. Consult with your breeder for further information.

The Silken Windsprite is closely related to the short-haired Whippet, also a sighthound breed. Since the 1950s, Whippets have been crossed with Shetland Sheepdogs in the USA.

The reason for this breeding was old illustrations depicting long-haired sighthounds. However, there was no remaining breeding programme that produced such dogs worldwide.

With the body of the Whippet and the long fur of the Sheltie, the breeders achieved their breeding goal: The Silken Windsprite, a petite sighthound with a silky coat, was born.

Since 2002, the Silken Windsprite has been bred in Germany and has been recognised as a breed by the VDH since 2014. However, the FCI has not yet incorporated this breed into its breeding register.

Former Name The Silken Windsprite was previously known as the Longhaired Whippet. This name sometimes still appears.