Silkens entered our life in 2005 when long time friend, Gill Grist of Endevor Hounds, stopped overnight on her way back home having collected Fira (Starcastle Hounds Firefly) from Sweden. Still a very young lady, Fira strode straight in and made the sofa her own. Fira was the first Silken Windhound to grace British soil and from that moment we were smitten.
When Fira had her second litter - Christmas Day 2007 - Gill provided the opportunity for us to have Endevors Dancing Diva (Diva) whose progeny became the foundation for subsequent Kennels.
Prior to Silken Windhounds, Sue owned, bred and showed Borzoi and Afghan, her pride being Ch. Allahabad Karnak Benaries. Taking a break from the show ring Sue was able to enjoy more time with our horses as well as this delightful breed. Justine was always deeply involved with the Arabian horses. Alongside training and competing, other transferrable skills were developed whilst Show Manager for the Regional AHS Club, the newsletter editor and engaging with the judging program. As the horses reached their golden years Justine has had more time to focus on activities with the silken windhounds.
It is all to easy to become captivated by this breed and our band of silken windhounds has grown since 2007. Involvement with the breed has brought new friendships both here and overseas, having been fortunate enough to travel to the USA on a number of occasions to attend the annual SilkenFest National Breed Show hosted by the ISWS. We have exhibited at European Club events travelling to Netherlands, Mid and Southern Germany as well as Slovenia. In the UK we have taken part in the UKSWC events from Devon to Scotland, Boston to Gower and more locally Kent. Racing events have been equally far flung!
Enjoying our dogs is priority be that on the sofa, beach surfing or out and about having-a-go. Like us, each silken windhound is an individual and they excel in different areas. The key is unlocking their skillset and working with it. Of course some just prefer the sofa all day long! You can discover more about each one of our silken windhounds navigating the menu.
The litters we have bred have been carefully researched and planned in an effort to blend new bloodlines or by adding genetic diversity to the UK gene pool. Equally our co-bred litters have been based on developing existing lines. Working alongside other like minded breeders, our aim has, and continues to be producing hounds which are fit for purpose, with emphasis on conformation, type, temperament and health. Our silken windounds are all MDR1 and CEA clear. We have Embarked and completed heart, eyes and thyroid health testing. More recently (Aug 2025), to participate in the ISWS hearing initiative, all dogs were BAER Tested, and Passed. Results were submitted to the ISWS Health committee for inclusion in their study.
Both Sue and Justine are active members of the UK Silken Windhound Club and the International Silken Windhound Society. Indeed, Sue has been involved with UKSWC since it's foundation, and alongside other key committee members has been instrumental in the initiation of our first UK events. Sue has served on and off the ISWS Board of Directors for many years (they keep inviting her back!). Justine is also a key member on the UK Club and is the current ISWS International Delegate. Representing ISWS at the WDS, Geneva 2023 where Silken Windhounds from recognised countries were permitted to exhibit for the first time, Justine also secured a feature in Our Dogs newspaper about the event. More recently Justine supported the Slovenian 20th Anniversary Celebrations and all important breed show.
To conclude, this relatively young breed continues to require careful development and we feel we have a responsibility to manage this as best we can.
When Fira had her second litter - Christmas Day 2007 - Gill provided the opportunity for us to have Endevors Dancing Diva (Diva) whose progeny became the foundation for subsequent Kennels.
Prior to Silken Windhounds, Sue owned, bred and showed Borzoi and Afghan, her pride being Ch. Allahabad Karnak Benaries. Taking a break from the show ring Sue was able to enjoy more time with our horses as well as this delightful breed. Justine was always deeply involved with the Arabian horses. Alongside training and competing, other transferrable skills were developed whilst Show Manager for the Regional AHS Club, the newsletter editor and engaging with the judging program. As the horses reached their golden years Justine has had more time to focus on activities with the silken windhounds.
It is all to easy to become captivated by this breed and our band of silken windhounds has grown since 2007. Involvement with the breed has brought new friendships both here and overseas, having been fortunate enough to travel to the USA on a number of occasions to attend the annual SilkenFest National Breed Show hosted by the ISWS. We have exhibited at European Club events travelling to Netherlands, Mid and Southern Germany as well as Slovenia. In the UK we have taken part in the UKSWC events from Devon to Scotland, Boston to Gower and more locally Kent. Racing events have been equally far flung!
Enjoying our dogs is priority be that on the sofa, beach surfing or out and about having-a-go. Like us, each silken windhound is an individual and they excel in different areas. The key is unlocking their skillset and working with it. Of course some just prefer the sofa all day long! You can discover more about each one of our silken windhounds navigating the menu.
The litters we have bred have been carefully researched and planned in an effort to blend new bloodlines or by adding genetic diversity to the UK gene pool. Equally our co-bred litters have been based on developing existing lines. Working alongside other like minded breeders, our aim has, and continues to be producing hounds which are fit for purpose, with emphasis on conformation, type, temperament and health. Our silken windounds are all MDR1 and CEA clear. We have Embarked and completed heart, eyes and thyroid health testing. More recently (Aug 2025), to participate in the ISWS hearing initiative, all dogs were BAER Tested, and Passed. Results were submitted to the ISWS Health committee for inclusion in their study.
Both Sue and Justine are active members of the UK Silken Windhound Club and the International Silken Windhound Society. Indeed, Sue has been involved with UKSWC since it's foundation, and alongside other key committee members has been instrumental in the initiation of our first UK events. Sue has served on and off the ISWS Board of Directors for many years (they keep inviting her back!). Justine is also a key member on the UK Club and is the current ISWS International Delegate. Representing ISWS at the WDS, Geneva 2023 where Silken Windhounds from recognised countries were permitted to exhibit for the first time, Justine also secured a feature in Our Dogs newspaper about the event. More recently Justine supported the Slovenian 20th Anniversary Celebrations and all important breed show.
To conclude, this relatively young breed continues to require careful development and we feel we have a responsibility to manage this as best we can.
Ollie (back) and Hatti taking Best Brace at ISWS Specialty, Slovenia 2019