The Silken Windhound is a small, long-haired sighthound that is equally at home running in the field, playing with other dogs or people, or snuggling with their loved ones. This is a relatively new breed that is rapidly gaining recognition in the U.S. and around the world.

Elessar Hounds is a small Silken Windhound kennel in San Luis Obispo, located on California's Central Coast. Our hounds live in our home with us as loving companions as well as being well-rounded athletes and show dogs.

While it is easy to mistake Silken Windhounds as fragile due to their slender and refined physique, they are actually surprisingly hardy and can romp and play with the best. Kyra and Strider love a good romp at the dog park or dog beach, either together or with other dogs of almost any size. They generally adapt their play to the dogs they meet, spinning and posturing with Charlie the Bull Mastiff, running and dancing with Cassy the poodle mix, and bowing and tip-toeing with a small group of Pomeranians.

While they enjoy a good romp in the sun, Silken Windhounds are generally wonderful with children and adults of any age. They are intelligent and gentle, and quickly adapt to the preferred games of their humans, as you can see in the picture below of a mellow game of follow the leader.

Silken Windhounds are terrific at snuggling, too. They seem to be able to sense when they are most needed and how. Below is a picture of Strider comforting me when I was under the weather and wanted to sit quietly during NW Fest in Portland, in spite of a variety of other possible fun activities and opportunities to play.

Select any of the links below to learn more about the Elessar Hounds. To find out even more about Silken Windhounds, please visit the official website for the International Silken Windhound Society.

About Elessar | Tuscan | Isis | Strider | Kyra | Litters | Links