[petstar]

Can I bother you with a few Borzoi questions?

I've been enamored with greyhounds and Borzoi for a long time...I've met many but never spent a great deal of time with any. However, they are on my list of dogs that I would LOVE to own in the future.

How are they with children? (I have a toddler who can be pretty rough, and I know that sight hounds tend to be more fragile so I wouldn't consider bringing one into our home until I was well past the baby/toddler phase with all children.)

I've also read that they prefer their own breed. (We have two dogs that can play a little rough as well, so that may hinder our ability to own a Borzoi in the near future)

Are they good hiking companions?

If raised from a pup, can they tolerate living with a cat?

How are they with strangers?

(Despite the fact that we will wait till our children are older before owning a sight hound, we may still have family over from time to time who has smaller children) Of course, any breed of dog (no matter size) should be supervised with children, but how would a sight hound deal with smaller children (generally speaking).

Thanks for your time!

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by petstar

Can I bother you with a few Borzoi questions?
Of course you can..

I've been enamored with greyhounds and Borzoi for a long time...I've met many but never spent a great deal of time with any. However, they are on my list of dogs that I would LOVE to own in the future.

How are they with children? (I have a toddler who can be pretty rough, and I know that sight hounds tend to be more fragile so I wouldn't consider bringing one into our home until I was well past the baby/toddler phase with all children.)
With children that are respectful, they are fine. As far as " not good with children this is not aggression as much as it is their body type. A falling toddler is like ( on a sighthound) you hitting your " funny bone" which as you know- is not funny at all- it hurts. All my dogs are quiet and gentle children, but there needs to be some respect there. They are alot tougher than they look, but sheer lack of body fat is where this comes into play as far as rough and tumble.. Waiting until your child is older is a great idea! ( like 5-6 years old when you can reason and educate the child the 'proper way to handle the dog..
I've also read that they prefer their own breed. (We have two dogs that can play a little rough as well, so that may hinder our ability to own a Borzoi in the near future)
While they do not like body slamming so to speak, usually they do well as long as the other breeds are not overly pushy. Then they are quite capable of telling the other type to " knock it off". While they might body slam a little with their own kind ( take a look at the galina zubin video) you will see its more subtle in play..
Are they good hiking companions?
EXCELLENT! Mine love it- just be mindful that any some wildlife can become a quick game of 'chase it ".. They can easily trot for miles- and borzois can run for miles with no problem. I use either flexis or check cords..
If raised from a pup, can they tolerate living with a cat?
Possibly- just avoid certain situations. ie- the cat shoudl not be left alone with the dog. The cat should not be outside when the dog is. And if the cat runs in the house, be ready to act. Alot of people have cats- you just have to be more watchful and mindful of situations. Usually an adult cat will tell a young pup when enough is enough...

How are they with strangers?
Depends on the dog. Hottie was always more aloof- this is not to be confused with shy. Its more of a uh " why should I let you get your dirty hands on me.. Zubin never met a stranger. Femka picks and chooses who she likes. Logan prefers woman but warms up after a few minutes. However- of the 3 I have now, Zubin is the only one we had as a puppy. So that could very well be the factor. Hottie was mostly okay- stoic to be admired by others but did not like " heavy handed people". However loved to be admired by those that pet him " with dignity and awe..

(Despite the fact that we will wait till our children are older before owning a sight hound, we may still have family over from time to time who has smaller children) Of course, any breed of dog (no matter size) should be supervised with children, but how would a sight hound deal with smaller children (generally speaking).
A sighthounds way of handling annoyance is to leave the room.. You have to really push their buttons for them to snap. They just simply get up and leave the room. Taking " flight" over fight is their way..

Thanks for your time!

you got it and I answered you in red print.. Any more questions- feel free to ask..

[petstar]

Thank you so much!

I am sure we would be a great home for a Bozoi in the future. Are there any Borzoi rescues out there? (I'm sure the list to adopt is insanely long)

Do they enjoy water? What are they like indoors (active? inactive?)

[Durbkat]

You can find rescue's in your area by googling "[insert state] borzoi rescue".

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by petstar

Thank you so much!

I am sure we would be a great home for a Bozoi in the future. Are there any Borzoi rescues out there? (I'm sure the list to adopt is insanely long)

Do they enjoy water? What are they like indoors (active? inactive?)

We have one national rescue in our breed. Numbers are very small yearly in registrations alone. ( like 600-700 a year tops.). Once in awhile one comes up in rescue. Here is the link..
http://www.nbrf.info/
As far as swiming uh- considering little body fat, I would have a life vest. Remember- their legs are narrow and the paw is not webbed. They like being outdoors but just as happy sleeping on the couch. Indoors quiet. And couch pototoe is right. Remember- they are seldom barkers-. Mine alert me someone is here by pacing window to window. Also tail wags is not like most breeds. Between the legs or slow grace back and forth is as far as it gets.. lol. Borzois are naturally graceful in the house. As I read once " if you were in a Tsars palace, you would not want things knocked over.
They are intellegent just as quoted " not in the way you would think". Training should always be positive and presented as " they thought of it.." for best results. And above all- remember- THIS is NOT a breed that can ever be considered to have a reliable recall. When on a chase- they have total tunnel vision..

[petstar]

There aren't many borzoi in Kentucky!

Thanks for the link to the national rescue. I have it saved. As I said earlier...this will be a while away but hopefully you may be able to point me toward some good breeders before I'm ready to start the hefty research!

[borzoimom]

sending you a pm..

Originally Posted by Durbkat

You can find rescue's in your area by googling "[insert state] borzoi rescue".

Doesnt work that way in our breed. We have one rescue and its national. Actually the national rescue could call on any of us to pick up a rescue if need be. We are a tight knit group.

[Durbkat]

Oh ok. I guess I should have figured that since they aren't a common breed.