The Borzoi or Russian Hunting Sighthound is a Russian dog breed of hunting dog of sighthound type. It was formerly used for wolf hunting; until 1936, the breed was known as the Russian Wolfhound.
Etymology
The system by which Russians over the ages named their sighthounds was a series of descriptive terms rather than actual names.
is the masculine singular form of an archaic Russian adjective that means 'fast'. ('fast dog') is the basic term for sighthounds used by Russians, though is usually dropped. The name derived from the word , which means 'wavy, silky coat', just as (as in
hortaya borzaya) means shorthaired. In modern Russian, the breed commonly called the Borzoi is officially known as . Other Russian sighthound breeds are (from the
steppe), called ; and (from the
Crimea), called .
History
The Borzoi originated in the sixteenth century Russia by crossing
Saluki and European sighthounds with thick-coated Russian breeds.
The Borzoi was popular with the before the 1917 revolution. For centuries, Borzois could not be purchased but only given as gifts from the Tsar. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich of Russia bred countless Borzoi at Perchino, his private estate.
The Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.
File:1879 Borzoi Flock.jpg|Borzoi owned by Max Hartenstein, Berlin, Germany, 1879
Borzo by a Chair-George Hare.jpg| Borzo by a Chair (St George Hare, 19th century)
File:Tikhmenev (1904) Wolf hunt with borzois.jpg| Wolf hunting with borzois (1904), Efim A. Tikhmenev
File:Sarah Bernhardt Clairin Henderson.jpg|Sarah Bernhardt, portrait by Georges Clairin
Description
Appearance
Borzois are large Russian
that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the
Afghan hound,
Saluki, and the
Taigan. Borzois come in a variety of colours.
The Borzoi coat is silky and flat, often wavy or slightly curly. The long top-coat is quite flat, with varying degrees of waviness or curling. The soft undercoat thickens during winter or in cold climates, but is shed in hot weather to prevent overheating. In its texture and distribution over the body, the Borzoi coat is unique. There should be a frill on its neck, as well as feathering on its hindquarters and tail.
Temperament
The Borzoi is an affectionate and athletic breed of dog with a calm temperament.
In terms of obedience, Borzois are selective learners who quickly become bored with repetitive activity, and they can be difficult to motivate. Nevertheless, Borzois are definitely capable of enjoying and performing well in obedience trial and dog agility with the right kind of training.
Coat gallery
File:Medalowy borgoj.jpg|Red
File:Borzoi black female.png|Black
File:Three Borzoi.jpg|White and yellow-and-white
File:Borzoi red & white.jpg|Red and white
File:Black and white borzoi.jpg|Black and white
File:Borzoi 600.jpg|White and brown
File:Kidai.jpg|White and grey
File:Borzoi portrait Flickr.jpg|White and sandy
Health
A 2024 UK study found an average life expectancy of 12 years for Borzois, with a sample size of 43, compared to 12.7 for
and 12 for
.
An American study looking at of clinically healthy Borzoi found 53.8% to have , 30.2% to have trace or mild mitral regurgitation, 36.1% to have mild tricuspid regurgitation, and 14.4% to have cardiac disease.
Notes
Further reading
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Including a translation of The Perchino Hunt by His Excellency Dmitri Walzoff (1912).
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