Russian wolfhound are former aristocratic Russian dogs who love to run and relax quietly at home . Formerly known as the " Russian wolfhound , " these sighthounds are quick on their foot and majestic in appearing .
The borzoi ( label BOR - zoy ) is an gentle dog-iron , both in appearance and origin : She was breed as a sprinter for track down wolf in Russia , and finally became a symbolisation of the Russian aristocracy . Borzois are magniloquent , quiet , patrician dogs who do well with access to plenty of blank space for running . Whilenot especially usual in the United States , their long , elegant line of work and silky coat are instantly recognizable and they were especially popular with Hollywood star in the 1920s and ' XXX .
In the English - speak world , the breed was call the " Russian wolfhound " until 1936 , when they were rename the Russian wolfhound , after the Russian word for " fleet . "
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Appearance
The first thing you ’ll notice about a Russian wolfhound is her size : These arenotsmall dogs . Male puppy are 28 inch and taller , weighing from 75–105 pounds , while the female person are 26 inches and up , consider in at 60–85 pounds . flowing and leggy , the borzoi was build for bounding through fields at high-pitched speeds ( they can attain 35–40 mph ) .
Temperament
" They call them the aristocrat of dogs , " says Karen Staudt - Cartabona , aborzoi breederwith over 50 class of experience . " They’revery serene dogsand they ’re very easygoing . "
Whileborzoi are active dogs , she explains , they ’re not playful the mode other dogs can be . She suggests avoid thedog parkand expenditure time with your puppy in the backyard or on a walk or else .
In general , Russian wolfhound are friendy animals and get along well with other dog-iron , though they can be mistrustful of unknown . It ’s also possible for them toget along with big cat if they ’ve been in good order introducedand raise alongside feline Quaker .
Borzoi aregentle with tike in general , though theBorzoi Club of America(BCA ) cautions that small child should betaught how to be thrifty with dog — because borzoi are so large , they could incidentally knock down a modest child ( and find really regretful about it ! ) . Older , less active Russian wolfhound could be a good companion for elder — they do n’t have thejumpy greeting tendenciesthat some other breeds have .
That unagitated demeanor go to barking , too : Russian wolfhound are not big speaker . " In fact , sometimes people will call me up and they ’ll say , ' You know , I reckon there ’s something wrong with my borzoi , he never barks , ' " Staudt - Cartabona say .
Living Needs
Because Russian wolfhound are running dogs , a abode with alarge , fence in - in yardis best for the stock . Apartment - dwellersshould be dedicated toproviding regular , thoroughgoing exercisefor a Russian wolfhound . They ’re excellent comrade for active families looking for ahiking dogor a running brother ( though , your borzoi shouldalways be keep on on a leash ; she issofast that , if she scud , you in all probability wo n’t capture her ) .
She ’s also a wiz at dog sports , and will bonk to get her paw move inagility classes , nose work , rally , dock diving event , andobedience , according to the BCA . And once she ’s worn herself out , she ’s a unruffled , calm companion at home . Some even say borzoi are lounge potatoes who wish to snuggle up and put their heads in your overlap .
Russian wolfhound aretolerant of frigid weather — historically , their coating protected them from glacial Russian winters — but they do n’t do particularly well in the hotness . If you live in a quick clime , train to exercise your dog at the coolest minute of the day , take care for indoor dog parks , and offer chill water playtime ( like a kiddie pocket billiards ! ) for your domestic dog . She should always have access to water , shade , and AC toavoid heat energy exhaustion — but you canhold the ice .
Care
Groomingis a big part of caring for a borzoi : The BCA recommendsbrushing their coatonce every duet of mean solar day , giving themoccasional baths , andtrimming their nails . The tomentum between their paw pads should also be trim down regularly . The borzoi does n’t have a strong doggy odor so frequent bathing is n’t command .
Training a borzoirequires some patience . The Russian wolfhound is wise , but also main and strong - willed . They ’re not quite so eager to please or bear of cues like , say , aGerman shepherdmight be .
" They ’re not jump - through - ring - type bounder , " Staudt - Cartabona say . " I always say that they have sort of a cat disposition . " Gentle opinion , convinced reinforcement , and patience are key .
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Because borzoi can be a little shy around unknown , it ’s authoritative tosocialize your pup from an early ageso she can spring up to be a surefooted , well-disposed dog . get a Russian wolfhound puppy through a reputable breeder is one manner to insure your dog is socialize , even before she derive home .
Health
In general , Russian wolfhound arerelatively good for you dogswith a long living span ( 9–14 age ) for their size . And while they do n’t have many wellness problems , accord to the BCA , there are certain shape borzoi parent need to look out for .
As a tumid , deep - chested dog , Russian wolfhound can experiencegastric dilatation volvulus , commonly get it on as bloat . This is a living - threatening aesculapian emergency in which the dog ’s stomach fills with air and braid , make out off blood flow . dog-iron owners should prepare themselves on the symptoms of bloat and be prepared to take your dog to the veterinary surgeon immediately . It ’s also important to talk with your ex-serviceman about bar method acting .
Hip and shoulder dysplasia , genetic condition that cause the joint to part dislocate , are seldom found in the breed . Although if they do modernize symptom , while there is no cure , there are a variety of discussion choice .
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History
Russian wolfhound arrest their start as hunters of fox , boar , hares , and wolves ( yes , really ! ) . Russian royalty and nobles bred and maintained the breed starting in the 15th century , according to the American Kennel Club . But all of this changed in the 1860s , when serfdom was abolish and Russia ’s feudal system collapsed . This was when the great estate of the realm that housed borzoi kennels were divided and sold . The Lord could no longer support such extravagance , and borzoi numbers racket declined .
But it was the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 that nearly wiped out the breed : As symbol of the czar and honest-to-goodness safety gadget of aristocracy , the dogs were toss off in vast telephone number . After the revolution , Staudt - Cartabona says , there were few than 10 Russian wolfhound leave in Moscow .
fortunately , well before the turn of the century , the Russian wolfhound had been lend to England and the U.S. , where they were called the " Russian wolfhound " until being officially renamed the " borzoi " in 1936 . In the 1990s , Russian breedersreached outto Staudt - Cartabona . She had been breeding Russian wolfhound for decade with a lineal lineage to old Russian stemma , and was able-bodied to help reinstate the breed in Russia .
