Animals / Dogs

Borzoi (Russian wolfhound)

History of occurrence

For several hundred years, the Russian aristocracy bred the Borzoi or "Russian Wolfhound." In the 13th century, hare hunting was a popular sport and after two or three centuries, coursing hounds were crossed with tall Russian sheepdogs and bear hounds to increase the original breed’s coat and size. This was required to hunt wolves in very cold climates. The first Borzoi model was documented in a book dealing with Borzoi hunting rules in the 1600s. It is said that there had never been such a large-scale focus on a hunting dog before. Countess serfs took care of the dogs on large estates and the hunts were always grand occasions. One account says that hounds, beaters, horses, and hunters were brought in on a train of more than 40 cars. Another train carried the Grand Duke and nobility. More than a hundred Borzoi took part in the hunt. Initially scent-hounds and beaters trailed the wolf and hunters on horseback followed them. When a wolf was spotted, a pair of Borzoi was then let loose. The dogs attacked the prey together, until the hunters arrived. Towards the end of the 1800s, there were as many as seven different subtypes of the Borzoi breed in Russia. The Grand Duke Nicolai Nicolaevich retained the current Borzoi standard that descended from the Perchino breed. Most of the early imports in America were brought straight from the Perchino doghouses. The Russian Czar gifted many Borzoi to visiting royalty. The conclusion of the Russian Revolution put an end to the prosperity of the nobility and subsequently numerous Borzoi died. In the United States, the Borzoi dog breed became famous as a glamorous dog that accompanied movie stars. The Borzoi is popular as a pet and is mostly liked for being an excellent model, coursing dog, and show dog.

General form

Well balanced, graceful, aristocratic, dignified and elegant.

Отличительная особенность породы Borzoi (Russian wolfhound)

Head

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 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 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 perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full, strong dentition desirable.

Body

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. 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).

Paws

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, neither turning in nor out. Pasterns slightly sloping, strong and flexible. Length of forearm nearly equal to half total height at withers. Hindquarters: quarters wider than shoulders, ensuring stability of stance. Thighs long, well developed with good second thigh; hindlegs 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 hocks may be sabre- or slightly sickle-shaped but not ringed. In A not rising above level of back.  

Wool

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.

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.

Size

Minimum height at wither: Dogs — 74cm. Bitches — 68cm.

Character

Sensitive, alert and aloof.

Maintenance care

Functioning best as house dogs, with easy access to a yard, Borzoi can reside outdoors in cold weather, provided a warm shelter and soft bedding are offered. The male Borzoi has a fuller coat than the female, and requires combing or brushing two or three times a week. There are times when the dog sheds a great deal. This breed of dog does well when given a chance to exercise every day with a long walk and a sprint in an enclosed area. Lifespan — 10-12 years.

Dignity

Mannerly and undemanding in the home (adults only). Polite with people. Doesn't bark much.

Difficulty keeping

Providing a safe enclosed area where he can gallop. Shyness or suspiciousness when not socialized enough. Emotional sensitivity to stress and abrupt changes in schedule. Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run. An independent "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training — can be stubborn and strong-willed. Slowness to housebreak. Heavy shedding.

Diseases

The Borzoi dog breed is prone to major health concerns such as gastric torsion, and minor problems like cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism. The Borzoi reacts adversely barbiturate anesthesia. To identify some of these issues, your veterinarian may run thyroid and cardiac tests on this breed of dog.
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