The Borzoi is one of the most acclaimed long haired greyhound dogs and it is distinguished by its beautiful hair, innocent look, elegance and calmness. The Borzois are loyal, affectionate, well-behaved, and for suggestions on a healthy diet for these dogs, you can check it out here. There are plenty of particular aspects you should know about the Borzoi and we are going to walk you through the essentials in this post.
The Borzoi’s Physical Traits
This graceful greyhound is one of the largest dog breeds. A mature male weighs anywhere between 75 to 100 pounds and some even beyond. Females are usually smaller and weigh between 60 and 90 pounds. A male Borzoi will have a height of approximately 30 inches while a female will reach approximately 26 inches. This is a very graceful and agile dog
The Borzoi’s most distinguishable trait is its long and silky hair which can be wavy, straight or even curly. There is a difference between a male and a female’s coat. Generally, the latter have thicker and longer hair on the neck and chest. A healthy specimen will always have a silky and soft coat, not a wooly one. The tail of this breed is profuse and long.
This dog’s hair can have a wide range of colors (black, white, red or grey) and combinations of colors. To keep the Borzoi’s hair in good condition, you should brush it at least once a week.
This breed’s chest is narrow and marked by a strong and prominent breastbone. The abdomen is tucked. The Borzoi’s thighs are long and so are their back legs. This breed has a very strong muscular system, being one of the fastest dog breeds.
Another peculiar aspect of this dog is its long head and strong jaws. Their big and black nose is round and adds a hint of elegance to their already aristocratic figure. The almond-shaped eyes of the Borzoi are dark, and the rim of the eyes is also black. The ears are small and pointed and usually kept in an upright position especially when the dog is alert.
The History of This Breed
This breed is believed to have originated in the 9th century and that its parent is the Saluki or Persian hound. The Russians brought this breed to their country from Arabia and started crossing them with local breeds such as the shepherd in order to increase their strength.
Afterward, the Borzoi also reached Europe as the Russian czar often offered it as a gift to European members of the royal families. A few centuries ago, the Borzoi was commonly used for hunting wolves. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that even today, this is the most prestigious hound breed in Russia.
The Personality of the Borzoi
This beautiful dog is not only appreciated for its aspect, but also for its mild temperament. The Borzoi has quite an innocent and calm look in its eyes which truly reflects its personality. They are a great choice for people who have time and willingness to get involved in their training. The Borzoi has to move a lot and spend time outdoors which requires training.
The Borzoi can sometimes behave too independently as it needs freedom to roam freely. They respond immediately to any stimulus and become alert. For this reason, you have to learn how to manage them. Also, they don’t like being punished, but they can be trained successfully, just like any other dog, with treats and affection.
These are very loyal dogs that show their love and care for their family. However, they might not be extremely friendly with strangers.
Despite being a big breed, the Borzoi is not one that produces damage when kept indoors. However, due to its size, a garden is a much more suitable place for this dog.
They are fun-loving dogs that will gladly play with you. Nonetheless, they can’t be pursued to do this unless they really are in the mood for it.
Another great feature of this breed is that they are not noisy. Unlike other dogs, the Borzoi won’t bother you with their loud barking. This means that they are not the best option if you are looking for a watchdog.
How to Train a Borzoi
Borzois are quite intelligent creatures and they can be trained to do a lot of things. However, training a Borzoi is a long-term process. You need a lot of patience while training it for several reasons. One is the fact that Borzois have a natural propensity to take off whenever they feel like. Remember, this is a very independent dog!
Also, it is not uncommon for these dogs to show a certain degree of stubbornness during their training and you can’t correct this flaw by punishing them as they are quite sensitive and have a very good memory.
The best way to train a Borzoi is to start this at a very young age. To enjoy the company of an educated mature Borzoi, you should establish rules and boundaries when it is still a puppy. Some of the first things you should be teaching your Borzoi are to come, sit, stay, heel, and be quiet.
What Are the Common Health Problems of the Borzoi?
Just like any other pedigree dog, the Borzoi can also develop some specific problems, although this is typically a healthy dog. They often develop leg injuries as they are very active and like to run, but also have increased body sensitivity.
They are also prone to suffer from bone diseases such as osteochondritis dissecans, deafness, thyroid problems, degenerative myelopathy, gastric torsion, and cancer. It is recommended to vaccinate these dogs in a timely manner. The normal life expectancy of the Borzoi is approximately 11 years.
How to Feed a Borzoi
A Borzoi’s diet should be adapted to its size, age and, more importantly, how active it is. Borzois that get plenty of exercise and have sufficient space to run and roam can, of course, receive more food than those who spend most of their time indoors or confined to a limited space.
You can feed a Borzoi anywhere between 4 to 8 cups of dried food per day. The amount should be divided into two meals. This is important because the Borzoi should eat two smaller portions of food instead of one in order to avoid developing gastric dilatation volvulus or bloat. You should only opt for quality food that can ensure your Borzoi gets all the nutrients it needs.
The Borzoi eats more during its growing period when it requires around 2000 calories per day than in its adult life. You should always ask a vet if the food you give your Borzoi is suitable for this breed and for the dog’s age.
Pros and Cons of Raising a Borzoi
Pros
Some of the great aspects of having a Borzoi is that these dogs are very loyal and they simply adore their master. This is a good dog for a family with children as the Borzoi has plenty of love to give. Furthermore, they have a balanced character and are quite calm which is a great asset you don’t find in many other dog species.
The Borzoi needs affection and it will be the type of dog that seeks your company and attention. These are intelligent dogs that can be trained successfully. Sometimes, it can take time to teach them a particular command as these dogs have their own learning pace which you need to adapt to.
The ideal master for a Borzoi is someone who loves to spend time outdoors as these dogs do require a lot of exercise. If you like to be active, the Borzoi will still be your trustful companion. If you don’t have sufficient time to walk your dog, play with it and let it run freely, the Borzoi might not be a proper choice for you.
Cons
You can’t really say that getting a Borzoi, or any type of dog for the matter, entails disadvantages, it is actually all a matter of how well this dog suits your lifestyle. Therefore, there are different aspects you should consider before getting a Borzoi.
These dogs are big, and they need sufficient space. If you live in a small apartment, you might want to think twice before bringing a Borzoi in.
The Borzoi is a beautiful and caring dog. This long-haired greyhound will grow fond of you and show you its affection, but, in return, it also needs care and attention.
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