Borzoi Dog Breed
History
Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, the first note of the Borzoi dog breed is during 1650 in Russia. Bred in Russia, the Borzoi were owned by Russian nobles and were bred to accompany them as coursing and hunting dogs.
They were used in teams in order to hunt for rabbits, wolves and foxes. For some of the hunts there would be as many as 100 Borzoi, separated down into teams of three, perfectly sized to be able to catch their prey. They continued to be the dog of choice until 1861, when the number of nobles hunting dwindled, along with the number of Borzoi dogs that they owned too.
It was during 1873 that those who loved the breed, became alarmed at the lack of the dogs throughout the world. As a result they created the Imperial Association in order to promote and protect the breed.
Many Borzoi were exported out of the country or given as gifts. Considering the breed was nearly completely wiped out again during 1918, this was great news for those that considered themselves a fan.
Description
The Borzoi is a tall and lean dog that boasts a beautiful and silky coat. They can be described as elegant and refined thanks to their body, which is finished with a long, delicate and narrow head.
Temperament
A gentle giant, The Borzoi is a quiet, intelligent and sensible companion, ideal for those who have plenty of time to give. They are trusting of people, and generally not shy around strangers, however, this particular dog is always at its happiest when it is with its owner.
They are easy going, however they are not always easy to train as their intelligence means they can be stubborn.
Exercise
A house dog, owners of a Borzoi will quickly realise that these dogs love their home comforts. In fact, you may find yourself sharing your furniture with them, or having to give them plenty of comfy places for them to rest.
They require daily exercise, however they are not seen as being high energy dogs. They should only need a 20 minute walk each day, and perhaps a bit of time in a safe and fenced off outside area.
Training
Training a Borzoi isn’t easy, as these dogs are known to have a mind of their own. Some people may think this means they are not intelligent, however, it is quite the opposite. In fact, they are often considering what is in it for them, and whether they want to do what you asked them.
You should try to keep the training of your Borzoi nice and varied, as they can quickly become bored with repetition, and your training approaches should be based on positive reinforcement, as this is what they respond to best.
Health
Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
Borzoi are susceptible to bloating. This means that you should only ever feed them small and frequent meals and avoid any form of heavy exercise after eating. They can also be sensitive to drugs, in particular anaesthetics, as they lack body fat.
Borzoi
Ranked 75th in Stanley Coren’s “The Intelligence of Dogs”.
Interesting Fact
As they are trained to be hunting dogs and sighthounds, a Borzoi will chase anything that moves, this means that they should always be kept on the lead, unless they are in a securely fenced off area.
Always Adopt or Buy a Dog from a Registered, Responsible Animal Shelter or Breeder. Check out our Pet Directory for more details.
All young children should be supervised in the presence of a dog.
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