BorzoiCharacteristics, history, training and care

According to Wikipedia, the breed appeared in 16th-century Russia, from crosses between Saluki-type sighthounds and thick-coated Russian dogs. The name comes from an old Russian word meaning “swift”. Before 1917, Borzois were not sold, but given as gifts by the tsar.

Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich bred a great many Borzois on his estate at Perchino. The FCI standard says the first breed standard was written in 1888 by N. P. Ermolov. After the 1917 revolution, Borzois were seen as a symbol of the tsars and were killed in large numbers.

The breed survived mainly thanks to dogs exported earlier to the West. The FCI recognised it definitively on 13 January 1956. It is related to the Saluki, the Afghan Hound and the Tazy.

How the breed developed

• 16th century – The first Russian sighthounds appear.
• 1888 – The first standard, written by N. P. Ermolov.
• After 1917 – The breed almost disappears in Russia.
• 1936 – The name Russian Wolfhound is replaced by Borzoi.
• 13 January 1956 – Definitive FCI recognition.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The rating is based on the breed's AKC profile (trainability 2 out of 5, energy 4 out of 5, barking 2 out of 5) and on the FCI standard.

The FCI standard describes it as an aristocratic dog, tall and lean, with strong but not massive bones. The body is slightly longer than its height, and the back forms a gentle arch. The head is narrow and very long.

General appearance

The coat is silky and soft, wavy or in small curls. On the neck it forms a mane, and on the legs, thighs and tail it has long feathering. According to Wikipedia, the undercoat thickens in winter and falls out in hot weather.

The standard accepts any colour from white to black, solid, patched or with tan. Brown, blue, isabella (lilac) and other dilute colours, in which the nose is not black, are not accepted.

According to Wikipedia, it learns selectively and quickly gets bored with repeated exercises. Its AKC profile gives it 2 stars out of 5 for ease of training. With patience, it can do well even in obedience and agility competitions.

Like any sighthound, it sets off after a running animal and no longer hears the recall. Lessons should be short, gentle and rewarding.

Tips for effective training

• Keep lessons short. It gets bored quickly.
• Use rewards. Harshness does not work.
• Let it off the lead only in an enclosed area. It chases anything that runs.
• Socialise it with cats from an early age. Otherwise it may see them as prey.

The standard says that when searching for game it moves at a slow trot, and switches to a gallop in pursuit. At home it is usually calm, but it needs long walks every day and, from time to time, a free run in a well-fenced area.

Tips for a balanced life

• Suits calm, patient owners.
• A large yard with a high fence.
• A soft bed, as it has little fat.

Coat and skin care

The long coat is brushed once or twice a week, and more often during the moult. Its AKC profile gives it 2 stars out of 5 for grooming. The feathering on the legs and tail tangles most easily.

Common health problems

A 2024 study in the United Kingdom found a life expectancy of 12 years. An American study of healthy dogs found heart murmurs in 53.8% of them. Like other sighthounds, it is slower to wake up from anaesthesia.

Other care

• Tell the vet that it is a sighthound before any anaesthesia.
• Do not let it run after a meal.
• Have its heart checked every year.

A large, lean sighthound needs good-quality food suited to its age and activity. Small, frequent meals reduce the risk of bloat.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

• Split the food into two or three meals a day.
• Healthy sighthounds have a lean body: the last ribs and the hip bones are easy to see.
• Puppies need growth food suited to large breeds.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. Very large breeds become adults only at around 2 years.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.

Caring for the puppies

In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. The puppies grow very fast, so they need growth food suited to large breeds. Socialisation starts in the first weeks.

• A gift from the tsar. Before 1917 it was not sold, but received as a gift.
• Its name means “swift”. It comes from an old Russian word.
• Once a “wolfhound”. Until 1936 it was called the Russian Wolfhound.
• A heart to watch. 53.8% of the dogs in one study had heart murmurs.
• Saved from abroad. The breed survived through dogs exported before the revolution.

Is it aggressive?

Rarely; the standard describes it as calm, neutral or friendly towards people.

How big does it get?

Males measure 75–85 cm at the withers and females 68–78 cm.

Can it be walked off the lead?

Only in an enclosed area; it chases any animal that runs.

How does it differ from the Afghan Hound?

The Borzoi is taller, and its coat is wavy, not straight and fine.