Silken Windhound

Description

The Silken Windhound is a graceful and elegant sighthound breed that combines the speed and agility of traditional hounds with a gentle and affectionate temperament. Developed in the United States in the 1980s, the breed was the result of a cross between the Whippet and the Borzoi, with the aim of creating a sighthound that was slightly smaller and more versatile while retaining the athleticism and grace of its larger relatives. The Silken Windhound was originally bred for competitive lure coursing and as a companion animal, and its combination of beauty, speed, and affectionate nature has made it increasingly popular among dog lovers.

Physically, the Silken Windhound is a medium-sized dog, standing between 18 and 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 25 and 45 pounds. It has a long, silky coat that is one of its most distinctive features, flowing smoothly over its slender and athletic body. The coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including solid, bi-color, and tri-color, with a soft, wavy texture that is both beautiful and easy to maintain compared to the heavier coats of other sighthounds. The Silken Windhound has an elegant head with a long, narrow muzzle, expressive eyes, and large, slightly rounded ears that add to its refined appearance. Their long, fine tail is often carried gracefully behind them, completing the breed’s graceful look.

Temperamentally, the Silken Windhound is known for its gentle, affectionate, and friendly nature. While they are sighthounds, meaning they are instinctively driven to chase small animals, they tend to be more people-oriented and easier to train than some of the more independent sighthound breeds. Silken Windhounds are typically social and enjoy being part of the family, often forming strong bonds with their owners. They are good with children and other pets, particularly when raised together, and they generally have a calm and relaxed demeanor when indoors. However, like all sighthounds, they require regular exercise to burn off their energy and keep their instincts in check.

Due to their background as sighthounds, Silken Windhounds need regular, but moderate, exercise to stay fit. They enjoy running and playing in a secure, fenced-in area, and many enjoy participating in lure coursing or other dog sports that allow them to showcase their natural athleticism. Despite their love for running, they are typically quite calm and relaxed when at home, often content to curl up and rest after a good run. Their silky coats require regular brushing, but they are relatively low-maintenance compared to some other long-haired breeds. The Silken Windhound is a relatively rare breed, but its affectionate personality, elegance, and athleticism have gained it a devoted following among dog enthusiasts.

History

The Silken Windhound is a relatively modern breed, developed in the late 20th century by Francie Stull, a prominent breeder of Borzoi in the United States. Stull envisioned creating a smaller sighthound that retained the elegance, speed, and grace of larger sighthounds but was more versatile and suited to family life. Using Borzoi as the foundational breed, Stull began the process in the 1980s by crossing them with smaller sighthounds, including Whippets, to achieve the desired size and temperament. The result was a breed that combined beauty, agility, and a friendly nature.

The name "Silken Windhound" reflects the breed’s defining characteristics: its silky, flowing coat and its sighthound lineage. Stull’s careful and selective breeding program prioritized not only the physical traits of the breed but also health and temperament. Silken Windhounds were bred to be adaptable, affectionate, and athletic, making them suitable for both performance activities like lure coursing and life as cherished companions.

In 1998, the breed gained formal recognition with the establishment of the International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS), which became the governing body for the breed’s standard and registry. Since then, the Silken Windhound has continued to grow in popularity, gaining a devoted following among sighthound enthusiasts and families alike. Its striking appearance and gentle demeanor have made it a favorite in the United States and beyond, with the breed expanding to other countries.

Today, the Silken Windhound is celebrated for its versatility, combining the athleticism and elegance of a sighthound with a friendly and affectionate temperament. While it remains a relatively rare breed, its growing recognition and dedicated breeders ensure its continued success. The Silken Windhound’s history highlights the thoughtful efforts to create a breed that embodies beauty, speed, and companionship in a manageable size.

Colors

•  Bi-color
•  Black
•  Black and Tan
•  Black Brindle
•  Brindle
•  Brown Brindle
•  Fawn
•  Sable
•  Saddled
•  Tan
•  Tan Brindle
•  Tricolored
•  White
•  Yellow
•  Yellow Brindle