Giant
12 Years
40 Kg
Hound Dogs
Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet
The Borzoi is a large Russian breed that belongs to the sighthound group. It was used to hunt wolves and was popular among Russian aristocracy during the 16th century. The Borzoi is strong and brave that possesses great speed. It has a long head, well-filled in below the eyes and a skull that is slightly domed and narrow with a hardly noticeable stop. The forehead and the top line of the muzzle is almost straight. It has a black rounded nose, dark almond-shaped eyes with dark eye rims, small pointed ears set high on the head and folded back along the neck. The jaws and teeth form a regular and complete scissor bite. The dog’s forequarters is slightly arched, long and well-muscled. It has a muscular body but not loaded, narrow oval cut ribs and deep brisket that reaches to the elbow and a very well tucked up belly. It has a long well-feathered tail that is carried low in an elegant curve. The front feet are oval in shape while the back feet are hare-like. The silky coat of the Borzoi is either flat, wavy or a bit curly, short and smooth on the head, ears, and front of legs with longer hair on the body and heavy feathering on the back of the legs and hindquarters, tail and chest. The neck is frilled with large curly hair. Any coat colour is acceptable except merle. Male Borzois have a minimum height of 74 cm while females have a minimum height of 68 cm from withers.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The exact origin of the Borzoi remains shrouded in doubt due to the fact that it is an ancient breed. No written historical records exist regarding its exact bloodline. It has been thought that the breed came from Saluki-type sight hounds brought to Russia during the 9th – 10th century. However, scientific evidence showed that the ancestors of the Borzoi evolved between Kyrgyzstan, the lower part of the Altai Mountains in Kazakhstan and the plains of Afghanistan. These breeds would naturally evolve through millennia and would become the Tazi/Saluki of the South and the Stepnaya, Krimskaya, and Hortaya of the West with the Borzoi (Psovaya Borzaya) branching from the latter. It was recently discovered that in the early 17th century, a Russian duke imported a number of speedy gazelle hounds from Arabia and crossed them with a native Russian breed similar to the Collie but with more powerful physique, longer legs, slightly longer neck and heavily feathered ears. The crossbred resulted in a graceful, elegant and aristocratic breed, well-suited to the harsh weather of the Russian environment which we now call the Borzoi.
The Borzoi is a gentle, quiet and affectionate breed but possesses a great degree of athleticism and hunting dexterity. It is generally very loyal and acquiescent in response to its owner and to the people it knows very well but is typically reserved with strangers. The Borzoi rarely barks and does not have a strong territorial drive, hence, is not a suitable watchdog. It does not have a dominant instinct or a natural aggressive behaviour towards people but like other breeds, it will turn aggressive if not handled properly. The Borzoi is highly sensitive to touch, pain and discomfort and may even scream alarmingly even when only slightly hurt or surprised. It has an extremely good memory and will remember someone even after several years.
The Borzoi is a selective learner and is fairly difficult to train in obedience. Having an independent nature and originally bred to spot and chase hare, fox, and wolf, the natural working environment of the Borzoi is to hunt with little supervision from the hunter. This instinct makes the Borzoi easily bored with repetitive activity and can have a stubborn streak especially if it is not properly stimulated. However, this can be corrected if the dog is trained very early, teaching the dog to “come” and respond to name calls, preferably on a long loose lead. A slight jerk or the lead when the Borzoi fails to respond, followed by praise is a good method. It has a natural instinct to chase small animals which must also be controlled at a very early age and backed with generous praise for good reactions. Training should be done by a consistent, patient and firm handler in order to establish control of the dog.
The long silky coat of the Borzoi should be brushed weekly with a slicker, bristle or steel pin brush to keep it healthy and free from mats. It is a light shedder but will typically shed heavily during spring and fall where it requires more frequent brushing (recommended daily) to help remove loose dead hair. The coat naturally deflects dirt and other foreign materials so bathe the dog only when necessary. The teeth and ears however, require regular check-up and cleaning to keep them from being infected by bacteria.
The Borzoi is basically a very healthy breed with little-known health problems. Relatively few Borzois suffer from Osteochondritis dissecans, hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary eye and heart diseases. Gastric torsion or bloat is a more common serious health issue, though. However, these health issues were relatively unknown to the breed before the 1970s but modern breeding methods have exposed the Borzoi to these health problems. According to a survey by the Kennel Club, the median lifespan of the Borzoi is 9.1 years with a life expectancy between 10 and 12 years. The oldest dog lived up to 14 years and 3 months.
The Borzoi is a large breed, built for speed and endurance that can cover long distances in a short span of time. However, it is a very adaptable breed and can do well in any home setting provided that it is properly exercised. A yard well-secured with a fence is an ideal playing ground for the Borzoi. An even better home for the breed is somewhere in the countryside where it can run off-leash any time of the day. If raised in an apartment setting, daily long walks for an hour is highly suggested.
The Borzoi is a gentle breed but is typically sensitive when its personal space is invaded so children must be taught to respect and handle the breed properly. It was bred to hunt game independently and this inbred instinct to chase things that run makes it undesirable to live with small animals including cats and small dogs. However, like other breeds of dogs, early exposure to other pets and humans, particularly during puppyhood will typically correct this behaviour.
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