Silky Windhound

The Silky Windhound is a relatively new breed, developed in the United States. Its appearance and temperament are typical sighthounds: calm, gentle, independent, and quick. Today, it is bred in many countries around the world. It has proven itself to be a good family dog and a wonderful companion for active people. It is suitable for many sports.

Content

1 History of origin
2 Appearance
3 Character and behavior
4 Content Features
5 Health and life expectancy
6 Where to buy a puppy
7 Photos and videos
- 7.1 Video about the Silky Windhound breed

History of origin

The miniature greyhound was developed in the 1980s by American breeder Francie Stahl. She used long-haired greyhounds in her program. whippets And Russian BorzoiThe breed was originally called Silky Windsprites, after Walter Wheeler's longhaired whippet kennel, from which Stahle obtained the breed's founder.

The first litter was born in 1985. In 1998, the name "Silken Windhound" was officially approved. In 1999, a breed club was established to unite owners and monitor the health of the herd.

Appearance

The Silky Windhound is an elegant, small- to medium-sized sighthound with a long, silky coat. Its build is athletic and its constitution is lean. Sexual dimorphism is well-defined.

Height at withers: 47-60 cm;
Weight of males: 15-20 kg;
The weight of bitches is 10-15 kg.

In some photographs, it can be very difficult to distinguish between a Silky Windhound and a Russian Borzoi, especially if there are no objects in the photo that indicate the relative size of the dogs.

The head is dry and elongated. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark, and fairly large. The ears are medium in length, with thin pinnae and variable positioning. The earlobe is dark in color. The jaws are strong. The bite is level or scissor-shaped. The neck is long, thin, and slightly arched.

The body is smooth and contoured. The back is short. The loin is of medium length, arched, wide, and fairly flexible. The chest is deep, reaching to the elbow joint. The tail is flexible and long. When at rest, it hangs down. The forelimbs are straight and parallel. The hind legs are well angulated, with well-developed thighs and long lower thighs.

Windhounds come in two types. Some resemble a long-haired whippet, while others resemble a smaller Russian borzoi.

The coat is soft, silky, straight or slightly wavy. It is noticeably longer on the hindquarters, chest, croup, around the neck, and on the tail. All colors are acceptable.

Character and behavior

The Silky Windhound is an intelligent dog with a balanced character. It has a strong pursuit instinct and is affectionate and gentle with family members. Any signs of hostility, nervousness, or timidity are disqualifying factors; such dogs are not permitted for breeding.

The Silky Windhound is friendly, energetic, and playful. It gets along well with children of all ages and is trusting of strangers. While not particularly protective, it will chirp in response to the doorbell. It may show a preying interest in small animals.

Calm and tidy in a home environment. Easy to train. Responds best to positive reinforcement. Eager to please his owner and willingly works in a variety of settings. Suitable for active sports, such as running, coursing, agility, flyball, etc.

Content Features

The Silky Windhound is well suited for indoor living. Year-round outdoor use is not recommended and is only possible in warm climates. At temperatures below 5°C, it is advisable to dress the dog appropriately for the weather.

Windhounds require ample exercise. It's important for them to be able to play with other dogs and run freely in a safe area. An adult dog can be a companion on jogs or bike rides. Like other sighthounds, the Silky Windhound can slip out of regular collars. Therefore, a wide, semi-choke collar is a more suitable option.

Regular grooming is required. Comb the coat 1-2 times a week, preventing tangling. Bathe the greyhound as needed. Trim the nails every 3-4 weeks. Keep an eye on the ears, eyes, and teeth.

Health and life expectancy

The Silky Windhound is a surprisingly healthy breed, thanks to careful selective breeding since its inception. While the dog can get sick, illnesses in this small sighthound are usually caused by poor nutrition, insufficient exercise, and poor living conditions. Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Where to buy a puppy

Today, Silky Windhounds are bred in the United States, Canada, Africa, and Europe. Representatives of the breed can be found in Finland, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands. This breed has become very popular in Slovenia, where it is even recognized by the National Canine Union. Windhounds have also been exported to New Zealand, the UAE, and several other countries. A list of breeders and their contact information can be found on the official website of the breed club.