Until 1936, the Borzoi was known as the Russian Wolfhound, but the change to “Borzoi” wasn’t without turmoil. All through the 20’s and 30’s, fanciers debated that very issue. Those in the “con” camp argued that while Borzoi is the Russian word for “swift,” it was just one quality of a complex breed. Borzoi fancier, Dr. M.W. Thewlis, opined that “Russian wolfhound” not only evoked an image of mystery, appropriate of the breed, but to paraphrase Thewlis, it described what the breed was: Russian, a hound, and a hunter of wolves.
Discussion effectively ended when the AKC accepted Borzoi as the official breed name, some say to match the rest of the international kennels. Not having been around in 1936, we don’t know the thinking behind the decision, but from our 21st century perspective, it made sense. The Borzoi is not only a swift breed, but is said to be the only hound with a “killing speed” – an extra burst of intense high speed that has a name: Brossok, which means “fling.” Owners tell you can spot it when a Borzoi is this close to catching its prey. Old World Russian breeders believed that that “brossok” was utterly unique to their breed, something that’s been described it as a “bullet leaving a gun.” Furthermore, it was believed that if a dog didn’t display it, it wasn’t a real Borzoi.
Image: White Borzoi by Christina Schulte
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Very interesting information about a true breed specific trait!!!!!
Thank you, Cynthia. We’re absolute suckers for such “inside information,” and feel like we’ve struck gold when we come across something like it!
The borzoi was never called Russian wolfhound in its country of origin. The country of origin name is Russkaya psovaya barzaya, which means Russian long-coated sighthound. The Russian word for wolf is “volk”. The word volk has never been part of the breed name. Borzoi were occasionally used to hunt wolves, but the primary prey was and still is hare, followed by fox. Only in the US was the breed ever, erroneously, referred to as a wolfhound.
Thanks, Yvonne, very interesting and a terrific comment to bring more information to the top!