Silken Windhound
Basics
The Silken Windhound is a small-to-medium sighthound developed as a coursing dog that can also be an easy, affectionate companion. Breed standards describe an elegant athlete with a moderately long, silky coat—built for running ability rather than heavy substance.
The UKC breed standard summarizes the breed’s development as beginning with the goal of creating a smaller hound with excellent temperament, a long coat, overall good health, and the poise and sporting ability of larger sighthounds. Today, Silkens are popular in lure coursing and other dog sports, and many families enjoy them as sensitive, people-oriented house dogs.
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.
Appearance
Silkens have classic sighthound lines: balanced, streamlined, and never appearing frail. The International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS) standard calls for an elegant build with fine, bladed bone and smooth muscle, typically about square to slightly rectangular in outline.
The coat is a hallmark—soft and silky, with feathering (but not so profuse that it hides the outline or interferes with function). All colors and markings are acceptable per the ISWS standard, and the breed is generally shown in a natural coat with minimal trimming.
Colors
• Bi-color
• Black
• Black and Tan
• Black Brindle
• Brindle
• Brown Brindle
• Fawn
• Sable
• Saddled
• Tan
• Tan Brindle
• Tricolored
• White
• Yellow
• Yellow Brindle
Health
The UKC and ISWS standards emphasize avoiding exaggerations that could harm health, welfare, or soundness. As athletic runners, Silkens benefit from sensible conditioning, warm-ups, and attention to footing to help prevent strains and sprains.
A responsible breeder should be able to discuss the line’s health history and the steps taken to maintain genetic diversity and overall soundness. Routine veterinary care, maintaining a lean body condition, and avoiding unsafe off-leash situations (injury and escape risks) are practical parts of keeping the breed healthy.
Care
Coat care is moderate: regular brushing helps prevent tangles in feathering, especially behind ears, along legs, and at the tail. Routine nail trimming is important for any running breed, and normal ear and dental care should be part of the weekly rhythm.
Exercise needs are athletic but manageable for many homes. Daily walks plus a few chances each week to run safely (secure fencing or organized sport) keep most Silkens happy. Keeping them lean and well-conditioned supports long-term soundness and reduces injury risk.
Training
Silkens usually train best with positive reinforcement, short sessions, and clear structure. They can be bright and willing, but sighthound independence means motivation matters—make training rewarding and avoid drilling.
Recall should be built carefully and supported with management. Because chasing is instinctive and fast, fenced fields and long lines are practical tools. Many Silkens excel in lure coursing, agility, rally, and other activities that reward focus and athletic movement.
Temperament
The ISWS standard describes the Silken Windhound as intelligent and balanced: a dog with strong prey drive in the field, yet gentle, affectionate, and devoted in the home. Many owners find they are social with people and often enjoy living with other dogs when well socialized.
Because they are sighthounds, movement can trigger chase instincts, and some individuals can be sensitive to harsh handling. The best temperament outcomes come from early, positive social experiences and a household that values calm routines and kind, consistent training.
Lifestyle
A Silken Windhound often fits well into an active household that can provide both companionship and safe outlets for running. They’re typically content to relax indoors after exercise, but they do poorly with long-term boredom or isolation.
Secure containment is essential: sighthounds can accelerate extremely quickly, and prey drive can override training in the wrong situation. Many Silkens do well with another dog friend, and they often enjoy structured sports communities, which can be a great match for their temperament and energy.
Ownership
Look for breeders who follow established breed community practices, can explain temperament goals, and are transparent about health history. Ask how puppies are socialized, what the breeder expects regarding fencing and off-leash safety, and how adults from the line tend to behave with strangers and other dogs.
Silkens can be wonderful for owners who want a smaller sighthound with a soft coat and a friendly companion nature—but they still require sighthound-aware management. If you can provide safe running, kind training, and close companionship, they’re often deeply rewarding to live with.
Interesting Facts
• ISWS describes the Silken Windhound as an elegant small-to-medium sighthound with a moderately long, silky coat.
• The ISWS standard lists an accepted height range of roughly 18.5–23.5 inches at the withers.
• ISWS states that all colors and markings are acceptable.
• ISWS notes strong prey drive in the field paired with a gentle, affectionate companion nature at home.
• The UKC breed standard describes the breed’s development beginning with plans dating back to 1975 and early breeding efforts in the 1980s.
• The UKC standard emphasizes avoiding exaggerations that are detrimental to the breed’s health, welfare, and soundness.
