The Borzoi, also known as the Russian wolfhound, is a type of dog that originally came from the Asian continent. It is part of the sighthound family, its name means “fast” and it looks similar to the greyhound. Because of its origins, the dog also resembles some other Asian breeds, like the Afghan hound, Saluki or the Kyrgyz Taigan.
Its appearance makes it look very elegant; it has a tall stature, long silky hair that comes in different colors and may have different levels of waviness or even curls. Like most dogs, the coat gets thicker in the cold season and sheds in the warm one, in order to maintain a constant body temperature. The fur is not distributed in the same way all over the body - instead, it forms a collar around the neck and it is also thicker on the tail, giving the Borzoi a special appearance.
Weighing over 45 kilograms, with a height of 80 centimeters (in males) and a bit shorter in females, around 65 centimeters, this breed can easily be considered as a large sized one; the shape of the body and the attitude the animal has in general create a certain sober, proud and elegant feel, making it an admirable and special dog breed.
The Borzoi is an independent animal, with an athletic body structure and, contrary to that, a usually quiet personality. Because their sense of territory is not very strong, they may not be the perfect guard dogs, being rather gentle and sensitive when it comes to humans, always showing their respect towards them. Non-aggressive and with no intention of domination, these dogs love to sit around the house, comfortably on the couch, if the owners allow it. Still, they do not like their private space to be invaded and this may become a problem in case of children, if they are not socialized from an early age with the small humans. Despite their size, these dogs do not need too much space, a yard and regular exercises in wide places being enough for them.
Borzoi dogs have a 10 to 12 year life span (exceptions can reach even 14 years of age) and, if their owners make sure to keep them physically fit and vigorous when they are young and middle-aged, they will also be a lot healthier when they become older. One should be careful and make sure to offer these dogs the correct nutrition when they are pups, because, otherwise, they might develop health issues when they grow up. To what behavior is concerned, they can sometimes be stubborn, because they do not like repetitive activities and they get bored by such tasks; still, if trained properly, they can do very well even in competitions. They deeply dislike harsh treatment or punishments and become unhappy if this kind of attitude is shown often towards them; instead, they prefer clear and calm communication methods and respond very well to them.
This breed is characterized by having a strong body that is, as the name also suggests, built for speed, making it a powerful candidate in competitions. Though sometimes stubborn, easily bored and with a slightly shy and introverted personality, the Borzoi is actually a proud and elegant dog, with a deep respect and attachment to humans, being a loving companion to its owners.
