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Borzoi
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT A native of Russia - indeed, it is also known as the Russian Wolfhound - this tall, exotic looking and luxuriantly coated hound was bred to hunt: to track, run down and dispatch the wolf from wherever it was hiding. Believed to have descended from the extinct Steppe Greyhound with crosses to other breeds, the Borzoi has retained its sighthound silhouette. Its double coat always served it well during brutal Russian winters. The breed has been refined through the years. it is a beatitiftil animal with flowing lines, sporting an attractive coat which comes in a great variety of colors. In recent years the Borzoi has been trained to hunt coyotes in the United States. As the sport of lure coursing has become more prominent, it has proven itself to be a willing and eager participant. TEMPERAMENT Borzois are gentle but inclined to fun and racing games. They adapt well to a life of ease and enjoyment. However, as with any sporting hound, it must have exercise and training in order to retain its wonderful athletic look. Free exercise should not be chanced as it is a sighthound and will chase anything it deems as prey. It will not pay attention to its own safety. For example, it will run across or down a road without heed of cars or any danger to itself. HEALTH MATTERS The Borzoi is a healthy dog for the most part. There have been cases of progressive retinal atrophy (night blindness) as well as gastric torsion. As with many sighthounds there is a tendency to be sensitive to anesthesia, as well as some other drugs. Care should also be taken with flea collars. Similarly, do not exercise this hound on lawns freshly treated with fertilizers, insecticides or chemical weed killers. SPECIAL CARE AND TRAINING The Borzoi is somewhat stubborn to train. Training should begin early - by at least ten weeks. As the breed is a large one, care must he taken to give a youngster every opportunity to take as much free exercise in a safely enclosed t yard while not on a leash. This will all aid its I growth and experience. Borzois should not be cooped or confined. ESSENTIALS OF THE BREED A tall glamorous sighthound, the Borzoi stands 26-28 inches/65-70 cm high in the United States. The British Standard requires males to be 29 inches/73 cm and females 27 inches/68 cm. The Borzoi has sturdy bones, a deep chest, an arched loin, and a low-placed long tail carried in a streaming manner behind the dog when it is trotting or galloping. Its head is quite long, with a distinct Roman finish or downfaced look to the muzzle. The teeth should meet in a scissors or even bite, although the breed frequently lacks pre-molars. The eyes should be dark, and the folded ears thrown back and close to the neck when in repose. When the dog is alert, the ears are thrown out to the sides of the head - still with a fold- Lind never erect. The flowing double coat of many colors is very thick. The tail is well covered, as are the neck, chest and backs of the legs. The face and the front of the legs are covered with smooth lying hair. |
