History:
The Borzoi has a long and mysterious past, possibly dating back to the thirteenth century. Tales of long, lean coursing dogs kept by Russian nobility were recorded, and while it is not possible to say with certainty these were the Borzoi of today, they were certainly ancestors of this graceful sighthound. By the decade of 1260, the sport of hare-coursing was notable by it's popularity, and the dogs were often connected to the court of the Grand Duke of Novgorod at the time of the First Czar.
The Borzoi has a long and mysterious past, possibly dating back to the thirteenth century. Tales of long, lean coursing dogs kept by Russian nobility were recorded, and while it is not possible to say with certainty these were the Borzoi of today, they were certainly ancestors of this graceful sighthound. By the decade of 1260, the sport of hare-coursing was notable by it's popularity, and the dogs were often connected to the court of the Grand Duke of Novgorod at the time of the First Czar.
The very first Borzoi breed standard was written in 1650, and all accounts say that it differs little from the breed standard of today's Borzoi. The Russian aristocracy elevated the sport of hunting with Borzois to national levels in the mid-1800's, and Borzois were bred in packs numbering in the hundreds for the sheer thrill of the hunt. As the wolf was often the choice of prey, it stands to reason that this where the name "Russian Wolfhound" came from.
The popularity of the Borzoi spread, and became a favoured status symbol of the nobility throughout Europe and Africa. In 1873, the Imperial Association was formed to promote and preserve the original breed type, establishing a core lineage that many Borzoi of today can trace their ancestry back to. The first Borzoi was imported to North America in 1889 from England.
About the Borzoi:
More Coming Soon ...
More Coming Soon ...
About Sighthounds in General: Sighthounds are a wonderous class of dogs. Tall, lean, graceful, noble bearing ... and unbelievable vision. Add in an ability to focus their entire being on a moving object, and you get disaster when an unwary handler allows his dog off-leash. In a matter of minutes, your sighthound could be gone from your sight completely, heading who-knows-where, following who-knows-what. It is highly recommended that a sighthound never be allowed off-leash, except in secure, enclosed areas.
Official Breed Standards:
American Kennel Club
Australian National Kennel Council
United Kennel Club
English Kennel Club
Société Centrale Canine pour des Races de Chiens en France
(Enter the name of the breed in the Search box at the left.)
Favourite Borzoi Links
Borzois.com
Borzoi Gifts and Collectibles
Borzoi Jewellery
Lure Coursing
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
American Kennel Club
Australian National Kennel Council
United Kennel Club
English Kennel Club
Société Centrale Canine pour des Races de Chiens en France
(Enter the name of the breed in the Search box at the left.)
Favourite Borzoi Links
Borzois.com
Borzoi Gifts and Collectibles
Borzoi Jewellery
Lure Coursing
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
