The Russian borzoi can run at the speed of a car but is more than happy to lounge on the sofa. In the past, Russian nobility loved to hunt wolves and bears. These animals were tracked with the help of dogs. For such hunts, the fastest and most enduring dogs were needed, and these became the Russian borzoi, or sighthound. “Borzoi” means fast, and “psovy” refers to their wavy coat. These hunting dogs were common in countries where hunting was popular. The Russian borzoi was bred from the saluki (Persian sighthound) and Russian laika dogs. Landowners kept dozens of dogs in one yard, and by the 17th century, the Russian borzoi breed had formed. Unlike the saluki, which chase prey over long distances in the steppe, Russian borzois can catch animals over short distances in forest clearings. The first standard for the Russian borzoi was adopted in 1888. The breed features a long, narrow muzzle, long legs, and silky fur. It is one of the tallest dogs in the world, with a height at the withers of up to 85 cm, and is the fastest dog breed ever developed in Russia, reaching speeds of over 50 km/h. However, when not hunting, the borzoi is very calm and even lazy. It loves to stretch out and relax, often appearing almost flat when lying down – that’s how compactly this dog can fit into a home.