Borzoi Dog Breed

Registration: KC, AKC, FCI
Country of Origin: Russia
Size: Large
Coat: Long
Colours: Various, including red, white, silver sable, and blue brindle
Temperament: Affectionate, charming, independent, loyal, gentle, intelligent, easygoing

History

The Borzois’ exact origins remain a mystery. However, there are people who believed that the breed was bred and developed as far back as the 9th and 10th centuries and that the Saluki may have been used to produce these graceful, elegant, yet extremely fast sighthounds.

What is known is that these sophisticated dogs are Russia’s most famous hound and that Borzoi dogs were utilised during the 17th century to hunt wolves. A Russian Duke first imported several of these sighthounds after travelling to Arabia. However, the dogs were not strong enough to survive the country’s harsh winter climate. So, the Duke imported more, and he crossed these hounds with native breeds that are believed to have been the coursing hounds or shepherd dogs used by the Tatars.

Soon, the Borzoi became a popular gift given to European nobles and royals by the Czars of Russia. They became a favourite because of their calm, kind, and exotic appearance. Joseph Thomas travelled to Russia in 1903 on a quest to find the perfect Borzoi. He discovered these dogs in Woronza at kennels owned by His Royal Highness, the Grand Duke Nicholas of Tula and Artem Balderoff. J. Thomas imported some of these sighthounds, which became the foundation breeding stock of Borzoi in the United Kingdom and the other side of the Atlantic in America.

Unfortunately, in 1917, during the Russian Revolution, the Borzoi was seen as an accessory of the rich and noble, so many of them were killed. Good thing, the Borzoi dogs that were gifted to other royals and nobles from other countries survived, and so they didn’t vanish altogether after this revolution.

In the mid-1930s, the breed’s name was changed from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi. Nowadays, these regal-looking, sophisticated hounds are a popular choice as pets and have garnered a large and loyal fanbase.

Appearance

Aristocratic, graceful, and well-balanced, the Borzoi is a beautiful looking dog – to some, even exotic looking. They boast long, lean, and well-proportioned heads. Females tend to have slimmer heads than males but bone structure and veins can clearly be seen in both. The top of the skull is a little dome-shaped with a virtually unnoticeable stop. They have long, powerful, and deep jaws and their large noses are black in colour.

Their almond-shaped eyes are dark in colour and set well back without being too far apart. Rims are dark, which adds to their overall elegant and kind look. They have small, pointed, and delicate ears that are set high on the head but not too wide apart. They hold their ears folded back when at rest, and when working or alert, they are held upright with the tips sometimes falling forward.

Their necks are well-muscled, slightly arched, and quite long. Their shoulders are set well back and well-sloped. They are muscular and clean which showcases their impressive turn of power and speed. Their long front legs are straight.

These athletic dogs have narrow chests and ribs with a deep brisket which is more apparent in older Borzoi dogs. Their abdomen is well-tucked up and the breastbone is noticeable. Their powerful loins are well-muscled and broad. These dogs have strong hindquarters that are wider than their shoulders. This gives them their balance and stability. Their thighs are long and well-developed as well as their second thighs. They have long back legs that are nicely muscled, and their oval-shaped front feet have well-arched, closed toes. Their back feet are shorter and more hare-like with less of an arch. Their well-feathered tails are long and set low. They are carried with a graceful curve.

The Borzoi’s coat is silky and can either be straight, a little curly, or wavy. The hair is short on the head, ears, and front of the legs, but longer on the rest of the body. There is heavy feathering on the hindquarters, backs of the legs, chest, and tail. Borzoi dogs have a curly frill on their necks, which is more evident in males than their female counterparts.

Personality

Known for their beauty, grace, and elegance, Borzois have a calm and loving temperament to match their looks. However, they may not be the best choice for novice dog owners because they are intelligent, large dogs that can become a handful if they are not appropriately socialised and trained from a young age. They tend to be aloof with strangers but will happily dash off if they spot enticing prey in the distance. So, it’s best to keep them on a lead until fully trained and confident. Saying that, they are highly affectionate and devoted to their owners, making them wonderful companions for active families that spend a lot of time at home. These dogs crave affection so they should not be left alone for long periods of time.

