Silken Windhounds – It’s Time

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74 – February, 2023

By Wayne Cavanaugh

Fifteen years ago, I was sitting in my office when the phone rang. It was Rick Beauchamp, an old friend who was a judge, author, and publisher. Rick was passionate about purebred dogs with a special affinity for new breeds he’d discover on his travels. I could feel the excitement in his voice as he described a pair of dogs he’d not seen before on an early morning visit to a small-town desert post office in California.

After Rick had posted a letter and picked up his mail, he walked out and noticed a pair of beautiful sighthounds basking in the sun, off-lead, waiting for their owners. He waited to meet the owners and struck up a conversation with his typical, friendly curiosity to find out what they were. It didn’t take Rick long to convince me that it was a breed I had to meet.

Soon thereafter, a meeting was arranged, and an enthusiastic couple greeted me with a beautiful pair of elegant, athletic sighthounds at a show I was judging nearby. I was immediately smitten; the following weeks became one big blur of discovering all I could about a breed they call the Silken Windhound.

In 2011, I heard there was going to be a big breed specialty in Calistoga, California called Silkenfest, so I flew out and spent the weekend. It was brilliant, like a dog show from the ‘70s full of great dogs, fun, and palpable comradery. Many of the conformation entries also participated in lure coursing and straight racing in an open field with athleticism, grace, and consistent recall on full display.

It was apparent that Silkens attract owners who are devoted, fun, and passionate about their hounds. Silken owners were there to celebrate their breed, not just to collect rosettes. Since that day, my wife, Cheryl, and I have attended several of their events and enjoyed every minute of each one of them.

Click here to read the complete article
74 – February, 2023

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