Borzoi

AKC Group: Hound

Club: Borzoi Club of America, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Karen Mays
Address: 3336 Bagley Passage, Duluth, GA , 30097
Website: www.borzoiclubofamerica.org
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The Borzoi was originally bred for the coursing of wild game on more or less open terrain, relying on sight rather than scent. To accomplish this purpose, the Borzoi needed particular structural qualities to chase, catch and hold his quarry. Special emphasis is placed on sound running gear, strong neck and jaws, courage and agility, combined with proper condition. The Borzoi should always possess unmistakable elegance, with flowing lines, graceful in motion or repose. Males, masculine without coarseness; bitches, feminine and refined.

Size:

Mature males should be at least 28 inches at the withers and mature bitches at least 26 inches at the withers. Dogs and bitches below these respective limits should be severely penalized; dogs and bitches above the respective limits should not be penalized as long as extra size is not acquired at the expense of symmetry, speed and staying quality. Range in weight for males from 75 to 105 pounds and for bitches from 15 to 20 pounds less.

Coat:

Long, silky (not woolly), either flat, wavy or rather curly. On the head, ears and front of legs it should be short and smooth; on the neck the frill should be profuse and rather curly. Feather on hindquarters and tail, long and profuse, less so on chest and back of forelegs.

History:

The Russian aristocracy bred the Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound in America prior to 1936, for hundreds of years. There are accounts of hunting expeditions of several Mongol rulers from the time of the conqueror, Genghis Khan, in the 13th century, in which long hounds were mentioned as principal coursing dogs. In Russia, the precursors of the Borzoi were thought to be of several different types including the long-coated, smooth-faced bearhound of early Russia, the Southern coursing hounds of the Tatars, the Owtcher-a tall Russian Sheepdog, as well as other ancient sight-hound types. By 1260, the coursing of hare for sport is mentioned in connection with the Court of the Grand Duke of Novgorod, and in 1650 the first Borzoi standard was written (which did not differ greatly from the modern standard).

By 1861, hunting with Borzoi reached the level of the national sport of the aristocracy, and development of the breed was unequaled. Hunting parties would consist of over one hundred Borzoi representing several kennels, with many kennels breeding their dogs for a specific coat color. When a wolf was spotted, a trio of dogs, normally a dog and two bitches, were slipped to pursue the wolf and capture, pin it and hold the creature until the hunter on horseback arrived to finish the kill.

In 1889, the first Borzoi arrived in America from England. In 1903, Joseph B. Thomas (representing the Valley Farm Kennel) went to Russia 3 times to import dogs from the Perchino & Woronzova kennels that became part of the establishment of the breed in this country. Today the Borzoi is highly prized for its beauty, intelligence and gentle nature, making it a wonderful companion. In Western states it is still used by farmers to control coyote populations, tapping in to the breed's original heritage.

Fun Facts:

• The Borzoi originated in 17th-century Russia, when Arabian greyhounds were crossed with a thick-coated, Russian breed.
  
  
• The Borzoi was known until 1936 as the Russian Wolfhound.
  
  
• In 1650, the first Borzoi standard was written.
  
  
• As far as is known, the first Borzoi that came to America was brought over from England in 1889 by William Wade of Hulton, Pennsylvania, this hound being purchased from Freeman Lloyd.
  
  
• The Borzoi was bred by the Russian aristocracy for hundreds of years.
  
  
• In the past, Borzois would hunt in packs of over a hundred dogs, as many foxhounds, and as many people to assist. The most popular game? Wolf.