The Silken Windhound is the more compact choice; the Borzoi is substantially larger. Both are sighthounds with a strong instinct to chase, need regular exercise and secure handling, and have long coats. The better fit depends on the individual dog and whether your home can accommodate its size, activity, coat care, and health needs—not on a breed label alone.
Silken Windhound vs. Borzoi at a glance
| Household question | Silken Windhound | Borzoi |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Approximately 18–24 inches at the shoulder, according to UKC breed history. United Kennel Club | AKC lists mature males at least 28 inches tall and 75–105 pounds; females are smaller. American Kennel Club |
| Temperament in breed descriptions | Steady and confident; described as gentle, affectionate, and devoted at home. United Kennel Club | Calm and agreeable, affectionate with family, independent, and sometimes stubborn; not especially suited to roughhousing. American Kennel Club |
| Chase and containment | Strong prey drive in the field; plan controlled exercise. United Kennel Club | May pursue moving animals; use a leash or secure enclosure. American Kennel Club |
| Exercise | Needs daily exercise and room to run, according to ISWS. International Silken Windhound Society | Needs daily exercise, such as long walks or running in a securely fenced yard. American Kennel Club |
| Coat | Moderately long and silky; the UKC breed history describes it as easy-care. United Kennel Club | Long; AKC advises brushing every day or two, more often during seasonal shedding. American Kennel Club |
| Health questions | Ask about ISWS/OFA recommendations and MDR1 testing. ISWS health information and MDR1 information | Ask about recommended cardiac, eye, thyroid, and degenerative myelopathy screening; discuss bloat and anesthesia with a veterinarian. American Kennel Club |
How much space and handling can you manage?
Size is the clearest practical difference. UKC describes Silken Windhounds as about 18–24 inches at the shoulder. AKC says mature male Borzois are at least 28 inches and 75–105 pounds, with females smaller. These are breed-description measurements, not population averages. A larger dog takes up more room and may require different planning for transport, equipment, and physical handling.
Neither measurement alone determines whether a dog can live in a particular home. Consider the individual dog’s needs, your ability to provide exercise and secure management, and the space available for everyday movement. The sources do not establish that either breed is universally suitable—or unsuitable—for apartments.
What are they like at home?
Silken Windhound
UKC describes Silkens as steady, affectionate, and confident, and says they are gentle, devoted companions at home. The same breed standard distinguishes their behavior at home from their strong prey drive in the field. Read the UKC breed standard.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Borzoi
AKC characterizes Borzois as calm and agreeable, affectionate with family, and independent, sometimes stubborn. It also notes that they are not especially suited to roughhousing. AKC describes training as a matter of patience, consistency, and good humor. Read the AKC temperament profile.
These are breed tendencies, not guarantees about a particular dog. Meet adult dogs where possible, and ask breeders or rescue contacts about the temperament and behavior of the specific dog and its line.
Can either breed be trusted off leash or with small pets?
Both breeds are sighthounds, so moving animals may trigger pursuit. UKC specifically notes strong field prey drive in Silkens. AKC warns that Borzois may chase moving animals and recommends a leash or enclosed area. UKC on Silken Windhounds; AKC on Borzoi exercise and containment.
Do not assume a dog will be safe off leash or compatible with cats and other small animals because of its breed. Plan controlled exercise and secure containment, and assess the individual dog’s behavior before making decisions about household pets.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow much exercise do they need?
Both breeds need regular activity, but the cited sources do not set a universal number of minutes per day. ISWS says Silkens need daily exercise and room to run. AKC recommends daily exercise for Borzois, giving long walks or running in a securely fenced yard as examples. ISWS on the Silken at home; AKC on Borzoi exercise.
A yard does not replace exercise or safe supervision. Choose a routine that gives the dog activity and engagement while managing its chase instinct; do not rely on an unsecured area for running.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What coat care should you expect?
The Silken Windhound has a moderately long, silky coat that the UKC breed history calls easy-care. AKC advises brushing a Borzoi every day or two, with more frequent brushing during seasonal shedding. UKC on the Silken coat; AKC on Borzoi grooming.
The available descriptions do not provide a standardized grooming-time comparison, so they do not establish a precise grooming winner. For either dog, ask the breeder or current caregiver about the individual coat and its maintenance.
Best Value
What health screening should you ask about?
Silken Windhound
ISWS describes health work that includes MDR1 sensitivity, cardiac monitoring, and participation in the OFA CHIC program. Ask a breeder what tests have been performed and request the actual records. ISWS health information; ISWS MDR1 information.
Borzoi
AKC names cardiac, eye, thyroid, and degenerative myelopathy screening. It also notes bloat risk and sighthound anesthesia sensitivity. Ask breeders about screening records, and discuss the dog’s health history and any anesthesia or bloat concerns with a veterinarian. AKC health information.
Screening can help inform health decisions; it cannot guarantee that an individual dog will remain healthy. A veterinarian can help interpret records and advise on care for the dog in front of you.
Which should you choose?
- Consider a Silken Windhound if its smaller size is a better logistical fit and you can still provide daily exercise, controlled running, and secure handling.
- Consider a Borzoi if you can comfortably manage a much larger dog, its daily exercise, secure containment, and the coat brushing schedule described by AKC.
- For either breed, assess the individual dog’s temperament, chase behavior, health records, and fit with your household rather than relying on a general breed description.
Recognition and breed background
UKC says the Silken Windhound was developed using Borzoi and Whippet lines, along with multi-generational Whippet-based lurchers, and that UKC recognized the breed on March 18, 2011. Read the UKC breed history. Registry recognition varies by organization and country; check the registry relevant to you. The sources cited here do not establish AKC recognition for the Silken Windhound.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
