At a glance the quick version
Weight varies widely between regional types.
Source says 14-15 years is not unusual for the breed.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense coat
A strongly built sighthound that looks rather like a cross between a Greyhound and a short-coated Borzoi, with a short, close coat.21
Personality what they are like
Friendly and dependable with people, if sometimes a little aloof. Bred to hunt in cooperation with a human, it shows good basic obedience and a sharp mind.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A true sighthound that needs regular chances to gallop in a safe, fenced area, plus daily walks.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat is low maintenance and needs only occasional brushing.2
Company who they like around
Traditionally hunted in pairs alongside a mounted hunter, so it is used to working with people and other hounds.1
The story where it all began
An old steppe sighthound, favoured by Russian nobility and hunted on horseback, sometimes together with a bird of prey. After the revolution its numbers fell sharply, and it was standardised in the Soviet era. Interest in the breed revived after the Soviet Union ended.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
A specimen was exhibited at London Zoo in 1829.1
- 2
Classic Russian-style hunts used a rider on horseback with a brace of these hounds and a raptor.1
- 3
The breed develops slowly but is known for a long life, with 14-15 years not unusual.2
- 4
It seems to have formed gradually across the Central Asian steppes rather than in one spot.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Soviet Union (national standard)
- Standard set at Soviet level; Russian Wikipedia gives 1951, English Wikipedia gives the 1952 Moscow Cynological Congress.2
- Soviet Cynological Congress
- Recognised in Moscow, 1952.1
- RKF (Russian Kynological Federation)
- Maintains the breed standard.2
- FCI
- Not internationally recognised.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Chortai. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Hortaya Borzaya - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for history, recognition, fun facts, appearance
- Хортая борзая - Wikipedia (ru) ru.wikipedia.orgused for size, weight, lifespan, coat, colours, temperament, recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.