Silken Windhound Rescue and Adoption Guide

If you're considering adopting a Silken Windhound, it's essential to understand the breed's unique needs and characteristics.

Silken Windhounds are a relatively rare breed, with a small, dedicated breed club and a limited number of breeders. This can make finding a reputable breeder or rescue organization challenging.

To increase your chances of finding a Silken Windhound in need of a forever home, consider contacting a rescue organization or reaching out to breeders who are also involved in rescue efforts.

Silken Windhounds are a high-energy breed that requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

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The Silken Windhound is a breed known for its adaptability. They are easy to get along with and make great companions for families.

They are also highly trainable, which is a big plus for first-time dog owners. Their strong desire to please their owners makes them a joy to work with.

Silken Windhounds have a low-maintenance coat that requires only weekly brushing to prevent tangles. This makes them a great choice for busy owners who don't have a lot of time for grooming.

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They are also relatively low shedders, which is a bonus for people with allergies or who prefer less dog hair.

Silken Windhounds are natural athletes and love to run. They have a strong prey drive and can get distracted by small animals, so they need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

Here are some key breed characteristics to keep in mind:

Overall, Silken Windhounds are a great choice for anyone looking for a loyal and loving companion.

Regular grooming is essential for Silken Windhounds, so brush their teeth regularly as recommended by a veterinarian to prevent dental issues.

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

A monthly nail trim is usually sufficient to keep your Silken Windhound's nails in good shape, but be sure to trim them as needed to prevent snags and breakage.

To ensure your Silken Windhound's dietary needs are met, consult with a veterinarian or professional nutritionist to determine the best food and portion sizes for your individual dog, taking into account their energy and exercise needs.

As your Silken Windhound grows from puppyhood to adulthood and senior age, their dietary needs will change, so stay on top of these nutritional requirements to maintain their overall health.

Silken Windhounds are a medium-sized breed, ranging from 18 to 23.5 inches in height at the shoulder.

Male Silken Windhounds are larger on average than females, with males weighing from 33 to 55 pounds.

A Silken Windhound's diet should be formulated for a mid-sized breed with average-to-high energy and exercise needs.

You'll want to consult your veterinarian or 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.

You can expect to provide multiple meals a day for your Silken Windhound puppy, but as they mature, one or two meals a day may be sufficient.

The Silken Windhound's coat is truly stunning, and it's great to know that it requires relatively little maintenance. They can come in almost any color or pattern, including black, tan, brown, gray, red, silver, or white, or a combination of colors.

Their coats may also be solid, spotted, brindle, or streaked with unique markings. A few good brushings a week should be enough to keep the coat healthy, and some owners even get by with one or fewer brushings a week.

Silken Windhounds shed relatively little, making them a great choice for those with allergies or who prefer less dog hair. They should be bathed once a month or as needed, depending on their individual needs.

Brushing their coat a few times a week with a slicker brush can help prevent tangles and keep them looking their best.

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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.

Some health issues that Silken Windhounds can be sensitive to include bone and joint ailments like hip dysplasia and bloat, which are rare in the breed. However, individual dogs may experience these issues.

Silken Windhounds can also be sensitive to certain drugs, particularly those related to ivermectin. A simple test is available to determine if a dog carries a defective MDR1 gene, which makes them more susceptible to these medications.

It's essential to be aware of potential health issues when bringing a Silken Windhound into your home. Here are some conditions to be on the lookout for:

Regular grooming and proper care can help prevent some of these issues. Brush your Silken Windhound a few times a week to prevent tangles, and bathe them every 8-12 weeks. Trim their nails, brush their teeth, and check their ears regularly to maintain their overall health and well-being.

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

They thrive on attention and praise, and will form strong relationships with their owners if treated well. With consistent training, they can learn to obey commands and behave well in public.

Their independent nature means they can be stubborn at times, but their eagerness to please their owners makes them highly trainable. In fact, they can learn good manners as early as 8 weeks old.

Training should begin right away for Silken Windhound puppies, and socialization is key to helping them grow into calm adult dogs. They should meet at least 100 different people by the time they are 4 months old.

Silken Windhounds are highly adaptable to most lifestyles and can even live in apartments, but they do require daily exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors.

They are naturally inclined to chase small animals, so it's essential to provide them with a secure and fenced outdoor space. Martingale collars are also recommended, as they can slip out of regular collars easily.

Silken Windhounds are highly intelligent and can even housebreak themselves if they have enough access to the outdoors. They are also eager to please and easy to train, making them a great choice for novice owners.

They can thrive on a variety of activities, including obedience, agility, and dog sports, and they are likely to appreciate the physical and mental challenges these activities provide.

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The Silken Windhound breed has a fascinating history that dates back to 1985 when the first litter was whelped in the United States by Francie Stull, a successful breeder of show and performance dogs.

Francie Stull, a Borzoi breeder, set out to create a mid-sized sighthound with a long, silky coat that would be easy to groom and maintain. She crossed Borzois with Whippets to achieve this goal.

The first Silken Windhounds were born in 1985, but the breed wouldn't be officially named "Silken Windhound" until 1998. The name was finally adopted after years of development.

The International Silken Windhound Society was formed in 1999 to maintain the breed's pedigrees and DNA-verified registrations. This organization plays a crucial role in preserving the breed's history and integrity.

Silken Windhounds are now recognized by the United Kennel Club, which acknowledged the breed in 2011. Unfortunately, they are still not recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Today, Silken Windhounds can be found in 24 countries, including the United States, Austria, and the United Kingdom, and are gaining popularity in show and performance competitions worldwide.

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