ABOUT BORZOI

Many centuries ago Russians worked with imported coursing hounds perhaps like Salukis and interbred them with more heavily coated Russian dogs of herding type to develop dogs capable of hunting the wolves with which Russia was infested.

They were bred, owned, and hunted mainly by the upper classes, and it was considered a disgrace to sell them. Fortunately a number of individuals and breeding pairs were sent to aristocrats in other countries, before the disorders of the Russian Revolution decimated the local Borzoi population, together with many Russian aristocrats as well. Enough were in Europe, England, and North American to ensure the survival and advancement of the breed in other countries.

In the big hunts, of which the Perchino Hunt was particularly famous, hundreds of mounted huntsmen would follow the Borzoi as they were loosed on wolves driven out of the forests by beaters and their dogs. Three Borzoi would grasp the wolf on either side, and one on the throat. The hunters would dismount and jump astride on the wolf, killing it with a dagger. Some wolves were bound and gagged with an iron bar and taken back to be saved for future hunts or to train   young Borzoi for attack.

This rugged Russian sport is not possible for Borzoi owners in some areas of North American owing to animal cruelty legislation. A more humane substitute of lure coursing was devised. Borzoi, dressed in jackets of blue, pink, or yellow are slipped on a signal to chase white plastic bags tied to a string on a continuous pulley system. The longest courses are as much as a mile. For this activity championships sponsored by ASFA or the AKC or CKC can be earned. In some areas sprints and oval track competition is also available. They are not raced for money like Greyhounds on betting tracks.

Borzoi come in four colours, black and white, white and red (from foxy to cream), white, black, and tan (tri-colour) and banded or agouti. The most usual patterns are white with spots or colour laid over the upper part of the dog rather like Lassie the Collie, with often a white neck band and white paws and tail tip. They can have coloured faces, a blaze face, or a black mask. Any colour or marking is allowed for the show ring. Males are usually 30 inches plus, and weigh 80-100 pounds. Females average 28-30 inches, and weigh 60-75 pounds. They are relatively easy to groom, having a silky coat. Eyes should be as dark as possible, tails carried low, and level or scissors bite, with missing teeth being penalized for show. Their temperament, while gentle, is normally aloof to strangers, but loyal and devoted to their own owners. They do best in the company of other dogs, either their own breed or a compatible one. They are not all suitable to be kept with cats or small animals such as ferrets, and need to be supervised with other small pets. They are best kept behind six foot fencing, and exercised in an enclosed area or on a flexi-lead, as they will instinctively chase moving objects or small animals. They are more likely to tolerate indoor cats.

They are easily trained for the show ring and obedience. Not all will course, but those who will enjoy the sport, and owners able to take them to that activity should test young Borzoi for interest. They are rated fair to poor with considerate older children, being overly large for small children to safely walk in areas where traffic or other animals are a distraction.

For adult owners with a well-fenced yard, they can be excellent companions. They love to travel, enjoy car rides and camping, and are docile and companionable in the house. If you let them sleep with you, plan on a large bed! They are not known as a protective or guard type dog, but will often rise to the occasion if need be. They usually enjoy swimming, and are natural retrievers for toys.

Life expectancy is in the ten year area, and they are not prone to hip dysplasia. Like other deep chested breeds, they can succumb to gastric torsion, and should not be allowed to eat soy-based dog food, or exercise strenuously after eating. Free feeding is usually safer, as they will nibble through the day. They are a sensitive and complex hunting dog, and especially if kept in pairs tend to amuse themselves if kept in an adequately fenced yard, and be very suitable for quiet companionship in the evenings...a combination well suited to today's busy working owners. Faults are picky eating, touch shyness, roaming, and irritable snapping if teased, not suited to be a guard dog or toddler minder. They do shed, the males seasonally, the females more continuously. Good points are beauty, ease of coat care, placid behaviour in the house, able to amuse themselves with a companion while you go to work, and dainty eaters. Males and females make equally good companions and seem equally trainable. Biggest expense in maintaining one is proper fencing. They do not need professional grooming, or heavy clipping, and their food bill is modest.

As they are a slow growing and giant breed, they need not be acquired as tiny puppies for a successful bonding with a new owner. As long as your breeder is reputable and trains and socializes their young dogs, a Borzoi of almost any age can become your affectionate companion. For rescue availability, call Carol Backers of the National Borzoi Rescue Foundation (Michigan, U.S.A.) cbackers@torchlake.com who has information on Borzoi in need of homes in the United States and sometimes Canada.