is a snoot right for you?

a guide to owning silken windhounds and borzois

It has been requested a few times for me to create a “guide to owning Silken Windhounds and Borzois.” Since serious content isn’t really my forte, I never made one—until now. Please note that I am not an authority on these breeds. If you are considering adding a Silken Windhound or a Borzoi to your family, please do your own research and really take into consideration what kind of dog fits into your schedule and lifestyle. The following are my thoughts on owning and caring for these breeds based on a very limited case study of two (Cleo and Abby). I often get asked, “Are sighthounds an okay first-time breed?” When I first looked into this breed, it seemed that the overwhelming answer was no, they are not. Usually, breeders expect you to have prior experience with sighthounds before they allow you to get one of their dogs. But how are you supposed to gain experience if they won’t let you own one in the first place? Dom and I both grew up with Labs and had no prior sighthound experience. We did our research on the breeds and decided they were right for us. Cleo and Abby are both our first dogs, and we couldn’t be happier with them. So, my answer to that question is yes—I do think sighthounds are great first dogs, as long as you have the time and resources to meet all their needs. They are excellent dogs.

Sighthounds in General

In my opinion, sighthounds are the cats of the dog world. They can be extremely aloof and independent, following their own moral compass and taking commands more like suggestions. In training, they only respond to positive reinforcement, as any other form of training is found offensive, and they will hold a grudge about it for the next 3-5 business days if you reprimand them or tell them they’re not doing a good job. They find training fun for the first 10 seconds, and then it becomes horribly loathsome, so understand that they are definitely not a working breed. They can be trained very well, but it is in their nature to get bored of it.

Sighthounds can have varying prey drives; some don’t even notice a squirrel, while others will hunt a squirrel to the ends of the earth. This is something worth discussing with a breeder depending on the activities you’re interested in doing with your sighthound. With that being said, sighthounds can do well in homes with cats or other small animals, but it is important to always monitor their interactions. These dogs have a history of hunting and coursing; it is in their nature. They can coexist very easily, especially if introduced to the environment as a puppy, but accidents can always happen.

Sighthounds are known to be more nervous and anxious breeds; they usually have separation anxiety and need a lot of encouragement when facing new environments. They are not recommended to be off-leash. All breeders will caution you against it, as these dogs love to run—and they run extremely fast—so the likelihood of catching them is very low. Sighthounds need plenty of space to run, especially as puppies, to help strengthen their legs as they grow. Having a yard for them to run in is ideal but not necessarily a dealbreaker. Many sighthounds live happily in apartments without problems. As long as they are getting at least 45 minutes of exercise and mental stimulation, they will be content, although they would appreciate more if your lifestyle allows it. These dogs are huge couch potatoes; they love to snuggle and be lazy, but they also need time every day to stretch their legs and be their goofy, silly selves.

Silken Windhounds and Borzois, in particular, have long, flowing hair that is basically a repellent for all dirt, sand, and water—it is glorious. They dry very quickly and require little to no maintenance, usually needing a bath once a month or once every two months (if you are luckier than we are). Their coats do not need to be professionally groomed or trimmed regularly, except perhaps around their paw pads. I would recommend brushing their ear and tail floofs periodically, just to ensure no mats form over time. They do however shed, a lot. It can range from dog to dog, and change seasonally, but Borzois and Silkens shed about the same amount, just scaled to their size. Just know, there will definitely be hair, everywhere.

Diets can vary; many breeders and people in the community swear by Purina Pro Plan formulas because they are among the most tested and established dog food providers on the market. Raw feeding is also popular among these breeds, but these diets need to be carefully formulated for each dog, so that route requires a lot of research and funding.

