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Borzoi |
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Description... |
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 Although
they may appear fragile, this breed is actually rugged and tough.
The Borzoi is a tall lean dog that resembles a Greyhound with long
hair. Their coat can vary from long and silky to coarse and curly.
All colours and patterns are acceptable, but white with spots is
most common. This breed is slow to mature.
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History...
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Comes from Czarist Russia where he
was owned by the aristocracy who used the dog to hunt. The Borzoi
ran down wolves and other prey into open terrain while the humans
followed on horseback. He has been used in America to run down
coyotes but is primarily a companion.
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Traits...
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Borzois love to run and play, but
not necessarily play games like fetch. They tend to fetch and not
give the object back.
The dog sport of lure coursing can
be very rewarding for both Borzoi owner and dog. This is where a rag
or plastic bag is dragged along the ground by a cable running at
high speed. Speed is the name of the game, and the fastest dog wins.
Other activities include Obedience, NOTRA Amateur Racing, Straight
Racing, and Glass Unicorn Contests.
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Good aspects...
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 The
Borzoi is a gentle and loving companion, and a well behaved member
of the household. This dog can be shy or seem aloof; proper puppy
socialization can prevent these types of problems. They can be good
with children if introduced to them properly, or if they live with
kids. Both dog and child should be watched over during times of
interaction, some individuals shy away from loud and rough play.
They generally enjoy the company
of other large dogs and they are intelligent. Borzoi's can learn
quickly but also bore quickly in the repetition of competition. As
adults, they are generally a very quiet and calm breed in the house.
The Borzoi does not give off a very "doggy" odour like many other
breeds.
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Health...
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Generally healthy, but the two
biggest concerns are bone cancer and bloat/torsion. This breed
sometimes experiences problems with progressive retinal atrophy,
cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism.
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Be aware...
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This breed loves to run and chase,
which can mean hazardous conditions for small pets and wildlife. If
startled or hurt, this breed will sometimes lash out in defence.
This is a major concern around children, especially for those
Borzois who do not live with children. Due to their inherent nature
to run and chase, this is one breed who can never be trusted off
leash in areas where traffic occurs. Although very intelligent, this
is a breed who gets bored easily and can be difficult to train.
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Summary...
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The temperament of the Borzoi can
range widely from individual to individual. Carefully choosing a pup
from a litter whose parents exhibit temperament qualities you like
will improve the chances that you receive a dog with those same
qualities.
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source: petcare information centre-
petcare.umn.edu
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Further resources... |
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