Silken Windhound vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Silken Windhound vs French Spaniel - Breed ComparisonSilken Windhound is originated from United States but French Spaniel is originated from France. Both Silken Windhound and French Spaniel are having almost same height. Both Silken Windhound and French Spaniel are having almost same weight. Silken Windhound may live 6 years more than French Spaniel. Silken Windhound may have less litter size than French Spaniel. Silken Windhound requires Low maintenance. But French Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance

History

silken windhound - historyThe Silken Windhound is a breed intentionally developed by Borzoi and Deerhound breeder, Francie Stull. Although the first litter of the Windhoud was not born until 1995, their development began in discussions ten years later. Bred as a cross between her beloved Deerhounds and Borzoi, the first Society for the breed formed in 1999 and they were recognized by the UKC in 2011.

Ms. Stull wanted another breed for her kennel and decided on a smaller sighthound than her Borzoi. She wanted a long coat, a good temperament, good health, and possessing the same athletic abilities, grace and poise as the sighthounds that are larger. She developed the Silken Windhound based on this vision.

With this in mind, the kennel purchased the pick of a litter from the American and English Borzoi Champion bitch, Stillwater Virginia Reel. This puppy was eventually bred to Stillwater White Lightning and produced puppy that was a blue brindle. This dog, Stillwater Kristull Peacock, had the coat, personality and structure that Ms. Stull wanted for the new breed. She was bred to Deerhound Windsprite Autumnal Xenon to form the foundation for the Silken Windhound.

Over time champion Borzoi were bred with multi-generation Whippet based dogs and small Whippet from coursing and show lines. Finally, all of this work was rewarded with an incredible little sighthound to fit in the line of sighthounds between the giant and large breeds and the smaller whippet type breeds.

The Silken Windhound lives today in 24 different countries. They take their place in hound competitions all over the world in obedience, lure coursing, and racing. They are a Limited Stake Breed in the ASFA and competed with 40 other dogs in 2010. Then they were accepted by the NOFCA or National Open Filed Coursing Association, also in 2010. Finally, in 2011 they were fully accepted by the UKC.

The Silken Windhound is recognized in addition to the UKC, by the Dog Registry of America, the Rarities Inc., the American Canine Association, the Kennel Club of Slovenia, the American Pet Registry, Inc., the International Silken Windhound Society and the International, All-Breed Canine Association of America.

french spaniel - historyDeveloped in France and then in Canada, the French Spaniel is a descendent of 14th century hunting dogs. Originally the breed was very popular with the French royalty and nobility at the Court of Versailles, in the Middle Ages. A French Spaniel named Babe was owned by Catherine I of Russia.

Spaniels were mentioned in Gaston III of Foix-Beams’ The Master of the Game, or Livre de Chasse, in 14th Century France. Most believed that Spaniels had been developed during the 11th century Crusades. By 1650 the French Spaniel was differentiated from the King Charles Spaniel and determined to be its own type of spaniel.

In 1805, they were featured in the Sporting Magazine, hunting mallards. The French Spaniel was crossed with English Setters in the !850’s to develop the French Brittany (Spaniel). But by the end of the 19th century, hunting dogs from other countries were outpacing the French Spaniel so much that it was driven to the brink of extinction. Fortunately, a priest named Father Fournier saved the breed by taking all remaining Spaniels to his kennels at St. Hillarie and developing the lines we see in the breed today. This was followed by the founding of the French Spaniel Club in 1921. The various lines of the Spaniels included the French Spaniel of today, the Brittany of today, the Blue Picardy and the Picardy.

The French Spaniel however has been rare outside of its native country and Canada, where it was imported in the 1970’s to French speaking Quebec. Quebec Canadians fell in love with the breed for hunting grouse and woodcock. In order to ensure that the breed would be continued in line with its French standards, the Club de l’Epagneul Francais du Canada began in 1978. By 1985 the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the French Spaniel. Soon after they were recognized by the United Kennel Club, the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale, the UK Kennel Club and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, but not the AKC (American Kennel Club). They are also registered with organizations such as the American Canine Association, the Dog Registry of America and the America’s Pet Registry. They have been included in the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the first step toward AKC recognition.

Description

silken windhound puppy - descriptionThe Silken Windhound is a breed of beautiful, athletic medium sized dogs. They have the long coat, athletic build and classic lines of the sighthound/coursing dog. Just looking at them and you know they have strength, balance and grace in those medium sized bodies. Their running ability is exceptional. They perform well in the confirmation rings.

They are sine boned, balanced with smooth muscles – a sleek hardy looking dog. They have almond-shaped, large, dark eyes with small folded ears. Looking in their faces you see intelligence, friendliness and alertness. The head is long with a well balanced muzzle and a dark, slightly down-turned nose. Her lips are dark and full and her neck long and slender. The Silken Windhound must have a flexible loin because they have a gallop of double suspensions and are amazingly fast. A deep chest is also a must with a flexible, curving tail. Her legs are straight and long, as she is built for speed.

french spaniel puppy - descriptionThe French Spaniel is a very tall dog and as such is one of the spaniel breeds two tallest. They are taller than the English Springer Spaniel, have a deep chest and a muscular build. Their legs are very strong, and they have a thick tail that is never docked. It is long, slightly curved and hangs low. He is an elegant dog with dark amber eyes, long feathery ears, and a nose the color of the coat. If the coat is brown the nose is brown. If the coat is black and white the nose is black. Most French Spaniels are white with brown or dark liver or white with black.

