Silken Windhound Puppies: 7 Things to Know Before Buying

A Silken Windhound puppy typically costs $1,500 to $4,000 from a reputable, health-tested breeder, needs 30-60 minutes of real running time daily (not just a walk), has a moderate but genuine prey drive that means secure fencing is non-negotiable, and comes from a breed so young and so DNA-verified that buying from anyone outside the International Silken Windhound Society registry is a real gamble. Silkens are generally long-lived and healthy (12-20 years), but they’re still a rare breed, so patience and research matter more here than with almost any other sighthound.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What Exactly Is a Silken Windhound?
3. Thing #1: It’s Still a New, Not-Fully-Recognized Breed
4. Thing #2: The Price Reflects Genuine Rarity
5. Thing #3: The Temperament Is Gentle, But the Prey Drive Is Real
6. Thing #4: Exercise Needs Are Moderate, Not Extreme (But Non-Negotiable)
7. Thing #5: Health Is Generally Good, But Testing Still Matters
8. Thing #6: The Silky Coat Needs More Care Than It Looks Like
9. Thing #7: Finding a Real Breeder Is Its Own Skill
10. Silken Windhound vs. Other Sighthounds: Quick Comparison
11. FAQs
12. Final Thoughts

Introduction

If you’ve spent any time around Whippets, Borzoi, or Greyhounds, you already have a rough sense of what a sighthound puppy is going to ask of you. But the Silken Windhound throws a curveball or two that even experienced hound people get wrong. This is a breed that’s barely 40 years old, still working its way through kennel club recognition, and small enough in numbers that “just find one on a puppy site” isn’t really a strategy.

I’ve spent years around working and sporting dogs, and the questions I get about Silkens are almost always the same: Is this dog actually rare, or is that just marketing? Will it get along with my cat? Why does it cost so much for a dog nobody’s heard of? This guide answers all of that, plus a few things most puppy buyers don’t think to ask until it’s too late.

What Exactly Is a Silken Windhound?

Here’s the short version. In the early 1980s, a Texas Borzoi breeder named Francie Stull decided she wanted something her Borzoi-loving clients kept asking for: a hound with the same gentle, poised temperament and silky coat, but in a size that fit a normal house and a normal budget. She crossed her champion Borzoi lines with small Whippet-based lurchers, and the first litter was whelped in Austin in 1985.

It took over a decade for the breed to even get a name. “Silken Windhound” was officially adopted in 1998, the International Silken Windhound Society (ISWS) was chartered in 1999, and the breed standard followed in 2001. So when someone tells you the Silken Windhound is a “new” breed, they’re not exaggerating. Most of the dogs behind your puppy’s pedigree are only a few generations removed from that founding litter.

Physically, picture a Borzoi that’s been put through the dryer on low heat. Silkens stand about 18 to 23.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 50 pounds, depending on sex and line. The coat is silky, medium-length, and can be straight, wavy, or slightly curled, with feathering on the ears, legs, and tail. Coat colors run the full sighthound spectrum, from solid black to brindle to spotted parti-colors, and every combination is acceptable in the standard.

Thing #1: It’s Still a New, Not-Fully-Recognized Breed

This one surprises a lot of buyers. The Silken Windhound has been recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) for years, and by several European national kennel clubs starting with Slovenia in 2004 and picking up Switzerland, Hungary, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands over the following two decades. But full American Kennel Club recognition is a different story.

Here’s the update that a lot of older articles about this breed have wrong: as of April 2026, the AKC formally accepted the Silken Windhound into its Foundation Stock Service (FSS). That’s a genuine milestone, and notably the breed’s first formal step toward recognition in its own country of origin. But FSS status is not full AKC recognition. It means the breed’s pedigrees are being recorded and dogs can compete in certain AKC performance events, but Silkens still can’t be shown in regular AKC conformation classes, and there’s no telling how many more years it’ll take before that changes. Full recognition generally requires a stable population size, an established parent club, and a track record within FSS, none of which happen overnight.

What this means practically for you as a buyer: there’s no AKC paper trail to fall back on the way there would be for, say, a Labrador. Your main record of legitimacy is the ISWS Registry, which has recorded a little over 1,000 litters and around 4,000 individual dogs since 1999. That’s the entire global gene pool, more or less. It’s a small world, and it’s worth treating it that way.

