There’s nothing like…
A Silken Windhound in full flow. This supremely athletic breed of dog is a medium sized version of the great Borzoi. He is quite a sight with his long, flowing coat, graceful movements and gentle mannerisms.
But don’t let this…
Quite reserved dog fool you, because at this core, he is a sighthound. And like all other sighthounds, this means that even though he may be quietly sitting by your side, don’t think for a moment that he or she isn’t also scanning the horizon looking for something to chase.
You see…
The Silken Windhound is a “legitimate” sighthound, or a hound that hunts by sight, not smell. He is a natural born hunter with a strong prey drive.
And…
When this hunting dog goes after a target, you may rest assured that he won’t stop until he gets what he wants. He is ruthless and relentless and cunning too. You should see how he sets up a lure and how he goes for the kill.
Comparisons Dog Breed
The Silken is compared to other dogs such as the Whippet, Border Collie, Shetland Sheepdog. He is a smaller or medium sized version of the Borzoi. So you should be able to get a Silken Windhound puppy from any reputable Borzoi Breeder.
To add to that
Always trust a good and experienced Borzoi breeder with an ethical breeding program when bringing Silken Windhound puppies home. We know about some unethical breeders who run puppy mills that cannot be trusted.
Is he the one for you?
It’s hard to tell whether the Silken Windhound is for you or not without knowing about your specific requirements. What are you looking for? Hunting dog? Guard dog? Family dog? Companion dog?
The Silken can be all of that.
What he is not…
Is much of a watchdog as he is often the silent type and goes into his own shell at times. He is tolerant of kids and is protective of them, but isn’t really a playmate for them.
This graceful hound…
Has a specific role in life. If you can understand that, you should certainly go ahead and bring a Silken Windhound puppy home.
Read the rest of this article to find out more about this interesting breed of dog.
Silken Windhound Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Original Purpose: Small game hunting
Height: 18.5 to 23.5 inches
Weight: 20 to 45 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Currently not “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Life Span: 14 or more years
History of the Silken Windhound Dog Breed
The Silken Windhound is a medium sized sighthound, much like the Whippet. This breed was first bred by an American Borzoi breeder by the name of Francie Stull.
Now…
Ms. Stull wanted to develop a smaller version of the Borzoi, a breed which had the same elegance, speed, athleticism, graceful movements and beautiful coat, and one that was affectionate, loyal and confident by nature.
Also…
She wanted to create a breed with a smooth, silky, easy care coat – one that could be a perfect family dog in addition to being a hunting dog or guard dog.
So…
Ms. Stull crossed the Borzoi with Whippets and the first litter of the breeding program was to become a Silken Windhound. That was in 1985.
And while…
The Windhound is an all-American dog breed, it should be noted that it is also found in many other countries around the world, including Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Canada, Italy, Mexico, Finland, Germany, Norway, The Netherlands, New Zealand, UAE, UK, South Africa and Japan.
Currently…
This breed is considered to be a designer dog, which is why it is still not recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). That is unfortunate.
The good news is that…
Recently, the breed has been “accepted” into the American Kennel Club’s “Foundation Stock Service” which is actually the first step into one day being “officially” recognized as its own unique breed, so there is hope that in time this will happen.
Now…
If you have a Silken puppy at home, you should have it registered with the International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS), founded in 1999. The ISWS maintains a registry for Silken Windhounds from all over the world.
Physical Characteristics of the Silken Windhound Dog Breed
Physique
The Silken is a medium sized version of the Borzoi.
He rises to a height of 18 to 23.5 inches and has a distinctive long, wedge-shaped head, long, slender neck, strong legs, long tail and a strong physique – the same as a Borzoi.
He has large almond-shaped eyes that radiate intelligence. His ears are small in size, generally folded, but perk up whenever he is on the hunt.
Coat
The Silken Windhound is called so because of his soft and smooth, silky coat, which can be curly, straight or wavy. His coat can be of the color brown, gray, black, tan, spotted, brindle with streaks of different markings.
Grooming
The Silken does not shed much and has an easy care coat. Just give him a brush every week. That should do. This is a low maintenance pet.
Personality and Temperament of the Silken Windhound
The Silken is quite gentle by temperament.
He is very well-mannered for a hound and good with children. Surprisingly, he can get along with cats as well, provided he has grown with them. He doesn’t mind the company of other dogs either, and can fit well in a multi-pet household.
He is easy to train
…And learns new tricks pretty fast. He excels in dog sports such as Open Field Coursing. He loves to run and chase things, but he is just as happy sitting beside you on a couch, watching your favorite TV shows.
Also…
He is comfortable around strangers and is a surprisingly friendly dog, considering he is a hound. He is calm and composed most of the time and never aggressive. You can trust this graceful creature around children.
Silken Windhound Health Problems
The Silken Windhound is one of the healthiest breeds out there. He just doesn’t get sick and does not suffer from many hereditary disorders. He has an excellent life expectancy of 14 years or more.
However
Even a dog breed as healthy as the Silkens is vulnerable to certain health problems such as the Lotus Syndrome.
Lotus Syndrome
Appears in dogs at a very young age, at a time when they are only puppies and can be fatal. The Silken is susceptible to other health problems such as…
It is true that
Apart from the Lotus Syndrome, the other health issues are not fatal or life threatening. But it is important to take your dog to a vet regularly so that any medical complications can be caught as early as possible.
Also
The cost of the medical treatment can be high, especially if they become recurring problems. This can be a concern for most people
We understand that, which is why, here at IndulgeYourPet, we suggest signing up for Pet Insurance for Silken Windhounds. This can help cover some or most of the costs related to its treatment.
What you’ll get from us…
We offer top-rated pet insurance policies for dog owners such as yourself. But how does pet insurance work? Is it for everyone?
No…
Pet insurance may not be for everyone. You must do your own research about a pet insurance policy covers and doesn’t cover. Read the fine print carefully before arriving at a decision.
And
Read this article on the Pet Insurance Policies from our website, we have pretty much covered everything you want to know about it.
All the paws are at 3!!!
Some inaccurate information. Silkens have been accepted by UKC since 2011, I think. Not designer dogs. Some do have serious health issues. Other popular breeds list these openly as a possibility. Silken breed descriptions do not list possible serious health issues, other than MDR1, lotus, cryptorchidism, and deafness, vision in older dogs. Any breed could have the latter 2 as a dog ages.
This dog can in no way be a guard dog. Also, it IS recognized by the UKC. The article fails to mention the International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS) as well, which is very important to the breed. And no, not all borzoi breeders breed silkens. You can find silken windhound-specific breeders.