Silken Windhound
An affectionate, playful, and eager-to-please dog breed, the Silken Windhound is very gentle and affectionate. In addition to being easily trained, they also love their families including those with small children and pets. Their affectionate nature tends to make them poor watchdogs.
Breed Profile
Height
18-24
Inches
Weight
20-55
Pounds
Life Span
14-20
Years
Health
health
Elbow Dysplasia
What is it?
Elbow dysplasia is an abnormal development of the elbow joint in young, large, and rapidly growing dogs. It is a hereditary condition that can affect the dog’s ability to run, jump, and play.
Clinical Signs
Difficulty walking or running
Swollen elbow
Decreased range of motion
Joint stresses
Treatment
Dysplasia in dogs can be treated in several ways, including: Pain and anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and surgery. Your veterinarian may recommend nonsurgical treatment if your dog's dysplasia is not severe, or if surgery is not an option due to other medical reasons.
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Friendly and Obedient
Silken Windhound’s tend to make poor watchdogs, but that's because they are so friendly that they are more likely to greet strangers warmly than aggressively.
Playful
Silken Windhound’s are playful with families and strangers.
Affectionate
Silken Windhound’s can be very affectionate with their families.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Silken Windhound’s have luxurious, silky coats that come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Windhound coats may also be solid, spotted, brindled, or streaked with unique markings.
Colors
There are a variety of colors to choose from, including black, tan, brown, gray, red, silver, and white.
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Grooming
Their coats shed very little, so you should only need to brush them a few times a week to help keep their coats healthy.
Training
Silken Windhound’s are generally easy to train.
The Silken Windhound is an affectionate, playful, and eager-to-please dog breed. They can be easily trained, and they love their families, especially those with small children and pets. Their affectionate nature makes them poor watchdogs. The reason is that they are more likely to greet strangers with warm greetings rather than barking or growling.
Silken Windhound’s are a relatively new breed that has not yet been recognized by the American Kennel Club, although they were recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2011 and appear in shows and competitions worldwide.
Most of the time, these dogs are relaxed and happy to curl up on the couch with their families, but they also have bursts of high energy and need at least one long walk or run each day. They will adapt to almost any living situation, including apartment living, if their exercise needs are met. Despite their luxurious looks, their long, beautiful coats are generally easy to maintain and do not shed excessively. For novice and experienced pet parents alike, Silken Windhound can make wonderful, active family companions, and their long-life expectancy helps ensure they will be around for many years to come.
This breed was bred for a winning personality, a long, beautiful, easy-to-groom coat, and an intelligent, trainable nature. The Silken Windhound is great with children, other pets, family members, and even strangers. Though they can be trained for a variety of tasks, they may not make good watchdogs since they tend not to be aggressive most of the time. It is important to place Silken Windhound’s in homes where they are surrounded by love and affection from their humans. They shouldn't be left outside or alone for extended periods of time. Even those with little dog ownership experience can understand these dogs' expressive ears, soulful eyes, and easily readable body language. A Silken Windhound is an excellent family companion for both novices and experts thanks to its generally good health, easy grooming, and manageable exercise needs.
Silken Windhound Dog: Introduction to the Breed
Owning a pet is one of the most important decisions you can make for your family. Consider carefully which puppy will best suit your family and lifestyle before purchasing, if you are considering purchasing a puppy. Think carefully about what characteristics you'd like to see in a dog, and what you'd prefer not to see. The Silken Windhound has a few things you should know.
Silken Windhound dogs are generally:
Good with specific members in families
Playful
Energetic
Affectionate
In general, Silken Windhound’s are very friendly to all members of the family, including children and other pets. However, they may be apprehensive around children who are overly excited or make sudden, loud noises. To help avoid incidents with dogs of any breed, it is important to supervise playtime with children and teach children how to handle animals appropriately. It is also important to start socialization training early in a dog's life so they can learn to interact with humans and other animals. Despite having a prey drive, Silken Windhound’s generally know how to treat other pets with gentleness.
What are the Origins of Silken Windhound?
As a relatively new dog breed, the Silken Windhound has a short history. Silken Windhound’s were developed by Francie Stull of Kristull Kennel, a Borzoi breeder who wanted to create a medium-sized sighthound with a long, silky coat that would be easy to groom. Stull crossed Borzois with Whippets until the first litter of Silken Windhound’s was born in 1985 in the United States, but the breed wasn't officially named until 1998. Founded in 2000, the International Silken Windhound Society adopted a breed standard in 2001. In 2011, the United Kennel Club recognized the breed, but the American Kennel Club has not. With their increasing popularity, Silken Windhound’s can be found in show and performance competitions all over the world.
Contrary to some beliefs, the Silken Windhound breed was not created to produce a mini-Borzoi or a longhaired Whippet. The development of this breed was to fill the niche of a small, longhaired sighthound. In accordance with the International Silken Windhound Society standard, the Silken Windhound is an established breed.
What are the Risks for the Silken Windhound Dog Breed?
Like all breeds, Silken Windhound’s are at risk of developing health conditions during their lifetime. The Lotus Syndrome is a condition known to affect Silken Windhound’s, but it usually occurs in very young dogs and affected puppies typically do not survive. There are some Silken Windhound’s that carry the MDR1 gene, which makes them sensitive to certain drugs. A bad reaction to those certain medications can be fatal for Silken Windhound’s. Silken Windhound’s may also suffer from umbilical hernia and cryptorchidism, as well as deafness or cataracts as they age. Regular vet visits to catch any medical problems early can help you maintain your dog’s good health.
Regular brushing of a Silken Windhounds' teeth is recommended by veterinarians. You should check their ears and paw pads for signs of infection, parasites, or debris and keep them clean. To help avoid snags and breakage, nails should be trimmed as needed. Their nails should be trimmed once a month to help keep them healthy.
While a yard is a plus since they love to run, they would also be fine living in an apartment with additional walks and runs at the local dog park. In most weather, Silken’s seem to be fine. The animals revel in the snow, splash through puddles, race in the wind, and bask in the sun. Depending on the outside temperature, they will adjust their exercise and exposure. Because Silken’s are sighthounds with strong hunting instincts, they should not be left unfenced. There is a possibility that they can run away chasing something. For this breed's safety, they need a fenced-in yard or area where they can run.