Silken Windhound: Everything You Need to Know

The Silken Windhound is a unique and fascinating breed that's sure to capture your heart.

This breed was developed in the 1980s by breeder Carolyn Kaster, who aimed to create a hound that combined the gentle nature of a Greyhound with the intelligence and trainability of a Whippet.

Silken Windhounds are known for their short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors, including fawn, brindle, and red.

They typically weigh between 25-35 pounds and stand between 19-24 inches tall at the shoulder.

The Silken Windhound is a beautiful breed with a unique appearance. They have a silky coat of middling length that can range from white to black, with brilliant brindles and solid red in between.

Their coat can be spotted, tuxedo-marked, or solid-colored, and it's silky to the touch. The Silken Windhound's head is well-chiseled, with dry and tight skin and noticeable veining.

They have a fairly narrow back skull that tapers gradually through a full muzzle to the nose. The muzzle is in good balance to the skull, with a barely perceptible stop between.

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The Silken Windhound's body is athletic and sleek, with a balanced combination of fine bladed bone and smooth muscle. They have a deep chest with moderate spring of rib, and their back is short with a moderately long, wide, and muscular loin.

Here are the key physical characteristics of the Silken Windhound breed:

Their coat is silky and soft to touch, and it can be straight, curly, or wavy. Excessive curling is not desirable, and their long coat should only be moderately long so it doesn't interfere with their lure coursing abilities.

The Silken Windhound's head is a key feature of their elegant appearance. It's well-chiseled with dry and tight skin and noticeable veining.

Their head is moderately long, with a fairly narrow back skull that tapers gradually through a full muzzle to the nose. This creates a balanced look between the skull and muzzle.

Lips and flews are tight, just like the rest of their dry head. Lip pigment is full and dark, adding to their overall appearance.

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The muzzle is in good balance to the skull, with a barely perceptible stop between. This shows that the Silken Windhound's head is designed for function as well as form.

Their head shape is unique, with a long and flat snout that's accompanied by a flat head with floppy ears. This combination gives them a distinctive look that's all their own.

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The Silken Windhound's body is a work of art, with a topline that rises gradually from behind the withers and reaches its highest point over the last rib.

The back is short and the loin is moderately long, wide, and muscular, with a smooth flow from the arch to the croup. This is crucial for sustaining the double suspension gallop that Silken Windhounds exhibit when running at top speed.

A flat back with a steep croup is a major fault, so it's essential to look for a loin arch that's flexible and well-defined.

The chest is deep, with a moderate spring of rib, giving the Silken Windhound a robust and athletic appearance.

The forequarters of the breed are a key aspect of its overall appearance.

The shoulder blades are well laid back, and are long and smooth, with flat muscle. This is a desirable trait, as it allows for a more athletic and agile build.

Fine withers are preferred, indicating a well-defined and refined shoulder area.

Good return of upper arm is desirable, bringing the legs well under the withers.

The forelegs are straight and strong, with pasterns that are straight or slightly bent, but never knuckled over.

Dewclaws on front legs are acceptable, and can be left intact if desired.

The feet are well knuckled, with tough, thick pads that provide excellent grip and support.

Both the hare foot and the cat foot are acceptable, but the hare foot is preferred due to its longer middle toes.

The silken windhound's physical characteristics are quite impressive. They typically stand between 18-24 inches tall and weigh between 25-50 pounds.

Their coat is a beautiful silky, long, and smooth texture that comes in multiple colors. This unique coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

One of the most notable features of the silken windhound is their lifespan, which can range from 12-20 years with proper care. This is a significant consideration for anyone thinking of bringing one of these dogs into their family.

Here's a quick rundown of the silken windhound's physical characteristics:

Silken Windhounds are small- to medium-sized sighthounds with silky coats of middling length. They come in a variety of colors, including white, black, brindle, and solid red, with some having spotted or tuxedo-marked coats.

Their coats can be straight, curly, or wavy, but excessive curling is not desirable. The coat should be silky and soft to the touch, never profuse or woolly.

In terms of size, Silken Windhounds typically weigh between 25-50 pounds and stand between 18-24 inches tall. They have a sleek build, with a balanced combination of fine bladed bone and smooth muscle.

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The head is well-chiseled, with dry and tight skin and noticeable veining. The muzzle is in good balance to the skull, with a barely perceptible stop between.

Their body is athletic and elegant, with a topline that rises gradually from slightly behind the withers. The loin is moderately long, wide, and muscular, with a flexible back that allows for a double suspension gallop when running at top speed.

Here are some key physical characteristics of Silken Windhounds:

Their lifespan is typically 12-20 years, and they are known for their affectionate, loyal, and playful temperament.

Silken Windhounds are naturally friendly and affectionate dogs, making them a great fit for families with children.

They are not good guard dogs, but they are easily housebroken and can be trained to live with smaller household pets.

Silkens particularly enjoy activities like agility, therapy, flyball, and obedience, which can help keep them happy and engaged.

Their intelligence and people-pleasing nature make them relatively easy to train, even for novice owners.

Silken Windhounds are highly adaptable to most lifestyles, including apartment living, as long as they get regular exercise and attention.

They have a sensitive side and don't do well when left alone for long periods, so they thrive in households where someone is home most of the time.

Silken Windhounds are quick learners and love to learn new commands, making them a great choice for first-time dog owners.

