Borzoi

The Borzoi is a very athletic and agile dog, with roots in eastern Russia. This dog is extremely intelligent, and is known for being a free thinker. The Borzoi looks very close in size and shape to its close relative, the Greyhound. The Borzoi is a member of the Hound Group.

Breed History
The Borzoi's roots lie in being cross-bred between the Arabian Greyhound and long-haired sheepdogs. They were originally called "Russian Wolfhounds" in America until 1936 when the name was changed Borzoi. This name comes from the Russian word "borzii", meaning swift. This hound was used for hundreds of years to hunt wolves, foxes, and hare. As the popularity of the dog began to rise, it was used more and more as a companion dog, and its temperament became more and more docile. The Borzoi was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1891.

Temperament
The Borzoi is described as a sweet and very intelligent dog. They can be trained in obedience, but are well-known free thinkers, and may be less likely to obey their owners than other breeds. A Borzoi owner must remain firm and keep a natural authority over the dog. These dogs are typically docile and will tend to stick to themselves, being very quiet and rarely barking. Like other sighthounds they are extremely agile and have almost no territorial instinct. Due to this they should not be trusted off a leash, unless fenced in, or in a safe area. These dogs work well with other dogs but must be supervised when around small non-canine pets.

Appearance
The appearance of the Borzoi is very similar in size and shape to the Greyhound, in which its breeding roots lie. They have a domed head with a long arched muzzle attached. The teeth meet in a scissor bite. The coat of the Borzoit comes in any combination of colors including, white, black, tan, and grey. An adult dog will stand at around 28" and weigh between 75 to 105lb.