Borzoi The Canine Supermodel

They belong to the sighthound family and might appear similar to the Afghan Hound. But the rare Borzoi is something else altogether, once a companion to the Russian Royals

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There is an aristocratic charm to the breed that descends from the Russian Wolfhound. With their silky long fur and tall bodies, the Borzoi are perfect to walk the doggie ramp and have all eyes on them.

ORIGIN: The Russian Wolfhound, as the breed was once known, was named for its hunting prowess back in the 17th century when the hunts of the nobles were a lavish expedition. The Borzoi was bred to track down wolves for sport and not to kill. They were prized companions of the royals and enjoyed popularity till around the1870s and finally lost ground with the Russian Revolution of 1918 when they were slaughtered along with their Czarist masters. This association proved lethal for them, but the fascinating story of how they survived is told here. The Borzoi still exists today going back to their importance as royal gifts to monarchs such as Queen Victoria and Alexandra, Princess of Wales. Then came subsequent visits by Americans to Britain and to Russia in the late 19th century leading to the establishment of the breed in the American Kennel Club in 1873. The change in name from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi – from the Russian word for swift, borzil - took place officially in 1936.