Borzoi

Etymology

Historically, Russian sighthounds were named through descriptive terms as opposed to actual names. ru is the masculine singular form of an archaic Russian adjective that means 'fast'. ru ('fast dog') is the basic term for sighthounds used by Russians, though ru is usually dropped. The name ru derived from the word ru, which means 'wavy, silky coat', just as ru (as in hortaya borzaya) means shorthaired. In modern Russian, the breed commonly called the Borzoi is officially known as ru. Other Russian sighthound breeds are ru (from the steppe), called ru; and ru (from the Crimea), called ru.

History

The Borzoi originated in the sixteenth century Russia by crossing Saluki and European sighthounds with thick-coated Russian breeds.

The Borzoi was popular with the Tsars before the 1917 revolution. For centuries, Borzois could not be purchased but only given as gifts from the Tsar. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich of Russia bred countless Borzoi at Perchino, his private estate.

The Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1956.

File:1879 Borzoi Flock.jpg|Borzoi owned by Max Hartenstein, Berlin, Germany, 1879 Borzo by a Chair-George Hare.jpg|Borzoi by a Chair (St George Hare, 19th century) File:Tikhmenev (1904) Wolf hunt with borzois.jpg|Wolf hunting with borzois (1904), Efim A. Tikhmenev File:Sarah Bernhardt Clairin Henderson.jpg|Sarah Bernhardt, portrait by Georges Clairin

Description

Appearance

Borzois are large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the Afghan hound, Saluki, and the Kyrgyz Taigan. Borzois come in a variety of colours. The Borzoi coat is silky and flat, often wavy or slightly curly. The long top-coat is quite flat, with varying degrees of waviness or curling. The soft undercoat thickens during winter or in cold climates, but is shed in hot weather to prevent overheating. In its texture and distribution over the body, the Borzoi coat is unique. There should be a frill on its neck, as well as feathering on its hindquarters and tail. Borzois have a uniquely long snout, likely originating from Greyhound ancestry.

Temperament

The Borzoi is an affectionate and athletic breed of dog with a calm temperament.

In terms of obedience, Borzois are selective learners who quickly become bored with repetitive activity, and they can be difficult to motivate. Nevertheless, Borzois are definitely capable of enjoying and performing well in competitive obedience and agility trials with the right kind of training.

Coat gallery

File:Medalowy borgoj.jpg|Red File:Borzoi black female.png|Black File:Borzoi red & white.jpg|Red and white File:Black and white borzoi.jpg|Black and white File:Borzoi 600.jpg|White and brown File:Kidai.jpg|White and grey File:Borzoi portrait Flickr.jpg|White and sandy

Health

A 2024 UK study found an average life expectancy of 12 years for Borzois, with a sample size of 43, compared to 12.7 for purebreds and 12 for mongrels.

An American study looking at echocardiographs of clinically healthy Borzoi found 53.8% to have heart murmurs, 30.2% to have trace or mild mitral regurgitation, 36.1% to have mild tricuspid regurgitation, and 14.4% to have cardiac disease.

Notes

References

References

1. Sabaneev, L.P.. (1993). "Hunting dogs: borzois and hounds". Terra Publishing.
2. Сабанеев, Леонид. (2021-12-02). "Собаки охотничьи. Борзые и гончие". Litres.
3. "Borzoi {{!}} Breeds A to Z {{!}} The Kennel Club".
4. Martin, Nellie. (2005). "Borzoi – The Russian Wolfhound. Its History, Breeding, Exhibiting and Care". Vintage Dog Books.
5. Kalamaras, G.. (2019). "For All the Russian Wolfhounds—the Borzoi—Slaughtered During the Revolution, 1917". Undocumented.
6. "Borzoi Colors and Markings". American Kennel Club.
7. "The Borzoi Standard". Borzoi Club of America.
8. Mischiha O.. "Russian Borzoi". My Friend: The Dog.
9. "Borzoi". American Kennel Club.
10. "Borzoi Club of America, Inc". Borzoiclubofamerica.org.
11. М, Венцеславский А.. (2013-03-14). "Псовая охота вообще". Directmedia.
12. (2024-02-01). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
13. "theborzoiclub.org.uk". theborzoiclub.org.uk.
14. "Borzoi". Dictionary.
15. "Definition of Borzoi in Oxford dictionary (British & World English)". Oxford dictionary.
16. Sonya Wesselowski, K. Tess Sykes, Ashley B. Saunders, Stephen R. Werre (2024). [https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/aop/ajvr.23.11.0255/ajvr.23.11.0255.xml Echocardiographic values and prevalence of cardiac abnormalities in clinically healthy adult Borzoi dogs]. ''American Journal of Veterinary Research''. 1.aop (2024): 1–10. {{doi. 10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0255.
17. A.M. Macdonald (editor) (1972). ''Chambers Twentieth Century Dictionary''. London: Chambers. {{isbn. 0-550-10206-X
18. Kim Dennis-Bryan (2020 [2012]). ''The Complete Dog Breed Book'', second edition. London: Dorling Kindersley. {{isbn. 978-0-241-41273-2.
19. [http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/BORZOI-RUSSIAN-HUNTING-SIGHTHOUND-193.html FCI breeds nomenclature: Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya]. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed June 2022.
20. [https://www.fci.be/nomenclature/Standards/193g10-en.pdf FCI-Standard N° 193: Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya (Borzoi – Russian Hunting Sighthound)]. Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Accessed June 2022.
21. Desiree Scott (2002). ''Borzoi''. Dorking, Surrey: Interpet Publishing. {{isbn. 978-1-903098-93-6.