It’s believed that the modern Borzoi, or Russian Wolfhound, is a descendant of coursing hounds that were used for hunting during the 13th century rule of Mongolian ruler, Genghis Khan. These coursing dogs would be introduced to Russia, where they would then be crossed with a variety of thicker and longer-coated hounds, such as the coursers of the Tartars, a tall Russian Sheepdog called the Owtcher, and the bearhound of Russia. While the exact date that the Borzoi came into being is uncertain, the sport of coursing hare was mentioned to have been popular during the Court of the Grand Duke of Novgorod, as far back as 1260. By 1650, the very first Borzoi breed standard was written - a standard which has changed very little throughout the centuries.

The Borzoi saw an increase in numbers during the 1860’s, when hunting became the popular sport of the aristocracy. At this time, it was not uncommon for packs of more than 100 Borzoi to be seen in a single hunting party, where dogs from numerous kennels would be run together. Many kennels would breed for specific colors, making it easier to tell their dogs apart during these large parties. When a wolf was sighted, a trio of dogs would then be set free; their job being to run the wolf down, pin it, and hold the wild creature captive until a hunter arrived to kill the wolf. For this, the Russian Wolfhounds would be bred, not only for speed and stamina, but also for great strength and agility. Few could rival these magnificent Russian hounds in the sport of coursing.

The first Borzoi would set foot on American soil in 1889 and by 1903, a man named Joseph B. Thomas would make three separate trips to Russia in order to import more of these wonderful dogs. Today, they are world-known for their beauty, grace and intelligence and, in some Western states, the Russian Wolfhound taps into his natural heritage where he is used by farmers to control the local coyote population and keep the stock safe from vermin.

When looking at a Borzoi, one must first take into consideration what the Russian Wolfhound was originally bred for. As a skilled sight hound, he has to possess skills that many other hounds do not possess; where a scent hound must have a keen nose and the stamina and determination to follow the scent of his quarry, the Borzoi must rely upon his sight and great speed to run down his prey before it escapes his vision. Additionally, the Russian Wolfhound was bred to take down the wolves it hunted, requiring him to have enough strength to not only pin a wolf, but to hold it down until the hunters arrived to dispatch the prey. For this, the Borzoi must not only be quick, but both agile and strong as well. For this reason, special attention is given to ensure that the Borzoi has a body that is sound and capable of great speed, combined with a courageous temperament and an elegance that speaks of grace and agility.

The Borzoi is a tall dog, standing an average of 26 or more inches at the shoulder, slight of build and long in body. Lithely built, his back slopes down into his hindquarters and his legs are well-sprung and built for speed. Even the Borzoi’s head appears tapered, as if to cut down on wind resistance, and his ears are carried in close to the head, making him appear all the more streamlined. The Borzoi is a beautiful and powerful dog, refined and without coarseness.

The coat of the Borzoi is not wooly but, instead, is long and silky, and can either be a gentle wave or a soft curl. The hindquarters and tail have longer fur, with a substantial ruff around the chest area and at the back of the forehead. The Russian Wolfhound can be found in any color or combination of colors, though the eyes should be dark in color, with pale eyes frowned upon.

The Borzoi is well known for his gentle nature, despite the job he was bred to perform. Surprisingly careful with younger humans and very faithful to those in his home, he is a favored companion animal and is known for his dependability and patience. Most Borzoi are very quiet dogs and possess a noble bearing, rather than being prone to hyperactivity and restless behavior. If decorum decrees that they should sit quietly, a well-trained Borzoi will patiently stay put until told otherwise. These gentle giants thrive off affection and praise.

Some Russian Wolfhounds tend to be rather skittish and uncertain around small children - quite possibly due to concern, though it is never a good idea to leave a small child with any dog without supervision. Even the most gentle of Borzoi can cause a nasty fall when they accidentally bump into a small child and knock them down. Because of the tendency to be skittish, coupled with the dog’s immense size, it’s not generally recommended that Borzoi be adopted into a family with small children.

Despite his athletic build, the Borzoi is generally a quiet and placid adult, content to spend most of his evenings taking leisurely strolls beside his humans and enjoying the shade on a hot summer afternoon. While Borzoi puppies may require a bit more energy, most Russian Wolfhounds show a noticeable calm once they reach maturity. This is not saying, however, that a Borzoi does not require exercise or that he’s happy as a couch potato. Even the quietest of dogs requires a degree of work-out time, lest they start tipping the scales too far. The Borzoi is no exception to this rule.

Ideally, an adult Borzoi should have access to a large fenced-in yard, providing him with ample room to open up and stretch his legs from time to time. Unfortunately, this is not an option for everyone, but never fear. The Borzoi is adaptable and will also do well with daily walks, provided he’s allowed a couple trips to the dog park each week, where he can have the opportunity to run and socialize with other dogs. Doing so will keep your Russian Wolfhound fit and with a lively spring in his step!

The Borzoi’s silky coat does require a weekly comb through, ensuring that any mats or tangles are removed from the dog’s silky hair. Particular attention should be paid to the longer hair around the hindquarters and behind the front legs of your dog, where mats are most common. Combing your dog will not only remove dead hair and dander, but it also provides you with a little one-on-one time where you can talk to your pet and check him over for any sign of abnormality or change in behavior, both of which might suggest a potential problem in your dog.

In addition to coming your dog’s coat, you should also keep a close watch on his ears, checking them regularly to ensure there is no build-up of dirt or wax, no redness or discharge and that there is no odor coming from the ears. Keeping your dog’s toenails trimmed is another important part of grooming your dog, ensuring that they do not grow so long as to cause your dog pain or discomfort.

The Russian Wolfhound is a highly intelligent dog and most breeders agree that, while he is generally a very easy dog to train, should you happen across a stubborn individual, they can be a real handful.  Consequently, training these dogs can either be very easy or a definite difficulty, taking a long period of time or a very quick amount, depending on your individual canine companion and your personal training methods.  Persistence and patience are two words to keep in mind, when training a Borzoi. When dealing with a Russian Wolfhound, bear in mind that they can be somewhat timid around humans, and that care should be taken never to strike or yell at your dog - doing so will only make him more uncooperative.  Routine and positive reinforcement will work best when training these unique dogs.

The Borzoi is an uncommonly healthy breed of dog, known for good health despite their large size. While some individuals are prone to problems, such as hip or elbow dysplasia and dogs do occasionally have heart troubles, the majority of them live to be an average of 10-12 years of age. Ensuring that your dog comes from an ethical breeder with stable breeding stock will help to prevent potential problems. Be sure to research any potential breeders and ensure you’re getting the best Borzoi puppy available.

Most Borzoi spend their lives free of illness, and are generally a very hardy, low maintenance breed of dog. Additionally, the Borzoi is a very quiet dog - while he is not entirely barkless, many individuals feel little need to make a sound and some owners have claimed to have never heard their Russian Wolfhounds bark!

Borzoi may be large dogs, but they are not as intimidating as other breeds and their generous personality and overall friendliness makes them fairly useless as a watchdog. More likely than not, they’d greet the burglar at the door and follow them about happily, which makes the Borzoi a better companion animal than a guard dog. Fortunately, this is the task he’s most commonly employed for anymore, seeing as how few people need large Sighthounds for hunting anymore. The Borzoi isn’t one to complain and adjusts to city living surprisingly well, provided he has an outlet where he can run when he needs it.

While not suggested around small children, the Borzoi does make an excellent house pet and companion for a more mature family. Regal, noble and elegant, these loyal dogs are sure to greet you at the door, with a wagging tail and lots of love, if you find that the Borzoi is the right breed for you.