Russian Shepherd, English name: Borzoi, alias: Russian Greyhound and Russian Wolfhound, originated in Russia. Although the name of the Russian Shepherd implies that it is a shepherd dog, its main role is hunting. Its main job is to capture wild animals in open areas as a hunting dog, but it relies mainly on vision rather than smell for hunting. It is a short-haired, visually-oriented hunting dog. Its special and accurate body structure, combined with the correct running posture, make it a natural hunting dog. The ancestors of the Russian Shepherd, which came from the Middle East in the Middle Ages, were bred with local long-haired shepherd dogs after they were introduced to the northern continent, resulting in a breed with noble temperament, strong body, smooth lines, and graceful posture.
The Russian Shepherd has a slender body, lively personality, and outstanding work ability, which has made it popular among people. Before the revolution in Russia, the Emperor and the nobles loved to use it to hunt wolves, and it always performed excellently in completing tasks, hence the name Russian Wolfhound. The Russian Shepherd is naturally agile and intense in its movements, and many occasions require extensive training.
About the specific origin of the Russian Shepherd, there is currently no detailed information recorded. The only thing that can be determined is that the Russian Shepherd belongs to an ancient sight hound breed.
When the Mongols invaded Russia, the ancestors of this dog were brought to Russia, and Russian native breeds were added to the breeding process, finally resulting in the Russian Shepherd. It is not only cold-resistant, but also retains the speed and physique of a hunting dog. Its English name "Borzoi" means "swift" in Russian. At that time, the Russian Shepherd was highly favored in Russia, but only the nobility had the qualification to raise them. It was a symbol of status and stature, thus being designated as the national dog of Russia.
In Russia, the Russian Shepherd was also presented as a gift by the nobility. In 1842, the Russian royal family presented this breed to Princess Alexandra of England, marking the first time that this breed left Russia. In 1889, the first Russian Shepherd arrived on the American continent, although its place of origin was England. In 1891, the Russian Shepherd was exhibited in the first Crufts Dog Show. During the mid-19th century, there were constant wars in continental Europe, and many Russian Shepherds became victims of experimentation. Only a small number of them survived. The development of the Russian Shepherd breed was greatly hindered at that time, and it wasn't until later that people began to take action to protect this noble breed.
The Russian Shepherd requires a lot of training to be tamed. It lacks patience with children and is indifferent or even hostile towards strangers and other animals. Therefore, it is suitable for owners who are patient and strict in training.
The Russian Shepherd is energetic and requires sufficient exercise every day. When going for a walk, remember to wear a leash. It is necessary to undergo extensive training in many situations, and it is particularly unsuitable for families with elderly people, children, and urban apartment living.
1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is often related to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, the main symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and when the owner notices it, the dog is already seriously ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common malignant infectious diseases in dogs with high mortality rates. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they get sick, they will show symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The terrifying thing about dog kidney disease is the unconscious process of the disease. By the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells often exceeds 75%. When dogs have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites found in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, worm feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that parasitize in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, they will show symptoms such as low vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal effusion.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral colds, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Cough, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
1. Meat must be boiled and chopped before feeding to ensure that it is fresh and clean. Otherwise, dogs may experience diarrhea. Additionally, the feeding bowl must be cleaned regularly, and leftover food from the previous meal should never be left for the next meal.
2. Scottish Shepherds enjoy being active, but they should not engage in vigorous exercise immediately after a meal as it can easily lead to gastric torsion. It is best to ensure sufficient exercise by allowing them to run freely, play games, and go for walks in the morning and evening.
3. Their fur is long and somewhat wavy, so it needs to be cleaned daily to prevent tangling. After each brushing session, it should be wiped from head to tail with silk or suede, making the fur more smooth and shiny.
4. They used to live in cold climates for a long time, and their fur and robust bodies can withstand the cold. However, they have poor heat tolerance, so it is important to take measures to prevent heatstroke in hot weather during the summer.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. Bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather in summer, you can wash them one or two more times, and in winter, you can reduce it one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs almost shed their fur every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want their fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs clean naturally shed fur and avoid tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making their fur more shiny, sunbathing can help with sterilization. While sunbathing, pet owners can let dogs exercise a bit, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from a dog's body, depriving them of their nutrition, so deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Deworming medications can cause significant damage to a dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed them with probiotics on a regular basis to alleviate any gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
To give a dog a beautiful coat, it is necessary to lay a solid nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed them with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a type that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrients to meet their needs. On the other hand, you can also give them a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.
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