The Borzoi is a large dog originally from Russia that is also known as the Russian Greyhound or Russian Wolfhound. Even though it is not exactly a popular breed among Brazilians, the truth is that the little dog has several remarkable qualities, such as its enormous education, kindness and generosity. As if that were not enough, the appearance of the Borzoi dog draws attention with such elegance - and it is not for nothing,as the breed was once very popular among the Russian elite.

How about getting to know the dog better? Borzoi breed will surely surprise you and you will want to take a dog like this home! O Paws of the House helps you with this: we have prepared a guide with everything you need to know about the Borzoi: price, care, characteristics and behavior. Come with us!

The origin of the Borzoi dog

The Borzoi has Russian origins and emerged in the 15th century, more precisely from the invasion of the Mongol people. The breed developed from the crossing of several other typical dogs of the region, in particular the Greyhounds. From the beginning, the Borzoi breed was created with the aim of being a dog of kings, queens, emperors and other important figures of the Russian aristocracy - so much so that a habit of thetsar was to present other leaders with dogs.

The Borzoi is a dog with enviable agility and speed, and is an excellent hunter. He has enormous skill with his legs, and is therefore considered one of the best sprinters. In addition, the dog's nose is also a strong highlight. For these reasons, the Borzoi was an animal widely used to accompany royalty in sporting activities, mainly related to hunting.

When the Russian Revolution took place in 1917, many dogs of the breed died. Those that remained underwent a migration process to the United States and Europe, so that the Borzoi dog managed to avoid extinction. It is also worth mentioning that even before that, the breed had already been officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1891.

The Borzoi is a large, elegant dog with a stunning coat

The Borzoi breed does not go unnoticed! With a large size, robust body and refined appearance, the little dog knows how to make a good first impression and leaves anyone fascinated before they even meet him. The Borzoi has a slightly more elongated body than other breeds, and also has a long, thin head shape. The ears are small, and the eyes are dark.

In terms of size, the Borzoi dog can reach between 68 and 85 cm in height with both paws on the ground, and up to 2 meters with only two paws resting on the ground. Despite being large, it is a slender dog with a weight ranging from 25 to 47 kg. The Borzoi dog's hair is silky, long and light. They can be wavy or curly, but always have a soft texture. They also tend to be a little morelong on the legs and chest of the animal. All dog colors are allowed.

The Borzoi has a balanced and calm temperament

• Coexistence

Having a Borzoi puppy is a pleasant surprise. Even large, these dogs are extremely gentle and polite - probably a trait inherited from Russian queens and kings - so living with them tends to be very harmonious and peaceful. The Borzoi puppy is also extremely sensitive and, despite its independence, is an animal that cherishes life alongside humans and does notlikes to spend a lot of time alone, it is very common, for example, to see the dog following the owner or just enjoying the afternoon lying on the sofa next to the guardians.

Indoors, they are super calm and quiet dogs. They can distinguish a space that is made for resting, and another that is made for playing. Therefore, when they go out for a walk, Borzoi dogs "transform" into super energetic and active pets. They like to run, play, jump ... they are great companies for sports, including. Ideally, walks withbe done daily, with an interval of 20 to 30 minutes.

• Socialization

The Borzoi are very attached to their owners and tend to get along well with children, but it is important to supervise all interaction between them. Although balanced, some rough play by the little ones can end up hurting the Borzoi, and their reaction can be a little rude. With older children you will not have this problem.

Another important issue is with strangers, with whom Borzoi puppies tend to be more shy and reserved. They feel more comfortable only with people they live with, so socialization is important. In addition, the guardian must learn how to socialize puppies with other dogs, as the puppy does not always react well to the arrival of new members, mainly because he does not want to share the space.their attention to others.

• Training

The Borzoi is at the bottom of the ranking of intelligent dogs, but it is still a great candidate for dog training. This is a dog that does not have much difficulty in learning, but it is important that the whole process happens when he is still a puppy to achieve better results. To make everything even easier, the recommended technique is positive reinforcement. That is, thetutor should reward the Borzoi puppy with treats, praise and affection whenever he performs the desired behavior.

