trishakelley - Borzoi

Borzoi Thoughts...

The Borzoi was originally bred for the coursing of wild game, such as wolves, hare and fox, over the steppes of Russia relying on their sight, agility and speed. They are beautiful, elegant, courageous and independent dogs with a very strong chase instinct. I find most to be affectionate and outgoing, though it is not unusual for them to be reserved with strangers.

Why did I create this page? I am a novice to the world of purebred dogs, and Borzoi specifically, but I have found some resources to be of great help to me in search of my Borzoi. Since finding them, I have continued to find great resources that I wished to share with others in search of a wonderful canine companion.

If you are looking for a purebred dog, research the breed carefully and DO NOT buy from a pet store. Pet store puppies are pumped out of the puppy mill system and are often unhealthy and poor specimens of their breed.

If you wish to "rescue" a dog, contact breed rescue or visit a local pound. Those dogs need you and adopting one does not put money back into the hands of puppy millers.

In the case of a purebred dog, read the breed standard, any FAQ's you can find, books on the breed, breed specific and general dog magazines, and join a breed email list to find out the concerns of breeders and owners. Most importantly, contact breeders and visit them and their dogs. Meet as many dogs and breeders as you can and ask lots of questions. That puppy who is so irresistible now could be very disappointing to you later. Be sure you know what you are getting into before jumping in!

Borzoi Links:

Borzoi FAQ	These are frequently asked questions from the Borzoi Club of America homepage.
bdalzell's frequent borzoi answers - serious version	This is a great FAQ from Bonnie Dalzell, a long time Borzoi breeder. After you read the serious version, check out her funny version.
Dog Owner's Guide Profile: The Borzoi	This is from the Canis Major site, written by Borzoi owner Gale Snoddy.
Introducing the Borzoi	National Borzoi Rescue Fund's Borzoi Information page. Includes a list of bloat symptoms.
So, You Think You Want a Borzoi?	This is a good article by Corrine Miller of Firebird Borzoi. Read it and some of the other articles on her site.
The Borzoi	This is a good article, including a lot of historical information, from Borzoi owner Deb West of Ferlinka Borzoi.
10 Things About Borzoi Books Don't Tell You	This is from a Borzoi fancier in England. These are very informative and some are quite humorous.
Where To Find Your Borzoi	Advice from the BCOA.
National Borzoi Rescue Fund's Home Page	This has information on the national rescue club and allows you to contact them.
Borzoi.net	Links to all kinds of Borzoi sites, plus information galore.
Borzoi Webring List	Please peruse various breeder's sites. You will get a feeling for their dogs, see lots of gorgeous pictures, and be able to contact the breeders individually.
BCOA Health Registry	You can check out what dogs in your potential puppy's pedigree are listed in the health registry. This is new, so more information is being added constantly.
BCOA Visualization of the Borzoi Standard	This page has information on how to order this wonderful book. If you are interested at all in showing or breeding this is a must buy, to understand about conformation terms.
Teine Mpeg Video Clips	This is from Teine's website and includes many great videos of Borzoi movement. They take a while to load, but it is worth it.
Oksana's Page: Home of Ask Oksana	Check out this page which is from the rescue borzoi, Oksana's point of view. It's very amusing and enlightening. You may have seen Oksana on Breed All About It.

Borzoi Email Lists:

Borzoi-L

Follow the instructions to join the list.

Yahoo groups Conversation list

The Borzoi Conversations list

Borzoi News List

Where the Borzoi Reigns, this list is suggested for breeders, exhibitors, and serious Borzoi enthusiasts

Borzoi Pets List

For Borzoi Pet Owners:

Complete List of Dog-Related Email Lists

For any other breeds, or any lists I may have missed here!

Other Links:

Health * Good Breeder Info * Training * Activities

HEALTH INFORMATION
Research Updates from the Purdue University Prospective Study of Canine Gastric Dilatation Recent Findings	These are both links to the Purdue Research findings on bloat. Please, if you will have a large dog, particularly a Borzoi, read this information. Bloat and torsion or GDV is a quick-onset deadly ailment.
Cardiomyopathy	Cardiomyopathy in large breed dogs explained. Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle; does not include diseases of the valves of the heart or congenital defects.
Hypothyroidism	An article by Joe Bodewes, DVM explaining hypothyroidism.
OCD	An article on OCD by Columbia Animal Hospital in Columbia, MD
PRA Today: Current Research in Progressive Retinal Atrophy	A comprehensive site, part of the dog genome project, with information about PRA, a genetic ailment leading to blindness.
CANINE BONE CANCER	An article by Joseph Hahn describing some of the new treatments and prognoses of bone cancer or osteosarcoma.
LABMED: Davey's Page	This includes lots of links to pages about toxins and poisons.
Chemical Cuisine: CSPI's Guide to Food Additives	Here is a guide on food additives (canine and human), what they are, what they are for, and how safe they are.
Dog Food Comparison Charts - By Earl Wolfe	Very interesting and helpful when finding a commercial dog food.
HOW TO FIND A GOOD BREEDER
How To Find A Quality Puppy And Reputable Breeder	This is an article from Cyber-Pet, written by a Great Dane breeder. Check out the questions for potential owners (to be aware of what a breeder may ask you) and for breeders.
IS THIS BREEDER REPUTABLE?	This is an article written by the owners of Woodhaven Labradors, who were burned by buying a dog "cheap".
Recognizing an Unethical Breeder	This is a very good list of characteristics of an unethical breeder and tips on how to decipher dog ads.
Purchasing a Berner Puppy	This is specifically meant for Bernese Mtn. Dog purchasers, but I think they address lots of important information for any breed.
TRAINING INFORMATION
ClickerSolutions Training Treasures Contents	Great Clicker training articles. This is constantly being updated, so bookmark it!
Click & Treat.com	Gary Wilkes Click and Treat<^{(R) Training}
Positive Training Lessons	Information on training your dog in a positive way.
How to Handle Separation Anxiety with your Dog	Great tips for working with dogs who have separation anxiety.
Severe Separation Anxiety, a Personal Experience	An article by a rescue greyhound owner who found ways of coping with Midnite's severe separation anxiety.
ACTIVITY INFORMATION
Dog-Play: Just For Fun Agility	Here is a site devoted to dog agility, not for competition, but just for fun.
The Dog Agility Page	This site has links to almost all things related to dog agility.
Flyball - The Dogsport for ALL dogs!	This site has links to all sorts of information and sites about the sport of flyball.
Lure Coursing	Lure coursing FAQ by Bonnie Dalzell
Lure coursing	Frostfire farm site, includes links to AKC and ASFA lure coursing calendars.
Open Field Coursing	An article by Rey and Yvonne McGehee on the sport of open field coursing -- great photos too!
The Dog Obedience and Training Page	This is another dog patch site with links related to obedience -- from house manners to utility competition!
Therapy Dog International	Read about how you and your dog can help those in need, including lifting the spirits of the elderly.