Size, Proportion Substance

The accepted measurements for Sillken Windhounds are 18-23.5 inches (46-60 cm) at the withers. One-half inch above and below the extremes is permitted. The Silken Windhound should have a slim, sleek build, through a balanced combination of fine bladed bone and smooth muscle, and should never look frail.

Head

Moderately long in head, the Silken Windhound has a fairly narrow back skull which, when viewed from above, tapers gradually through a full muzzle to the nose. When viewed from the side, the top plane of the muzzle forms a continuous line with the plane of the flat skull with a barely perceptible stop between.

The muzzle should be strong and in good balance to the skull. Teeth should be large for a dog of this modest size and have full, white dentition. Only a scissors bite is allowed, with the upper incisors fitting closely over the lower incisors.

The eyes are rather large, almond-shaped, with a sparkling, lively, inquisitive expression. Ebony-colored eyes with fully pigmented eyelids are highly desirable. Dilute Silken Windhounds, even the blues, have dark eyes.

The ears are small, fine in texture with a stiffer base or cup. They fold back tightly against the side of the neck when in repose. When the Silken Windhound is intent, the preferred ear has a pleat fold just above the cup that permits the upper ear to fall gracefully over the side of the head, not forward. Prick and semi-prick are occasionally seen. Hanging or droopy hound-like ears are not allowed.

Neck, Topline, Body

The neck is long and slender. It is slightly arched, well muscled, powerful, and free from dewlap, widening gradually and symmetrically into the shoulder.

The topline is smooth, with no dips or bulges, and starts at the withers with a scarcely perceptible arch that gradually reaches its apex over the beginning of the loin and then gently falls off over the long croup. A flat back with steep croup is not a loin arch and should be faulted. For speed and drive the Silken Windhound depends upon its back, which jackknifes open and shut. The back must be wide, powerfully muscled, flexible and long. Its deep brisket, firm abdominal muscles, and arch over the loin create the dramatic tuck-up of the Silken Windhound. When running at full extension during maximum effort, the Silken Windhound should execute a double-suspension gallop.

The shape of the deep brisket is of utmost importance to the function and outline of the Silken Windhound. The brisket is very deep reaching as nearly as possible to the elbow with a graceful upsweep to the extreme tuck-up.

The tail is long and flexible falling in a graceful curve with fringe often touching the ground. A tightly curled or gay tail is faulty.

Forequarters

The shoulder blades are well laid back and should be long and smooth with flat muscle. The forelegs are straight, strong, and set well under the shoulders. Pasterns are strong and straight but never knuckled over. Elbows and toes should turn neither in nor out. The feet should be well knuckled with tough pads and well curved nails. Both the hare foot, with its longer middle toes and the cat foot with its shorter middle toes are acceptable.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are well angulated with a long second thigh and well developed thighs and hocks bent close to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the hindquarters should be slightly wider than the front, well muscled, and without any suggestion of cowhocks.

Coat, Color, Markings

Soft, silky in texture, the hair has sufficient undercoat for warmth and protection, but not so much as to make the coat bulky. The coat may be slightly wavy or even curly provided that feathering along the back of forelegs, from the brisket, breech and tail is long enough to enhance the beauty of the flowing movement. The distinctive hair that frames the ears and face adds to the dog's expression. Hair on muzzle, feet, front of forelegs and hocks should be short.

All colors and markings are acceptable.

Gait

The Silken Windhound moves with a relaxed and level gait, which has great reach in the forward motion and great drive in the backward motion. Constricted or excessive up and down movement of the legs when viewed from the side are faulty. When viewed from the front or rear, legs must move back and forth with pendulum freeness and without any side or inward motions. Feet seek a center of gravity beneath the animal. Too narrow or too wide movement and crossing, interfering feet are faults.

Temperament

This is an intelligent and responsive hound that demonstrates a strong desire to please its human companions. Though sometimes dignified in its bearing, the Silken Windhound tends to be quite expressive in its display of affection towards those it is fond of. Similarly, though the Silken Windhound exhibits a competitive spirit in the field, they are generally quite sociable with other dogs.

Faults

Deviations from this standard shall be faulted, in proportion to their deviation, especially in those areas that govern the functioning of a running hound.