The Borzoi, named for the Russian word meaning "swift", is a noble breed with a long and colourful history. The breed originated in Russia and was closely associated with the aristocracy. The favoured sport of the Russian nobility was hunting, most especially wolves, and what is known as that the Borzoi was developed to meet the demands required for coursing. Thus the Borzoi became renowned for its speed, agility, strength, endurance and courage.

 

The earliest recorded written Standard for the Borzoi is 1650. However, much of the popular, or more well-known history pertaining to the Borzoi stems from the great kennel Perchina owned by the Grand Duke Nickolai Nikolaievitch circa 1887. Another very influential Russian kennel from that same era was Woronzova owned by Mr. Artem Balderoff. In North America today, a number of well-known kennels can trace their lineage to these famous kennels of the last century largely because of the efforts of Joseph Thomas who imported a number of Borzoi from these famous kennels into America and founded the O'Valley Farm Borzoi.

 

It is interesting to note that the Borzoi was first registered in Canada in 1892 and since that time, a number of Canadian bred Borzoi have contributed significantly to the success of the breed in Canada as well as abroad..

 

Our Publications area contains the titles of several books on the history of the Borzoi and the reading is excellent.