Draft:Windsprite

Three Windsprites competing in AOK9 Sprint Racing at a recent International Windsprite Club specialty show.

The Windsprite is a small, coated American sighthound breed of great power and elegance, with an exemplary temperament that makes it well-suited to companionship and family life. This rare breed was founded in the Northeastern United States beginning in the 1950s and 1960s by Walter A. Wheeler, Jr., who originally referred to them as Longhaired Whippets. Although they are closely related to the similarly-built, smooth-coated Whippet, Windsprites are a completely separate breed. They are known for their charming, affectionate nature, as well as their trainability, athleticism, and ethereal beauty. These dogs fill a variety of roles with ease, from family pets to sports prospects. Their energy needs are generally considered low to moderate, though some may exhibit more drive. Windsprites happily engage in an array of activities, including leisurely walks, rounds of fetch in the yard, adventurous hikes, and fierce competition in performance sports and in the conformation ring.

Name

The official logo of the International Windsprite Club.

The Windsprite was originally known as the Longhaired Whippet, which was widely considered a misnomer given the breed's origins. This name remained a point of contention for many years, despite the makeup of the breed primarily consisting of Whippet stock, along with a couple of other foundation breeds. In October of 2017, the Board of Directors of the International Longhaired Whippet Club moved to change the breed's name in an effort to increase its acceptance among the dog fancy. Subsequently, the breed and its parent club, now known as the International Windsprite Club, were renamed.

In the United States, the breed formerly known as the Longhaired Whippet is now simply known as the Windsprite, in honor of the breed founder's kennel of the same name. However, in Europe, the breed is referred to as the Silken Windsprite, not to be confused with the Silken Windhound, of which the Windsprite is itself a principal foundation breed, though this is often incorrectly attributed to an unnamed line of "Whippet-based Lurchers".

History

The Windsprite breed was founded in the 1950s and '60s by Walter A. Wheeler, Jr. Wheeler was involved in breeding and showing Whippets for many years. In the 1970s, he professed to have discovered a rare, recessive gene that resulted in Whippets he had bred being born with long hair. There was much skepticism about this claim and the Whippet community was very opposed to the idea that Wheeler's Longhaired Whippets were purebred. In the early '80s, an investigation was conducted by the American Whippet Club, which determined that the dogs could not be shown to be purebred. As a result, Wheeler's dogs were de-registered. This led to the creation of his own breed club, the Longhaired Whippet Association, in 1981, with the earliest version of a formal breed standard being authored and copyrighted by Wheeler soon after.

The breed founder, Walter A. Wheeler, Jr., exhibiting a Windsprite.

There were early indications that Wheeler's long-haired dogs were not purebred. Some presented with symptoms of drug sensitivity, associated with the MDR1 gene, which did not appear in Whippets, but was known to be present in a number of herding breeds. Today, we have confirmation via genetic testing that these early Windsprites were in fact part Shetland Sheepdog. There is some anecdotal evidence from those that worked with Wheeler that the early foundations of the breed may have also contained some Borzoi and Italian Greyhound blood as well. Whether or not the initial crosses were accidental or deliberate, we may never know for certain. The true original intentions, and many early breed records, are believed to have been lost with the passing of the breed's founder on September 17th, 2013.

The modern iteration of the Windsprite breed association in the United States, the International Windsprite Club, was founded in 2001, inheriting the work of the Longhaired Whippet Association to further the advancement, protection, and preservation of the Windsprite by establishing and maintaining a community of fellowship among breed fanciers and friends. The International Windsprite Club also maintains a breed registry; authorizes and conducts sanctioned matches, dog shows, and performance events; educates and assists owners and prospective owners on the care, training, showing, and breeding of Windsprites, and so on.

Appearance

A headshot of an adult female Windsprite, showing the breed's sweet expression.

The appearance of the Windsprite is very similar to that of a Whippet, with the addition of a longer coat and silky feathering on the neck, chest, ears, legs, and tail. These are small, athletic sighthounds with well-muscled hindquarters, a strong loin, a deep chest, a flowing outline, and an overall impression of elegance and power. The head is very like a Whippet's, long and lean, with a broad, flat back skull, large, dark eyes, and small, delicate rose ears. At rest, a Windsprite's expression should be sweet, soft, and almost modest. When on alert, the expression is keen and intense.

