InTouch Magazine Articles Archive

Issue 21, August 2008

What Breed for You, the Borzoi

By Carol Jade.

A Sight Hound This magnificent hound is everything in what is apparent as glamour. He portrays elegance with his graceful long front striding movement. An eye catching dog, his sheer beauty has been captured in movies, and much sought after to have lying around the home as a possession to add sophistication to the décor. The Borzoi dates from the 16th century, and was referred to as a Russian wolfhound. Developed in Russia by the Czars and nobility, his aetiology probably stemmed from Egypt, when the Greyhound was taken to Russia.

There, the added blood from the Russian long haired Sheepdog probably produced the strong powerful Borzoi with the stamina to hunt down and pursue wolves of the Russian forests. Beaters were employed to flush out the numerous wolves, which a pair of Borzois were consequently engaged in giving chase, and judiciously brought the wolf down to the ground. The huntsmen on horseback would then move in for the kill, usually with the use of knives. In fact, the Borzoi emulated the Afghan Hound in his pursuit of game. The sight hounds were more popular, as the activity of hunting provided a more spectacular spectator sport by the followers to actually witness the kill. Scent hounds posed traits, which took them further a field, so the onlookers lost out in actually being present for the slaying.

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