Borzoi

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Often alone
Grooming
Weekly
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

dreamstime_xxl_22623300. Lenkadan. Dreamstime.com

History

Borzoi have been an integral part of Russian national culture and history for nine centuries. The Russian nobility bred and hunted wolf, fox, hare and sable with them. Often a particular aristocratic family’s Borzoi could be distinguished by their distinctive colour, markings and head shape.

From the time of the first Tzar to the abolition of serfdom in 1861, hunting with Borzoi reached the level of the national sport of the aristocracy, with hunts consisting of a hundred Borzoi or more, accompanied by mounted huntsmen and packs of foxhounds used to flush out the game.

After the collapse of serfdom in Russia, many kennels were broken up and it fell to dedicated breeders to preserve the breed. The breed suffered again during the Russian Revolution when, because of their association with the nobility, many were killed.

Despite these setbacks, Borzoi did find their way to other countries. Tzar Nicholas I presented a pair of Borzoi to Queen Victoria and this resulted in the breed soon becoming fashionable in British society. Borzoi first arrived in Australia from Russia in 1898 and were quarantined at Melbourne Zoo. Although Australia’s warm climate limited their use in hunting, crossbreds were popular.

Borzoi also began to be shown with the first Borzoi Show being held in Moscow in 1873, followed by shows in Britain. One Borzoi in particular, who was given to Queen Alexandra by Tsar Alexander II, was successfully exhibited on a number of occasions becoming undefeated champion.

In later years, during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods, Borzoi were often used in artistic works as their elegant shape complimented the flowing lines of those movements.

Appearance

The Borzoi is an aristocratic hound, large, lean and strong. The males in particular can be deceptively powerful. They have a distinctive, long and narrow head with dark, far seeing eyes. Their back is gently curved, more pronounced in the males than females. The coat has a silky texture and can be curly, wavy or flat but never woolly. The coat on the body is quite short with long fringes on the front of the neck, chest, back of the legs and the tail. The texture is more important than the quantity as it assists in keeping the hounds warm in bitter Russian winters. It can also be equally effective as a protection against the heat.

Borzoi are one of the few breeds where all colours and patterns are permissible.

Temperament

Borzoi are a quiet, sensitive and very gentle breed. They are very loving and attentive to their owners but can be aloof with strangers.

Typical of sighthounds, they tend to spend most of their time lounging about. One should never forget though, they are a hunting hound with very fast reflexes and can run incredibly fast if something catches their attention.

shutterstock_195614645 By Best dog photo

Health

Borzoi tend to be a remarkably healthy breed. However, in common with other large, deep chested breeds, bloat and osteosarcoma can occur. Hip dysplasia is virtually unknown in the breed. DM (degenerative myelopathy) can be found in some bloodlines and breeders do test for it.

Suitability

The Borzoi is a devoted and loyal family pet. When raised with children, most Borzoi make good companions but they are not a breed that will readily tolerate the rough and tumble of a young child.

Borzoi can live quite happily outside but love being with their family and do make excellent housedogs.

They are quiet and clean by nature and when inside, tend to curl up in a corner where they can keep an eye on their owners.

They tolerate the cold very well and in those parts of Australia where it snows, they can be seen contentedly stretched out in it snoozing. Owners do need to be mindful of them overheating in hot weather and provide suitable cool areas for them.

Although Borzoi don’t require a large amount of exercise, they do enjoy a good gallop and can walk for kilometres with more active owners. However, they are extremely fast runners and should not be let offlead unless they are in a securely fenced area.

Information from the Borzoi Club of NSW
Image by Volofin. Shutterstock

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Borzoi you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Borzoi and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 22 Feb 2017)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Well balanced, graceful, aristocratic, dignified and elegant.

Characteristics

A coursing hound which must be courageous, powerful, and of great speed.

Temperament

Sensitive, alert and aloof.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head long, lean and in proportion to dog's size and substance. In bitches, head finer than in dogs. Well filled in below eyes. Measurement equal from occiput to inner corner of the eye and from inner corner of eye to tip of nose. Skull very slightly domed and narrow, stop imperceptible. Head fine so that bones and principal veins can be clearly seen. Viewed from side, forehead and upper line of muzzle form an almost straight, slightly convex line. Jaws long, deep and powerful; nose large and black, nicely rounded, neither cornered nor sharp. Viewed from above, the skull should look narrow, converging very gradually to tip of nose. Occipital process very accentuated.
Eyes	Dark with intelligent, keen and alert expression. Almond shaped, set obliquely and placed well back but not too wide apart. Eye rims dark. Eyes not light, round, bulbous or staring.
Ears	Small, pointed and delicate. Set high but not too far apart. Nearly touching at occiput; when in repose, folded back along neck. Should be active and responsive; may be erect when alert, tips sometimes falling over.
Mouth	Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full, strong dentition desirable.
Neck	Slightly arched; reasonably long and well muscled. Free from throatiness, flattened laterally, set at an angle of 50-60 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the body.
Forequarters	Shoulders clean, sloping well back. Muscular but not loaded. Fine at withers but not accentuated. Forelegs clean and straight. Seen from front, narrow like blades; from side, wider at elbows, narrowing down to foot. Elbows directed backwards, turning neither in nor out. Pasterns slightly sloping, strong and flexible. Length of forearm nearly equal to half total height at withers.
Body	Chest, ribs of narrow oval cut, great depth of brisket, reaching to elbows, giving great heart and lung room, especially in mature dogs. Breastbone slightly pronounced with adequate width between elbows, and abdomen very tucked up. Back rather bony, muscular and free from any cavity, rising in a graceful curve with well balanced fallaway. Highest point of curve is situated over last rib. Curve is more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Loins broad and very powerful with plenty of muscular development. Fallaway long and well muscled. Width between hip bones at least 8 cm (3 ins.).
Hindquarters	Quarters wider than shoulders, ensuring stability of stance. Thighs long, well developed with good second thigh; hind-legs long and muscular; stifles well angulated; hocks broad, clean and well let down. Posterior line of hock vertical. Seen from side, legs slightly set back.
Feet	Front feet oval, toes close together, well arched over strong, thick pads. turning neither in nor out. Hind feet hare-like, i.e. longer and less arched.
Tail	Long, rather low set; when measured between thighs reaches up to top of nearest hip bone. Well feathered, carried low in a graceful curve. From level of the hocks, may be sabre- or slightly sickle-shaped but not ringed.. In action, not rising above level of back.
Gait/Movement	Front, straight with long reach, pasterns springy. Hind, straight with powerful, driving hocks; moving wider than front. Viewed from side, appearance in action should be that of effortless power.
Coat	Silky, flat, wavy or rather curly (but never woolly). Short and smooth on head, ears and front of legs; much longer on body with heavy feathering on backs of legs and hindquarters, tail and chest. Neck carries a large, curly frill; more profuse in dogs than bitches.
Colour	Any colour acceptable, with the exception of merle.
Size	Minimum height at withers:Dogs: 74 cms (29 ins) .Bitches: 68 cms (27 ins) .

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.