Characteristics

Characteristics

silken windhound dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – they are great with children and would romp with them all day.

2.Special talents – speed and agility.

3.Adaptability Like most sighthounds they can be couch potatoes but being medium sized they can live just about anywhere as long as it is inside.

4.Learning ability - They are smart but their learning ability can be hampered by their stubbornness.

Children friendliness

french spaniel dog - characteristicsYes, they are very good with children.

Special talents

They are great in filed trials as they can flush, point and retrieve.

Adaptability

The breed is very adaptable and can live in the city or in the country.

Learning ability

The breed is very intelligent and trainable.

Health Problems

silken windhound puppies - health problemsMost inherited diseases and conditions are rare. There is some drug related sensitivity, especially to ivermectin, and some dogs carry a MDR1 (multi-drug resistance gene) that is defective. Breeders are attempting to breed this out of the Silkens. A few other rare instances of concern include:

  • Cryptorchidism – a birth defect resulting in undescended testicles.
  • Lotus Syndrome – an occasional birth defect resulting in death.
  • Umbilical hernias – may require surgery.
  • Cataracts - may lead to old age sight problems
  • Deafness

french spaniel puppies - health problemsThe French Spaniel is a healthy breed that adapts well to all types of conditions, especially wet ones. There are some potentially serious health issues that the breed may be susceptible to:

Acral Mutilation and Analgesia

This is a very serious inherited disorder. It is one of many Hereditary Sensory Autonomic Neuropathies (HSN) disorders. This is an agonizing infliction that causes the dogs to have no pain in certain extremities and therefore the ability to self-mutilate their feet, pads, claws and digits. They lick and bite their feet often amputating footpads, claws, and digits without feeling any pain. This leads to infection and most dogs end up being euthanized. The disorder shows up by 3-4 months of age.

Ear Infections

Make sure the dog’s ears are cleaned regularly to remove wax and prevent infections.

Epilepsy

This disease causes seizures but can be treated with medication.

Hip dysplasia

Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Caring The Pet

silken windhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy This is a medium sized, active breed. They need high quality dog food with plenty of protein. Feed them 3 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

2.Feeding the adult - Feed them 2 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

3.Points for Good - Exceptional agility and speed.

4. Games and Exercises The breed is active, and they love to run. They need daily exercise and they usually excel at flyball, agility, obedience and therapy. Obviously, they are very good at lure coursing and racing. They love to run or jog with you.

Feed the puppy

french spaniel dogs - caringA high quality dry food made for puppies and if possible for Spaniels. Feed two to three times a day about one fourth of a cup each time

Feed the adult

A high quality adult dry food made for Spaniels if possible. Feed twice a day about one half to three fourths of a cup at each meal.

Points for Good Health

Excellent vision, stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

These dog love to run and play. They are smart and learn easily. They like to chase balls, swim, play hide and seek, Find It, and go hiking. They can excel at learning tricks, agility, rally and obedience trials.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
United States
France
Height Male:
47 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
56 - 63 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
44 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
10 - 20 kg
22 - 45 pounds
10 - 22 kg
22 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
7 - 17 kg
15 - 38 pounds
8 - 20 kg
17 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
15 - 18 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
4 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Silkens
Epagneul Français French Setter Canadian Setter
Colors Available:
tuxedo marked or solid colored , white to black with brilliant brindles and solid red, in between. They can be spotted
White with brown markings
Coat:
silky coats of middling length longish to very long, with feathers. Some are straight, some are very curly
Straight, or slightly wavy and of medium length.
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Affectionate, Courageous, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Social
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Silken Windhound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Silken Windhound vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Silken Windhound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  4. Silken Windhound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  5. Silken Windhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Silken Windhound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  7. Silken Windhound vs Redbone Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Silken Windhound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Silken Windhound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  10. Silken Windhound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Silken Windhound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Silken Windhound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  13. Silken Windhound vs Santal Hound - Breed Comparison
  14. Silken Windhound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Silken Windhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Silken Windhound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  17. Silken Windhound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  18. Silken Windhound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  19. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  20. Silken Windhound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  21. Silken Windhound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  22. Silken Windhound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  23. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  24. Silken Windhound vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  25. Silken Windhound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  26. French Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  27. French Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  28. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. French Spaniel vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. French Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  31. French Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  32. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. French Spaniel vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  34. French Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. French Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  36. French Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  37. French Spaniel vs Formosan Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  38. French Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  39. French Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  40. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  41. Lagotto Romagnolo vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Shikoku vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  43. Slovakian Hound vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  44. Small Munsterlander vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  45. Sussex Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  46. Kooikerhondje vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs French Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds