Silken Windhound

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 14-20 years
The Silken Windhound is originally descended from the Borzoi and the Whippet, although it is largely considered its own breed today and is working toward recognition from the American Kennel Club. This breed tends to be extremely healthy, with breeders being very proactive in matters of health.

Some Silken Windhounds will be affected with Lotus Syndrome, but this primarily concerns breeders, since puppies with this condition will not live long past birth.

A few cases of cryptorchidism, in which one or both testicles do not properly descend into the scrotum, have been recorded among Silken Windhounds. These testicles are more prone to cancer and other issues, so affected dogs should be neutered. Additionally, dogs with cryptorchidism should not breed.

Bloat is also a possibility for the Silken Windhound but has occurred very rarely. Bloat is when the stomach becomes overly full of gas, food, or fluid, expanding dangerously and putting excess pressure on surrounding organs. In some cases, the stomach twists, trapping blood and blocking blood flow to the heart and other vital organs. Bloat can be deadly, so take your Silken Windhound to the veterinarian immediately if you notice symptoms such as pale gums, excessive drooling, failed attempts to vomit, or a swollen stomach.

In older Silken Windhounds, cases of deafness and cataracts have occurred, and some Silken Windhounds may have drug sensitivities.

The average lifespan for a Silken Windhound is 14-20 years, which is exceptionally long.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Silken Windhound is an intelligent, gentle, and affectionate breed. He is independent, quiet, and generally well-mannered, yet he can be playful and lively as well. He tends to be a happy dog who is very loving towards his family.

The Silken Windhound can potentially live in an apartment, but he needs to walk or run outdoors daily. This breed truly loves to run, so a large, securely fenced yard is ideal. If you do not have a yard, it is important to find a space where he can run freely as often as possible. Although they are very active outdoors, indoors the Silken Windhound is typically quiet, clean, and well-behaved. They are content to relax on the couch next to you while you watch television.

The gentle Silken Windhound can be excellent with children, especially if he is raised with them. He likes to play games with children and tends to be very sweet towards them, although some Silken Windhounds may be bothered by loud noises or excessive rowdiness. He can also get along well with cats and other dogs, although he does have an extremely strong prey drive and may pursue smaller pets such as rodents. Outdoors, it is essential that the Silken Windhound be kept on a leash or within a secure fence because he will naturally chase after animals and is an extremely fast runner. The Silken Windhound may be aloof with strangers initially, but he is typically friendly once he warms up to new people, although some have a shy temperament. He does not bark much and does not make a very good watchdog. He is also too friendly and trusting to be utilized as a guard dog.

The Silken Windhound is highly trainable due to his intelligence and eagerness to please. Keep sessions short and varied to prevent boredom, and be sure to be firm and consistent in enforcing your rules and expectations. Use positive reinforcement such as favorite treats, extra playtime, and encouraging praise to motivate your Silken Windhound. Overall, training this breed should be a pleasant experience, and they typically housebreak much faster than other breeds as well.

Grooming

The Silken Windhound’s silky coat sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. 2-3 brushing sessions each week would be ideal to avoid mats and tangles. Bathe the Silken Windhound every 8-12 weeks, and be sure to use a mild shampoo, because he has sensitive skin.

Trim his nails any time they become long enough to touch the floor, in order to prevent overgrowth and cracking. Check his ears on a regular basis for signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, and odor. Also ensure that there is not an excessive buildup of wax, dirt, or debris. Brush his teeth at least 2-3 times weekly to prevent bad breath and maintain good overall health.

Diet

On average, the Silken Windhound should consume 1.5-2.5 cups of a high-quality, meat-based kibble daily. Food should be divided into at least two smaller meals. The ideal type and amount of food for your individual dog will depend on factors such as weight, metabolism, activity level, age, and build.

Take preventative measures against bloat by ensuring that your dog does not eat too rapidly. Also prevent him from drinking excessive amounts of water directly before or after eating, and impose a one hour waiting period between eating and exercising. Do not allow your Silken Windhound to eat out of a raised food bowl unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian.
 

Find A Silken Windhound Breeder

Silken Windhound Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Silken Windhound

Cost

The Silken Windhound is a fairly rare breed and costs $800 to $1,500 on average. Prices vary according to breeder reputation and location, gender, pedigree, and quality of the dog. Be prepared to potentially spend a fair amount of time searching for a reputable breeder and waiting on a wait list.

If you are able to find a Silken Windhound to adopt, although this is challenging, expect to pay up to $175 in adoption fees, depending on your location.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Silken Windhound ranks a 1.5. He has a strong prey drive and needs to be securely fenced or kept on a leash outdoors, and he may need to be brushed 2-3 times weekly. However, he gets along well with most people and pets, has only moderate exercise needs, and is highly trainable. Additionally, he is more easily housebroken than most breeds and is exceptionally healthy, with an unusually long lifespan.

 

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