Greyhound: Description and Photos

Borzoi dogs were bred specifically for hunting over long distances without the use of firearms. They are characterized by an athletic build, superb proportions, an aristocratic appearance, and exceptional grace. The Russian Borzoi is capable of independently chasing down prey and bringing it back to its owner.

Russian Greyhound – Description and Photos

In Russia, the breed was bred by the Russian nobility during the monarchy. Russian greyhounds were used for hunting animals (especially wolves). In North America dogs of this breed showed excellent performance when chasing coyotes. But they have also gained immense popularity as pets.

By nature, the Russian greyhound is a very calm dog, however, when it sees prey, it suddenly becomes incredibly excited.

• The head is dry, narrow, and long. The skull is oval, flat, and narrow. The length of the skull is equal to the length of the muzzle.
• The eyes are oval, large, and dark brown. The eyelids have dark edges.
• The ears are covered with short hair, pressed tightly to the neck, pointed, mobile, thin, small in size.
• The chest is well developed and not wide.
• The legs are muscular, dry, and have well-defined joint angles. The hindquarters have clearly defined muscles.
• The tail is thickly feathered, saber-shaped, thin and long, and does not rise above the line of the back.
• The hair is soft, curled, or wavy. On the sides of the legs, the hair is close-lying and short. On the neck and back, it is wavy and longer.

Although these dogs appear fragile and thin, they are actually quite strong and hardy animals. Thin and tall, Their build is very similar to that of English GreyhoundsHowever, they differ from them in their longer coat, which can be either coarse or soft and silky. They can come in any color, but are most often white with spots.

Possible color variations:

• White and red;
• black and white;
• white;
• golden-silver;
• ginger;
• pale yellow;
• golden;
• brindle with long dark stripes;
• black and fawn with dark paws and muzzle.

However, fawn spots are highly undesirable. Dark-colored animals have a characteristic black mask.

The Russian Borzoi has such qualities as aggressiveness towards other animals, excellent vision, and when running, the dog can reach incredible speeds (especially over short distances). This is an elegant dog of strong build and large height.In males, the height at the withers can reach 75-86 cm, in females - from 68 to 78 cm. The elongation index of females is approximately 102, and for males - 102.

The average lifespan of greyhounds is 12-14 years.

Maintenance and care

The Russian greyhound has gained popularity in certain circles for its agility and high speed, but owners should be aware that dogs of this breed are known for their intolerance to any kind of pain, whether perceived or real. It is necessary to train puppies from a very early age.They learn quickly and easily, but they need to be kept interested and their activities varied as much as possible, otherwise they will become bored and stubborn.

Character

Owners of Russian greyhounds living in urban areas may face the problem of these animals' increased passion for stalking and chasing. Therefore the dog needs special attention and control during free walking, otherwise the dog, having noticed an interesting object, can easily chase it, completely ignoring possible dangers.

Don't rush into bringing a greyhound home right away—first, introduce the dog to all household members, pets (especially cats), and children, and carefully observe the dog's behavior. are able to get along well with other animals if they grow up with them from an early age, even despite their tendency to pursue street “prey.”

At first glance, it may seem that animals of this breed need any special care, but this is not the case. This is explained by the fact that The Russian greyhound loves to feel well-groomed. and I'm even willing to take on some of the responsibilities myself. But that doesn't mean I can forget about caregiving entirely.

The dog is the proud owner of luxurious, long fur that requires regular brushing (at least once a week). Because dogs genuinely enjoy grooming themselves, they don't need frequent bathing. Important part of caring for an animal is Paw care includes regular trimming of the fur between the toes. A drawback of the breed is its tendency to shed heavily, which may require more frequent brushing.

The active nature of these animals prevents them from sitting idle, so greyhounds require constant play and fun exercise. They must always be in good physical condition, so owners should ensure their pet gets plenty of exercise. They are happy to accompany their owners on bike rides and jogs.

Due to the fact that the Russian greyhound has a skeletal structure and is a fairly muscular animal, it it is necessary to provide high-quality feed, paying particular attention to diet. To improve your pet's well-being and digestion, divide the daily ration into several smaller meals rather than 1-2. After feeding, allow your dog to rest and avoid any active activities during this time.

Modern breeds of greyhounds

Modern breeders are also familiar with other sighthound breeds. There are quite a few, but the most popular are the following:

• Afghan Hound. There are countless legends surrounding the origins of this breed. It is a very strong, tall dog with long hair.
• Azawakh. This breed has an ancient history. These dogs are capable of hunting in harsh weather conditions. Typically, the dog is transported to the hunting grounds on horseback and released only when prey appears. A distinctive feature of the Azawakh is that it holds onto its prey until its owner arrives, rather than killing it.
• The Greyhound is a short-haired hunting dog with a high speed. It has a long muzzle and a broad head. There is still no definitive information about the breed's origins, but there are many stories. Since ancient times, Greyhounds have been widely used for hare hunting.
• Galgo. Compared to other sighthounds, it has relatively light muscles.
• Bakhmul. Native to northern Afghanistan, its distinctive feature is its fine, silky, long coat.
• The Deerhound is a dog with a powerful build and incredible strength. Its head is pointed and its jaws are strong. Its coat is fawn or gray, sometimes with spots. Its hindquarters are particularly powerful.
• Taigan. This breed was developed specifically for hunting game in mountainous areas. The dog was typically used to hunt foxes, mountain sheep, and badgers.
• The Tazy Borzoi. Breed characteristics: no undercoat, small head with large black eyes, medium height, and can come in any color.
• Irish Wolfhound. A powerful, muscular dog with a strong jaw and small ears. Dogs of this breed were originally bred specifically to fight wolves.
• Whippet. Characteristics: a beautifully arched loin, small ears, a long, slender head, and a lack of thick fur. Color can vary.

The Borzoi is a dog breed that is ideal for easy-going and cheerful people. It is very intelligent and kind. the dog will become a great friend and companion For those who enjoy long walks, jogging, and lead a fairly active lifestyle. Seniors and those with poor health would be better off choosing a calmer breed.