Borzoi

During the centuries of Romanov rule in Russia, wolf hunting was an all-consuming passion of the nobility. Russian aristocrats maintained huge estates and kept hundreds of Borzoi, developed over centuries to be swift and tough enough to pursue and pin their ferocious quarry.

Only the very best of the hounds were bred, with the purity of the breed being jealously maintained. Borzoi sold for such vast sums that only the very wealthy could afford to purchase them.

With the Russian Revolution came the wholesale slaughter of the Romanov family, their nobles, and their aristocratic hounds. Russian breeding of Borzoi and other national breeds halted for much of the 20th century. If not for a few dedicated breeders from Western Europe who took great risk in going to Russia to rescue breeding stock from the best kennels, the breed might have gone extinct.

In the English-speaking world, the breed name was Russian Wolfhound. In America this changed in 1936, when after a long and spirited debate, the breed was officially rechristened the Borzoi, from the Russian borzyi, meaning ‘swift.’

Australia’s first imports came directly from the Czar in 1898 and were quarantined in the Melbourne Zoo. Australia was generally too hot for Borzoi hunts except in winter, and crossbreeds known as `kangaroo dogs’ were more popular, though a few hunters in cooler Victoria continued to keep Borzoi for coursing kangaroos until the 1950s.

Borzois are amazing runners that require large spaces to run; they are happiest when they can run fast for short periods. To witness their full beauty when running, it is best to find a fenced-off area, as once they take on speed not much can stop them.

They need daily exercise, whether in the form of long walks or running in a securely fenced yard. Borzoi enjoy doing activities with their owners and excel in canine sports such as agility and lure coursing.

Because of their strong chasing instincts, it is important to train Borzois from a very young age. They have amazing eyesight and if you take them on walks where there is wildlife around, you may find it extremely hard to hold them back. Your Borzoi will spot the wildlife before you and teaching them to come back is of utmost important.

In their quiet, catlike way they can be stubborn, and training is best accomplished with positive reinforcement, patience, repetition and good humour.

The famous Borzoi coat requires some maintenance to keep looking its best.  In general, a quick brushing every day or two with a firm bristle brush or a comb will remove any loose hair and dirt from the coat and prevent tangles.

Like any long-coated dog, the Borzoi will shed a bit throughout the year. About once a year the Borzoi will shed more heavily for several weeks, and during this shedding season more frequent grooming is needed.

Because of their size, bathing these dogs might be tricky. Fortunately, occasional baths will keep the Borzoi clean.