The Silken Windhound dog has an elegant appearance, a slender build, silky regal-looking coat with medium size. This sighthound breed developed in the late 20th century as a relatively new dog with agility and athletic ability. This sighthound dog has long snout expressive eyes and semi-erect ears with easygoing nature. However, it is a smaller version of the Borzoi dog with an elegant appearance, grace, and friendly demeanor. This sociable dog enjoys the company of people and is happiest when sharing family activities. Like other sighthounds, it is a quiet and well-behaved pet that requires little grooming and is naturally clean and tidy.
Both novices and experts will find the Silken Windhound to be a wonderful family friend. These dogs are highly expressive, using their soulful eyes and body language to convey emotions clearly, even to novice owners. Overall, this pup has a people-pleasing and amiable personality that gets along well with kids and other dogs despite their milder prey drive.
Silken Windhound History
It is a new breed like the Borzoi dog but the breeder crossed the Borzoi with Whippets to develop a mid-sized sighthound with a long, silky coat. The Borzoi breeder Francie Stull created the first pup in 1985 in the United States and later its popularity grew. However, the American Kennel Club still does not accept it as a legitimate breed though the United Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2011. This is how they’ve become famous recently and appeared in shows and performance competitions throughout the world. It is easy to groom and maintain the Silken Windhounds which gained the official name in 1998 and the International Silken Windhound Society is seeking to have it accepted into the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service, a preliminary step toward full recognition.
Silken Windhound Size And Weight
Silken Windhounds are classified as medium-sized canines since they weigh between 33 and 60 pounds and stand between 18 and 24 inches tall. This sociable dog is roughly the same size as a standard German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever, but their long hair may give them the appearance of being bigger. They also have active spurts.
Silken Windhound Temperament And Personality
The Silken Windhound’s amiable disposition leads them to approach visitors with warmth rather than suspicion, making them an inappropriate choice for a watchdog. They tend to adjust rapidly, with proper socialization and training, especially with their families. These canines are well-known for being amiable and enjoying activities such as playing with their owners, taking long walks, and meeting new people. They enjoy cuddling and relaxing at home, even if they can be rather active. These versatile dogs may live well in apartments if they get regular exercise, such as lengthy walks or runs at the park.
Their sensitive temperament makes them difficult to leave alone for extended periods. They are easy to train because they are bright and eager to please, some owners even say that they may become housebroken very easily. They tend to thrive on mental and physical challenges, such as training and may seek out less desirable activities for entertainment if they lack stimulating pursuits.
Silken Windhound Health
Generally, the health problems are rare in silken windhounds, which are healthy dogs with few genetic flaws. However, some disorders to be mindful like hip dysplasia, which results in inflammation in the knee joint, heart concerns, like hypertension which may develop with age, and progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition that can arise in old age. At 10 years old, deafness can also occur and pushing or tugging can cause umbilical hernias. Lotus Syndrome is a severe genetic disorder that usually results in death in very early puppies.
Furthermore, before giving pharmaceuticals, testing is necessary since some Silken Windhounds have the MDR1 gene, which makes them susceptible to specific medications. Cryptorchidism, a disorder in which one or both testicles do not descend, and cataracts, which can cause blindness, are two further possible health issues. For these problems to be identified and treated early on, routine veterinary examinations are essential.
What Is The Silken Windhounds Appearance?
A sleek, flat head with floppy ears and a long, flat nose characterize Silken Windhounds. They resemble Labradors or German Shepherds in size, being of medium size. Their long, wavy coats are colored in a range of hues, like blue, scarlet, silver, and more, and they frequently have distinctive patterns like stripes and spots. Their flowing fur and graceful features make them incredibly attractive.
Silken Windhound Care
Dogs that are adaptable and energetic, silken windhounds excel in a range of sports and pastimes. Sighthounds excel in running events where they can show off their speed and agility, such as lure coursing and racing. Silken Windhounds are well-rounded companions since they enjoy agility competitions, obedience trials, therapy work, and scent work in addition to these activities. They are even more appropriate for these activities because of their sharp instincts and rapid learning curve, which allow them to grasp complicated orders and duties. They enjoy training and have a strong bond with their handlers due to their people-pleasing temperament, which makes every experience pleasurable for both parties. Their ability to combine intelligence and athleticism makes them exceptional in various dog roles and sports.
