First encounter with Francie Stull and her Silken Windhounds, August 1998.
We were in Germany where I had entered my young Boyzoi in the 2-day Sighthound Specialty show in Donaueschingen. We had been there before but this time we saw more than the usual Sighthounds, an American lady with several small, longhaired hounds on leash! Of course we were curious and by asking about them I got to know Francie Stull and the new breed called Silken Windhound. As the Borzoi were still young I had no need for an addition but I had my sister take some photos of them.
It wasn't until 6 years later that I asked Francie for a Silken Windhound puppy, to keep the new Borzoi puppy company.....
Boyzoi Vjertilo compared to Silkenboy Ingot
Just a hand full of Silkens...
Francie holding on to (left to right):
Kristull Northern Lights (Nipsu), Kristull Ingot, Kristull Hannah, Kristull Anunciata (Nuna) |
Meeting Eija Achrén
Eija was the first European to have her own SW, Sussi had to wait 6 months for Omni to complete the quarantine...
From left to right: Nipsu, Hannah, Nuna and Ingot with Eija in the background. |
And here are the girls, Rostania (75cm/29 1/2") and Edith with Omni (49cm/19 1/4"). In the background the lovely palace of the local prince.
Watering the Silkens..
While Francie took pics of the winning Borzoi in the ring, Eija and I held on to the Silkens. At first Hannah was off leash but she kept returning to Francie, thus distracting the Borzoi so we put her back on leash...little did I know that one day I would have her grand daughter Yasera behaving in exactly the same way...
From left to right: Eija (in red), Hannah, Nipsu, Ingot, Nuna and I (in jeans). It was a hot day so the little ones appreciated a drink! |
All varieties coat...
Meeting with other Sighthounds: no problem at all...
Left to right: Azawakh (short hair) Silkens Nuna & Ingot (long hair) and 2 Galgos Españoles (wire hair) |