It is also worth noting that these dogs have high body sensitivity. This means they are ultra-aware of touch as much as discomfort and pain. So, they might react with lightning reflexes if startled or grabbed unexpectedly. This can be controlled by putting them on a lead, but great care must be taken to correct them.

As companions, Borzoi can range from calm and sensible to bouncy and whimsical depending on their mood. However, they always carry themselves with an impressive grace that is unique to this breed.

Trainability

These beautiful dogs are intelligent. But, they are known to be a little challenging to train due to their stubborn streak and their strong instinct to take off at a moment's notice! However, in the right hands and with the correct amount of education, these large dogs can be trained successfully. Patience and persistence are the keys to training this breed. Recall training is essential in case they dash off, so it's advisable to keep them on a lead when out for walks in the countryside.

Due to their sensitive natures, positive reinforcement training works best for this breed. Start off with short sessions and slowly build up as your dog grows in confidence. Find a quiet place to train your Borzoi to prevent them from becoming too distracted by every sight and sound. As mentioned above, agility and coursing activities are a great way to entertain these dogs and teach them to listen to commands.

Coat & Care

These dogs are fairly high maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their long coats need to be brushed thoroughly at least 2-3 times a week to prevent mats and tangles. Many owners opt to get their Borzoi professionally groomed regularly, especially because they are prone to shedding excessively. Also, the hair between the paw pads needs to be frequently trimmed to avoid it from balling up during colder and wetter weather because this can make walking or running uncomfortable.

Check their ears regularly to make sure they are kept dry and free of any dirt or foreign objects. Clean them once a week using a clean cotton wool ball or clean cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner. Ear infections can be difficult to clear up if they are left to fester, so keep an eye out for any potential symptoms including redness, swelling, and behavioural changes such as excessive ear scratching.

Brushing their teeth daily is still the best way to avert tooth and gum disease and bad breath. Though, twice a week brushing is good enough to prevent any tartar or bacteria from multiplying. Ask your vet about the best products that will efficiently clean your dog's teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue.

Your dog’s nails must be trimmed as needed. This way, their nails will be in good physical condition. Make sure that you do this regularly to avoid very long nails because these can be very painful and uncomfortable for your Borzoi. While you meticulously do this, check their paw pads to ensure they are dirt and injury-free.

Also, examine the whole body while grooming your Borzoi for any potential signs of infection or illness such as rashes, wounds, and swellings. Their eyes should be clean, clear, and free of any redness, irritation, or discharge.

Health

Borzois can live long, healthy lives as long as they receive appropriate care which includes, training, affection, exercise, and are fed a high-quality diet that suits their age and unique needs. Saying that, only purchase puppies from licensed breeders to ensure they have been properly weaned, socialised, and cared for. Good breeders will also DNA check your pup for any health issues.

These large sighthounds may develop some of the conditions listed below:

Degenerative Myelopathy – Also known as chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy, this is a disease that affects the spinal cord. It can lead to slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis.
Congenital Deafness – A health condition that can be acquired through ototoxic drugs, intrauterine infections, liver disorders, and other toxic exposures.
Hypothyroidism – Characterised by an underactive thyroid which causes bodily functions to slow down. Symptoms include a balding, dry coat and lethargy.
Multifocal Chorioretinal Lesions – An acquired condition that manifests as focal retinal oedema. This causes the lens of the eye to thin and degenerate, leading to vision issues.
Osteosarcoma – A primary bone tumour that usually arises in the bones of the limbs. But it can also develop in the skull, ribcage, and spine. In some rare cases, it can grow in non-boney tissues like the muscle and the mammary glands.
Bloat/Gastric Torsion – Also known as gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) syndrome, this is a health condition when the dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. It mainly happens to dogs with deep chests and can be fatal.

In addition, it’s worth noting that the Borzoi (like all sighthounds) is more sensitive to anaesthesia and other drugs than other breeds. So, it's always worth speaking to your vet if you’re unsure.

Children & Other Pets

The Borzoi is a large, sensitive dog breed that doesn’t respond well to rough handling. So, they are better suited to homes with older children who understand how to appropriately interact with and handle a dog. Remember to always supervise all interactions between a dog and a child to prevent any incidents.

Borzoi have a strong prey drive, so they may see smaller pets like cats and rabbits as fair game! They can get on with other dogs but remember to introduce new animals gradually and with care for best results.