Among the most impressively beautiful of all dogs, the aristocratic Borzoi is cherished for his calm, agreeable temperament. In full stride, he is a princely package of strength, grace, and glamour flying by at 35 to 40 miles per hour.

Through the 1920s and early '30s, a debate raged among Russian Wolfhound fanciers: Keep the breed name, or change it to "Borzoi"? Louis Murr, Gazette breed columnist and leading "Wolfhound" advocate, insisted that "any sane breeder can see why the name Russian wolfhound should be retained." In his November 1928 column, Murr invited fellow fancier […]

The graceful Borzoi is a very large breed with a Russian hunting heritage. The elegant flowing lines of this hound make for a beautiful dog, whether they're resting or running. Here are some interesting Borzoi facts to know. 1. They're a Giant Breed The Borzoi is considered a giant breed, with adult males standing at […]

One aspect of silhouette in the Borzoi standard is underline. The standard does not specifically mention underline; however, this aspect of the breed reflects the combination of chest, ribs, back, and loin. The standard says the following: Chest rather narrow, with great depth of brisket. Ribs very deep, giving room for heart and lung play. […]

As strong as it is swift, the Borzoi was bred for centuries to course fox, boar, hare and, famously, wolf – hence its moniker, the Russian Wolfhound.

Adapted from a story originally published in the June 2011 AKC Gazette:After nearly a half-century in Borzoi, the best advice I can offer is to proceed slowly. When you begin to breed dogs, your first show dog will represent the ideal in your mind. That dog morphs in memory to near perfection in the years […]

Louis Murr was a renowned Borzoi owner, breeder, exhibitor, and judge. Most authorities of the time considered Murr's Ch. Vigow of Romanoff to be the greatest Borzoi ever bred on American soil A tragic event cut Vigow's career short Murr died in 1978, two years after retiring from judging, at age 84 Never mind Rasputin's […]

Until Dean Eelman married Melissa 17 years ago, he had never had a dog. Over the years, they had two Golden Retrievers and two Keeshonden. But about five years ago, Dean met his first Borzoi, and he immediately fell in love with the breed. Six months later Dean and Melissa welcomed two Borzoi to their […]

When the Borzoi is characterized in books or on breed webpages, you see glowing adjectives such as affectionate, loyal, aristocratic, and graceful. Lifeline or liberator are terms not included in the profile toolbox. But for Joy Sargis, of Encinitas, Calif., these more aptly capture the heart and soul of what her own Borzois have meant […]

It was an exciting first night of the 2016 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina® Pro Plan® on Monday, Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York, as winners of the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding groups were named. CH Belisarius Jp My Sassy Girl, aka "Lucy," a 3-year old Borzoi won the […]

Elizabeth Hodkowski grew up in a Texas home with two Havanese. Now, 15, she was always been drawn to the nobility of a much different dog breed: the Borzoi.

After much coaxing from a friend, a Greenwich Village antiques dealer reluctantly agreed to attend the Westminster Kennel Club show. If on that cold day in 1920 the antiques dealer had been more adamant or the friend less persuasive, a great career in dogs might never have been. “It was my first show and I […]

Of the 1,119 dogs competing at the 2021 AKC National Agility Championship, 248 are Border Collies. 109 are Shetland Sheepdogs. 98 are mixed breeds. 21 are Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Two are Pugs. One is a Borzoi. More than 100 different breeds are represented at the competition after qualifying last year. This year's event takes place […]

Can dogs eat sticks safely? What about stones? Here's why both sticks and stones aren't good options for your pet to gnaw on.

Humans aren’t the only members of the workforce! This Labor Day, the American Kennel Club celebrates the evolution of our canine coworkers – what jobs they were originally bred to perform and what work you can see them doing now. Dogs do so many important jobs. From hunting to bomb detection to saving lives, dogs […]

Emily Wentland, an 18-year-old from Ohio, got started training and showing her dogs through 4-H when she was just eight and began competing in AKC sports at 13. She and her Miniature American Shepherds and Borzoi (Woodridge's I Shot The Sheriff CD NAP OJP CGC TKE "Gunner," Shadowland's Designer Gucci Girl NAJ CGC TKE "Gucci," […]

There are few things more beautiful than watching a dog running in a full-out sprint without abandon. On September 16, 2022, dogs from across the United States journey to Kannapolis, North Carolina to compete in the 2022 Fastest Dogs USA. Bolting down the field with the fifth fastest time was Salt, the No. 1 ranking […]

When Leah Graham, 9 years old, commented on the AKC's TikTok asking them to find her showing her Chihuahua in a bright lime green outfit during the 2021 AKC National Championship, she never imagined it would actually happen. Or that the video of her showing would be seen by more than 250,000 people on the […]