5 curiosities about the Borzoi dog

1) Because it is very fast, the Borzoi is used in some countries for hunting hares and protecting livestock from coyotes.

2) The Borzoi race has a wide vision that is up to 100 times better than that of humans.

3) During the era of the Art Deco movement, which emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, the Borzoi was a major figure among artists and was depicted in numerous works.

4) The Russian monarchy loved the company of the Borzoi breed and the dog was very popular with royalty.

5) The band Pink Floyd once had a special appearance by a Borzoi during a concert. The video is on YouTube .

Borzoi puppy: how to care for and what to expect from the puppy?

The Borzoi puppy is, like most puppies, full of curiosity and thirst to know the world. It is a little complicated to deal with him in the first months, because the accumulation of energy can turn him into a destructive puppy, but nothing impossible to solve. At this time, the important thing is to invest in environmental enrichment for dogs and training techniques. This will makeall the difference in the animal's behavior.

It is also necessary to adapt the house to receive the puppy. The space must be equipped with a feeding trough, drinking fountain, bed, hygienic mat, toys and other accessories indispensable for the well-being of the animal. Health care should not be left aside, so it is important to ensure that the puppy takes all the vaccinations for dogs and is dewormed in the first years of life.months of life.

The most important care for the Borzoi breed

• Brushing Borzoi : as they have long hair, the Borzoi should be brushed at least once a week. In periods of hair change, this frequency should increase to three times.

• Bath It is generally recommended to bathe the Borzoi puppy every one or two months, depending on the pet's needs. Don't forget to use products suitable for dogs, suggested by the vet.

• Teeth Without a brushing routine, dogs can suffer from plaque, tartar and other unpleasant problems. Therefore, dog teeth should be brushed three times a week.

• Nails Borzoi's nails usually wear down naturally, but whenever they are too long it is important to trim them with a dog nail clipper.

• Ears Although not susceptible to ear infections, be sure to check your dog's ears weekly. Cleanings with veterinary products are also useful, and should follow your veterinarian's advice.

What do you need to know about Borzoi health?

Like most large dogs, the Borzoi is more likely to suffer from hip dysplasia in dogs. But, oddly enough, most Brazilian breeders are aware of this condition and avoid breeding animals that have the problem, which considerably reduces the chances of finding a Borzoi with dysplasia out there. In any case, it's always good to keep an eye out!

Another condition that needs special attention is gastric torsion in dogs. The Borzoi is quite active, but should not engage in physical exercise right after eating or drinking too much water, or this can cause the stomach to twist. The main symptoms are abdominal pain and intense weakness, but the problem is so serious that it can be fatal in some cases. It is important to teach the dog to eat slowly and toavoid physical activity until digestion is complete.

The Borzoi breed is also more sensitive to anesthetics, flea remedies and some products, so it is important to be advised by a veterinarian before offering any medication to him. Check-up appointments should not be left out, and the guardian should pay attention to the vaccination schedule so that there is no delay.

Borzoi: puppy price can reach up to R$ 3500

Did you feel like taking a Borzoi home? Fortunately, the price of the dog is not the most expensive! The specimens of the breed are usually sold between R $ 1500 and R $ 3500, but there may be a discrepancy for more or less, depending on the chosen dog kennel. Some characteristics also influence the final value, such as the animal's sex, coat pattern and genetic lineage. If theA puppy that has already been vaccinated and wormed may also cost a little more.

Before making the purchase, make sure that the kennel is reliable. Unfortunately many breeders mistreat animals and benefit from the sales trade, without caring about the welfare of pets. To avoid financing this type of place, it is important that the space has good references and is well evaluated by other customers. research!

Bloodhound x-ray

Origin : Russia

Coat : long, silky and fine, can be wavy or with large curls

Colors : all colors are allowed

Personality : balanced, calm, loving and attached

Height : 68 to 85 cm

Weight : 25 to 47 kg

Life expectancy : 7 to 10 years