Sighway

Our breeding path in the Silken Windsprite breeding.

1. Health examinations

1.1. Recording the DNA fingerprint/DNA parentage certificate

We want our dogs to be identifiable at all times and their lineage to be verifiable. That is why we store a genetic fingerprint of each of our breeding dogs. Our puppies also receive DNA parentage proof before they are handed over, which is given to the buyers.

- Transparency towards the buyer

- no fake ancestry / ancestral passports

- Protection against hereditary diseases and defects

- Protective measure against inbreeding

- Buyer protection, protection against fraud

1.2. Testing for genetic defects

Our breeding dogs are tested for MDR1 and CEA before breeding begins. With this knowledge, they can only be mated in such a way that the defect is not present at all or only on one allele ( /-) in the offspring.

1.3. X-ray examination for LÜW (lumbosacral transitional vertebra)

The dog's spine is made up of approximately 50 vertebrae and is divided into five sections.
Most dogs have 7 cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic vertebrae, 7 lumbar vertebrae, 3 sacral vertebrae and around 20 caudal vertebrae. The vertebrae in one section differ from the neighboring sections due to their anatomical characteristics. The vertebrae that lie at the junction between two sections are called transitional vertebrae.

It has been proven that in dogs with a transitional vertebra between the lumbar and sacral regions, the last intervertebral disc is often damaged, which can lead to compression and inflammation of the nerves in the spinal canal. Transitional vertebrae can also cause the pelvis to tilt, which can result in severe unilateral or bilateral hip dysplasia (HD).

Although it is not proven whether and how the transitional vertebra is inherited, we have decided to only breed dogs with type 0 and type 1.

Type 2 and Type 3 are excluded from breeding.

The examination of the lumbosacral transition vertebra is mandatory for Windsprite friends before breeding.

Type 0 a normal lumbosacral junction

Type 1 failure of the spinous processes of the first and second sacral vertebrae to fuse

Type 2 symmetrical malformation of the transverse processes

Type 3 differently shaped transverse processes, i.e. an asymmetric lumbosacral transitional vertebra

1.4. Cardiac ultrasound

At Windsprite Freunde we only use breeding dogs that have undergone a cardiological examination by a specialist before being used for breeding, at the earliest at 15 months of age.

Cardiac ultrasound in dogs allows statements to be made about the anatomical conditions of the heart, as well as the size of the heart chambers, blood flow in the heart and the condition of the heart valves.

Cardiac ultrasound examinations in dogs are painless and harmless to the dog. The dog does not need to be put under anesthesia for this examination.

1.5. Breeding approval through modular system

Every breeding dog must pass the Windsprite Friends breeding approval. Health and character come first, not just beauty!

The various modules of breeding approval can be carried out by breeding supervisors, breeding judges and veterinarians of this breed. This unbureaucratic measure allows us to influence the breeding process more quickly and flexibly without the quality of the dogs suffering.

Long journeys to mandatory events, months of waiting for association appointments and stress for the animals are thus prevented.

Pedigrees and breeding approval tests from other clubs are accepted.

2. Measures to increase genetic variability in the wind sprite population

2.1. Open stud book

In Germany we have a large number of breeding-capable Windsprites.

The gene pool of the wind sprite population in Germany would be acceptable if breeding work was carried out across club boundaries. Unfortunately, this is currently the exception.

As a rule, it is not permitted for male dogs to mate with female dogs from other clubs, or for female dogs to be mated with male dogs that are not registered in their own club. Stud dog owners have a say in who the offspring can be given to. The pedigrees of other clubs are sometimes not recognized, or breeding facilities are deleted from the puppy pedigrees.

In this way, artificial, ever-decreasing subpopulations are created in which mating without inbreeding is hardly possible. The Windsprite friends are therefore setting a good example and keeping an open stud book in the IHR eV. All pedigrees are accepted.

2.2. Prohibition of line breeding and inbreeding

In order to consolidate certain characteristics in breeding, some clubs have and still do line breeding, ie related animals with the desired characteristics are mated with each other. The higher the degree of inbreeding in the population, the more often defective genes are found not only on one chromosome, but on both and thus become apparent. The higher the degree of inbreeding in a population, the greater the risk that sick puppies will be born. When mating, it should always be ensured that the inbreeding coefficient is as low as possible. Incestuous mating between parents and children, as well as sibling matings are not permitted in the Windsprite Friends.

2.3. Backcross / Outcross

Mating with the Whippet breed is generally permitted, as is long-haired and short-haired mating, and may be called Silken Windsprite.

The health of the Silken Windsprite breed is the highest priority for Windsprite fans. For this reason, we do not want to completely rule out backross/outcrossing, but we are critical of it.

Out of respect for the Silken Windhound breed, we do not consider further crossbreeding with Borzoi to be desirable.

When considering breeding methods for further mating, it is not only the genotypic foreign blood content that must be taken into account, which provides purely mathematical information about the percentage of the foreign breed. In addition, a phenotypic and temperament assessment of the respective breeding dog MUST also always be carried out in order to determine the optimal breeding partner.

2.4. DLA - haplotype determination

More and more dogs are suffering from allergies and autoimmune diseases. Our environment is full of viruses, bacteria and other substances that our bodies are confronted with on a daily basis. In order for our immune system to respond to these in a healthy way, it needs as many different alleles of immune genes as possible. These DLA genes should be present in as many different copies as possible. A combination of these three genes is known as a haplotype. Determining the haplotypes is a useful breeding tool and is justified in determining mating partners.

However, it should not be the highest priority in the decision. Unlike direct genetic tests, DLA haplotypes only indicate risks. Haplotype determination is not mandatory for the Windsprite friends, it is only recommended.

2.5. Imports of high-quality breeding animals from abroad

We also support exchanges across national borders in order to increase the genetic variance of the Windsprite population. We believe that the import and export of puppies and sperm is a valuable contribution to Windsprite breeding.

3. Puppies and breeding dogs

3.1. Very good socialization of the puppies

Our puppies grow up in the family. This ensures that the puppies are integrated into family life. The puppies are optimally socialized through constant contact with people, adult dogs and, if necessary, other animals, as well as by getting to know everyday household tasks and frequent handling.

Not only are our breeding dogs extensively tested, but each puppy is also carefully examined by a veterinarian before being handed over.

3.2. Limitation of the breeding use of a bitch

Breeding bitches may be used for breeding until they reach the age of 8. The bitch may not raise more than one litter in a calendar year. Since our dogs are family members, we think carefully about what we can expect from our bitches.

3.3. Stud dogs

We reject the idea of placing a blanket limit on matings. A male dog that is convincing in terms of health, phenotype and character has every right to be used in breeding.

What is more important is how many offspring are used in breeding.

Health data and breeding activities of the stud dogs' offspring are recorded. This allows for regulatory influences to be exerted on the breeding process.

Through this individual process, the diversity of the Windsprite breeding is maintained and good genes can be passed on.

From a breeding perspective, it is inexplicable that there are still "associations" today that tell their puppy buyers, stud dog owners and breeders that they may only use their dogs for breeding in this one "association" or that they may only sell puppies within the association. We would like to distance ourselves from this.

We are therefore happy to make our stud dogs available to other breeding clubs if, in return, we are allowed to use stud dogs from these clubs.

3.4. Double occupancy

Double occupancy is possible and in certain cases can even be beneficial for the population.