by Nancy O. Hawkins

Almost 50 years ago Walter A. Wheeler Jr. of Sherborn, Massachusetts was inspired to restore an historic line of Whippet which carried a long coat. Although Mr. Wheeler’s Windsprite Kennel was consistently producing a much admired line of smooth Whippet, noted for elegance and beautiful large dark eyes, this achievement did not satisfy him.

Smooth Whippets, with their thin skin and short coat, are vulnerable to serious wounds, especially when running at high speeds. A long silky coat provides protection from injury and cold climate. Mr. Wheeler was well aware of the historic Whippet of the wirehaired variety, often portrayed in photographs of the late 19th Century and evidenced in renaissance paintings and artwork. These ancient lines provided an extensive gene pool for the development of the Longhaired Whippet.

The wirehaired variety had been ignored by the authors of the first whippet standard in the United States and so it became extinct. It was apparent however, that English Champion Hilgarth Shot Silk, the top English show bitch in 1957, carried the recessive longhair gene and her natural thick mane and fuzzy tail had to be stripped and trimmed in order for her to qualify for an American title. Shot Silk became the foundation matron of the Windsprite Longhaired Whippets and her progeny produced Mr. Wheeler’s first fuzzy puppies.

The intense inbreeding used in the beginning by Mr. Wheeler to bring out the recessive longhaired gene produced genetic evidence of English outcrossing to many breeds. English fanciers had crossed the pure Whippet from the European continent with various other breeds to add useful hunting, coursing and racing traits and a protective coat. It is likely that these outcrossings to other breeds are responsible for the fact that Longhaired Whippets come in a wide range of colors—agouti, all shades of brindle, fawns and sables, black and brindle, black and fawn, black and red, black and white, ticking in various colors, red, wheaten, off-white, blue-lavender brindle and stunning pure white and pure black. Today around the world in many countries, Longhaired Whippet lines continue to be strengthened by careful outcrossing into other bloodlines from within the pure Whippet breed. Consistent quality and healthy, strong dogs are produced. Current breeders have been delighted with the predominant extremely dark eye being produced even in the dilute recessive pigmentation.

The official standard for the Longhaired Whippet allows for a slightly larger outline than the smooth Whippet standard. A full coat increases the appearance to a judge’s eye in the show ring. Their coats are soft, silky and slightly wavy with feathering along the back of legs and tail that enhance the beauty of the flowing Whippet movement - hence the nickname "Silken Windsprites", which was used by early owners of Longhaired Whippets. A full longhaired coat may tend to soften some of the Whippet outline, but underneath the coat there should be no difference in the appearance between a smooth and a Longhaired Whippet.

It has been a great satisfaction that the Longhaired Whippets being bred now have the charming, responsive, fun loving personality for which the smooth Whippet is well known, as well as its keen intelligence and athletic prowess. Although they haven’t had the opportunity to participate in many coursing events or obedience trials at this time, they are very adept at obedience, coursing and racing, just like smooth Whippets. Having the strong sporting instincts of Windsprite’s smooth Whippets, they have on occasion outrun both smooth Whippets and Borzoi.

In 1981 The Longhaired Whippet Association was formed and incorporated to protect and promote the variety. The association maintains its own stud book and registry and holds matches, with guest judges, to select the top ranking dogs. The top ranking winner of 1988, for instance, was Ch. Shandor’s Prince of Windsprite, owned by Edith Nash Hellerman, well known judge for American Kennel Club and International shows. Longhaired Whippets are located in states across the continent and in many countries around the world.

It is with deep regret that the Board of the Longhaired Whippet Association, Inc. must report that some formerly enthusiastic owners and breeders of Longhaired Whippets have mongrelized their lines and outcrossed to other breeds. These dogs are not recognized by The Longhaired Whippet Association, cannot be called Longhaired Whippets, nor can they be identified by use of the Windsprite name, which belongs exclusively to Walter Wheeler.

To read a biography on Walter A. Wheeler Jr., click here.

For further information on this delightful breed you may contact the
Longhaired Whippet Association, Inc.
Westwood, Ma., U.S.A. or by sending an e-mail to westwood@ica.net