The dark or black coated dogs were long frowned upon by the Russian nobility because they stood out more clearly in the snow.
With the liberation of the serfs came the closing of many of the large estates and their enourmous kennels and the breed degenerated for a while. But in 1873 the Society for the Development of Hunting Dogs and Proper Conduct for Hunting was founded in Moscow. This society arranged dog shows and aimed to improve canine conformation as well as hunting abilities. In 1887 a supporter, Archduke Nicolai Nikolajawitsch founded the now world-famous Perchino kennels, which he based on the very best bloodlines available at the time. He started with 60 Borzois and built a number of stone houses, each containing boxes for a dozen hounds. Every house had three paddocks and only the houses for the bitches and puppies were heated! The dogs had no heating at all the whole year round!
The dogs were grouped where possible after their colours. About 50 puppies a year were reared.
When embarking on a wolf hunt, the duke would take about 35 couples with him. The couples consisted in fact of three hounds - two dogs and a bitch - again selected mainly after their colours. About 40 riders would go ahead in the forest to be hunted, any spaces and gaps were covered with nets. Then a pack of foxhounds, also owned by the Perchino kennels would be sent ahead to flush out the quarry. The Borzois were restrained on very long leads by riders who galloped after the wolves, then slipped the Borzois who ran up alongside and harassed and bumped, often the third dog running and biting from behind until the wolf lost its balance and fell and whereupon it was immediately grabbed at the ears and throat and held down by the three dogs. The hunters then rode up and bound its legs and wedged a wooden block between its teeth. These wolf hunts lasted about an hour each and any young healthy wolves would then be released again.

General appearance
The first impression of a Borzoi is dominated by its impressive size, its thick and wavy coat, the elegance and beauty in its lines and harmony of build that all together create a very stunning looking dog.
Size is from 70 to 82 cm or more at the shoulder, bitches are always 5 cm or more smaller. The largest known Borzoi was Russian and measured 92 cm at the shoulder.
Borzois have a long and dense wavy coat and owners must be prepared to spend some time caring for this, especially in periods of moulting. All colours are allowed, often basically white with coloured areas going over to darker dogs even self black does occur.
Male Borzois have a curve to their backs that is a special characteristic for the breed. Bitches are similar but the curve is not so well defined. They have deep chest and tucked up stomachs. An elegant long head - there are many varieties of head of which each was given a name by the nobles who kept and bred them in the past. They should have dark, intelligent and keen looking eyes, almond shaped with dark eye rims. Hind quarters should be broad and powerful with long thighs, well bent stifles and broad well let down hocks. The tail is long and heavily feathered.

The Borzoi was introduced into Britain at the end of the 19th century by the Duchess of Newcastle, who imported the famous Perchino and his self black and tan brother Argos, who won a silver medal in Moscow in 1892. Argos became champion in both England and the USA. The Duchess's kennel name was "Notts" and soon she owned about a 100 dogs and was famous as a breeder and as a judge.
England's Queen Alexandra's kennels at Sandringham also contributed to the Borzoi's popularity. She was given several dogs by the Russian Czar. Alex was the most famous and another called Ajax became a champion.

These days the Borzois in England, whilst still looking very much like the Russian dogs, are looked down upon by Russians. This is mainly due to the inevitable inbreeding that has occurred since the introduction of the quarantine laws, but also, to the Russians, the main criteria is still the dog's ability to hunt and not it's beauty!
The ability to give chase and hunt down it's prey cannot be tested in Britain! Unfortunately little is done to give these beautiful dogs a chance to chase an artificial lure - so how they really can run these days still remains to be seen.

In Russia, they are very strict. Before a dog becomes a show champion, it must be 3 years old and have working certificates as well as three of the coverted gold medals. The Russian equivalent of our certificate consists of one beauty certificate and two working certificates!