| Country of origin: | Russia |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Sighthound |
| Size: | 26 to 32 in tall; 60 to 110 lbs |
| Longevity: | 10 to 12 years |
| Exercise: | Loves to run |
| Training: | Challenge |
| Grooming: | Easy to moderate |
In Russia, borzoi is a generic term for a sight hound. There are a variety of different regional types of borzoi in Russia and the Central Asian Republics; for example, the Chortai, Tasy, and Taigan. The breed recognized as the Borzoi probably descends from the Saluki and greyhounds crossed with lean sheepdogs. These graceful athletes were the pride of the Russian aristocracy, who used them for wolf-coursing, and were ruthlessly destroyed after the Russian Revolution, but numbers surviving outside the Soviet Union assured their survival. It makes an elegant, gentle, refined companion.
History
The Borzoi dog is a sighthound with a name that depicts them as a fast dog. It is not a farfetched idea considering their resemblance to Greyhounds. Their very existence can be attributed to Greyhounds as well considering they were bred from them. They were bred as early as the 13th century to hunt and seek out various game and even wolves with their leaders. The noble Russian families bred them for such a purpose for centuries.
This dog breed has been around for many hundreds of years. Technically, the first standard of the Borzoi ancestors was written in the 1600s. The standard written then can be compared to the one of today’s modern times. They were brought to America from England and soon after they were accepted by the AKC in 1891.
An American man by the name of Joseph B. Thomas went to Russia to retrieve yet more of the dogs but at the time they weren’t known as the Borzoi breed. The Borzoi wasn’t renamed to what it is today until 1936. Until that moment, they were classified as Russian Wolfhounds and the name stuck until the 1930s came around.
Personality
The personality of the Borzoi is pretty obvious considering their background. They were bred for speed and hunting abilities. Therefore it can be safe to assume that they are strong and very swift creatures. The Borzoi can run as fast as 35 to 40 miles per hour. They can also be stubborn because of these same attributes. At least they are dignified and independent to balance it out.
Despite the quick and energetic aura these dogs radiate, they are quite calm. They have a medium energy level and can display catlike qualities at times. They are loyal and affectionate to their families, so it is no doubt that they are suitable family dogs.
Traits
As mentioned above, Borzois can be found with a hint of Greyhound streaming through their blood due to their ancestry. With that fact in mind, you can spot a resemblance to their Greyhound counterparts. They have strong body parts that make it possible for them to run as fast as they do to keep up with wolves and whatnot.
They are on the larger side of the scale, standing at 29 inches and weighing around 75 to 105 lbs. They can be nearly any color starting with black and ending with any cream-like shade.
Handling
Borzois love to run about so exercise is key for these graceful beasts. They will need a leash and an adequate sized fenced in area to run around. They have a strong desire to chase so these are important factors.
When training a Borzoi, keep your composure and stay patient. Their independent and stubborn streaks can take over at times, so keep that in mind. Treats are a great way to establish trust and reward them for wanted behaviors and accomplishments.
Their coat is long so an owner of a Borzoi should brush and bathe them often. Toenails and teeth should be maintained properly as well. Clip toenails when necessary and brush their teeth.
Health
Borzois are physically designed without any body fat so a few things should be taken into consideration. Firstly, they may not respond to medicines and anesthesia in desirable ways. Sometimes they may develop allergies and even get sick. Secondly, others may not be able to tolerate or respond well to anesthesia.
The Borzoi breed can also be susceptible to bloat, torsion, and heart problems. Sometimes they can even get osteosarcoma which is a type of cancer in the bones. Otherwise, they have a median lifespan of 10 to 12 years.