Meet the Borzoi

Our story begins a long, long time ago, back in Russia in 1650. I was developed from the early Russian Bear Hound, which was a lure coursing hound, and a tall Russian Sheepdog (that’s where I get my height!). I was royalty from the start, a hunting dog bred by the Russian aristocracy. But I didn’t just hunt small animals. I hunted wolves. The hunts were grand events - rituals, even - with hundreds of us Borzois released to capture wolves while our owners and their guests watched. Afterwards, there’d be a big feast in the royal hall. If we were lucky, they’d give us dog food and treats.

But then, tragedy struck: the Russian Revolution. You learned all about it in school, but everyone always mentions the bourgeoisie and no one ever talks about the Borzoi! Our relation to the monarchy is what killed us. We were slaughtered all across Russia, and the only reason we’re alive today is because we were given as gifts to royalty in other countries. Thank goodness for Queen Victoria!

And thus began our new leash on life. The first Borzoi to come to the United States was named Elsie, and the first Borzoi registered with the American Kennel Club was named Princess Irma (woof, told you we’re royalty!). That led to the Borzoi Club of America, Inc (which was then the Russian Wolfhound Club of America). We had done the impawssible; we were officially back!

Now, we’re a giant breed sometimes referred to as Arabian Greyhounds or Foxhounds. They say that we don’t look much different from our ancestors: glamorous, gorgeous, and downright paw-fect.