Frequently Asked Questions

Windsprites are a mid-sized, coated sighthound breed founded in the United States beginning in the 1950s and 1960s. Though closely related to the short-haired, similarly-sized Whippet, Windsprites are an entirely separate breed with a reputation for combining sighthound elegance, intensity, and athleticism with added biddability. Their temperaments and energy levels tend to be well-suited to a wide variety of interests, from leisurely walks to fierce competition.

The breed was founded in the Northeastern part of the United States, beginning in the 1950s and 1960s. At the time, the breed founder (Walter A. Wheeler Jr.) was involved with showing and breeding Whippets. He believed he had discovered a rare, recessive gene for long coats, a claim that was met with much opposition by the Whippet community. Thanks to genetic testing, we now know for certain that the breed began with a cross between Whippet and Shetland Sheepdog. To this day, it is unknown whether the initial cross was deliberate or accidental. The short coat is dominant, meaning the cross would not have been immediately evident in the first generation.

In 2017, the membership of the International Windsprite Club (previously known as the International Longhaired Whippet Club), voted to change the breed's name. The new name honors the breed founder's contributions, as his kennel name was "Windsprite". It also creates a clear distinction between Windsprites and Whippets, as they are separate breeds.

No. Although the breed was originally founded with Whippets and Shetland Sheepdogs, modern Windsprites are purebred dogs. They breed true, with a predictable phenotype or physical appearance, and Windsprite breeders work towards a well-established breed standard. If one were to cross a Whippet with a Shetland Sheepdog today, the resulting offspring would not be considered Windsprites. That said, the International Windsprite Club does still allow for backcross to Whippets for genetic diversity and health.

Both! In the United States, the breed is referred to as "Windsprite", while in Europe it is known as "Silken Windsprite".

Yes! Although the two are separate and distinct breeds with markedly different type and temperament, they are indeed related. Windsprites predate Silken Windhounds by 20-30 years, with the former being founded in the 1950s and 1960s by Walter Wheeler and the latter being founded in the 1980s by Francie Stull. Francie Stull purchased Windsprites from Walter Wheeler himself and crossed them with her Borzoi. Though the Windsprites who contributed to the formation of the Windhound breed are sometimes incorrectly referred to as simply "a multigenerational line of Whippet-based lurchers", Windsprites are one of the foundation breeds used to create Silken Windhounds.

There are several notable differences between Windsprites and Windhounds. Windsprites resemble Whippets in both temperament and type, while Windhounds are more akin to miniature Borzoi. While there are physical similarities in that both are small to medium-sized coated sighthounds, Windsprites are consistently smaller in stature and Windhounds range a bit larger, with some even approaching the size of their Borzoi relatives. Windsprites have a distinctly Whippet-style head, with broader back skulls and round eyes, whereas Windhounds very much reflect their significant Borzoi heritage in their oval eyes set on narrower, tapered heads. Windsprites tend to have lighter, smoother coats with feathered points, as compared to Windhounds, which typically have a heavier coat over their entire bodies. The temperaments of the two breeds also vary. Windsprites are known for being outgoing and handler-focused. They lack the more aloof, reserved nature common in Windhounds and Borzoi.