The Essence of the Borzoi

The Essence of the Borzoi

Borzoi were bred by royalty to excel in the rugged Steppes of Russia. Large double-coated hounds that hunt by sight, built for speed, strength, agility, and endurance, all in balance to overtake and hold wolf and hare. In silhouette, a continuous curve from the tip of nose to tail, with well-set shoulders and graceful topline, all balanced to enable the double suspension gallop. The chest is rather narrow, with depth for heart and lungs. The head is long and narrow, with obliquely set eyes, fine rose ears, and a strong muzzle to catch and hold its prey. All bred in balance to produce a hound to work at speed and perform in difficult conditions, yet exhibiting its noble and elegant heritage when in repose.

Less than 125 words describe the essence of the breed. But how do you explain the attraction to Borzoi that has extended centuries, and what is the essence of the breed?

Originally bred to eliminate the wolf to protect life and livestock, the adoption by the Russian Aristocracy is well documented. From small, organized hunts to eliminate a threat, over time, transforming to grand scale hunts that would last for a month. These hunts became pageantry and the theater for competition for hound, horse, and rider. The scale and grandeur are well documented in Leo Tolstoy’s novel, War and Peace. Originally, each noble had their own distinct line and look, with matched pairs in color and size from kennels that could reach into the hundreds of dogs. These hunts were the epitome of the noble aristocracy, and with the fall of the Russian Dynasty the Borzoi were seen as the representation of oppression and the excess of the ruling class. But this was not the end of the breed, as they made their way across Europe traveling with their owners in exile.

Originally, the Borzoi were only owned by the aristocratic class. Borzoi were often given as gifts to other royalty and dignitaries throughout Europe. From those lines, the breed survived to become a new status symbol of the Roaring Twenties and the Art Deco scene of the early 20th century. Eventually they became part of the art scene, with Erté painting the image of a beautifully gowned, tall and slender woman with two Borzoi at her side. Possibly, a vision of Diana the Huntress modernized with pearls and satin. In no time, the Borzoi were seen in a new society and on the catwalk with models in New York and Paris. With the rise of the silent movie screens, the popularity of the Borzoi was seen as part of the new aristocracy. From playing a part in the production of the theater, such as in the ballet Giselle, to even accompanying Liberace on the Vegas stage, the Borzoi had found a way of becoming a timeless status symbol.

Somehow the allure of the romantic history of the Czars, to the fashion of the 1920s and the proliferation of paintings and sculpture, has kept this breed in vogue. Surprising that a hound can both chase down a wolf and walk composed with a model under the lights. This feat has its own allure. Mostly, today’s Borzoi go from the couch to the field and are adept in both environments. It is this calm, controlled power and speed on the end of the lead that has its attraction. Very much like owning a vintage sports car that can go from the city streets to the track and look beautiful in both environments. Western society has always been attracted to tall, lean, and athletic lines and the Borzoi fits that mold.

The AKC Borzoi Breed Standard reads: “The Borzoi should always possess unmistakable elegance, with flowing lines, graceful in motion or repose.” Louis Muir, one of the great Borzoi breeders and all-rounder AKC judge, wrote that the Borzoi must exhibit that great “Nobility and Romanticism.” Without this element they are just another hound. The Standard also states special emphasis on sound running gear. It is this juxtaposition of atheism and beauty that makes this breed unique. A lean, long, chiseled head, with dark, obliquely set eyes yet soft in expression, is also a balance between ferocity, strength, and purpose yet soft and beautiful. Even the description of the topline describes both elegance and form and function used for the double suspension gallop by simply stating, “Rising… at the loins in a graceful curve.” The tail is described as long, set on and carried low in a “graceful curve.”

If you told an artist they had to create a painting with only two colors, most would feel stifled; not the Borzoi Standard: “Any color, or combination of colors, is acceptable.” Not surprising, the Borzoi community has many artists in residency. It does not stop there. On coat: “Long, silky… either flat, wavy or rather curly” are all equal in desirability—so many options.

The Standard is written for athleticism, speed, power, and endurance to chase, catch, and hold their prey, just so the hunter can finish the task and boast about their hound back at the hunting lodge. Not much different than owning a classic sports car and finishing first at the car show. There is an attraction to owning something with power, speed, and graceful curves and 500 horsepower under the bonnet. The juxtaposition of having power and elegance can be a strong attraction. To combine both beauty and power is a fine line. Too much in either direction results in coarse and bulky or lithe and clumsy.

The Borzoi is a breed of two opposing forces: elegance and athleticism. The best of the breeders tread this fine line and work to keep both in balance throughout their breeding programs. One of my favorite examples of seeing this was at the end of my judging of the Borzoi Club of America National. Sorting down the large entry of Specials for correctly built dogs that could do their job, yet exhibited a certain elegance in silhouette, I ended with 16 in the final cut. When the 16 came back into my ring it was an artist’s vision with color, coat, graceful curves, strength, and power. I did indulge and take an extra moment to let that fill my eye. It was a thrill to just stop and admire the balance of elegance and athleticism that is a priority in this noble breed.