Sighthounds have very long, strange bodies; their heads are skinnier than their necks, so normal collars will not contain a sighthound. They need martingale collars, which tighten and loosen depending on the sighthound’s movement to ensure they can’t escape. It is hard to find a harness for sighthounds; the Ruffwear Webmaster is widely used because it has an additional belly strap that helps hold the very deep and slender sighthound chests. Long-haired sighthounds don’t necessarily need sweaters for fall (even though they look so funny and cute in turtlenecks); their coats are made to withstand cold temperatures, but they will need a winter coat. We swear by our Voyager K9 Apparel coats; they are extremely well-made and fit the long bodies really well. As for booties, I have yet to find a set that stays on their feet. We use the Pawz Dog Boots, which are literally just balloons. They stay on for zoomies but almost always get punctured by a nail, so they are not very durable. They are better for slow walks than for off-leash ventures.

The Skinny on Silken Windhounds

Silken Windhounds are like the Borzois’ more trainable, travel-sized cousin. They were bred to be companion dogs and are known to be excellent coursers. So, not only are they great family pets, but they can also be excellent show dogs for sports and conformation if that is what you’re looking for. They are UKC recognized and are under consideration for AKC recognition, though I believe there has been a bit of a halt there for some reason.

Silkens display many of the same mannerisms as Borzois, likely due to their ancestry from Whippets, Borzois, and Shelties. I have heard mixed reviews about how vocal Silkens can be. In my case, Silkens are very quiet and reserved most of the time. I think Cleo has only barked 20 times in her life, but I have heard of Silkens that bark nonstop, so there is some variation. They are known to grumble and snap their teeth when asking for things and are predisposed to crazy zoomies as young pups. Silken Windhounds range from velcro dogs to extremely independent, from anxious to very courageous and outgoing. There is truly a vast spectrum of personalities and behaviors in this breed. When we first got Cleo, she was not interested in cuddling or getting pets at all. It was VERY sad. But this is the way with Silkens; sometimes you have to work for their affection. It wasn’t until she was about two that she became interested in cuddling/bonding with me. Now, she is always laying next to me, watching me, and following me around the house. Which is another marker of this breed, they are little stalkers.

Silkens are all-terrain vehicles; they thrive in all types of weather and on all landscapes. Because of their coat and size, they don’t mind sunbathing in direct sunlight or romping in the snow. They are very adaptable dogs and seem to take everything in stride. They come in a vast array of colors and patterns, making them seem extremely collectible. Silkens can have incredible recalls. There are many successful off-leash hiking Silken Windhounds, but not every Silken will be compatible with this lifestyle. Make sure to start training them young for the activities you want to do with them.

And finally, Silken Windhounds can be nasty as hell. Cleo is a rampant poop eater, it is something we have struggled with on and off for years. And it seems to be a prevalent trend in the breed. They also have excellent noses and seem to be experts at sniffing out the most foul things to roll in, not every Silken is nasty, but it sounds like a good majority of them are. Male Silken Windhounds are extremely loving and devoted, but I have also heard they are kind of gross, they can be huge markers and will pee on everything within reach (or so I have been told). Females are a bit more reserved but can still be very loving and devoted as well.

Silken Windhounds have a lifespan of 12-20 years.

The Skinny on Borzois

I will be honest and say I don’t know nearly as much about Borzois as I do Silken Windhounds. I have always been deeply involved in the Silken community, and since Borzois are such a protected breed, I didn’t find as many people my age to connect with about Abby to begin with (though that is certainly not the case now).

Borzois are the biggest babies I have ever met in my life. They are gentle, silly, and there is so much to love about them. They can be extremely stubborn and difficult to control, but that is also part of their charm. A recent article claimed that Borzois are among the “least smart breeds,” and I do not agree with that at all. It is all apart of their plan, they just want you to think they’re dumb, so they can manipulate you into doing their bidding. Borzois truly have us in the palm of their paws.