Thing #2: The Price Reflects Genuine Rarity

Expect to pay somewhere between $1,500 and $4,000 for a Silken Windhound puppy from a breeder who does the health testing this breed needs. Prices vary by breeder reputation, geographic location, and sometimes by sex, though ISWS breeders are discouraged from pricing based on coat color or pattern, unlike a lot of “designer” breeds where a rare color can double the price.

Compare that to a popular breed like a Labrador or Golden Retriever, where you might pay $1,000 to $2,500 for a well-bred pup from a breeder with dozens of litters a year to draw from. With Silkens, you’re pulling from a population where 1,015 total litters have ever been recorded. Waitlists of six months to over a year aren’t unusual for well-regarded kennels, especially if you have preferences on color, sex, or working ability.

One thing the ISWS is upfront about: the purchase price is the smallest part of the real cost. Budget for the usual first-year expenses too: initial vet visits, spay/neuter (if required by your contract), a properly fitted collar and leash setup, and food. Sighthounds in general do best on a diet with reasonably high protein and moderate fat, and because Silkens are lean, athletic dogs, they can burn through calories faster than their size suggests, especially as puppies. If you already keep other working or sporting dogs, the same nutritional principles used for performance dog diets translate reasonably well, just scaled down for a much smaller athlete.

Thing #3: The Temperament Is Gentle, But the Prey Drive Is Real

This is where I see the most confusion. Silkens have a reputation as “velcro dogs,” people who follow their owners from room to room, lean against your leg, and generally act more like a clingy Golden Retriever than an aloof hound. That reputation is earned. Compared to a Greyhound or Saluki, Silkens are notably more affectionate, more people-oriented, and easier to recall.

But “easier to recall than a Greyhound” is a low bar. These are still sighthounds, bred for generations to chase small, fast-moving things by sight. A Silken that’s perfectly obedient in the yard can turn into a blur the instant a squirrel, cat, or loose rabbit crosses its field of vision at 50 yards. This isn’t disobedience. It’s the same instinct that made the breed a natural at lure coursing in the first place, and no amount of training fully erases it.

Practically, that means:

• Fenced yards, always. A six-foot privacy fence beats an invisible or electric fence for this breed, since a Silken mid-chase won’t register a warning beep.
• Long lines over off-leash freedom in unfenced areas, at least until you’ve genuinely tested recall under real distraction, not just in a quiet backyard.
• Supervised introductions with small pets. Many Silkens live happily with cats they’re raised with, but a strange cat sprinting across a yard is a different story entirely.

If you want to understand this dynamic in more depth, before you decide whether you can manage it, it’s worth reading through our breakdown of obedience vs. instinct, which explains why even a well-trained dog’s prey drive doesn’t just switch off on command.

A properly fitted collar matters more with this breed than most, too. Sighthounds have narrow heads and thick necks relative to a standard buckle collar’s grip, which is exactly why the sighthound world leans so heavily on martingale-style collars built with a wider neck loop designed specifically for this head-to-neck ratio. A slipped collar during a chase moment is how sighthounds go missing.

Thing #4: Exercise Needs Are Moderate, Not Extreme (But Non-Negotiable)

Here’s some good news if you were worried about matching a Borzoi’s exercise demands: Silkens are considerably more moderate. Most do well with 30 to 60 minutes of real exercise a day, split between a proper run (fenced field, flirt pole session, or lure coursing practice) and a regular walk. They’re not the “run 10 miles with me” breed that a working-line Malinois or Vizsla would be, and plenty of Silken owners describe their adult dogs as couch potatoes indoors between bursts of activity.

That said, “moderate” doesn’t mean “optional.” A Silken that only gets leash walks and no genuine off-leash sprinting is a Silken that’s going to find its own outlets, usually ones you won’t love, like counter-surfing, destructive chewing, or fence-testing. Because the exercise this breed needs is specifically about full-speed sprinting rather than steady endurance work, a flirt pole is one of the single best tools you can own. It lets a Silken satisfy the chase-and-catch instinct in your own backyard in 10 to 15 minutes, without needing a car ride to an open field every day. A flirt pole with a durable lure is a low-cost way to burn off that sprinting energy safely.

If you’re coming from a background with higher-drive working breeds and want a sense of how exercise requirements scale across different types of dogs, our guide on how often to exercise a working dog is a useful reference point, even though a Silken sits closer to the sporting-companion end of that spectrum than the police-K9 end.

