Care for a Borzoi

The Borzoi, (or Russian Wolfhound), is a breed of sighthound. They were bred in Russia to hunt Wolves, Hare, and Foxes. The Borzoi was associated with wealthy people, and was slow to cross the border to other countries. At the end of the 19th century, their beauty caught the eye of American and European dog fanciers. Around the time of the Russian Revolution in 1917, many were exported. Borzoi were admitted to AKC shows in 1891. They were known as the Russian Wolfhound until 1936 when the name was changed to Borzoi.

This is a wonderful breed that is gentle and sweet. If you're interested in owning one, read this article. But beware, this is not a breed for everyone, and it is recommended that you learn as much as you can about them before adopting.

Steps

 * 1) Adopt a Borzoi. You should get one from a rescue group or hobby breeder. However,you can get one from a shelter,too. DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE!!! The irresponsible breeder breeds to make money. This person doesn't care about the dogs at all. Don't support them.
 * 2) Train him/her. Borzoi are intelligent,yet can be stubborn. Hounds in general are independent and have a mind of their own. Start by teaching basic commands,(sit,stay come,etc.) and go from there. If possible,get help from a professional.
 * 3) Feed a high quality dog food that was made for large dogs. Avoid brands such as:
 * 4) *Iams
 * 5) *Beneful
 * 6) *Ol' Roy
 * 7) *Alpo
 * 8) *Gravy Train
 * 9) *Pedigree
 * 10) *Kibbles 'n Bits
 * 11) A few good brands include:
 * 12) *By Nature
 * 13) *Nutro Max
 * 14) *Nutro Natural Choice
 * 15) *Nutro Ultra
 * 16) *Blue Buffalo
 * 17) *Wellness
 * 18) *Solid Gold
 * 19) *Halo
 * 20) Brush your Borzoi. You should brush the long,silky coat once or twice a week. While your at it, clip the hair between the toes and clean the ears. You can get ear cleaner at the pet store. Make sure you pull out the ear hair. It helps to put powder on the hair and use tweezers to get a better grip. Every time you clean the ears, smell the inside. If it smells really bad, you may want to see your vet.
 * 21) Take the dog out for a daily walk. They should walk beside or behind you,not in front of you. They can walk for an hour once a day or for 30 minutes twice a day.
 * 22) Bathe the Borzoi. You don't have to bathe them often. 3 times a year should do the trick.
 * 23) Don't forget the love! This breed is gentle and sweet and wants you to love him/her. Don't hit the dog or be harsh with training. They don't like harshness. Keep in mind,they are sighthounds. Sighthounds are peaceful dogs.
 * 24) Enjoy your Russian Wolfhound!

Tips

 * This breed does not like to play rough with little kids. They are better with teens and adults.
 * Do not get this breed if you have non-canine pets in the home. They are hunters and could seriously harm a cat or rodent. A breed can not be separated from its original function.
 * The Borzoi likes cool weather best,but they can be kept in warm climates as long as they are kept in an air conditioned room with plenty of water to drink.
 * Get involved in lure coursing or some other activity. Lure coursing is where sighthounds chase an artificial lure across an open field. They are judged based on speed,endurance,enthusiasm,and other traits.
 * Make sure you have enough room for a Borzoi. You should have at least an average sized yard. A larger yard would be better.
 * If you are looking for a dog that can live with hot weather,consider a Greyhound. They are about the same size as the Borzoi,but have a shorter coat and are better with kids.
 * If you are looking for a smaller dog that is good with kids of all ages,consider a Whippet. They are like a medium sized version of the Greyhound.
 * Use a martingale collar. They work better for sighthounds.
 * You should feed the Borzoi a few small meals throughout the day,instead of a large one once a day. They are prone to Bloat and Torsion. Eating small meals and having their food served on a raised surface will help a lot. Also, don't let them exercise right after eating.
 * Pet stores often sell raised feeders. You should buy one.
 * Consider feeding your dog homemade food. It is much healthier than store bought food and you know what your dog is eating. However, if you don't know much about canine nutrition, don't do this. Your dog could get a deficiency. If you would like to learn about canine nutrition, consult a professional or read The Encyclopedia of the Dog. To help you get started, a dog needs a certain amount of calories a day. How many calories your dog needs depends on size, weight, activity level, health, age, etc. You should feed your dog meats such as chicken or fish, brown rice, raw veggies, and things like that. If your dog has allergies to poultry, consider fish or some other meat. Also, consider serving supplements. You can get these at the pet store. Some mix with food, some don't. Read the instructions carefully. Until you have learned a lot about canine nutrition, feed your dog quality dry food.
 * Use shampoo with oatmeal in it if your Borzoi has sensitive skin. It helps a lot!

Warnings

 * NEVER let a Borzoi off leash! They will chase anything that looks like prey and won't come back. Worse,they could be hit by a car. Only let them loose in an enclosed area.
 * Don't get a hunting dog if you don't want to run after them during a hunt.
 * Beware of dog food recalls. Many dogs have died from bad food. If you find something such as bugs in a dog food bag,throw it out and buy a new one.
 * Don't spoil your Borzoi by letting him/her do what he/she wants. This will have many consequences that you will not want to deal with.
 * Keep in touch with your veterinarian. If there is an emergency regarding your pet,you'll thank yourself for having his/her number close by.
 * You should especially stay away from Gravy Train dog food. The gravy part can cause cancer and screw up your dog's digestive system.
 * Don't feed your dog too much wet food. It will give them diarrhea and cause their teeth to rot. Dry food helps keep their teeth clean. Doggie diarrhea can be hard to clean up and very nasty! However, if your vet wants you to feed wet food for a certain reason, do so.
 * You should also be aware of the fact that dogs can manipulate humans at dinner time, (or any time). They will refuse perfectly good food, hoping you'll give them something that they like better. Do not feed them anything else if they try to do this! You won't harm the dog. They can go a couple days without food without harming themselves. If a dog is hungry enough, it'll eat. Manipulation is a sign of dominance and should not be tolerated. Giving in to their little food cravings will make you seem weak. If your dog gets into the habit of manipulating you, stop it right away! Even better, don't let this habit form in the first place!
 * If your dog is a diabetic or overweight, stay away from semi moist food. (You probably know what this is.) It is high in sugar and fat.

Things You'll Need

 * Borzoi
 * Dog Food
 * Leash
 * Martingale Collar
 * Bathing Supplies (Soap,rags,etc.)
 * Food Bowls/Raised Feeder
 * Veterinarian
 * Vet's Phone Number
 * Professional Trainer (Optional)
 * Patience
 * Ear cleaner
 * Supplements
 * Scissors (For clipping the hair between the toes.)
 * Canine nutrition expert (Optional)
 * A copy of The Encyclopedia of the Dog (Optional)

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Detect Diabetes in Dogs
 * How to Walk Two Dogs with One Leash
 * How to Understand Dogs and Their Environments
 * How to Make Dogs Love You
 * How to Get Help for Dogs with Canine Epilepsy
 * How to Make Corn Dogs
 * How to Breed Dogs

Sources and Citations

 * Dog.com
 * AKC.com
 * YouTube (The Right Companion:Borzoi)
 * Encyclopedia of the Dog: Author: Bruce Fogle, Published 1995-2000, Publisher: DK