Silken Windhound

The silken windhound was first bred in the mid-1980s after a Borzoi breeder named Francie Stull became determined to produce a smaller hound with a long coat, pleasant temperament, good health, and the abilities of larger sighthounds. After nearly a decade of experimentation, mixing beautiful coats with whippets and whippet-based lurcher genetics, the first litter of silken windhounds was born.

The final results produce a medium-sized, lovely hound with a silken coat that’s both beautiful and easy to care for, showing in a rainbow of color combinations. Silken windhounds are moderately active dogs, generally healthy, and usually living well into their late teens. After years of successful genetic strengthening of the line, the name “silken windhound” was officially adopted in 1998, and the International Silken Windhound Society was chartered the following year.

Today, these dogs are found across the U.S. and worldwide, beloved for their mild-mannered, loving temperaments, confident personalities, and beautiful show-dog appearance.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Silken Windhound

Size and Weight

Female silken windhounds reach an average height of 18 to 24 inches, with males reaching similar sizes. At full maturity, males can weigh 33 to 55 pounds, while females are more compact, ranging between 22 and 44 pounds.

Common Health Issues

Silken windhounds are generally very healthy, living well into their late teens — the oldest recorded dog celebrated her 20th birthday before passing. However, be sure to request tests from your breeder for the occasional genetically inherited health condition. Bone and joint issues, such as hip dysplasia, can occur but are rare.

Some individuals are more sensitive to certain medications, such as ivermectin, but a genetic test is available to determine whether a dog carries the gene. Owners also report instances of deafness and cataracts in older age.

Temperament

Silken windhounds were explicitly bred to produce dogs with lovely, friendly, and intelligent temperaments. These well-balanced hounds exhibit strong prey drives when out hunting, but they’re affectionate, gentle companions at home. They should be kept on a leash outside, but will gladly cuddle with their family on the couch and laze the day away.

How To Take Care of a Silken Windhound 

These beautiful, low-maintenance dogs have the best of grooming, intelligence, exercise, and temperament worlds. With proper care, your silken windhound will prove a loving and loyal companion who will please and accompany you on any adventure.

The Best Dog Food

Silken windhounds should be fed a mid-sized breed dog food formula suited for moderate energy and consistent exercise levels. Your veterinarian can provide individualized advice tailored to your pup’s needs. Generally, you’ll want to use a different formula for puppies, adult dogs, and seniors to provide the macro- and micronutrients needed for each stage of their lives.

Whether it’s dry food or a raw, human-food-based formulation, your silken windhound requires a high-protein diet complemented by omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and supplements to keep bones, muscles, fur, and skin in healthy shape.

While treats are helpful during training, too much indulgence or “people food” can result in vitamin deficiencies in your pup and lead to potential pickiness or obesity. You should also provide your dog with clean drinking water at all times, regularly washing the bowls to keep them clean.

Maintenance And Grooming

Despite the luxurious long coats that come in a rainbow of patterns and colors, silken windhounds are surprisingly low-maintenance, hardly shedding, and only needing a bath occasionally. Regular brushing will help keep your pups clean, clearing loose hairs and debris picked up while outside. Fleas and ticks love longer fur, however, so be sure to check for them during warmer weather. 

Besides managing their coats, owners should regularly trim their dogs’ nails. Too-long nails can make walking uncomfortable and risk breakage or splitting. Dental hygiene is also a must, with a routine teeth-brushing schedule going a long way to prevent plaque and bad breath.

Training

These versatile hounds excel at various dog sports and hunt-related activities and love to please their owners. You’ll often see silken windhounds competing in lure coursing and races, but many others also participate in agility, therapy work, scent tracking, and obedience competitions. These dogs quickly learn new tricks and commands, thriving on rewards and affection during concise training sessions and bonding with their owners as they learn.

Exercise

Like most other sighthounds, silken windhounds adore running. They’re not the most active dogs, but they still require regular exercise in the form of daily walks; typically, about 45 minutes to an hour will suffice. Those living in a house benefit significantly from the ability to run freely off-leash.

Puppies

Positive reinforcement training is a must for silken windhound puppies. These dogs blossom with encouragement and rewards, eager to please their owners and quick to learn basic commands. Some dogs even teach themselves to go potty outside without human intervention, should they have access to outdoor spaces. While these dogs are naturally friendly, early socialization with people and other dogs will go a long way to raising a happy, confident pup. 

Silken Windhound And Children

Silken windhounds make for excellent house pets and are exceptionally loving and tender around children. Allow your dog to naturally get to know your child, and teach your kids how to treat dogs with respect. After a period of supervision, well-socialized dogs will get to know and love your kids, happily cuddling them on the couch and accompanying them on outdoor adventures.

Dogs Similar to Silken Windhound

The Silken Windhound is closely related to other sighthounds, including the Borzoi and Whippet.

• Borzoi
• Whippet
• Shetland sheepdog

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