Introduction
Gentle, calm, and good-natured, the Borzoi is an aristocratic breed exhibiting sensitivity and a great sense of humor, cherished for their agreeable temperament. Borzois are a princely package of grace and glamour in full stride, with their elegant yet haughty demeanor, silky coat, and long narrow head. These dogs are instantly recognizable compared to most of the other hounds. Once known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi also carries a long hunting heritage. If you’re looking for a dog with a regal gait and stately temperament, then this might be an ideal breed for you.
1. Their Origin and History
- While there is some dispute concerning the origins of the Borzoi, we do know that the breed standard was first officially recorded in Russia in 1650. It is believed that the dog was crafted by Russian aristocracy for wolf hunting. As per that account, a Russian duke was looking for a fast hunting dog and ordered a collection of Arabian Greyhounds. Although they met his speed requirements, the dogs were not suited for the cold weather and ultimately perished. The duke ordered a new batch and crossed them with Russian Sheepdogs, which had thick coats to keep them warm during the harsh Russian winters. These new dogs were both speedy and well-equipped to deal with the weather. Some also argue that the Borzoi has a complex lineage. There are a number of breeds that are thought to be the ancestors of the Borzoi, including the Southern Coursing Hounds of the Tatters, the Outdoor or Russian Sheepdog, and the Bear Hound, as well as other side hounds.
- During the Romanov rule, Borzoi hunting was among the grandest hunting events ever staged. The hunting party often arrived in a huge train of dogs, horses, serfs, and nobility. Two or three matched Borzois were unleashed on a wolf that had been flushed into the open. The Borzoi had to sprint to catch the wolf before it reached cover on the other side of the field. Their job was to hold the wolf until the huntsman came to bind it. The Russian aristocracy kept grandiose kennels of hundreds of Borzois. Most of these dogs were killed as hated symbols of Russian rulers after the Russian Revolution. The Borzoi of today descends from a few that escaped death and is also believed to be the descendants of dogs that had been given as gifts to foreign dignitaries by the Russian government. In America, the Borzoi was initially known as the Russian Wolfhound. This changed in 1936 when the breed name was officially re-christened the Borzoi from the Russian word “boar-zee,” meaning swift. After this, they found a second claim to fame as an aristocratic model and status symbol. The AKC registered the dog in 1891 as the club’s 47th breed.
2. Their Graceful Appearance
Standing over 32 inches and weighing anywhere between 75 to 105 pounds, Borzois somewhat resemble Central Asian breeds such as the Saluki, Kyrgyz Taigan, and the Afghan Hound. Borzois are best described as large greyhounds robed in a long, silky coat. Like a typical greyhound, they have family traits of long slender legs, relatively narrow bodies, and deep chests. Their abdomen is tucked, and their tail is long. Their head is extraordinarily long and narrow. Their grace is evident in every move, and they always possess elegance. Their coat comes in virtually any color. Their long top coat is flat with various waves of curling levels. The soft undercoat thickens during the winter but sheds in summer to avoid overheating. With a unique distribution of coat throughout their body, their overall appearance is stunning.
3. Their Personality and Temperament
Borzois are an athletic and independent breed of dog. They know they’re aristocrats, but they also hide a bit of court jester. They’re gentle and highly sensitive dogs with natural respect for humans. These dogs do not generally display dominance or aggression towards people but can turn aggressive if handled roughly. Borzois can be very affectionate with their families, and when they are raised with children, most of them will become good companions. Typically, these dogs are friendly but not very fond of strangers. True to their heritage, Borzois are avid hunters and will chase any small fleeing animal. They cannot be called off the chase, as they may be oblivious to cars. Most Borzois are fairly quiet and bark on rare occasions. They do not have strong territorial drives and cannot be relied on to raise the alarm upon seeing a human intruder, so they are not very good at actually protecting you.
4. Puppy Heads Need Time to Mature
Borzoi puppies have sensitive heads. It takes about three years for a Borzoi’s head to mature into its final shape. The head starts short with a bent nose. By five weeks, the nose begins to straighten, and over the next few years, the head grows another 10 inches.
5. They Love Running and Chasing
In the past, Borzois were used to find and pin wolves until their hunter could catch up. The majority of Borzois are companion dogs today, but they still possess amazing hunting skills. Due to this, these dogs tend to have a very high prey drive. Even today, wanderlust is quite common in the breed. They were bred to follow their nose, so it’s not unusual for them to run off when they catch a scent. They’re very speedy and agile and are also considered one of the fastest dogs, which is a great quality. However, it’s also important to keep them on a leash or confined in a fenced area at all times.
6. The Fame of Borzois
From the lavish homes of Russian aristocracy to a spot on stage alongside rock and roll royalty, Borzois have been revered and admired for hundreds of years. In 1869, they appeared in an extensive wolf hunting scene in War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. Borzois are a fairly rare breed today, but they enjoyed a brief stint as a status symbol in the U.S. in the early 1900s. The unusual look of the Borzoi fits perfectly with the decade’s art deco aesthetic. Silent movie stars like Jean Harlow and Sarah Bernhardt could be seen mingling with these graceful long-legged dogs. But it wasn’t just starlets with these pooches; Captain E.J. Smith of the RMS Titanic had a Borzoi called Ben, who was famously photographed with him on deck.
7. Their Trainability and Exercise
Even though Borzois are large, they are graceful athletic animals who make good house dogs. They do need daily exercise, whether in the form of long walks or running in a securely fenced yard. These dogs are independent and can be stubborn sometimes, so training them may be quite a bit of a challenge. However, it is best accomplished with consistency, patience, and good humor. These dogs are extremely fast, and their instinct to chase is intense, so they should be kept on a leash in public. Exposing the puppy to positive experiences with a wide variety of people, places, and situations from an early age will help them develop into a well-adjusted adult. If trained well, they can excel in canine sports such as agility and lure coursing.
8. They Are Sight Hounds
Borzois are sight hounds with an amazingly wide field of vision. They have almond-shaped eyes that are frontally placed on the head, giving them a 270-degree field of sight. Borzois also have what’s known as a visual streak across their retina. This feature is unique to sight hounds, retrievers, and other hunting dogs. This quality helps the dog spot their prey from far away, even on white plains.
9. Their Grooming and Care
Like most long-haired dogs, the Borzoi sheds a lot. Intact females will shed after every heat cycle, and both males and females who are spayed will shed annually. Regular grooming is needed, such as brushing with a comb, a pin brush, and a soft slicker brush. Routine bathing is required to maintain their lustrous coats. About once a year, the Borzoi will shed more heavily for several weeks, and during this shedding season, more frequent grooming is needed. Their ears should also be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of debris and wax, which can result in an infection. As always, their teeth should be brushed regularly.
10. Their Health
With an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, Borzois are generally healthy dogs. However, like any other breed, they may be prone to some health conditions, such as hip and elbow injuries, along with bloating. As deep-chested and slight dogs, Borzois can’t fit a lot of food in their stomach at once, so they may experience bloat, which is a sudden and life-threatening stomach condition. To avoid painful tummy aches or bloating, give your Borzoi multiple small meals a day instead of one or two big meals. Sight hounds, including Borzois, are more sensitive to anesthesia than other breeds. Make sure to maintain a schedule of examinations and vaccinations as recommended by your vet.