Borzoi
Hound

Group:

Hound

Size:

large

Lifespan:

10-12 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

low

Protection ability:

medium

Area of Origin:

Russia

Date of Origin:

Middle ages

Other Names:

Russian Wolfhound

Original Function:

coursing wolves

History

A coursing dog, the Borzoi has existed in Russia for hundreds of years and was the dog of choice for many Russian nobles. It used to be referred to as the Russian Wolfhound and before that as the Siberian Wolfhound. It descends from the Persian Greyhound but was likely crossed at one time with a Collie-type dog. The dog was an excellent wolf, hare, and fox hunter with the great hunting kennels in Russia dated as far back as the early 1600's. The breed gradually spread around the world in the 1800's as nobles and royalty of other countries were often presented with breeding pairs as gifts. The breed was recognised by national kennel clubs in the late 1890's. Although they are well-suited to living in the house, they do enjoy a daily romp outdoors. This coursing hound is lean and elegant in appearance, and should have the characteristic rising of its back over the loins in a graceful curve.

Temperament

Playful with kids, this breed is also intelligent and enjoys obedience work and field sports. Although the Borzoi may appear stand-offish with strangers, it is a devoted family dog.

Upkeep

The Borzoi needs the chance to exert itself daily. Although a long walk can satisfy most of its needs, it should be combined with a sprint in a large safe area. The coat, which is characteristically fuller on males, needs brushing or combing two or three times a week; at times it sheds a lot. Borzois can live outdoors in temperate climates as long as they have soft bedding and good shelter, but most do best as house dogs with access to a yard.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A very graceful, aristocratic and elegant dog possessing courage, muscular power and great speed.

Head and Skull:
Head long and lean. Well filled-in below the eyes. Measurement equal from the occiput to the inner corner of the eye and from the inner corner of the eye to tip of nose. Skull very slightly domed and narrow, stop not perceptible, inclining to Roman nose. Head fine so that the direction of the bones and principal veins can be clearly seen. Bitches heads should be finer than the dogs. Jaws long, deep and powerful; nose large and black, not pink or brown, nicely rounded, neither cornered nor sharp. Viewed from above the skull should look narrow converging very gradually to top of nose.

Eyes:
Dark, intelligent, alert and keen. Almond shaped, set obliquely, placed well back but not too far apart. Eye rims dark. Eyes should not be light, round or staring.

Ears:
Small and fine in quality; not too far apart. They should be active and responsive; when alert can be erect; when in repose nearly touching at the occiput.

Mouth:
The jaws should be strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:
Clean, slightly arched; reasonably long. Well set on, free from throatiness. Flat at the sides not round.

Forequarters:
Shoulders clean, sloping well back, fine at withers, free from lumpiness. Forelegs lean and straight. Seen from the front, narrow like blades; from the side, wide at shoulder narrowing down to foot; elbows neither turned in nor out, pasterns strong, flexible and springy.

Body:
Chest, great depth of brisket, rather narrow. Ribs well-sprung and flexible; neither flat-sided nor barrel-shaped; very deep giving heart room and lung play, especially in the case of mature males. (It is from depth of chest rather than breadth that the Borzoi derives its heart room and lung play). Back, rising in a graceful arch from as near the shoulder as possible with a well-balanced fall-away. The arch to be more marked in dogs than bitches. Rather bony, muscular and free from any cavity. Muscles highly developed and well distributed.

Hindquarters:
Loins, broad and very powerful with plenty of muscular development. Quarters should be wider than shoulders, ensuring stability of stance. Thighs long, well-developed with good second thigh. Hindlegs, long, muscular, stifles well bent, hocks broad, clean and well-let down.

Feet:
Front feet rather long, toes close together; well-arched, never flat, neither turning in nor out. Hind feet hare-like, i.e., longer and less arched.

Tail:
Long, rather low set. Well feathered, carried low, not gaily. In action may be used as a rudder but not rising above level of back. From the level of the hocks may be sickle shaped but not ringed.

Coat:
Long and silky (never woolly), or flat, or wavy, or rather curly. Short and smooth on head, ears and front legs; on the neck the frill profuse and rather curly; forelegs and chest well-feathered; on hindquarters and tail long and profuse feathering.

Weight and Size:
Height at shoulder; Dogs from 74 cm (29 in) upwards. Bitches from 68 cm (27 in) upwards.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.