Activities to do with your Silken

Silken Windhounds are versatile dogs that enjoy a wide variety of activities and dog sports. If you’re looking for things to do with your Silken Windhound, we hope you find something on this list that sparks your curiosity.

Please note that this list of activities is by no means exhaustive. If you do something with your Silken that we haven’t thought of, we’d love to hear about it! Just send us a note on our website or on our Discord.

Conformation

Many Silken Windhound owners show their dogs in the conformation ring. At this time, Silken Windhounds in the United States participate in conformation shows under the following clubs:

* Many of these shows are supported by SWHCOA, which often supports regional ISWS specialties with hosting, volunteer support, monetary support, and/or prizes.

** In April 2026, the AKC accepted our breed into their Foundation Stock Service Program (FSS), which is a registry of rare and developing breeds. As a result, Silken Windhounds that are registered with the AKC FSS program may compete in conformation in AKC FSS/Open shows. At these shows, dogs compete for points toward an AKC FSS Certificate of Merit.

 For more information on how to register your Silken Windhound with the AKC FSS program, please see the FSS Breed Domestic Registries webpage here.

"Rocket" (CSB Agent Bell Rocket Belt) struts his stuff in the show ring. Photograph by Christina Beckerman.

 

Whisper (UCH Starfyre Whisper of Raindrops) being awarded with first place in the American Bred class at the 2023 Silkenfest by judge Dr Carmen Battaglia. Photograph by Olyhillary Photography.
Running Sports

As sighthounds, most Silken Windhounds are natural athletes with an obvious love for running games. The following clubs allow Silken Windhounds to compete in running sports like racing, where dogs race one another along a defined track; coursing, where dogs chase a moving target; and dash, where dogs are timed as they sprint a fixed distance.

Racing
Coursing
Dash

"Storm" (Aeracura Stormageddon) shows off his double-suspension gallop. Photographs by Agiledogs Photography.

Agility

Silken Windhounds are athletic, smart, and tend to be more biddable than most sighthounds. This combination of traits has allowed several Silken Windhounds and their handlers to enjoy the fast-paced sport of dog agility. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in agility:

Aquila (Attaway Running with the Night) isn’t fazed by the teeter. Photograph by Pauline Ng
Obedience and Rally Obedience

Obedience and Rally Obedience require a dog and handler to work as a team to perform prescribed maneuvers. As Silken Windhounds are intelligent and often willing to please “their person”, many have enjoyed success in obedience games. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in obedience and rally obedience:

"Pip" (BISS BOSS ABISS MHIT ISWS Ch UKC Ch RO1 Sundance Wings of Inanna RA ATD RATI CGC SPOT) in tune with her partner during Rally Obedience trial. Photograph by Olyhillary Photography.
Nosework

Silken Windhounds may be sighthounds, but that doesn’t mean they can’t use their noses. Silken Windhounds participate in a variety of nosework sports. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in nosework:

Rat Sports

In these relatively new dog sports, dogs use their noses and brains to find hidden rats. Many Silken Windhounds enjoy hunting for the (safely caged) vermin. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in rat sports:

Persephone (Wyndolyn Persephone) rests on a hay bale during Barn Hunt. Photograph by Sooner Photography
Persephone (Wyndolyn Persephone) reaches to sniff out a hidden rat. Photograph by Play Paws Record.
Shed Hunting

This sport derives from the real-life practice of hunting for shed deer antlers in the late winter and spring. Though their fellow canine competitors are often retrievers and other working breeds, Silken Windhounds have also been successful in this sport. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in Shed Hunt:

Quila (Attaway Running with the Night) posing with a shed hunt find. Photograph by Pauline Ng.
Mac (Winsome's Macintosh) delighted with his shed hunt find. Photograph by Pauline Ng.
Flyball

Some Silken Windhounds compete in flyball, which is a fast-paced sport in which teams of dogs race over hurdles and retrieve tennis balls. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in flyball:

Dock Jumping
 Although Silken Windhounds lack the webbed toes and water-resistant coat that characterize most “water dogs”, many love water and some have even competed in the sport of dock jumping. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in dock jumping and diving sports:
“Dock Diving Dottie” (Entourage Style & Grace) has liftoff! Photograph by Emily Stein
“Dock Diving Dottie” retrieves a bumper. Photograph by Emily Stein
Weight Pull

Although Silken Windhounds bear little resemblance to the draft breeds typically seen in weight pull competitions, some dogs enjoy the sport. The following organizations allow Silken Windhounds to compete in weight pull:

Companion Dog Skills

These activities evaluate a dog’s manners, obedience, and social stability in a simulated real-world environment to show that a dog is a safe and polite member of the community.

  • The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Community Canine (CGCA), and Urban Canine Good Citizen (CGCU) evaluations. In addition, AKC offers the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program for dogs under one year of age.
  • The United Kennel Club (UKC) offers the Socialized Pet Obedience Test (SPOT) Program, which tests a dog’s ability to perform the basic obedience and life skills that modern society requires of dogs. Many Silken Windhounds have attained their UKC SPOT and SPOT-ON titles.

Trick Training

Trick training is fun for dogs and humans alike. These activities are also a great fit for those Silken Windhounds—and their owners—who enjoy training and working together but may not wish to compete in dog sports.

  • The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers Trick Dog titles from Novice to Elite Performer
  • Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD) offers Trick Dog titles from Novice to Expert. DMWYD also offers the Animal Actor Certification program in partnership with the Animal Actors Académie Internationale (AAAI), the global certifying body for Animal Actors.
Three (CSB Agent Rosa Klebb “#3”) awaits the postman. Photograph by Christina Beckerman