theBorzoi

Regally Dignified, Loyal, Affectionate
Hound Group Hound Group

meet theBorzoi

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The Borzoi was known until 1936 as the Russian Wolfhound.

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at aGlance

Energy & Size

medium ENERGY &
large size

AKC Dog Ranking

102nd
Most Popular Dog Breed

Personality

  • Check Affectionate
  • Check Loyal
  • Check Regally Dignified
Loyal, affectionate, regally dignified; charming but independent-minded.

theBreed Standard

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Borzoi Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • General Appearance

    The Borzoi was originally bred for the coursing of wild game on more or less open terrain, relying on sight rather than scent. To accomplish this purpose, the Borzoi needed particular structural qualities to chase, catch and hold his quarry. Special emphasis is placed on sound running gear, strong neck and jaws, courage and agility, combined with proper condition. The Borzoi should always possess unmistakable elegance, with flowing lines, graceful in motion or repose. Males, masculine without coarseness; bitches, feminine and refined.

  • Head

    Skull slightly domed, long and narrow, with scarcely any perceptible stop, inclined to be Roman-nosed. Jaws long, powerful and deep, somewhat finer in bitches but not snipy. Teeth strong and clean with either an even or a scissors bite. Missing teeth should be penalized. Nose large and black. 
    Ears: Small and fine in quality, lying back on the neck when in repose with the tips when thrown back almost touching behind occiput; raised when at attention. 
    Eyes: Set somewhat obliquely, dark in color, intelligent but rather soft in expression; never round, full nor staring, nor light in color; eye rims dark; inner corner midway between tip of nose and occiput. 

  • Body

    Neck: Clean, free from throatiness; slightly arched, very powerful and well set on. 
    Shoulders: Sloping, fine at the withers and free from coarseness or lumber. 
    Chest: Rather narrow, with great depth of brisket. 
    Ribs: Only slightly sprung, but very deep giving room for heart and lung play. 
    Back: Rising a little at the loins in a graceful curve. 
    Loins: Extremely muscular, but rather tucked up, owing to the great depth of chest and comparative shortness of back and ribs. 

  • Forelegs

    Bones straight and somewhat flattened like blades, with the narrower edge forward. The elbows have free play and are turned neither in nor out. Pasterns strong. 
     

  • Coat

    Long, silky (not woolly), either flat, wavy or rather curly. On the head, ears and front of legs it should be short and smooth; on the neck the frill should be profuse and rather curly. Feather on hindquarters and tail, long and profuse, less so on chest and back of forelegs. 

  • Hindquarters

    Long, very muscular and powerful with well bent stifles; somewhat wider than the forequarters; strong first and second thighs; hocks clean and well let down; legs parallel when viewed from the rear. 

A Borzoi
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theBorzoi of AKC

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