In my experience, Borzois are very demanding and needy. If they want something, they will not stop until they get it. They are extremely vocal, singing and boofing for fun, for drama, for outrage—whatever the reason, they’re talking. Borzois can have severe separation anxiety; they bond very closely with one (or two) people, and those people are their security blanket. They do not want to be parted from you. This can be very sweet but also very annoying, considering these dogs are giants and can weigh upwards of 65-120 lbs. Male Borzois are known to be extremely loyal, loving, and devoted, while females tend to be a little more aloof, making you work for their affections. I have heard that Borzoi puppies are an actual nightmare, that they destroy everything. I have not seen this firsthand, but you might be warned that they are a lot to handle in the beginning. Like Silkens, Borzois need at least 45 minutes of exercise or mental stimulation to be content. While Silkens will accept a chill day, Borzois will demand that you still take them on an adventure or a walk and will not take no for an answer. They can be trained, but they will quickly start yelling and demanding you just hand over the treats instead of putting in the effort to listen to commands. Borzois are a lot less reliable off-leash; they will start running and never stop, which is frightening. Be very careful. We are able to let Abby off-leash because Cleo has an ironclad recall, and Abby will always run Cleo down. Over the years, this has greatly improved Abby’s recall, but early on, we almost never let Abby off-leash. These dogs are drama queens and truly cannot survive in the wild without their plush pillows and blankets, so make sure you are setting them up for success by keeping them in a safe environment. Most breeders will require that you have a 6ft+ fence in your yard as Borzois can be escape artists. It isn’t a deal breaker if you don’t have a 6ft+ fence, but you will definitely need to supervise your Borzoi in your yard otherwise.

Borzois are good in all climates, enjoying a romp in the snow as much as time spent sunbathing. But due to their size they are more prone to overheating and need closer supervision on hot days. Borzois are not good with heights or judging depths, so if you’re taking them on rockier landscape be mindful, they are more prone to falling.

Unfortunately, because Borzois are a larger breed, they also have a shorter lifespan, averaging 9-12 years.

Resources for Both Breeds

Please note that you’re not likely to find Silken Windhounds in shelters or up for adoption. They are a newer and very protected breed, so most breeders have a clause in their contract that if owners can no longer care for their dogs, they are returned to the breeder. Borzois, however, are actively rescued overseas, and there is a foundation that helps match Borzois to foster/forever homes. If adoption and rescue are really important to you, I urge you to consider looking into Whippets and Greyhounds. They have the same aloof, goofy demeanor as their long-haired cousins, with the only major difference being their short coats, which do need protection in cold weather and are prone to cuts when running through the woods.

For more information about Silken Windhounds: Silken Windhounds

Silken Windhound Facebook Group I would recommend joining to ask questions and network: Silken Windhounds Facebook Group

Borzoi Rescue: Borzoi Rescue

What to Look for in a Breeder

When looking for a breeder, it is important to find an ethical one who ensures strong pedigrees in their dogs. Not every Silken Windhound and Borzoi is created equal. Sometimes people unknowingly go with a poor choice because they want to get a puppy as soon as possible. I would highly advise against rushing the process because there seems to be rise in Silkens with aggression problems that come from breeders who aren’t following the standards that are set for this breed by the ISWS. A good breeder will conduct health testing, such as OFA, and breed for the betterment of the breed (not just for pet homes but for showing and sports). They won’t overbreed their dogs or breed young dogs, they will temperament test the dogs, and there will be an extensive application process. The overall process of getting a puppy may take longer than you expect, but it’s for a good reason, so you get the perfect match for your lifestyle.

Final Disclaimer

If I have influenced you in any way to get these breeds, I feel it is also my responsibility to say the following. If you think getting a Silken Windhound or a Borzoi equals social media success, I urge you to change that mindset. Yes, people love puppies and seeing their lives documented online, but if you’re interested in being a content creator and achieving success in that area, please don’t place those ambitions on the back of a puppy. The amazing part about social media is that you can be yourself, share your interests, and express your passions. People are drawn to it because either they share the same interests or enjoy watching others express themselves. I urge you to start making content for yourself if that’s your dream, and then reevaluate your needs and lifestyle to see if a Silken or a Borzoi fits. Share what you’re passionate about, and if it’s your new dog, that’s amazing. But don’t just get a dog for how it might make you look to other people - make sure you’re getting a dog for yourself and your lifestyle.

The best way to ensure the continuation and betterment of these breeds and to make certain they stay out of shelters is by being serious about dog ownership.

photo dump of the girls for tax