Breed Standard

General Appearance

The Windsprite is a small sighthound that is very athletic, has well-muscled hindquarters, a strong loin, a deep, powerful chest and an elegantly arched neck. A graceful hound of great power, elegance and a flowing outline, Windsprites should be fit and conditioned to course in all types of terrain.
 

Males should have two normal testicles descended into the scrotum.

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Scars and injuries from work or accident should not prejudice the dog's chances in the show ring.
 

There are no disqualifying faults.

Ideal Height

Ideal Height for Dogs 17”-22”

Ideal Height for Bitches 16”-21”

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These are not intended to be definite limits, only approximate. The height is measured at the highest point of the withers.

Expression

At rest the Windsprite has a sweet, gentle, almost humble or apologetic look, but when on alert, he has a keen, intense expression.

Head

Should be relatively long and lean, but with a rather wide back skull, tapering slightly to the eyes, and continuing to narrow to the nose. The skull is flat on top with a very slight stop. The head is not to be excessively long and narrow, nor excessively short and broad. The jaws are powerful but clean with no coarseness. Lack of underjaw is not desirable. Nose is black, or as dark as possible in dilute colored dogs. Scissors bite.

Eyes

Eye color as dark as possible but commensurate with coat color. Eyes are to be large and round to oval. Both eyes to be the same color. Rims to be as dark as possible commensurate with coat color. Fully pigmented eye rims are desirable.

Ears

Rose ears are the only correct ear and are very highly preferred. However, button ears, which are small V-shaped ears that fold just above the top of the skull, with the inner edge close to the cheek and the flap pointing down, are acceptable, although not desirable. Prick, semi prick or hound ears are exceedingly undesirable.

Neck

Long, elegantly arched and muscular, with no throatiness. A ewe neck or a short thick neck are undesirable.

Shoulders

Shoulder blades long and placed as obliquely as possible, with good muscling. Moderate space between the blades at the withers to allow for the girth. The elbow is to be directly under the withers when viewed from the side. The elbows should turn neither in nor out when viewed from the front.

Forelegs

Straight, and strong, with good bone all the way down to the feet. Pasterns to be strong, but flexible, and have a very slight, but not too prominent, bend.

Brisket

Very deep, preferably to the point of the elbow. Well sprung ribs but not barrel shaped.

Back and Loin

Broad and strong, with a somewhat long loin. A dramatic tuck up is highly desirable. There is to be a definite arch over the well-muscled loin, but the topline is not to be humped or wheel backed. A flat back with a steep croup is very undesirable.

Hindquarters

Strong, broad and well-muscled across thighs; well bent stifles; well let down hocks, creating a long, powerful, wide rear with great driving power.

Feet

Strong, well knuckled, with thick pads, either hare foot or cat foot is acceptable. Flat feet are to be penalized.

Tail

Long, reaching at least to the hocks, and preferably below them. Tail to be tapered, with a slight open curve upward to the end to create a sweep. Tail should not be carried high above the back. Short, ringed or high tails are undesirable.

Coat

Hair soft and straight, or slightly curled or wavy. Hair should be longer on neck. Amount of body hair will vary from dog to dog. An undercoat may or may not be present. There is to be feathering on the back of the forelegs and under the chest, and more feathering on back of thighs and tail.

Color

Any color, markings or combination thereof.

Gait

Effortless, low, level and powerful, covering the most amount of ground possible. Great reach and drive. Hackney gait, caused by high, constricted front leg action; moving too close; moving too wide; weaving; or crossing over are all undesirable.

Temperment

Easy going, calm, dignified, and gentle, but very intense in the field.