Oh No, My Silken is a Swamphound !
Siru has found an irresistible pool in a ditch near the railway line.
June 2001.
As a prospective owner of a Silken Windhound, you might do well to realize that some families of Silkens carry the dreaded Swamphound Gene. This means that the cute, innocent-looking puppy you bring home from the breeder may in fact grow up to be a large, hairy, wet and muddy monster - a horrible clogger of drains and a scourge of living room furnishings !
Siru wades in Lake Ii, August 2001. Silkens have inherited their aquatic excesses
from their borzoi ancestors. Most whippets dislike water if it is not in their cup.
A Silken Swamphound, then, is a dog possessed with the need to plunge into any body of water, no matter how dirty it may be. At present we seem to have two of them so we should know.
Riinu after rolling in mud at the bottom of a ditch. May 2002.
Evidence from a large number of windhound litters suggests that any puppy from any litter may turn out to be a swamphound, so there are no "safe" lines of silkens ! Conversely, a puppy whose brothers and sisters are swamphounds will not necessarily be a swamphound herself.
Siru dunks her head up to the ears under the surface of the salty river/sea of Angelniemi, the site of the 2003 Nordic Silkenfest.
Not a swamphound herself, Ali watches fascinated. June 2001.
Leading researchers admit that it is at present impossible to determine which puppies will grow up to be swamphounds. They also concede that they are presently making heavy investments in the stocks of couch-cleaning companies, thought to be a blooming business in the future.
Siru cools off in a foul-smelling, muddy swamp pond. May 2000.
Researchers are puzzled by the swamphound phenomenon. It has been empirically proven that at the very beginning of a walk a swamphound is indistinguishable from a regular silken windhound. However at the end of the walk this is usually not so. The dog has gained weight and often seems to be emitting an indeterminate, musky odor. Increased levels of moisture have been measured in the vicinity of swamphounds. Also the trail of the swamphound is easily discernible as it winds its way from the front door, down the hall, halfway into the living room, back into the hall, halfway into the kitchen, back into the hall, up the staircase, back half-way down the staircase, back up the staircase and into the shower room.
Into the shower ? Me ?? What did I do now ??
Riinu after an outing, April 2002.
One question which has intrigued researchers is whether affected silkens are suffering from their swamphound affliction. But thus far all data seems to indicate that they do not, in fact increased levels of endorphins have been measured in swamphounds after encounters with water-like substances.
Siru wades in Lake Ii, August 2001.
In addition it seems that silkens prefer less clean liquids to pure, clean water. Toxic waste dumps are high on the preference list, as are muddy ditches impregnated with agricultural fertilizers. A dirty puddle will do nicely for them but cleaner waters such as lakes and rivers seem to be resorted to only when the aforementioned other water sources are unavailable. Really clean water, such as that found in shower rooms, seems to be avoided at all costs. In all, silken swamphounds seem to enjoy their water-related activities tremendously.
Surf's up ! Siru lies down in the sea, waiting for the next wave to wash over her. Åland, September 2000.
A detailed study of swamphound owners, however, tells an entirely different story. It appears that silken swamphound owners are far more likely to suffer from chronic nervousness, sleep deprivation and hair loss than owners of regular silken windhounds. They are also given to undertaking extensive home renovation and plumbing projects and their marriages are often in dire straits.
Siru now has her very own wading pool in our back yard and often lies down in
it after a walk, conveniently getting rid of some of the accumulated mud, grime and sand. June 2001.
The scientific community is calling for more study of the swamphound phenomenon and its effects on economy, society and the environment. You too can participate - obtain a Silken Windhound now !
An absolutely filthy Siru drinks putrid water from a muddy ditch.
Ragvalds Farm, June 2001.
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