The Borzoi: Supermodel or superhound?

Why, yes, I'm alive. Thank you for asking.



Let's just skim over the week I've had with a single-word description: hellacious. Good, now that's over with.



I was digging through the pile of mail on my dining room table in the hopes of finding a letter from the state lottery department letting me know where I could pick up the check when I saw the current issue of Harper's Bazaar. Yes, I read fashion magazines. Deal.



On the cover was a blonde actress I'm informed is Kirsten Dunst, a name that means nothing to me since she's not, you know, a veterinarian, dog trainer, or politician. And with her in the photo were three gorgeous Borzois, the middle one looking a bit like my own darling Kyrie.



Of course, the Borzoi has a long history of being used in fashion illustration. They were the sleek, elegant companions of sleek, elegant flappers in the 20s, and graced many famous art deco covers of Vogue magazine.



If you actually live with one, you might find that image hard to reconcile with the reality. Mine, at least, is a hoyden, and has about as much interest in standing around in a jeweled collar having her photograph taken as she does in doing a perfect competition "heel" and a four-square sit. No, what she lives for, and has always lived for, are the chase and the sofa, the latter preferably with me sitting next to her, petting her gently, while explaining to a rapt audience how amazing and perfect and beautiful she is.



That, in a word -- okay, a sentence -- is what I love about sighthounds. They're quiet in the house, gentle and loving and just happy to be the object of your attention without standing there panting with a ball in their mouth, begging you to get up, take me out, play with me, come on, mom, really, you don't have to meet that deadline, you have to throw this now!



But take them out in the field, somewhere safe and open? Nothing takes my breath away like watching a fast dog doing what she was bred to do, stretched full-out, a blur of speed and grace on the skyline.



So yes, they're pretty and they do have all that glamorous hair. I'm not surprised people put them on the covers of fashion magazines. But share your life with one?



A different picture emerges.

Comments

[Deanna]

Huh, my first exposure to real, live Borzoi was about 13 years ago -- at an obedience demonstration. The one in question was demonstrating, quite capably, utility exercises. The ones I see regularly are in the obedience ring doing, quite capably, utility.



(I know a few "obedience Beagles" too. So much for the "hound excuse.")

[Joy]

I just took in a litter of purebred Borzoi puppies rescued from a terrible situation. At 6 weeks they looked like little hound mixes but now, almost 4 months old, they are finally beginning to look like the elegant sighthounds they'll eventually grow to be...adorable puppies but certainly not graceful or glamorous yet! They are goofy and clumsy and very, very messy -gluttonous- little eaters! I absolutely adore them and want to keep them all!

[andrea]

I had a similar reaction when I saw the Borzois on the front of my Harper's Bazaar magazine. Recently, I lost my Irish Wolfhound to osteosarcoma but I can appreciate the greatness of sighthounds. On a trip to Finland this past August, I saw a very tall woman walking a Borzoi. Of course, missing my Finnegan and being intrigued by the breed, I ran right up to her and insisted on saying hello to her dog. Oddly, that was my highlight of my trip in Helsinki.

Another humorous interaction with Borzois was in my wolfhound's puppy training class, a Borzoi breeder brought each puppy in her latest litter to get them socialized. During the period where the puppies could romp around and interact, my giant boy would hide under the chairs. Her puppies, on the other hand, would head straight to the mirrors where they would admire themselves for the entire play period. They are such characters!



And I apologize for the long comment!

[kb]

Love my 45 mph couch potato, too.

[Sarah]

I agree - I live with two Borzoi, a Greyhound (retired racer) and a foster Borzoi. I adore the breed, but agree that, like any dog, it is not for everyone.



They are LARGE dogs. They require a lot more grooming than many people have time for. They are "selectively intelligent," meaning they are very intelligent dogs, but when they want to be. Yes, they can be trained, but require a creative person at times.



But, they are also lovebugs with their people. They are clowns. They are lazy (which could be bad, if you are the kind of person that loves to be on the go).



I love my Borzoi, but I would never recommend them to just anyone!

[viv hardy]

I have three borzoi that I walk each morning on a beach in Sydney Australia - invariably we are greeted with 'here comes the royal family" - and Trotsky, Tatiana and Kartia - Trotty, Tatty and Katty trot pass accepting their homage as their due.



Cheers