Barzoï

The origins of the Borzoi are distant and controversial. It would result from crosses between different Asian greyhounds (originally Sloughi/Tazi) and the Laika, a spitz-type dog, long-haired, originating from northern Russia, used notably for hunting and pulling. Other crosses probably occurred later. Furthermore, in the current state of knowledge, one cannot exclude the possibility of an origin directly linked to wildlife. In any case, the selection carried out by breeders resulted in the creation of a more or less homogeneous breed from the late 18th century onwards. The first mention of a Russian greyhound - but not necessarily of the psovoi borzoi - in France, dates from the beginning of the 11th century. According to a chronicle, Anne of Kiev, daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, grand prince of Kiev, who married in second marriage the king Henry I, was escorted by three greyhounds: one black, one gray and one reddish. She loved, we are told, to hunt greatly. It is also known that in 1519, the king of Denmark, Christian II, gave to Francis I, king of France, Russian breed greyhounds, brought back from Moscow. In his Rerum Moscoviticarum Commentarii (Notes on Moscow Affairs), published in 1549, the baron Sigismund von Herberstein, ambassador of the emperor Maximilian I to the grand prince Vassili III of Moscow, described a grand-ducal hunt to which he had attended as a guest. This hunt proceeded as follows: beaters beat the clumps of trees and bushes to flush out the hares and when these appeared in the open, the hunters posted around released their greyhounds. According to Artem Boldarev, himself owner of a famous pack (Vorontsova) and great connoisseur of the breed, "it was indeed with Borzois that the Grand Prince Vassili III hunted. There is a miniature of a missal where he is represented going on pilgrimage, sitting in a sleigh and followed by his hunting squire leading his svora composed of three Borzois. These are very recognizable by their elongated muzzle, their long hair and their sickle-shaped tail". The first known description of a "thick-haired Russian greyhound" dates from the beginning of the 17th century (1635). It is found in a work entitled The Rules of Hunting with the Long-Haired Greyhound, written by Christian von Lessing, of Riga. In the 18th century, coursing hunting reaches its golden age in Russia. Most members of the Romanov dynasty (founded in 1613) and Russian landed nobility have always loved and assiduously practiced coursing with Borzois, or other greyhounds, and scent hounds. This form of hunting is unique in its kind: it involves a pack of scent hounds and a pack of Borzois. Released into the thickets by mounted hunters, the pack of scent hounds drives the game into open terrain, in the direction of the Borzois posted at distance. The mounted hunters lead the Borzois in svora of two or three (the word svora designates both the pair or trio of dogs and the long leather strap that holds them). As soon as released at the sight of game, the Borzois must catch it to kill it or immobilize it. Whether they hunt out of taste or by tradition, the Russians then maintain sumptuous equipages. After the example of a certain Samsonov, in Smolensk, who owns a thousand dogs and, we are told, never fails to add the words "first hunter of Russia" after his signature. The Borzoi is raised in very distinct packs (coat colors, nature of hair, head shapes, sizes, etc.) according to the respective tastes of hunters. It is used for hunting hares, foxes but also wolves, deer or wild boar.

The Borzoi is a sweet, calm, reserved animal, especially with people he does not know. But this "still water" can also hide a fiery temperament. Certain well-bred subjects, still very close to their hunting ancestors, possess more than others an inner fire that is just waiting to burst out throughout their lives. Living with a Borzoi is not always entirely peaceful!

It is a very beautiful greyhound, tall, slender, elegant, with an aristocratic bearing. It has harmonious conformation, an imposing size, rich and beautiful coat colors, balanced proportions and graceful movements; it exudes an undeniable nobility.

The maintenance of the Borzoi is limited to the strict minimum, for a long-haired dog: a good careful brushing, one or two times a week, is sufficient. A bath from time to time and in particular two days before an exhibition (so that the hair is particularly beautiful and natural). If raised appropriately and living in conditions favorable to its development and flourishing, the Borzoi is a vigorous and hardy animal. That said, its life expectancy is 10 years, rarely more. As a general rule, females live longer than males, up to 13 years. Pathologies listed in the Borzoi, listed in alphabetical order: