The Puppy Matching Process at Ethereal Silkens

Finding the Right Match for Every Puppy and Every Family

Our Philosophy

At Ethereal Silken Windhounds, we do not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, we carefully match each puppy to the home that is the best fit for that individual puppy’s temperament, energy level, and potential. Think of it like a puzzle—we’re not just finding a home for a puppy; we’re finding the right home.

Every Silken Windhound is unique. Some puppies are bold adventurers who will thrive with an active family pursuing coursing or agility. Others are gentle souls who would be happiest curling up on the couch with a quiet household. Our job as breeders is to understand each puppy as an individual and connect them with the family where they will flourish.

This process requires patience from our families, and we appreciate that. In return, we are committed to transparency, regular communication, and setting both you and your new Silken up for success from day one.

How Our Process Works

Below is an overview of the timeline from the moment you express interest to the day your puppy comes home. While each litter is a little different, this is the general framework you can expect.

Step 1: Questionnaire

It all starts with our puppy questionnaire. This is not a formality—it is one of the most important tools we have for understanding what you’re looking for and what kind of home you can offer. We ask about your household, lifestyle, experience with dogs, activity level, living situation, fencing, other pets, and your goals for your Silken (companion, show, performance, or some combination).

Be honest and detailed. The more we know about your life, the better we can match you. There are no wrong answers—only information that helps us find the right fit.

Step 2: Conversation & Waiting Pool

After we review your application, we’ll follow up with a phone call or video chat to get to know you better. Approved applicants are added to our waiting pool (not a ranked waiting list). Being in the waiting pool means you are an approved home—but placement is based on best fit, not chronological order.

We encourage applicants in the waiting pool to stay in touch, ask questions, and engage with our updates. Building a relationship with us helps everyone—especially when it comes time to make matching decisions.

Step 3: Raising Puppies

During the first six weeks, we are focused on neonatal care, Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), and socialization. We provide regular updates with photos, videos, and developmental milestones so you can follow along as the litter grows. We begin to observe early temperament tendencies during this period, but puppies are still developing and it’s too early to make final assessments.

Step 4: Week 8 — Evaluation & Matching

This is the pivotal week. At approximately eight weeks of age, each puppy receives a comprehensive evaluation covering:

What We Assess

  • Temperament

    • Confidence, curiosity, resilience, sensitivity, energy level, and sociability through structured temperament testing protocols.

  • Structure

    • Movement, angulation, proportions, topline, and overall conformation against the breed standard.

  • Drive & Aptitude

    • Prey drive indicators, focus, and athletic potential for families interested in performance or coursing.

  • Social Style

    • How the puppy interacts with littermates, adult dogs, and people—identifying puppies who are leaders, followers, independent thinkers, or velcro companions.

After evaluations are complete, we sit down with all of our application information and begin the matching process. We consider what each family has told us they want and need, and we pair that with what we’ve observed about each puppy’s individual personality and potential. Some matches are obvious; others require careful deliberation.

We will contact matched families directly to discuss our recommendation, explain why we think a particular puppy is the right fit, and answer any questions. This is a conversation, not a unilateral decision—your input matters.

Step 5: Weeks 8–12 — Final Prep & Going Home

Once matches are confirmed, puppies continue their socialization and developmental enrichment with us until they are ready to go home, typically between 10 and 12 weeks of age. During this time, we complete age-appropriate veterinary care including vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, Embark testing and registration with ISWS and UKC. We’ll also provide you with a comprehensive puppy packet covering feeding, socialization continuation, crate training, and general care guidance.

Why We Don’t Use Pick Order

Many breeders across different breeds allow buyers to choose their puppy in order of deposit placement. We’ve chosen a different approach because we believe the breeder—who has spent every day with the litter from birth—is in the best position to evaluate each puppy’s individual needs and match them thoughtfully.

Here’s what breeder-matched placement allows us to do:

•         Prioritize the puppy’s long-term well being by placing them in the environment where their specific temperament will thrive.

•         Honor your preferences for energy level, activity goals, and household dynamics—even if the puppy you would have “picked” visually isn’t actually the best fit for your life.

•         Identify show and breeding prospects accurately, ensuring that puppies with strong structural and temperament qualities go to homes prepared to steward them in the breed.

•         Reduce returns and re-homing by making more informed placements from the start.

We understand this requires trust, and we don’t take that lightly. Our goal is a relationship with our families that extends for the lifetime of the dog—and beyond.

What We Look For in Our Families

We don’t require a perfect application. We’re looking for families who are:

•         Committed to making their Silken a full member of the family, living indoors as a companion—not kenneled outdoors.

•         Thoughtful about safety, with secure fencing or a solid plan for safe, supervised exercise. Sighthounds are fast and prey-driven; we need to know you’ve thought this through.

•         Open and honest about their experience level, living situation, and expectations. First-time sighthound homes are welcome—we just want to set you up for success.

•         Willing to stay in communication with us throughout the dog’s life, including sharing health updates, photos, and any concerns that arise.

•         Patient with the process. Good things take time, and the right match is worth waiting for.

Placement Categories

After evaluation, each puppy is designated into one of the following categories based on their individual qualities:

Companion

  • A wonderful family pet with no breeding or mandatory show obligations. Placed on a spay/neuter recommendation at an appropriate age.

Sport / Performance

  • A puppy showing strong drive, athleticism, and focus who would excel in coursing, agility, rally, or other performance venues. May be companion or show quality.

Show / Breeding

  • A puppy with exceptional structure, movement, and temperament who has the potential to contribute to the breed. Placed with co-ownership terms and show/health testing expectations.

 

We discuss placement categories openly with matched families and are happy to explain why a puppy received a particular designation. Not every litter produces show prospects, and there is absolutely no difference in the love and care we invest in every puppy regardless of category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a specific puppy?

You are welcome to express preferences—for example, a preference for a male or female, a particular color, or a calmer versus more active temperament. We take all preferences into account, but ultimately the match is based on the full picture of what each puppy needs and what each family offers. Sometimes the puppy you didn’t expect turns out to be the perfect one.

What if I’m not matched in a particular litter?

It happens, and it’s not a reflection of your application. Litter sizes vary, and sometimes the right puppy for your household simply isn’t in a given litter. Unmatched families in our waiting pool are automatically considered for future litters unless they tell us otherwise. We are also happy to refer you to other reputable Silken Windhound breeders.

Can I visit the puppies before matching?

We welcome visits from approved families once the puppies are old enough and have received initial vaccinations. Visits are a great way to meet the parents, see our setup, and begin bonding—but please understand that visiting does not guarantee placement of a specific puppy. We schedule visits individually and ask that guests follow our biosecurity guidelines to protect the litter.

When will I know my match?

We typically finalize and communicate matches shortly after the seven-week evaluation. In some cases it may take a few additional days as we work through the details. We know the anticipation is real, and we promise to keep you informed throughout.

What is the deposit and is it refundable?

We require a deposit for half of the total , $500 is non-refundable if you back out, at the time a puppy is matched and the purchase contract is signed. This deposit is applied toward the total puppy price. The remaining balance is due in full at or just before pickup, typically between 10 and 12 weeks of age.

What if I change my mind?

We would rather you change your mind early than bring home a puppy you aren’t fully ready for. If your circumstances change at any point in the process, please let us know. We respect your honesty and it allows us to place the puppy with another waiting family.