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Tuscan - title

Elessar Hounds - Silken Windhounds excelling in temperament, movement, structure and performance
Tuscan face
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Tuscan is a gentle, graceful, loving and affectionate boy from Kyra's first Silken Windhound litter. He is a tribute to his parents, Kyra and Strider, and a joy to live with due to his sweet and happy soul, elegant beauty and playful nature. Tuscan turns heads and stops traffic wherever he goes, but with his charming, generous nature we never worry about it going to his head.


Tuscan - 18 months
Tuscan - 18 months - self stack

Tuscan at Prado Park
Tuscan - self stack at Prado Park
- 3 years


Tuscan would make a wonderful service dog, with his endless patience and desire to serve. From a tiny puppy, we called him our 'zen' puppy, for his gentle, peaceful soul. He is wonderful with people and dogs of all sizes, shapes and ages, spreading joy everywhere he goes. Here he is doing a characteristic 'happy dance'.

Tuscan - happy dance


Tuscan has no idea that he is a big boy and gives no thought to following his little sister Isis everywhere as well as 'following her lead'. Whether it's playing at the beach or snuggling at home, Tuscan adores Isis and is sure she would never get him into trouble. Tuscan is an adoring 'big brother' to all of our puppies and plays with them all from a tiny age, including the Superheroes litter as you can see below.

Tuscan and Isis - sync

Tuscan - 4 years - Prado Park


Tuscan, like his mommy Kyra, does not seem to be a super-swamphound but enjoys a good romp on the beach at every opportunity. He does not hesitate to get his feet wet in play but does not go out of his way to romp in the waves. He is, however, always fun to watch.

Tuscan - trot water


Tuscan surprised us in his show debut at only five months old, by winning Best Puppy in Breed and Group in all five shows, as well as multiple Best Puppy in Specialty and Best Puppy in Show. At a year old, he won two five point majors, winning Best of Winners and Best Opposite Sex in his first ISWS Specialty where he was old enough to earn points toward his championships.

Tuscan - Best Opposite


At two years old, Tuscan started out the show season with a Best in Show followed shortly by a Reserve Best in Show, both in all-breed events, to win his Rarities/NAKC International Championship. At his very next show event, Tuscan won Best in Show and another two Reserve Best in Show wins in all-breed shows, to earn his Rarities/NAKC International Grand Championship. Tuscan is only the third Silken Windhound to ever earn his Grand Championship and the first under the current rules requiring a Grand Champion to have earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Award. Tuscan was also the Rarities/NAKC #2 Silken Windhound for 2008.

Tuscan - Best Opposite
Tuscan winning his second Best in Show at 2 years old


Tuscan and I are starting training as a service dog team, and he is much better and more natural at it than I am. He loves everyone and just naturally knows how to behave around people of all ages. He is quiet, gentle and loving while confident and unassuming. He is very affectionate but will patiently wait for an invitation instead of leaping uninvited into someone's lap.

Tuscan - Best Opposite
Tuscan - a peaceful moment by the falls


At three, Tuscan mostly retired from showing, although we do make an occasional appearance at a Specialty Show. In June 2009, we took a vacation to Seattle to visit friends and attend the first Silken Windhound Specialty, and Tuscan won Best in Specialty Show.

Tuscan - Best in Specialty Show
Tuscan - winning Best in Specialty Show - 3 years


In 2011, Silken Windhounds were accepted into the United Kennel Club and were able to start showing in conformation in July. With a toddler at home and no local shows, it took us a while to attend our first show, but we finally managed to make our first UKC show the last week in October. We were happy to find the UKC environment to be friendly, welcoming and fun. Tuscan surprised us by winning not only (?) Best of Breeds but also a Reserve Best in Show that weekend. In November he finished his UKC Championship and in December he won BEST IN SHOW. He was only the second Silken Windhound to win the UKC Best in Show honor. Tuscan was the #4 UKC Silken Windhound in 2011.

Tuscan UKC BIS
Tuscan - winning Best in Show - 6 years


Tuscan has never met a dog or person he didn't like, and he doesn't seem able to decide whether he prefers people or dogs (which suits us just fine). Like his daddy Strider, Tuscan is very good with young puppies, babies and young children. Tuscan loves to run with other dogs and is very fast, and his interest in chasing a lure is increasing. The gentle joie de vivre that Tuscan exudes touches everyone he meets.

Tuscan - run 1

Tuscan - run 2


Tuscan stats:

25"
CEA Clear
MDR1 Carrier
CERF Normal
OFA Thyroid Normal

Heart Normal

UKC Grand Champion 2012
UKC Multi Reserve Best in Show - 2012
UKC BEST IN SHOW - 2011 
UKC Multi Reserve Best in Show - 2011
#4 UKC Silken Windhound - 2011 
#2 Rarities/NAKC Silken Windhound - 2008
IABCA Int'l Champion and Multiple BOB winner - 3 years
Best in Specialty Show - 3 years
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award - 2008
Best Opposite Sex in Specialty Show and New ISWS Champion- 2 years
New Rarities/NAKC Grand Champion and multiple Best in Show winner - 2 years
Multiple Best Puppy in Specialty Show and Best Puppy in Show - 2006

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Tuscan - profile

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