The Borzoi is quite a large breed. He stands high on his legs and has long hair. The Borzoi is a Russian greyhound and is known for its independent character. The behavior of a Borzoi often compared to a cat. He likes to do what he wants and does not respond quickly to commands. The Borzoi is suitable as a family dog.
Despite the fact that this breed can get along very well with people, there are some points you have to take into account if you are interested in this breed. A Borzoi cannot get along with everybody and it is also important that you know how to raise a Borzoi. Do you want to know exactly how this works? Then read this article.
The history: a greyhound from Russia
In the past the name “Borzoi” was used as a collective name for several greyhounds from Russia. The history of this collective name begins in 1260. At that time, these dogs were used in large groups to hunt wolves, hares and other types of game. Around the year 1800 the Borzoi was divided into seven different subtypes. One of these subtypes is the Borzoi, as we know it today. This type is also called the Perchino type.
The Perchino type was a dog of nobility, which used to be kept only by people of nobility. After the Russian Revolution, many Borzois were killed, leaving only a few kennels where this breed lived. When this breed came to America, the Borzoi quickly gained a reputation as a glamour dog due to its unusual appearance.
Around 1874 the Borzoi came for the first time to the Netherlands. Years later a breeding regulation was set up to make sure that the behaviour of this breed became gentler. This way more and more people could enjoy this unique breed. The character of the Borzoi as we know it today is very different from the character of the Borzoi as it used to be.
The character: independent and timid
The Borzoi is known for his self-confidence and independence. They like to be in charge of their own behavior and therefore don’t react quickly on commands. The Borzoi is not overly energetic and has a balanced personality. In general they are very quiet. In general the Borzoi is very good with people, especially with his owner he is very affectionate. Towards strangers he can be more reserved. Even with young children it’s wise to always keep an eye on them.
The Borzoi likes to get attention, but he also likes to be alone to rest. This makes it easier for families to take care of this breed. Training this dog on the other hand can be a challenge; you can read more about this later.
The appearance and build: big and strong
The Borzoi stands out because of his big body. This breed is bred to be active and fast, in order to hunt as good as possible. Especially the neck and the jaws of a Borzoi are very strong. The head of this breed is long and narrow; this also applies to his jaws. The teeth of a Borzoi are big and strong. His ears hang back and fall over his head. His strong neck flows nicely into his shoulders. His chest is relatively narrow, which gives the illusion of a long body.
The legs of the borzoi are straight and strong. They have well developed muscles; this also applies to the hips. Because of these physical characteristics the borzoi was ideal to hunt with. The coat of a Borzoi is long and feels soft. Curls can occur, but often the coat is wavy. On the head and the legs of a borzoi the fur is a lot shorter and very soft. The coat can have any color and color combination.
The care of the Borzoi
The care of the Borzoi is rather simple. They loose some hairs, but by brushing every day you can remove the loose coat easily. Regularly bathing will keep his fur in good condition. The nails of the Borzois have to be cut regularly.
Once a year the Borzois will loose a lot of fur. During this period it’s necessary to brush more and to take a bath more often. On average this period lasts a few weeks. Keep in mind also to clean his teeth and ears. Ear infections can occur regularly in this breed. By checking the ears regularly, you can quickly remove dirt and the chance of these problems is reduced.
Specific nutrition this breed needs
The Borzoi is a relatively large dog, so you would think that they also have a big appetite. This is not the case. So don’t be surprised if your Borzoi doesn’t eat as much as other dogs of his size. Despite the fact that the Borzoi doesn’t eat a lot, he doesn’t need a special diet.
When the Borzoi is still a puppy, he eats the most. This ensures a rapid growth of his body. Choose for high quality food, this will be best for his body. Extra proteins are not necessary for this breed. Try to avoid intense sport and exercise after eating. Because the stomach is still busy digesting the food, exercise after meals can lead to stomach torsion.
Diseases that occur in the Borzoi
The Borzoi is known as a relatively healthy and strong breed. Nevertheless, partly because of his size, there are a number of disorders that occur relatively often. During the breeding we pay extra attention to these disorders. The most common disorders are:
- Hip problems
- Heart problems
- Thyroid problems
- A swollen belly
Hip problems are more common with bigger dogs and that is also the case with the Borzoi. By a good breeding program the problems can be limited. Also heart problems are very common in dogs. A healthy lifestyle and the right food can limit these problems.
Thyroid problems can be solved by the right medications. During regular checks at a veterinarian it can be determined quickly if a Borzoi is suffering from Thyroid problems and action can be taken quickly.
Because of the deep chest, the Borzois is sensitive for the so called “bloating”. The belly and chest will swell up, which can be very painful. It can also be life threatening for a dog. Do you notice that your dog is suffering from a bloated belly? If so, please call a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Did you know?
In the old days the Borzoi was known as a real hunting dog that went hunting for wolves with several dogs of the same breed. The groups could be enormous. It was very common that more than 50 dogs of this breed were all hunting a wolf at the same time.
Dog training for the Borzoi
As with all breeds it is important to socialize the Borzoi early and intensively. There are no special points of interest with this breed to take into account with the socialization. It is important that there is enough contact with different animals, people and events. This prevents anxiety disorders at a later age.
A Borzoi is an intelligent dog and understands instructions quickly. But they can also be a bit bossy, which makes training this breed more difficult. They like to do what they want. Therefore it’s best to keep the training sessions short, but regular, because this breed reacts best to it.
What does a Borzoi cost?
For a Borzoi you pay on average between $1200 and $2200. The purchase costs for a Borzoi can be quite different. There are people who offer this breed for less money, but you can also find breeders who ask very high prices for this breed. It is advisable to only buy a Borzoi through a recognized breeder, such as breeders who are affiliated with a breed association.
Because the Borzoi is a healthy breed and doesn’t need specific nutrition, they are not so expensive to maintain. The purchase price is a bit higher than average, but further it’s a nice dog, which is not too expensive.
Exercise for this breed
The Borzoi is an active breed, so daily exercise is really essential to keep a Borzoi healthy. You can choose for long walks or playing with a ball. They also love to run. Are you interested in a Borzoi? Make sure that you have enough time and space to meet the movement needs of this breed.
Enough exercise makes sure that a Borzoi will not gain weight quickly in fat mass. This will also maintain his muscles and will improve his general health.
The recognition of this breed
In America the AKC recognized the Borzoi in 1891. In 1956 the breed was officially recognized by the FCI and in 2019 the most recent and official breed standard was published. The first breed standard was already written in 1650. In the US the breed association the Borzoi Club of America is active. Through this association you can buy well-bred dogs of this breed and be sure that the dog you buy is bred in the healthiest way possible.
Is the borzoi the perfect dog for you?
The borzoi is a breed that fits perfectly in an active family. Special care is not necessary, but it is important that you socialize and train him in the right way. Are you looking for an active and bigger dog? Then the borzoi is suitable for you. Let us know below what you think of this breed. Do you know people who have a borzoi? What are their experiences with this breed? Our readers and we are very curious about your experiences with the borzoi.
