#about borzoi

[noodle-dragon]

"[Ash] has a slightly more bounding gallop. She has highest loin/back ratio in the study and total range of motion. She is able to move her pelvis from vertical at contraction to past horizontal - creating a slight v at the lumbo-sacral junction. The length of loin allows for a greater "push" from the rear legs." The fastest recorded runner in the borzoi speed study.

[noodle-dragon]

“N has a better loin/ back ratio than G & S, but has such an extreme forward set to her hip joint that she cannot extend her rear enough for speed. Notice how low her hind feet stay toward the ground at extension. Be sure to notice what a wide triangle her pelvic marks make.” Footage of the slowest recorded borzoi in the speed study. Compare her to the fastest borzoi in the speed study. Take note of the difference in length of stride, spine flexibility, pelvic rotation, and air time.

[bandizoi]

What are some advantages/disadvantages of taking care of a silken over a borzoi? Is one easier than the other?

Ease depends entirely on your lifestyle, so it’s hard to quantify. Silken people will say that silkens are easier because of their size, less coat to maintain, and trainability. Borzoi people will say that borzoi are easier because of their easy going attitude, quiet nature, and they are less demanding. Depending on the breeder/lines, you could get small, trainable borzoi with very little coat and quiet silkens who ask nothing of their people.

Personally, I find Borzoi easier. But I also have access to large areas where a giant sighthound can freely stretch their legs. For someone with less space, a silken might be easier. Bandit typically gets tired after 3~ hours of hiking/running. I still haven’t found Obie’s cap yet. If I do nothing with either of them, they’ll still sleep in one spot most of the day.

[bandizoi]

How do silkens compare to borzois in terms of temperament? Is there one you prefer over the other?

Generally speaking I find borzoi to be more chilled out and far more cunning. They have more of an off switch. Silkens I find to be a bit more awake and energetic, and I don’t see them using problem solving skills as much as a borzoi, though they are far more eager to learn and take to training very well. It’s most apparent in the field, coursing jackrabbits (I’ve gone hunting with both). Borzoi are efficient and work together to outsmart the hare, whereas silkens seem to just go for it and hope one of them is fast enough. That being said, there’s a good deal of variety in both breeds depending on the breeder and the lines they work with. My dear friend Joyce, who is the president of the International Silken Windhound Society, has very cunning silkens as well as some very slow silkens (one famously took 3 years to figure out how to use the dog door, even with encouragement via luring). Most writing on borzoi will tell you that they’re tricky to train, but I know borzoi breeders who consistently produce highly motivated dogs that LOVE training. If you’re honest with the breeder about what kind of temperament you want, you can potentially find that in either breed. 

Overall, I prefer borzoi temperaments. :) 

[bandizoi]

What is the average zoi lifespan and are they as susceptible to large/giant breed issues as great danes for example?

It’s not uncommon for them to reach 12-14 years. Smaller females can/have reached 16. And thankfully, no. Their instances of heart issues are smaller compared to other giant breeds like great danes and irish wolfhounds. Hip/elbow displasia is incredibly uncommon, almost unheard of. The health tests for the breed are for: Degenerative Myelopathy (dna test), heart (echo is best), thyroid, and eyes. Bloat is another big concern and recent research seems to indicate that it can run in lines. As always, it’s important to ask a breeder about health testing and any health concerns in their lines. If they don’t test for DM, heart, eyes, and thyroid, find someone else.

[noodle-dragon]

Hiya Ashley! First, congratulations on your awesome blog, i really love it ! I wanted to ask you, when you say that borzois are "low maintenance" dogs what do you mean exactly ? Cause i find that breed incredibly beautiful but i want to be sure that i'll offer my future dog the best life he can have and that's why i wanted a bit more details ? Lots of love to you and Bandit !!

Aw! Thanks for the kind words! :D When I say low maintenance, I mean that they really just aren’t very demanding dogs. They’re independent, not really needy, have low stimulation needs, and will sleep most of the day. If you get sick and can’t walk them for a day or two, they’re pretty chill about it and won’t tear the house down. On the flip side, if you want to do a day hike, they’re totally down for that too! They’re also really easy with feeding too. Most of the borzoi I know will not gorge themselves if given the opportunity (though some will), and can happily free feed without gaining unhealthy amounts of weight. Their grooming requirements depend on how heavily coated the dog is and coat type. The ladies shed more than the gents. Bandit has so little coat that I only brush him once a month, and bathe him every 4 months (they don’t get dog smell!!). 

[noodle-dragon]

So I keep falling more and more in love with zoi, how active would you say they are? im familiar with retired racers and will probably get one for my first dog, but as someone interested in agility and coursing the average grey might be a tad... too potato, and im wondering where zoi (and i guess some other common sighthounds) fall on the scale from potato battery to spanish mal :P thanks!

There’s a range but mostly they’re pretty chill. It’s an on/off switch. FAQ#9 (at the bottom) has more details. http://bandizoi.tumblr.com/FAQ

Greys also have on/off switches and often they are very ON for coursing; more than borzoi. Some greys will very literally run themselves to death (rhabdomyolysis) over the game. Borzoi know when to quit (though there are cases of zoi getting rhabdo too).

On a chill day, Bandit sleeps ~85% of the day, plays in the yard ~10% (flirt pole, fetch, playing with Obie, chasing squirrels and birds), and ~5% wandering around doing other various things (eating, drinking, singing, etc). On an active day, prior to his infection, we’d hike for 2 hours, or lure course for most of the day, or bike a few miles. Hiking was our go-to. Then he’d sleep the rest of the day.

Obie, on the other hand, has needs. He’ll sleep maybe 65-75% of the day, and the rest of the day he wants to play play play. He doesn’t need intensive stimulation; mostly he just wants an audience for his goofiness. We play fetch, wrestle, do some training here and there. He’s good after 10 minutes. If we put it off too long, he starts barking. And barking. And barking. And in his defense, he’s higher on the energy scale (on a scale from a rock to a malinois…) for Silkens. There are Silkens that are as sleepy as borzoi. Obie is a firecracker. On more active days, he does the 2 hour hike, biking, Pokemon hunting, more intensive training… That sort of thing.

In any case, if you’re looking for a coursing and agility Borzoi, I’d say go with a smaller female. Bandit started hating the tunnels as soon as he hit 29" and it’s an uncomfortable position for them. I can put you in touch with some breeders I know who do agility with borzoi too if you want. :)

[noodle-dragon]

Do borzoi like to swim?

This one is very individual. Bandit thinks water is the greatest thing ever! I know a breeder who takes her borzoi dock diving! But there are also a lot of zoi that couldn’t stand to get their precious toe beans wet :)