HEAD 

The long horizontal line along his nasal bridge shows the classic features of a Borzoi head:

length, dryness, parallel planes.

 

He fulfills this very well. Both FCI and AKC want exactly that—an elongated, refined, seamless head without abrupt transitions.

 

A small critique: the muzzle could be just a bit firmer in substance. It softens slightly toward the tip.

But overall, his head is very true to type, and it sits comfortably between the elegant modern standard and the older, more “dagger-like” Russian heads of the past.

NECK 

The diagonal line along his neck shows length and dry musculature—both positive for FCI and AKC.

 

But the transition into the shoulder could be stronger.

At 1½ years, this is not surprising: Borzois often gain neck base strength later, as the chest deepens and the entire front matures.

 

Compared to older Russian working dogs, who had very powerful lower necks (because they needed to grapple with wolves), he is much more modern and refined.

also I did not stack him correctly here.

 

SHOULDER

The angles you see reveal:

• a slightly steep shoulder blade
• a somewhat short upper arm
• a more open angle than ideal

Both FCI and AKC prefer a more laid-back shoulder with a long upper arm to ensure far-reaching front extension.

His shoulder is acceptable, but not ideal for maximum reach.

 

Interestingly, many historical Borzois were also not deeply angled. They relied more on explosive sprinting than the floating reach seen in today’s show type.

In that sense, he resembles the old functional type, just in a lighter, less muscular version due to his age.

 

CHEST 

The vertical line behind the shoulder shows how far back his ribcage extends—this is a strong point.

 

But it doesn’t yet reach down to the elbow.

Both FCI and AKC prefer more depth.

 

However, at 1½ years, this is absolutely normal. Many Borzois deepen significantly between 2–3 years.

The older Russian types also often had long but not extremely deep chests, built more for endurance than massive lung volume.

 

In this area he shows more of the “working ancestry” than the heavy show style.

BACK 

The horizontal line shows a mostly strong, level back.

Historically, many hunting Borzois were longer-bodied to allow elastic acceleration.

In that sense, he aligns well with the original type.

 

LOIN

The curved line over the loin shows some softness.

A good loin should be strong, short, and slightly arched.

 

At 1½ years old, a slightly soft loin is normal, muscle maturity will improve it.

 

Old Russian Borzois had very powerful loins because they needed explosive strength.

He is more modern in expression.

CROUP 

The angled line of the croup shows a smooth slope, but it’s nearly too flat.

• FCI prefers a gently sloping croup—his is a bit on the flatter side.
• AKC tolerates flatter croups more easily.

The old hunting types often had more rounded, powerful muscle mass over the croup.

Your dog is lighter and more refined, which again fits his age and modern breeding.

 

HINDQUARTERS 

The angles in the hindquarters show:

• a correct, moderate stifle angle
• a long but not heavily muscled thigh
• a clean, well-set hock

This gives a functional rear, but not an especially powerful one.

 

Original Borzois, however, were more robust behind, built to handle wrestling with large prey.

My young male is the elegant modern interpretation with functional lines, but not yet maximum strength.

 

FOREQUARTERS 

The vertical lines on the front legs show a correct stance: straight, clean, well-aligned. 

 

OVERALL IMPRESSION 

When you look at all the lines together, you see a Borzoi who already offers many qualities the FCI and AKC standards appreciate:

length, elegance, dryness, a clean silhouette, and overall harmony.

 

He already shows:

• an excellent head
• long, functional ribbing
• a stable topline
• correct limb alignment
• natural proportions
• true Borzoi elegance

He also shows traits that are still developing or could improve:

• shoulder somewhat steep
• chest not yet deep enough (age-typical)
• loin slightly soft
• hindquarter moderate rather than powerful

And if you compare him with the old Russian Borzoi types, before any official standard existed, he carries their length, their lightness, and their endurance-oriented outline.

He is not the heavy wolf-hunter type, but rather the modern descendant with hints of the original style woven into his frame.

 

At 1½ years old, he is in transition:

not a puppy anymore, not a finished adult.

Much of what looks slightly unfinished now will strengthen and settle as he reaches full maturity.