Borzoi dog breed was developed in Russia as coursing and hunting dogs.
There are TOP 10 interesting facts about Borzoi.
1) Origin
While the dog's exact origins are up for debate, we do know that the breed standard was first officially recorded in Russia in 1650. Some believe the dog was crafted by the Russian aristocracy. According to that account, a Russian duke was looking for a fast hunting dog and ordered a collection of Arabian greyhounds. Although they met his speed requirements, the dogs were not suited for the cold weather and perished. He ordered a new batch and crossed them with Russian sheepdogs, which had thick coats to keep them warm during the unforgiving Russian winters. These new dogs were both fast and well equipped to deal with the snow. 2) Hunting Wolves Borzois might look fancy, but they were bred to hunt. During said hunts, the dogs were kept in large packs of a hundred or more. These large parties would hunt wolves, foxes, and hares. Borzois were expected to find and pin wolves, then wait for the hunter to catch up. Sometimes the wolf would be released so the hunt could continue in the future. This sport was very popular until the emancipation of Russia's serfs in 1861. Without their free labor, nobles could no longer afford their lavish outings. The breed almost died out as a result, but a few devoted fanciers kept the lineage going. 3) Appearance The borzoi is best described as a large greyhound robed in a long, silky coat. Like a typical greyhound, it has family traits of long, slender legs, relatively narrow body, deep chest, tucked abdomen, arched loin and long tail. His head is extraordinarily long and narrow. The borzoi's grace is evident in his every move. 4) Personality Borzoi know they are aristocrats, but they also hide a bit of court jester. They are good-natured, gentle and calm, seemingly amused at whatever entertainment comes their way. They are happiest when that entertainment involves running. True to their heritage, borzoi are avid hunters, and will chase any small fleeing animal. They cannot be called off the chase, and they are oblivious to cars. 5) Puppies It takes about three years for a borzoi head to mature and reach its final shape. The head starts short, with a bent nose. By five weeks, the nose begins to straighten. Over the next few years, the head grows another 10 inches. 6) Huge Size Standing at over 32 inches from feet to shoulder, the borzoi is one of the tallest sighthound breeds in existence, second only to the Irish wolfhound. They can weigh about 120 pounds. 7) Living With Borzoi need room to stretch out, inside and out. They are not a breed that can curl up in a corner or exercise in a pen. Their owners need to consider the larger feed, medicine and boarding bills a large dog entails. Their laid-back nature means that they are quite content to lounge about most of the day. But these dogs are athletes and need to push themselves running every day. 8) Cold Weather As would be expected from a Russian dog, borzoi enjoy cold weather, and often lie on hard, cold surfaces. Their coat sheds, especially once a year. They should be brushed two to three times a week. Some borzoi pant a lot, which can be unnerving to some people. 9) Escaping Borzois are fast and independent dogs. They were bred to follow their nose, so it’s not unusual for one to run off when they catch a scent. To avoid losing your pup, keep them on a leash at all times, or confined to a fenced-in area. 10) Bloating Borzois are slight dogs, and therefore can’t fit that much food in their stomachs at once. To avoid painful tummy aches or bloating, give your borzoi multiple small meals a day instead of one or two big meals. Source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/83088/10-elegant-facts-about-borzoi http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/dog-breeds/borzoi
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