Borzoi

Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi is a striking and noble dog first bred by the Russian aristocracy as early as the 13th century for coursing, a type of dog sport. Coursing hounds were crossed with bear hounds and tall Russian sheepdogs to increase the dog’s size and thicken their coat for hunting in Arctic climates. 

In the 1600s there is a record of Borzoi and hunting rules, with hundreds of people working to keep the dogs. The Russian Czar would often present Borzoi as gifts to visiting royalty. 

By the 1800s, seven distinct types of Borzoi existed in Russia. Most present-day dogs descend from the Perchino type, kept by the Grand Duke Nicolai Nicolayevitch. After the Russian Revolution and the days of the nobility were over, the breed began to disappear. Americans saw them as glamorous dogs, first introduced to the masses via movie star owners. 

Borzoi owners will need buckets of patience to train them, as training for fun isn’t something they’re terribly inclined to do. You’ll also need patience as many people will want to stop you to talk about such an unusual-looking dog. Owners should also be active and have a strong sense of humor about some of the naughty antics the dog can get up to while maturing. These gentle souls can be highly sensitive, so an owner will need to keep that in mind, too.

Born to run, these dogs will be happiest when you give them the opportunity to do so. Daily walks can help keep them busy. Be cautious around other dogs as sighthounds can see movement from some distance and even when in a playful mood might mock “course” or chase which can be off-putting for other dogs. Younger dogs should not be overexercised and instead should do frequent, short walks supplemented with mental stimulation.

They’re graceful and elegant dogs, but they are large. They can curl up when they want to, but they really enjoy stretching out and will need a lot of space to do so. Built to run, they will appreciate a large, fenced-in yard. They’re slow to mature, meaning that stairs are not ideal for them for the first few years of their life.

The Borzoi can shed a lot, especially during seasonal molting. Their wavy and silky coat that’s worthy of a shampoo commercial needs brushing and combing several times a week. Paw pads should be checked daily and trimmed as needed. Because they are so large, a professional groomer might be needed for a full bath and blow-dry session to make your Borzoi look and feel fresh.

These dogs won’t like training for fun—they’ll see it as work. Borzois will always find running and chasing rewarding, so you can use these activities as motivation in your training. Recall should be a high priority, but it’s generally not advisable to let them off leash in an unsecured area anyway given their natural instinct to run.

The well-trained Borzoi can be an excellent family dog. However, immature puppy and adolescent Borzoi may be too exuberant and bouncy for tiny tots or frail older people. Like all larger breeds, they take some time to grow and mature.

The cost of a Borzoi from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.