SILKEN FAQ
Silken Windhounds in the Home
- What are the recommended training methods?
- What type of collar is best for them?
- Are Silkens good with children?
- Do Silkens get along with cats and other animals?
- Do Silkens get along with other dogs?
- What is their activity level like?
- Do I need to have a big yard or can they live in an apartment?
- Does my yard need to be fenced? How high?
- What living conditions are good for Silkens?
- How are they with training, especially housebreaking?
- Do Silkens make good guard dogs?
- Will Silkens play "fetch"?
- Are Silkens good exercise partners?
- Would a Silken make a good TV-watching partner (aka 'sofa sloth')?
- Are Silkens one-person dogs or social butterflies?
- Off leash / On leash?
What are the recommended training methods?
Gentle coercion, positive reinforcement, and very short sessions. Clicker training has worked excellently for a few people that have tried it with Silkens.
What type of collar is best for them?
We recommend martingale collars such as the Premier collars. A standard buckle collar can slip off easily. Some vendors have highly decorated Sighthound collars.
Are Silkens good with children?
Yes! They adapt to any family life very quickly and love adults and children alike. This will also depend on the dog and child. Some of the dogs with a shyer temperament would not be suitable around noisy, or excited children. Be more careful what sort of temperament you have and make sure that you take your children when you select one so that you know you have picked one that enjoys the company of children.
Do Silkens get along with cats and other animals?
Certainly, as long as they are socialized with the other species! Silkens have no trouble living with cats, chinchillas, birds, or other species. The introduction of an older Silken may take more time, but there are some guidelines that are used by many Greyhound rescue groups that will help you adapt your Silken into your home.
Do Silkens get along well with other dogs?
Silkens get along well with other Sighthounds, but the play and social interactions vary between types of breeds and a Silken could be overwhelmed by a dog that loves to wrestle instead of play tag.
What is their activity level like?
Silkens love to run, like any Sighthound, but they are happy to snooze at their owner's feet or lie on the couch. They do need to get outside for walks and runs in dog parks or large open areas, but they are not as high energy as a Border Collie or other Herding breeds.
Do I need to have a big yard or can they live in an apartment?
A yard is definitely a plus since they do love to run, but they do live in an apartment just fine with additional walks and runs at the local dog park. Most of the breeders like a yard simply to make it easier to potty train puppies.
Does my yard need to be fenced? How high?
Absolutely! Recommended minimum fence height is 5 feet.
What living conditions are good for Silkens?
They love to be where you are and to have a nice, soft bed to lie down on that's just for them.
How are they with training, especially housebreaking?
Silkens housebreak easy in comparison with other breeds. For other training, they want to please their owner, but they are typical Sighthounds and can be bored by long repetitions.
Do Silkens make good guard dogs?
Definitely not. They may alert you however, that a new friend is coming in the window.
Some will, some won't. Most will chase the ball and then stare at it when it stops. They are Sighthounds after all.
Are Silkens good exercise partners?
Yes, if the dog is conditioned properly. You should wait for a puppy to be a year of age or older before starting long, hard distance exercise.
Would a Silken make a good TV-watching partner (aka 'sofa sloth')?
Absolutely! Some dogs even have their favorite shows! Just make sure to make room for yourself on the couch!
Are Silkens one-person dogs or social butterflies?
This again depends upon the individual dog and the exposure to new experiences you gave it as a puppy.
The best recommendation is always on-leash, unless you are inside a fenced area. This especially holds true for those that live in cities. Those in less populated and low-traffic areas may have an easier time allowing their Silkens off-leash. Just remember that they are swift and if they see something exciting, they may be off and running before you know it.