Silken Windhound Feeding
A healthy diet for Silken Windhounds should be based on high-quality food that is appropriate for medium-sized, active dogs, taking into account their mid-sized, active character. As they grow from puppies to adults and seniors, their dietary demands change, so speak with your veterinarian or a qualified nutritionist to find the optimal food and quantity recommendations. Silken Windhound Puppies diet should be high in animal protein, fiber from vegetables, and vital fats, vitamins, and minerals for optimum health. While humans usually only need two meals a day, puppies need a specific diet and should be fed four times a day. Ensuring that they maintain a healthy body composition and level of energy throughout their life can be achieved by routinely checking their weight and level of activity.
Silken Windhound Coat Color And Grooming
The opulent, silken coats of beautiful Silken Windhounds can be found in a variety of hues and patterns, such as black, tan, brown, grey, red, silver, and white. These coats frequently have distinctive patterns like spots, brindles, or streaks. Their maintenance requirements are surprisingly low for such an attractive-looking animal; they shed very little and usually just need a few brushings a week to have a healthy coat. For some owners, brushing just once a week is adequate. Frequent washing roughly once a month or more frequently as needed maintains the highest possible coat condition without necessitating excessive grooming. Their attractive appearance combined with easy grooming makes them a great option for dog owners.
Silken Windhound Children And Other Pets
Generally speaking, Silken Windhounds have a pleasant and loving temperament and get along well with kids and other family members. But, they can get agitated by sudden loud noises or excessively eager children, so it’s crucial to watch them while they play. Their interactions with people and other pets are improved by early socialization training, yet they may chase smaller animals because of their prey drive. Even though they usually get along well with bigger animals and other canines, it’s crucial to start educating them at a young age to control these inclinations. All things considered, Silken Windhounds make wonderful family pets because they are active and energetic, but it’s always a good idea to watch how they interact with young children.
Why Choose a Dog Breed Silken Windhound?
Getting a Silken Windhound will bring a loyal and affectionate pet into your house. Here are a few strong arguments in favor of thinking about this exceptional breed:
Charming Nature: Due to their delicate and loving nature, silken windhounds are excellent family companions.
Emotional Expression: They assist owners in understanding their requirements by fostering strong emotional relationships through their expressive body language and soulful eyes.
Moderate Exercise Needs: They fit well in both active and laid-back households since they value regular exercise but can adjust to different activity levels.
Minimum Need for Grooming: Their silky coats require little upkeep, which simplifies care for their busy owners.
Elegant and Distinctive Appearance: Their exquisite coat and graceful build give them a distinctive appearance that makes them stand out in every setting.
Versatile Companions: Silken Windhounds are ideal for both lively running partners and comfortable sofa buddies.
FAQ’S
How Fast can a Silken Windhound Run?
Generally, this sighthound pup is capable of a speed of 35-40 miles an hour and often used in lure-coursing events with their agility and fast speed.
Are Silken Windhounds High Energy?
These pups are generally easy to train but have bursts of energy that require regular exercise and activities such as long walks or runs. After consuming their excessive energy they can be quite relaxed at home on the couch and take a nap.
Do Silken Windhounds Shed a Lot?
Generally, this is a moderate shed pet that has a medium-length and silky coat. This type of coat is shed during seasonal changes but not excessively and is easily managed through regular brushing.
Conclusion
To sum up the discussion, the Silken Windhound is an elegant and endearing breed with a pleasant and loving temperament. This puppy’s reduced prey drive doesn’t stop them from having a friendly and people-pleasing attitude that gets along with youngsters and other dogs. Its loving nature and sighthound agility make it a devoted buddy for families and easily adopted
to live well in a variety of settings. However, this pup is ideal for both lively running partners and comfortable sofa buddies. Overall, this sociable dog enjoys the company of people and is happiest when sharing family activities and quality time with the owner.