The Windsprite moves with a reaching, floating gait at a trot and runs in a double-suspension gallop, much like other sighthound breeds. Color is immaterial. All coat colors are accepted. The breed is without any disqualifying faults, but certain traits, such as prick ears, short necks, and flat backs, are considered highly undesirable. Much effort has been made on the part of breeders over the years to achieve consistent breed type, with an eye to good bone and substance, as well as a beautiful, curving silhouette.

The breed ranges in height from approximately 17-21" at the withers. Weight is fairly consistent across the breed at 20-35 pounds, with a few outliers in the upper teens and even fewer in the upper 30s and low 40s. Females tend to be slightly smaller than males. Males trend slightly larger and generally have heavier feathering than females, but coat length and texture varies some on an individual basis, regardless of sex.

Temperament

Windsprites are celebrated for their genuinely exemplary temperaments. They are incredible family companions, quick learners, and ready adventure partners, known to coexist easily and peacefully with children and other animals of all kinds, especially if introduced when young. With a reputation for being easygoing, warm, and affectionate, many Windsprites naturally excel as therapy dogs, providing a gentle, cheering presence to those who need support. Admirers describe them as having an excellent "on" switch, with their default mode being "off". They are typically relaxed, calm, and gentle at home, but eagerly kick into high gear for play time and performance sports. Some may have higher exercise requirements as puppies, frequently settling as they mature, but the breed overall is typically straightforward to raise as puppies and easy to live with as adults.

Like many sighthound breeds, they benefit from short training sessions using positive reinforcement methods. Being on the sweet and sensitive side, it is important that they receive thorough early socialization to encourage confidence and comfort in various settings. Though a more cautious, reserved nature can occasionally be observed in the breed, they should never be sharp or aggressive under any circumstances.

Health

Windsprites are known to be quite healthy in the world of purebred dogs, overall, with lifespans frequently extending well in to the mid- to upper-teens. Due to consistent backcross efforts for genetic diversity throughout the past and present of the breed, the average coefficient of inbreeding is 21% as of 2024, according to Embark. There are ongoing efforts being made to reduce that number further.

Photo of bea, photo of smooth Windsprite? ***

Health concerns that have been observed in the breed include incidences of autoimmune and digestive issues, such as environmental allergies, food sensitivities, and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as exercise-induced hyperthermia, and Addison's disease. Efforts are underway by the International Windsprite Club's Health Committee to confirm and better understand the frequency and impact of these issues in the breed. In the meantime, most breeders are careful to avoid passing on known health issues in their dogs, selecting pairings with great deliberation.

All Windsprites must undergo genetic testing in order to be registrable with the International Windsprite Club. It is strongly recommended that breeding prospects be screened for any eye and heart issues with the OFA within the prior twelve months preceding mating, as well as being tested for canine brucellosis shortly beforehand. The results of genetic tests for MDR1 and CEA are taken into account when making breeding decisions, so as to avoid breeding carrier to carrier. Recently, genetic testing for risk genes associated with Copper Storage Disease became available via Embark and their prevalence in the breed is still being determined by the breed club.

Performance

Although Windsprites have not been primarily bred for hunting live game, they take after their Whippet ancestors in their love for coursing and their intensity and speed in the field. The breed standard indicates that they should be fit and conditioned for this function in all types of terrain. Owners of Windsprites engage in many different performance sports with their dogs, including but not limited to coursing, racing, obedience, rally, freestyle, agility, disc, fetch, tricks, flyball, dockdiving, and even the occasional herding trial. The breed is known to be a wonderful option for those looking to dabble in different sports, generally being game to try new things and happiest when working and learning alongside their people.

Recognition

The breed is not currently recognized with the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), or Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). However, it is recognized nationally in several European countries and is accepted by a large number of specific performance sport organizations in the United States. There are efforts underway to achieve recognition in the future.