One more practical note: like most sighthounds, Silkens have very little body fat and a single-layer coat, which means they feel the cold fast. If you live anywhere that gets genuinely cold in winter, a proper fitted coat isn’t a fashion accessory, it’s a functional piece of gear that lets your dog keep exercising comfortably in January. A fleece-lined, water-resistant sighthound coat cut for a deep chest and long back fits this body type far better than a generic dog jacket will.

Thing #5: Health Is Generally Good, But Testing Still Matters

Silkens have a reputation as a robust breed with an unusually long lifespan for their size, typically 12 to 20 years, with documented individuals living past 20. That’s genuinely impressive; most sighthounds of comparable size top out closer to 12 to 14 years.

That longevity isn’t an accident. It’s the product of a breeding community that leaned hard into health testing almost from day one. Since 2000, the ISWS has required DNA parentage verification for every registered dog, and closed the studbook to unverified breeding. Reputable breeders test their dogs for:

• Cardiac health (echocardiogram and Holter monitoring), since sighthounds as a group can be predisposed to heart issues.
• Eyes (CAER exams), to screen for hereditary eye disease.
• Thyroid function, since hypothyroidism shows up periodically in the breed.
• MDR1 and CEA status, genetic markers the ISWS tracks through DNA panels like Embark before puppies go to new homes.

None of this means Silkens are fragile. Quite the opposite; the breed’s overall health record is one of its strongest selling points. But it does mean the difference between a responsible breeder and a backyard operation is bigger here than with an established breed, simply because there’s less of a track record to fall back on and a smaller gene pool to work with if problems do surface. Ask to see actual test results, not just a verbal assurance that “the parents are healthy.”

Thing #6: The Silky Coat Needs More Care Than It Looks Like

The name gives it away, but people still underestimate this. That silky, flowing coat with feathering on the legs, ears, and tail looks low-maintenance from a distance, and compared to a double-coated breed like a Husky, it genuinely is easier. Silkens don’t blow their coat seasonally the way a Husky or German Shepherd does, and shedding is moderate rather than constant.

But “moderate shedding” isn’t the same as “no grooming required.” The feathering mats easily if it’s neglected, especially behind the ears and in the armpits, and a puppy coat that isn’t brushed regularly from early on will turn into a matted mess by adolescence. Plan on brushing at least once or twice a week with a proper slicker brush, more often during the twice-yearly undercoat shed. A long-pin slicker brush designed for medium-to-long coats works well here, and starting the habit in puppyhood matters more than the tool itself, since it teaches the puppy to tolerate handling.

If you’re weighing a Silken against other options partly because of grooming demands, it’s genuinely useful to compare it honestly against breeds built for lower upkeep; our list of low-maintenance grooming breeds gives you a real benchmark, and a Silken sits somewhere in the middle rather than at either extreme. For a puppy specifically, pairing coat care with our broader puppy grooming routine will save you a lot of frustration in the first year.

Thing #7: Finding a Real Breeder Is Its Own Skill

Because the breed is small and largely unknown outside sighthound circles, generic “puppy finder” sites and social media ads are a much bigger risk here than with a common breed. A responsible Silken Windhound breeder will almost always be an ISWS member, will DNA-verify parentage, will show you real health test results rather than just talking about them, and will typically have a written contract covering things like return policies and health guarantees.

A few concrete red flags specific to this breed:

1. No mention of ISWS registration or DNA verification. Since this has been mandatory since 2000, any breeder who can’t produce it is outside the established community.
2. Pricing based on coat color. Established Silken breeders don’t price this way; a breeder who does is signaling they’re treating the breed like a designer trend rather than a preservation project.
3. No waitlist at all. Given how few litters exist annually across the entire breed, a breeder who can hand you a puppy same-week, with any color or sex you want, deserves a second look.
4. Reluctance to discuss the parents’ health testing or temperament in detail. In a breed this new, breeders are generally proud to talk shop, since most of them are personally invested in the breed’s future, not just moving product.

Because you’re likely bringing home a puppy that’s genuinely new to structured routines, it’s worth having your crate training plan sorted out before the pickup date, not after. Our step-by-step crate training guide works just as well for a sensitive, people-oriented sighthound puppy as it does for a working breed, since the core principles of calm structure and predictable routine don’t change with the breed.

