Page 134 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | SIGHT HOUNDS

Borzoi

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Variety of colors
27–29in 60–106lb 11–13 years
(68–74cm) (27–48kg)

This noble Russian hound combines speed, elegance, and
A CULTURAL ICON
a desire to chase with a certain nonchalance
The powerful, glamorous Borzoi has won itself
a place in literature and film. Leo Tolstoy’s epic
Descended from Central Asian sight Constantin Esmont persuaded the Soviet
novel War and Peace contains a powerful hounds, this tall, elegant dog was brought government to preserve the Borzoi for use
description of a Borzoi pack hunting a wolf.
westwards by traders. Once known as the by hunters in the fur trade. In Russia the
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Beautiful and Damned,
the main character’s girlfriend compares him to a Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi was bred to Borzoi is still valued mainly for its hunting
“Russian wolfhound”; he is flattered because they hunt wolves for Russian tsars and nobility; abilities, but outside the country it has
are “usually the original dogs were crossed with been bred for many years as a show dog
photographed with
Greyhounds (see p.126) for speed, and and companion dog.
princesses and dukes.” with native Russian dogs for strength and Today the Borzoi is happy in a regular
The Borzoi was a
resistance to cold. The nobles would take as home environment but needs plenty of long
favorite subject in Art
Deco art and has many as 100 dogs on a hunt, releasing them walks and runs as well as training to control
featured in many in groups of three to bring down a wolf; one its strong chasing instinct. It also requires a
movies—in addition dog would attack the wolf’s hind quarters, routine of brushing and bathing to keep its
to being an elegant
while the other two caught its neck. long, wavy coat in top condition.
companion for
movie stars. After the Russian Revolution in 1917,
many of these “aristocratic” dogs were
killed, but during the 1940s a soldier named
ALEXANDRA, WIFE
OF EDWARD VII, WITH Short, smooth
HER PET BORZOI coat on head Black mask
Narrow, refined head
with imperceptible stop

Silky, long coat

Profuse frill
on neck

White with
red markings

Short hair on
front of legs
Hare-shaped
feet with
Long-haired, well padded toes
low-set tail

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