The Borzoi , also called the Russian
wolfhound , is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Descended from
dogs brought to Russia from central Asian countries, it is similar in shape to
a greyhound, and is also a member of the sighthound family.
The
system by which Russians over the ages named their sighthounds was a series of
descriptive terms, not actual names. "Borzói" is the masculine
singular form of an archaic Russian adjective that means "fast".
"Borzáya sobáka" ("fast dog") is the basic term used by
Russians, though "sobáka" is usually dropped. The name
"Psovaya" derived from the word Psovina, which means "wavy,
silky coat", just as "Hortaya" (as in Hortaya Borzaya) means
shorthaired. In Russia today the breed we know as the borzoi is officially
known as "Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya". Other Russian sighthound breeds
are "Stepnaya Borzaya" (from the steppe), called "Stepnoi";
and "Krimskaya Borzaya" (from the Crimea), called
"Krimskoi".
The
most commonly used plural form is the regular formation "borzois",
which is the only plural cited in most dictionaries. However, the Borzoi Club
of America and the Borzoi Club UK both prefer "borzoi" as the form
for both singular and plural forms.
Description
Appearance
Borzois
are large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as
the Afghan hound, Saluki, and the Kyrgyz Taigan. Borzois can generally be
described as "long-haired greyhounds". Borzois come in virtually any
colour. 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.
Borzoi
males frequently weigh more than 100 pounds (45 kg). Males stand at least 30
inches (76 cm) at the shoulder, while the height of females is around 26 inches
(66 cm). Despite their size, the overall impression is of streamlining and
grace, with a curvy shapeliness and compact strength.
Temperament
The
borzoi is a quiet, but athletic and independent dog. Most borzois are almost
silent, barking only very rarely. They do not have strong territorial drives
and cannot be relied on to raise the alarm upon sighting a human intruder. The
borzoi is extremely smart and requires patient, experienced handling. They are
gentle and highly sensitive dogs with a natural respect for humans, and as
adults they are decorative couch potatoes with remarkably gracious house
manners. Borzois do not generally display dominance or aggression towards
people, but will turn aggressive if handled roughly. Typically however, they
are rather reserved with strangers but affectionate with people they know well.
Their sensitivity to invasion of their personal space can make them nervous
around children unless they are brought up with them. Despite their size,
borzois adapt very well to suburban life, provided they have a spacious yard
and regular opportunities for free exercise.
A
common misunderstanding about the intelligence of breeds in the Hound group
stems from their independent nature, which conflicts with the frequent
confusion between the concepts of "intelligence" and
"obedience" in discussions of canine brainpower. Stanley Coren's
survey of canine obedience trainers published in The Intelligence of Dogs
reported that borzois obeyed the first command less than 25% of the time.
Coren's test, however, was by his own admission heavily weighted towards the
"obedience" interpretation of intelligence and based on a better
understanding of "working" breeds than hounds. Unfortunately, the
publicity given to this report has led to unfair denigration of breeds which
are under-represented in obedience clubs and poorly understood by the average
obedience trainer. "Work" for hound breeds is done out of hearing and
often out of sight of the human companion; it is an activity for which the dogs
are "released", rather than an activity which is
"commanded".
In
terms of obedience, borzois are selective learners who quickly become bored
with repetitive, apparently pointless, activity, and they can be very stubborn
when they are not properly motivated. For example, food rewards, or
"baiting", may work well for some individuals, but not at all for
others. Nevertheless, borzois are definitely capable of enjoying and performing
well in competitive obedience and agility trials with the right kind of
training. Like other sighthounds, they are very sensitive and do not cope well
with harsh treatment or training based on punishment, and will be extremely
unhappy if raised voices and threats are a part of their daily life. However,
like any intelligent dog, borzois respond extremely well to the guidance,
support, and clear communication of a benevolent human leadership.
Borzois
were bred to pursue or "course" game and have a powerful instinct to
chase things that run from them, including cats and small dogs. Built for speed
and endurance, they can cover long distances in a very short time. A fully fenced
yard is a necessity for maintaining any sighthound. They are highly independent
and will range far and wide without containment, with little regard for road
traffic. For off-leash exercise, a borzoi needs a very large field or park,
either fully fenced or well away from any roads, to ensure its safety.
Borzois
are born with specialized coursing skills, but these are quite different from
the dog-fighting instincts seen in some breeds. It is quite common for borzois
at play to course (i.e., run down) another dog, seize it by the neck and hold
it immobile. Young pups do this with their littermates, trading off as to who
is the prey. It is a specific hunting behavior, not a fighting or territorial
domination behavior.
Borzois
can be raised very successfully to live with cats and other small animals
provided they are introduced to them when they are puppies. Some, however, will
possess the hunting instinct to such a degree that they find it impossible not
to chase a cat that is moving quickly. The hunting instinct is triggered by
movement and much depends on how the cat behaves.
Health
Stated
life expectancy is 10 to 12 years. Median lifespan based on a UK Kennel Club
survey is 9 years 1 month. 1 in 5 died of old age, at an average of 10 to 11.5
years. The longest lived dog lived to 14 years 3 months. Dogs that are
physically fit and vigorous in their youth through middle age are more vigorous
and healthy as elderly dogs, all other factors being equal. In the UK, cancer
and cardiac problems seem to be the most frequent causes of premature death.
Like
its native relative the Hortaya Borzaya, the borzoi is basically a very sound
breed. OCD, hip and elbow dysplasia have remained almost unknown, as were
congenital eye and heart diseases before the 1970s. However, in some countries
modern breeding practices have introduced a few problems.
As
with other very deep-chested breeds, gastric dilatation volvulus (also known as
bloat) is the most common serious health problem in the borzoi. This
life-threatening condition is believed to be anatomical rather than strictly
genetic in origin. One common recommendation in the past has been to raise the
food bowl of the dog when it eats. However, studies have shown that this may
actually increase the risk of bloat.
Less
common are cardiac problems including cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia
disorders. A controversy exists as to the presence of progressive retinal
atrophy in the breed. A condition identified as borzoi retinopathy is seen in
some individuals, usually active dogs, which differs from progressive retinal
atrophy in several ways. First, it is unilateral, and rarely seen in animals
less than three years of age; second, a clear-cut pattern of inheritance has
not been demonstrated; and finally, most affected individuals do not go blind.
Correct
nutrition during puppyhood is also debatable for borzois. These dogs naturally
experience enormous growth surges in the first year or two of their lives. It
is now widely accepted that forcing even faster growth by feeding a highly
concentrated, high-energy diet is dangerous for skeletal development, causing
unsoundness and increased tendency to joint problems and injury. Being built
primarily for speed, borzois do not carry large amounts of body fat or muscle,
and therefore have a rather different physiology to other dogs of similar size
(such as the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, or Alaskan Malamute).
Laboratory-formulated diets designed for a generic "large" or
"giant" breed are unlikely to take the needs of the big sighthounds
into account.
The
issues involved in raw feeding may be particularly relevant to tall,
streamlined breeds such as the borzoi. It is interesting to note that the
Hortaya Borzaya, undoubtedly a very close relative, is traditionally raised on
a meager diet of oats and table scraps. The Hortaya is also said to be
intolerant of highly concentrated kibble feeds. Basically, a lean body weight
in itself is nothing to be concerned about, and force-feeding of healthy young
borzoi is definitely not recommended.
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