GENERAL APPEARANCE
-
The Borzoi was originally bred for the coursing of wild
game on more or less open terrain, relying on sight
rather than scent. To accomplish this purpose, the
Borzoi needed particular structural qualities to chase,
catch and hold his quarry. Special emphasis is placed
on sound running gear, strong neck and jaws, courage
and agility, combined with proper condition. The Borzoi
should always possess unmistakable elegance, with
flowing lines, graceful in motion or repose. Males,
masculine without coarseness; bitches, feminine and
refined.
HEAD
- Skull
slightly domed, long and narrow, with scarcely any
perceptible stop, inclined to be Roman-nosed. Jaws
long, powerful and deep, somewhat finer in bitches but
not snipy. Teeth strong and clean with either an even
or a scissors bite. Missing teeth should be penalized.
Nose large and black.
EARS
- Small and
fine in quality, lying back on the neck when in repose
with the tips when thrown back almost touching behind
occiput; raised when at attention.
EYES
- Set
somewhat obliquely, dark in color, intelligent but
rather soft in expression; never round, full nor
staring, nor light in color; eye rims dark; inner
corner midway between tip of nose and occiput.
NECK
- Clean,
free from throatiness, slightly arched, very powerful
and well set on.
SHOULDERS -
Sloping, fine at the withers and free from coarseness
or lumber.
CHEST
- Rather
narrow, with great depth of brisket.
RIBS
- Only
slightly sprung, but very deep, giving room for heart
and lung play.
BACK
- Rising a
little at the loins in a graceful curve.
LOINS - Extremely
muscular, but rather tucked up, owing to the great
depth of chest and comparative shortness of back and
ribs.
FORELEGS
- Bones
straight and somewhat flattened like blades, with the
narrower edge forward. The elbows have free play and
are turned neither in nor out. Pasterns strong.
FEET
-
Hare-shaped, with well-arched knuckles, toes close and
well padded.
HINDQUARTERS
-
Long, very muscular and powerful with well bent
stifles; somewhat wider than the forequarters; strong
first and second thighs; hocks clean and well let down;
legs parallel when viewed from the rear.
DEWCLAWS
-
Dewclaws, if any, on the hind legs are generally
removed; dewclaws on the forelegs may be removed.
TAIL
- Long, set
on and carried low in a graceful curve.
COAT
- Long,
silky (not woolly), either flat, wavy or rather curly.
On the head, ears and front of legs it should be short
and smooth; on the neck the frill should be profuse and
rather curly. Feather on hindquarters and tail, long
and profuse, less so on chest and back of forelegs.
COLOR
- Any
color, or combination of colors, is acceptable.
SIZE
- Mature
males should be at least 28 inches at the withers and
mature bitches at least 26 inches at the withers. Dogs
and bitches below these respective limits should be
severely penalized; dogs and bitches above the
respective limits should not be penalized as long as
extra size is not acquired at the expense of symmetry,
speed and staying quality. Range in weight for males
from 75 to 105 pounds and for bitches from 15 to 20
pounds less.
GAIT
- Front legs
must reach well out in front with pasterns strong and
springy. Hackneyed motion with mincing gait is not
desired nor is weaving and crossing. However, while the
hind legs are wider apart than the front, the feet tend
to move closer to the center line when the dog moves at
a fast trot. When viewed from the side there should be
noticeable drive with a ground-covering stride from
well-angulated stifles and hocks. The overall
appearance in motion should be that of effortless
power, endurance, speed, agility, smoothness and grace.
FAULTS - The
foregoing description is that of the ideal Borzoi. Any
deviation from the above described dog must be
penalized to the extent of the deviation, keeping in
mind the importance of the contribution of the various
features toward the basic original purpose of the
breed.