Silken Windhound vs. Other Sighthounds: Quick Comparison

Numbers are general ranges pulled from breed clubs and rescue organizations; actual prices vary widely by breeder, region, and whether a dog comes from show, performance, or companion lines.

FAQs

Are Silken Windhounds good with children?

Generally, yes. They’re described consistently as gentle, sociable, and good with kids who understand basic dog etiquette. As with any sighthound, though, their thin skin and lean build mean they’re not built for rough physical play, so supervision with very young children is still a good idea.

Do Silken Windhounds get along with cats?

Many do, especially if raised together from puppyhood, since the breed’s prey drive is milder than a Greyhound’s or Whippet’s. That said, individual variation is real, and a cat that’s part of the household is different from a strange cat running across the yard mid-walk.

Is the Silken Windhound hypoallergenic?

No. They shed a moderate amount and produce dander like any other coated breed. If allergies are a serious concern, this isn’t the breed to bet on regardless of the coat’s silky appearance.

How much space does a Silken Windhound need?

Less than you’d think for a sighthound. Their moderate exercise needs and calm indoor temperament mean many do fine in an apartment, provided they get genuine off-leash sprinting time elsewhere several times a week and live with an owner who won’t skip that.

Why hasn’t the AKC fully recognized the Silken Windhound yet?

Full recognition requires a stable, sufficiently large population, an organized parent club, and time spent in the Foundation Stock Service program, which the breed only entered in April 2026. Given the ISWS registry’s total recorded population (a little over 4,000 dogs since 1999), that process is likely to take years rather than months.

Final Thoughts

The Silken Windhound is one of those breeds that rewards buyers who actually do their homework and quietly punishes the ones who don’t. Because it’s new, small, and not yet fully recognized in its own home country, the usual shortcuts, browsing a general puppy marketplace, picking based on coat color, assuming any breeder claiming the name is legitimate, carry more risk here than with an established breed.

The upside is real, though. You get an affectionate, people-focused companion with a genuinely elegant look, a manageable exercise load compared to most sighthounds, and one of the longest lifespans in the sighthound world. If you go in expecting a moderate-energy dog with a gentle temperament, a real prey drive that needs respect (not fear), and a coat that needs weekly attention rather than none, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.

Take the time to find an ISWS-connected breeder, ask to see the health testing, and plan your first months around structure, secure fencing, and the right gear from day one. If you want a deeper, ground-up framework for raising any new puppy right, from the first week home through adolescence, our e-book Beyond the Bark: Inside a Pro Handler’s Playbook for Raising the Ideal Dog walks through the same structured approach professional handlers use, adapted for companion dogs and working dogs alike.

Editorial note: A few product links in this article are Amazon affiliate links, and the e-book link above is also an affiliate link. We only include gear here that fits the specific needs discussed (sighthound-appropriate collars, cold-weather coats, coat care, and prey-drive outlets), and we’ve flagged this so you know exactly where our recommendations come from.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Rofiat Muritala

Rofiat Muritala is a veteran, military K9 handler and certified dog trainer with over 14 years of hands-on experience in military working dogs, security operations and represented the Nigerian Army Dog Centre at NADCEL 2026, where she led obedience, explosive detection, agility course and tactical movement demonstrations.". Her background is rooted in practical K9 work, including dog selection, foundational training, behavior shaping, and performance evaluation in real operational environments.

Her work centers on applied training across obedience, detection, protection, and operational readiness, with a strong focus on Military Working Dogs (MWDs) and security K9 programs. Rather than relying on theory alone, Rofiat emphasizes proven training methods built on repetition, consistency, and real-world conditioning principles that prepare both dogs and handlers for high-pressure tasks.

Through articles, training content, and documentaries, she shares experience-based insights from the field, highlighting how structured training, clear communication, and trust between handler and dog directly impact performance and reliability.

Drawing from years of frontline experience, she is also the author of “Beyond the Bark: Inside a Pro Handler’s Playbook for Raising the Ideal Dog,” a practical guide designed to help dog owners and handlers apply professional training principles in everyday situations.

She remains committed to responsible K9 development, continuous skill refinement, and practical education for handlers, trainers, and dog professionals.

Follow me

Latest posts by Rofiat Muritala (see all)

• Jack Russell Dog Breed: Temperament & Care - August 10, 2026
• Frenchton Puppies: Cost, Size & Care Guide - August 10, 2026
• Newfoundland Dog Breed: 5 Training Secrets - August 10, 2026