The following breeders have met the requirements for the Breed and Levels recorded at the time of the application. The American Kennel Club is pleased to recognize these breeders for their contribution to the sport and maintaining the tenets of the Breeder of Merit program. (current as of  3/12/26, last updated 3/13/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum"] […]

More than 100 competitors from 29 states and Canada submitted videos of performances for the 2020 AKC Trick Dog Competition. This 2nd Annual competition was a virtual event, open to Elite Performers, AKC’s highest level of trick dogs. The videos were then judged by three AKC licensed judges who selected the winners. The winner, it […]

  NEW YORK, NY– The American Kennel Club® is pleased to welcome four students participating in the 2008 AKC® Internship Program. The program is geared towards college students with a background and interest in purebred dogs and is designed to further their professional development, as well as help AKC identify potential employees with experience in […]

Twister Agility and Dog Event Center - Edmond, OK Best in Field Winner: NFC FC Windrock Tid-Bittius Velocitus SC Best of Breed Winners: Afghan Hound - DC Kominek’s Rains of Castamere SC Basenji - GCH DC Joy-Us Hung The Moon SC CGC TKN Borzoi - FC Kirov Strike It Rich At Highpoint CDX RE MC […]

Kominek Farm - Limestone, TN Best in Field Winner: NFC FC Cali’s Red Clay Halo MC LCX2 Best of Breed Winners: Afghan Hound - DC Kominek’s Celaeno SC LCX Basenji - Makindu’s Next Man Up SC CA Borzoi - FC Kirov Wind Glider at Highpoint RN SC CGC TKI Cirneco dell’Etna - DC Fly by […]

All dogs one year of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Lure Coursing Events. AKC Recognized Breeds Afghan Hound Azawakh Basenji Borzoi Cirneco Dell'Etna Greyhound Ibizan Hound Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Pharaoh Hound Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Rhodesian Ridgeback Saluki Scottish Deerhound Sloughi Whippet Miscellaneous Group* Norrbottenspets Portuguese Podengos (Medio […]

Congratulations 2019 NLCC winners! December 30, 2019 Limestone, TN Best of Breed Winners: FC Kominek's Lucius SC LCX Afghan Hound   M Terry Kel Simoon Ramisi 'N Sambala RN SC CA BCAT CGC Azawakh     M BISBEE Zoiboyz Lolita CGC TKN Borzoi     L Pocurull/K Thompson FC Oquirrh Sunfleet Sapphire SC CA BCAT Greyhound     F Burnham DC Fusion's Jessica Rabbit FDC MC LCX3 TKN Ibizan Hound     K Radke FC Hallam Mia Lucy Lightfoot Al Bakhu SC Pharaoh Hound     T Haig/D Carota GCH DC […]

MACH Dewey MXB MJS OF T2B owned by Elise Strauss of Anchorage, AK Dewey is a 7-year-old Jack Russell Terrier/Chihuahua mix and is Elise’s first agility dog. She never would have discovered the fun sport if it was not for trying desperately to find a way to keep Dewey busy! “I got him when he […]

The 2024 NLCC - December 8th in Oak Point, TX Event Info & Premium List Here Best of Breed Winners: DC Carolina Monarch's Golden Fire SC CGC Afghan Hound D Delesandri/N Von Broembsen FC Kel Simoon Ramisi 'N Sambala RN MC CA BCAT CGC FITB Azawakh M BISBEE GCH DC Dakotah's Social Butterfly FDC MC […]

  – A True Gentleman in the Sport of Purebred Dogs – New York, NY — The American Kennel Club's Board of Directors is deeply saddened by the loss of their associate Asa Mays, DVM. "The sport of purebred dogs lost a highly respected life-long fancier, esteemed judge and three-term AKC Board member with his passing," […]

18 years old I started training dogs when I was just 9 years old. I joined the local 4-H club with my family’s old rescue shih tzu, Oliver. I was hooked from the very first training session. The next year my mom allowed me to get my own dog, Levi. Levi was a Miniature American […]

2026 March 3/29/26 -- Sierra Slopes Ibizan Hounds 3/29/26 -- Northwest Rhodesian Ridgeback Club 3/29/26 -- Midwest Borzoi Club 3/29/26 -- Afghan Hound Club of Austin 3/28/26 -- Northwest Rhodesian Ridgeback Club 3/28/26 -- Midwest Borzoi Club 3/28/26 -- Afghan Hound Club of Austin 3/22/26 -- Lobo Lure Coursing Club 3/22/26 -- Greater Ocala-Gainesville Lure […]