Silken Windhound Care

The Silken Windhound is a relatively new breed that's often called a smaller version of the Russian Borzoi. These medium-sized sighthounds are friendly and athletic, and they're energetic--though only in small "bursts." Overall Silken Windhound care and maintenance won't take a ton of work, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise.

Here you'll find details on caring for a Silken Windhound including info about puppy development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising a Silken Windhound in the following sections!

Though not super-active, these dogs have a few sudden "bursts" of energy throughout the day--so Silken Windhound exercise requirements are moderately high, and will need to be broken up into several shorter sessions. These dogs will also need activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging companions as well.

Adult SWs, depending on their age and overall activity levels, will need 45-60 minutes of dedicated exercise per day. You can start exercising your SW puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Silken Windhound exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• High prey drive means a leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

It's important to exercise your SW every day. Though these dogs are generally good-natured, without consistent activity they'll become anxious, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! Some exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Three 10-minute walks or jogs per day are a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: SWs usually love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: These dogs can excel at obedience or agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, SWs enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your SW access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

In terms of overall maintenance, these dogs don't need too much care. Silken Windhound shedding is light to moderate, and drooling isn't really an issue.

Dogs of this breed have medium-length, silky coats--hence the breed name--that shed a fair amount all year long. Owners can brush their SWs twice a week or so with a pin brush to keep the shedding to a minimum, and to keep the coats mat- and tangle-free; hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time, but won't be a frequent task.

And a SW doesn't drool much at all--possibly in anticipation of food, but that's about it. If your Silken Windhound is drooling excessively, that might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

The Silken diet will need to include animal proteins, healthy carbs, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients every dog needs to maintain its health in the long term. This means the best Silken Windhound food is premium dry kibble, as it contains balanced portions of the above-listed nutrients.

Blue Buffalo, Royal Canin, and Taste of the Wild are three recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium dry food.

Adult SWs, depending on their size, age, and overall activity levels, will need about 2½ cups of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. SW puppy food portions are a bit smaller: again depending on age, about 1¾ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months old.

For more info on feeding a Silken Windhound from puppyhood through maturity, see this feeding chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by mixing in adult formula with the puppy formula, in slowly increasing amounts with each meal, for one week.

Try if possible to stick to the above-listed portions. Though not especially prone to obesity, if these dogs are constantly overfed (and under-exercised) they can become overweight--and a fat Silken Windhound will have numerous health problems and a shortened lifespan. You can help control your SW's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.

If you're worried your Silken Windhound is overweight, try this test: run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means less food and more exercise!