Also known as the Russian Greyhound, the Russian Wolfhound, the Siberian Wolfhound, the Fan-tailed Greyhound or the Psowaya Barsaya, this breed was originally developed for hunting wolves in the Russian forests. In the 19th century, in England, it was sometimes called by its French name, the Barzoi. In Germany it is the Russischer Windhund; in Spain the Lebrel Russo. In the Russian language the name of the breed is Borzaya, and Borzoi refers to the male dog. The names Borzoi, Barzoi and Borzaya are all derived from the Russian word `borzyi; meaning ‘swift’.
This exotic breed is the undisputed aristocrat of the canine world. Its haughty, elegant, graceful demeanour is instantly recognizable and is matched by a sensitive and aloof personality. Its long, silky, slightly wavy coat, its elongated body, and its narrow, domed skull give it a unique silhouette. The small head has a characteristically convex top-line.
The origin of this tall, glamorous breed is disputed, but the most likely explanation is that greyhound-like dogs from ancient Egypt were taken north to Russia where they were later crossed with local, longhaired sheepdogs to produce the ancestor of the modern Borzoi. The breed became fixed by the 16th century and spent the next 400 years being refined as the ultimate wolf-catcher. Russian livestock was plagued by the many wolves resident in the vast northern forests, and hunting them down, although a colourful sport of the nobility, was also a case of practical predator-control.
The hunting technique was to use beaters to flush a wolf and then set a brace of perfectly matched Borzoi after it. Incredibly fast, they soon caught up with the fleeing animal and proceeded to attack it simultaneously, one from each side, seizing it by the neck and dragging it to the ground. When the huntsman caught up with them, he would despatch the pinned wolf with a dagger-thrust, or muzzle it and take it alive.
Hunting with Borzoi was a ceremonial affair. The horses and even the hounds themselves were often bedecked in brightly coloured hunting silks and the dogs were taken to the hunting grounds in a covered vehicle. The riders and the grooms were also elaborately attired and when the hunt was over there was extravagant feasting and celebration. This was one of the favourite pastimes of the czars of Russia, and gifts of Borzoi from them to the other crowned heads of Europe spread the fame of this noble dog far and wide. Some of the greatest of the Russian aristocrats could boast kennels containing as many as ISO of these exclusive dogs.
Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, this hound virtually vanished from its homeland, having been so closely associated with the hated nobility. Luckily, sufficient examples of the breed existed elsewhere in Europe by that time and it was later possible to return some to their place of origin.
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