Their high prey drive can cause them to chase small animals, so it's essential to provide a secure and fenced outdoor space for them to play and exercise.

Silken Windhounds are not naturally aggressive dogs, but they may become protective if they feel their family is in danger.

They are also not overly barky, but they may vocalize when they want attention or to alert their owners to something.

Overall, Silken Windhounds make great companions for active families or individuals who can provide them with the attention and exercise they need.

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Silken Windhounds are intelligent and easily trained using rewards and affection in short, positive sessions.

They will work eagerly and form strong relationships with their owners if treated well.

Most owners favor semi-slip collars because Silken Windhounds can slip out of buckle collars.

They're easy to train, but it depends on the type of training.

Silken Windhounds are good enough to perform complex tasks and understand dozens of commands with agility training.

Silken Windhounds are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health issues. They typically live into their middle to late teens, which is a respectable lifespan for a medium-sized breed.

Some individual Silken Windhounds may be sensitive to ivermectin and related drugs, so it's essential to test them before administering medication. A simple test is available to determine if a dog carries a defective MDR1 gene, which can help prevent adverse reactions.

Silken Windhounds can be affected by a few genetic conditions, including Lotus SyndromeDrug SensitivityUmbilical HerniaCryptorchidismDeafnessCataracts These conditions can vary in severity and impact, but regular veterinary check-ups can help identify potential issues early on.

In addition to these genetic conditions, Silken Windhounds can also be prone to age-related health issues, such as hip dysplasia, heart problems, and eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

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Silken Windhounds are generally a healthy breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. They typically live into their middle to late teens.

Hip dysplasia and bloat are rare in Silken Windhounds, but some individual dogs may be sensitive to ivermectin and related drugs. A simple test is available to determine if a dog carries a defective MDR1 gene.

Some owners have reported cases of cryptorchidism, umbilical hernia, and lotus syndrome in Silken Windhounds. Lotus syndrome is a rare disorder that affects very young dogs and can be fatal.

Here are some health issues that Silken Windhounds may face:

As Silken Windhounds age, they may experience heart problems like hypertension, and eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

Silken windhounds are a relatively long-lived breed, with an average lifespan of 14 years, which is better than many medium-sized breeds.

Their longevity can be attributed to their overall good health, which is a result of responsible breeding practices.

Feeding your silken windhound a balanced diet is essential to ensure they live up to their full potential of 20 years or more.

Regular exercise and plenty of affection from their owners also play a significant role in extending their lifespan.

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The Silken Windhound breed has a fascinating history. It was founded and developed in Austin, Texas, by Francie Stull, a successful breeder of show and performance American Kennel Club Borzois and Deerhounds.

The first Silken Windhound litter was whelped in 1985. This marked the beginning of a new breed that would eventually be recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2011.

Francie Stull, the founder of the breed, used her favored Borzoi and Lurcher bloodlines to create the Silken Windhound. She crossed Borzois with Whippets to achieve the desired characteristics.

The breed standard was adopted in 2001 by the International Silken Windhound Society. This standard helps to ensure consistency in the breed's characteristics.

Silken Windhounds are now found in 24 countries worldwide. Their popularity is growing, and they can be found in show and performance competitions.

The breed's studbooks closed in 2000, with minimal sanctioned outcrossing to foundational breeds being monitored to improve health and lower COI. This decision helped to preserve the breed's genetic integrity.

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Silken Windhounds require regular dental care to prevent issues. Brush their teeth regularly as recommended by a veterinarian to keep them healthy.

Their ears and paw pads should be checked frequently for signs of infection, parasites, or debris. Keep them clean to prevent problems.

A monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to prevent snags and breakage. Keep up with regular vet visits to maintain good health for your Silken Windhound.

Here's a summary of their grooming needs:

Their diet should be formulated for a mid-sized breed with average-to-high energy and exercise needs. Consult your veterinarian or a professional nutritionist for advice on what to feed your individual Silken Windhound and the correct portion sizes.

Caring for your Silken Windhound requires attention to their grooming needs. Regular brushing of their teeth is a must, as recommended by a veterinarian.

Their ears and paw pads should be checked frequently for signs of infection, parasites, or debris, and kept clean. Nail trimming is also essential, with a monthly trim usually keeping their nails in good shape.

To prevent snags and breakage, nails should be trimmed at least once a month. This will also help prevent health problems and possible pain.

Regular vet visits are crucial to maintain good health for your Silken Windhound. Brushing their coat regularly will also help prevent knots.

A schedule for nail trimming is important to get your Silken Windhound accustomed to it. If trimming stresses them too much, a nail grinder can be used instead.

Here's a quick summary of grooming tasks to keep your Silken Windhound happy and healthy:

It's also essential to bathe your Silken Windhound every eight to twelve weeks with a mild shampoo or baby shampoo.

When it comes to feeding your Silken Windhound, you'll want to stick to a mid-sized breed diet with average-to-high energy needs.

A Silken Windhound's diet should be formulated to meet their exercise requirements, which can be high depending on their age and activity level.

You should consult your veterinarian or a professional nutritionist for advice on what to feed your individual Silken Windhound and the correct portion sizes.

Their dietary needs will change as they grow from puppyhood to adulthood and senior age, so be sure to stay on top of these nutritional requirements.

A well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining your Silken Windhound's overall health and well-being.

By working with a veterinarian or nutritionist, you can create a personalized feeding plan that meets your dog's unique needs.