Coastwind Kennels was founded thirty-five years ago. From the beginning the thrust and focus of the breeding program was to create and perpetuate a family of genetically predictable afghan hounds that would breed true to type and true to the standard. Into its tenth generation, the kennel has accomplished this goal and has created one of the few pure strains extant in this country, retaining qualities rarely seen in the breed today.

Starting with bloodlines from the famous Akaba Kennels, Coastwind continued to intensify breedings that used the double Shirkhan grandsons, Ch. Akaba's Sterling Silver and Akaba's Allah Kazam. From another Shirkhan grandson, Akaba's Geronimo Blue, another key litter was sired--the only litter he sired before being lost in the tragic kennel fire that took many of the famous Akaba dogs. With the inital breedings in the 60's and early 70's, Ch. Coastwind Gazebo, Ch. Coastwind Serendipity, Ch. Coastwind Nepenthe, and Ch. Coastwind Ouija were born and the foundation stock was established. They became the major cornerstone of all breedings to come.

Over the years Coastwind has produced nearly 80 homebred champions, including B.I.S and Group winners, has had two National Specialty B.I.S. winners, 15 Specialty B.I.S. winners, five Sires of Significance (AHR System) accounting for nearly two hundred fifty American champions, and a total stud force accounting for over three hundred champions in the US. Ch. Coastwind Abraxas (Nepenthe/Ouija) became the Top Sire of All Time when his champion get broke the exisiting record set by the legendary Ch. Shirkhan of Grandeur- a record that stood for several generations. Scores of champions (records have not been kept by Coastwind Kennels) have been sired by Coastwind dogs exported to foreign countries such as Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, Japan and South Africa. The impact of Aust. B.I.S. Ch. Coastwind Holyman can still be seen in that country some thirty years later. In Germany, B.I.S. winner, Ch. Coastwind Obsidian, made his mark on the breed during his six year stay there, returning to this country to still qualify as a Sire of Significance.

One of the unique characteristics of the Coastwind dogs is the depth and pre-potency of the male line--a quality that has not been equalled in the present day.