Kyra has what I would consider the quintessential Silken Windhound personality. She is strikingly elegant but silly, refined and graceful but very playful, charming and sly without a mean or deceptive bone in her body. Kyra loves people, dogs and small animals, wags her tail on cue, and kisses and giggles her way through life.

We are forever grateful to Francie Stull of Kristull Kennel, the Silken Windhound breed founder, for blessing us with Kyra. At nine months old, Kyra came to live with us at Elessar, and now we can not imagine life without her. See pictures of Kyra as a puppy and young lady.

Kyra adores people. She can be in a really great new park with lots of other dogs to distract her and still focus beautifully on me if I ask. While she loves to play with dogs, it is her love for people that can impede getting great pictures, as she would generally prefer to snuggle than pose for pictures!

Kyra adores Strider, and the two of them are inseparable. Kyra learned very quickly that she could charm Strider out of just about anything. She will stare at him, wiggle and giggle, grin and snuggle up to him and put her head on his front paws if he has something (like a chew toy) that she wants. He, being a gentleman, will almost always let her have her way, although there are times when he will watch her take his toys with a sad little sigh.

Although not an official swamphound, Kyra does love to get her feet wet in the shallow waters, especially if there are other dogs to chase in and out of the waves. She will joyfully run with Strider and other dogs for hours at the beach. Kyra has had a couple of practices with straight racing and LOVES to 'chase the bunny'.

Kyra has had a very successful show career, with wins ranging from Best Puppy in Group to Best of Winners in Specialty Show. Kyra's balanced and moderate structure and her flowing, effortless movement, as well as her easy-going temperament, pay tribute to her pedigree, which can be seen here. As you can see below, though, success has not gone to her head, as she is just as relaxed on the showgrounds as anywhere else.

Kyra had her first litter in October 2005, and her puppies have so far exceeded our expectations. Her only son, Tuscan, has so far won multiple awards including Best Puppy in Show, Best Puppy in Specialty Show and Best of Winners in Specialty Show. Our pick girl from Kyra's first litter, Isis, is maturing a little more slowly than Tuscan just like daddy Strider did, and she won two five point majors this Spring. Both Isis and Tuscan share mommy Kyra's grace, beauty and joy. Kyra's other puppies are doing great in a variety of venues, with one daughter going to work daily with her owner at Guide Dogs for the Blind, two daughters who have enthusiastically started straight racing careers, and several who are showing great promise in the show ring.

We look forward to Kyra's second litter, and you can see our breeding plans here. After searching for a perfect compliment for Kyra for two years, we are pleased to announce our breeding of Kyra to Gryffyn's Aeyrie Ready to Fly, aka Maverick, with puppies anticipated in March 2008!

Kyra stats:

21 1/2" at 4 years
MDR1 Carrier
CERF Normal
OFA Thyroid Normal
OFA Cardiac Normal

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