Dog Breed

Silken Windhound

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Primary image of Silken Windhound dog breed
Full Name
Silken Windhound
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Life Span
14 years
Weight
20 - 45 pounds
Description

Friendly, Affectionate, Playful, Companionable, Trusting, Familial

Origin
United States of America
Bred For
Attachments
      Family Considerations
      Child Friendly

      Is the Silken Windhound good with children?

      Yes, the Silken Windhound is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Silken Windhound naturally loves children.
      Stranger Friendly

      Is the Silken Windhound friendly with strangers?

      Yes, the Silken Windhound is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Silken Windhound is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
      Dog Friendly

      Is the Silken Windhound friendly with other dogs?

      The Silken Windhound is about average in how friendly they are with other dogs. They can be timid or defensive, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for dog parks and living with other dogs at home.
      Likes to Cuddle

      Does the Silken Windhound like to cuddle?

      The Silken Windhound appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
      Playfulness

      Does the Silken Windhound like to play?

      The Silken Windhound will almost always be ready for play! The Silken Windhound is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
      Service Dog Ability

      Does the Silken Windhound make a good service dog?

      The Silken Windhound would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
      Overall Ease of Breed
      Ease for Novice

      Is the Silken Windhound good for first-time owners?

      The Silken Windhound is not the easiest breed for first-time owners, but can certainly still work out if the owner is willing to put the time into training and exercise.
      Training Potential

      How well can the Silken Windhound be trained?

      The Silken Windhound does not have high levels of training potential. There are exceptions, but the Silken Windhound is not typically seen in competitions or as a service dog or police dog.
      Amount of Shedding

      Does the Silken Windhound shed a lot?

      The Silken Windhound does shed, but less than average.
      Ease of Grooming

      Is the Silken Windhound easy to groom?

      The Silken Windhound requires a good amount of grooming work. It is possible to do it yourself, but you need to plan on dedicating weekly grooming sessions at the minimum.
      Exercise Need

      Does the Silken Windhound need a lot of exercise?

      The Silken Windhound has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
      Personality
      Intelligence

      How smart is the Silken Windhound?

      The Silken Windhound is a bit goofy and may not be as intelligent as some other breeds, but that is what people oftentimes love about the Silken Windhound!
      Amount of Barking

      How much does the Silken Windhound bark? Does the Silken Windhound bark too much?

      The Silken Windhound barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Silken Windhounds - some may be much more expressive than others.
      Guard Dog Ability

      Is the Silken Windhound a good guard dog?

      The Silken Windhound would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
      Tolerates Being Alone

      Is the Silken Windhound good at staying alone? Is the Silken Windhound independent?

      The Silken Windhound is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
      Home and Environment Considerations
      Good for Apartment Living

      Is the Silken Windhound a good apartment dog?

      The Silken Windhound is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
      Size

      How big is the Silken Windhound?

      The Silken Windhound is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
      Tolerates Heat

      How much does the Silken Windhound tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Silken Windhound?

      The Silken Windhound can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
      Tolerates Cold

      How much does the Silken Windhound tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Silken Windhound?

      The Silken Windhound does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Silken Windhound if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Silken Windhound.
      Potential to Run Away

      Does the Silken Windhound try to run away?

      It is natural for the Silken Windhound to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
      Physical Characteristics
      General Health

      Is the Silken Windhound a healthy dog? The health of a Silken Windhound should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

      The Silken Windhound is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Silken Windhound high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
      Energy Level

      How energetic is the Silken Windhound?

      The Silken Windhound has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Silken Windhound into your home. Can you give your Silken Windhound enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
      Amount of Drooling

      How much does the Silken Windhound drool?

      The Silken Windhound does not drool at all.
      Prey Drive

      Does the Silken Windhound have a large prey drive? Does the Silken Windhound like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

      The Silken Windhound has a very high prey drive and will naturally chase after any small animals it sees. They can co-exist with cats or other animals at the home, but we would not recommend it without supervision.
      Athleticism

      Is the Silken Windhound atheltic?

      The Silken Windhound is very athletic and would be well suited for a family that frequently works out or goes on adventures.
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    • Secondary image of Silken Windhound dog breed

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    1. Hound
    2. Sighthound
    3. Silken Windhound
    The Silken Windhound is a purebred dog that belongs to the Sighthound sub group, which falls under the larger Hound dog breed group.
    Hound group: The hound has traditionally been used alongside hunters to track or chase prey. Unlike retrievers who are bred primarily to retrieve and bring back the prey, hounds were typically bred to have excellent vision, scent, or speed to pursue the prey. Because of the Hound's excellent vision, scent, and focus, they are a common police and secret services dog. Hounds are typically categorized into either "scent hounds" or "sight hounds". Both exercise and mental stimulation is important for hounds because of their history. They want to feel they have a "job" and want to go to bed feeling they have done their day's duty.
    Sighthound sub-group: Sighthounds have been hunting dogs for thousands of years. Their exceptional vision is something that has been passed down through the generations. These dogs can be used to hunt down small game, but also to find it in the first place with the exceptional vision. The fastest dogs in the world also fall into this sighthound group- the famous greyhounds. Sighthounds can be trained very well, but may need a firm leader. They are used to physical work, and intense exercise, so they need a challenge, or else they can become rebellious. They can be an excellent companion to an athlete who likes to run and live an active lifestyle.

    Silken Windhounds for adoption

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