Silken Windhound characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | 33% of breeds |
| Energy level | High | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | Medium | 26% of breeds |
| Shedding | Medium | 40% of breeds |
| Barking | Low | 32% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Silken Windhound right for you?
The Silken Windhound is a medium-sized dog that settles into most homes, although a yard makes life easier. In terms of temperament, it suits families with children particularly well and is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors. Day to day, the Silken Windhound needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Silken Windhound needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. With high energy and very high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Silken Windhound to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Silken Windhound needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Silken Windhound is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions and speaks up only now and then. It tolerates being left alone for a normal working stretch if eased into it, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Silken Windhound
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Silken Windhound genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Prey drive: Very high — the Silken Windhound has one of the strongest prey drives in the catalogue, which shapes recall and life with cats. Only 25% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Silken Windhound actually costs you
| Exercise | Around an hour to ninety minutes of daily exercise, and it will notice when a day is skipped. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Weekly brushing keeps the coat in reasonable order. |
| Time alone | Manages a normal working day if it is properly exercised and left something to do. |
| Noise | Quieter than most breeds. |
Where the Silken Windhound fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | High energy and low barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Depends | Medium independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
Perfect for
- Sighthound lovers
- Those wanting smaller coursing dogs
- Active families
- Apartment dwellers with yard access
Things to consider
- High prey drive
- Needs regular exercise
- Can be cat aggressive
- Coat requires regular care
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Silken Windhound good with children?
- Yes — the Silken Windhound is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Silken Windhound shed a lot?
- The Silken Windhound has medium shedding.
- How much exercise does the Silken Windhound need?
- With high energy, the Silken Windhound needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Silken Windhound live?
- The Silken Windhound typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Silken Windhound live in an apartment?
- The Silken Windhound can live in an apartment provided it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Is the Silken Windhound easy to train?
- The Silken Windhound is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Silken Windhound be left alone during the day?
- The Silken Windhound tolerates being left alone for a normal working stretch if eased into it. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.