Movement and Gait

To understand the movement of the Borzoi, you must look beyond appearance and into purpose. Every aspect of their gait, from the quiet walk to the explosive gallop, is the result of deliberate development over generations. The Borzoi does not move like other breeds because it was never meant to. Their movement exists to serve speed, endurance, balance, and precision, all working together in a single, flowing system.

Historical Purpose and Its Influence on Movement

Borzois were developed to pursue fast-moving game over vast, open terrain. This required a dog that could not only reach great speeds, but sustain them while remaining agile and responsive. Unlike breeds designed for quick bursts or tight maneuvering, the Borzoi needed to cover ground efficiently, adapt instantly, and conserve energy until it was needed.

 

This purpose shaped everything:

  • A long, flexible spine for extended stride length
  • Long limbs for reach and leverage
  • A deep chest for lung and heart capacity
  • A lean, aerodynamic frame for minimal resistance

 

Their gait is not ornamental. It is functional, economical, and deeply intentional.

The Walk

At a walk, the Borzoi’s movement appears calm and unhurried. Historically, this gait allowed them to travel long distances without fatigue, staying alert and observant while conserving energy.

 

The walk is long and elastic. Each step flows smoothly into the next, with minimal vertical lift. The feet move close to the ground, covering distance efficiently rather than dramatically. This low-impact movement protected joints and allowed endurance over uneven terrain.

 

The walk reflects the Borzoi’s awareness. This is when they assess their surroundings, scan movement in the distance, and remain quietly attentive. Even today, a Borzoi’s walk often carries a sense of quiet readiness, relaxed but never dull.

The Trot

The trot is the gait most influenced by the Borzoi’s historical need for endurance. It allowed them to move quickly while preserving strength for moments requiring sudden acceleration.

 

At a correct trot:

  • The topline remains smooth and flexible
  • The forelegs reach forward cleanly
  • The rear provides steady, controlled drive
  • The movement is ground-covering, not lifted

 

The spine acts as a living suspension system, absorbing impact and redistributing energy evenly through the body. There is no pounding, no wasted motion. This efficiency allowed Borzois to remain sound and capable over long periods of activity.

The Gallop

The Borzoi’s defining movement is the double-suspension gallop. This gait evolved specifically to allow maximum speed with minimal energy loss.

 

During the gallop:

  • The spine flexes and extends dramatically
  • The legs gather tightly beneath the body
  • The stride stretches far forward and back
  • All four feet leave the ground twice per stride

 

This movement allowed Borzois to accelerate rapidly, maintain speed, and adjust direction smoothly while running at full power. Unlike frantic sprinting, the Borzoi gallop is controlled and balanced. They run with intention.

 

Historically, this ability meant the difference between success and failure. Today, it remains visible whenever a Borzoi is given the freedom to move naturally, sudden stillness followed by explosive motion, then effortless deceleration.

Why Their Movement Is So Distinct

The Borzoi’s gait is the product of integration, not exaggeration. Every part of the body contributes:

  • The long neck balances forward motion
  • The flexible spine amplifies stride length
  • The rear drives power without heaviness
  • The tail acts as a stabilizer during turns

 

They are not built for repetitive, mechanical movement or tight, forced patterns. Historically, their work required adaptability and freedom of motion, and this remains true today. Restricting their natural rhythm disrupts balance and efficiency.

When & Why Their Movement Changes

A Borzoi’s gait shifts depending on purpose and environment:

  • Calm surroundings bring long, loose movement
  • Heightened focus shortens stride and tightens posture
  • Freedom unlocks full extension and gallop
  • Stress or discomfort shows immediately as stiffness or restraint

 

Because movement is so closely tied to both structure and mental state, changes in gait often signal physical strain or emotional tension. This sensitivity is not weakness, it is refinement.

Movement as Identity

The Borzoi does not simply move through space; they flow through it. Their gait tells a story of purpose, restraint, and power held in reserve. It reflects centuries of thoughtful development, where efficiency mattered more than spectacle and balance mattered more than force.

To watch a Borzoi move correctly is to see function made beautiful — not by accident, but by design.

Judging the Borzoi: Movement, Structure, and Breed Type

Correct judging of the Borzoi requires an understanding that beauty and function are inseparable. The breed standard does not describe an ornamental dog, but a dog whose structure supports a very specific way of moving. When evaluating a Borzoi, judges must look beyond outline and coat and focus on how form translates into efficient, balanced movement.

 

The Standard in Motion

A Borzoi should always be evaluated in motion as well as at rest. Static examination reveals proportion and balance, but movement confirms whether those elements work together correctly.

 

According to the breed standard, movement should be:

  • Effortless
  • Ground-covering
  • Balanced front to rear
  • Free and flowing

 

Any sign of exaggerated lift, pounding, stiffness, or restriction is incorrect. The Borzoi should never appear heavy, busy, or overworked in motion.

 

Evaluating the Walk

The walk is often overlooked in the ring, but it provides valuable insight into construction and temperament. A correct Borzoi walk is long, elastic, and relaxed. The legs move straight and true, with the body maintaining natural balance.

 

Judges should watch for:

  • Even, unforced steps
  • Quiet footfall
  • Natural head and tail carriage
  • Absence of tension or hesitation

 

A short, choppy, or overly cautious walk may indicate structural imbalance or mental stress.

 

Evaluating the Trot

The trot is the most revealing gait for judging. At a proper trot, the Borzoi should appear to float, covering significant ground with minimal visible effort.

 

Key points to assess:

  • Clean reach in the forequarters
  • Strong, controlled drive from the rear
  • A flexible, flowing topline
  • No excessive vertical movement

 

The front and rear must work in harmony. Over-reaching, under-driving, or mismatched timing indicate faulty structure. Hackney action, exaggerated lift, or pounding is incorrect and should be penalized.

 

Topline and Spine in Motion

The Borzoi’s topline is not rigid. It should show a natural rise over the loin and remain flexible in motion. Judges should expect to see subtle spinal flexion rather than stiffness.

 

A flat, inflexible topline or excessive roaching disrupts balance and efficiency. Correct movement always reflects a spine capable of flexing and extending naturally.

 

The Gallop and Functional Soundness

While galloping cannot be fully evaluated in the ring, judges must understand that the Borzoi’s structure exists to support a double-suspension gallop. Faults that restrict spinal flexibility, shoulder reach, or rear drive directly affect this ability and should not be overlooked simply because the dog “moves well enough” at a trot.

 

Judging must always consider whether the dog could perform its intended movement, not just how it looks moving in a controlled ring environment.

 

Breed Type vs. Exaggeration

One of the most important responsibilities in judging the Borzoi is preserving breed type without rewarding exaggeration.

 

Excessive length, extreme angulation, overdone curves, or overly refined bone may appear striking but often compromise movement and durability. The correct Borzoi is balanced, functional, and efficient — never extreme.

Type is expressed through harmony, not excess.

 

Temperament and Movement

Movement is influenced by mental state. A correct Borzoi should move with quiet confidence, not nervousness or forced animation. Judges should allow enough time and space for the dog to settle into a natural rhythm.

 

Tension, reluctance, or shutdown behavior can affect movement and should be considered in context. Calm handling and patient observation are essential when evaluating this breed.

 

Judging With Purpose

To judge the Borzoi correctly is to judge function through form. Movement confirms structure, and structure confirms purpose. When judges reward effortless, balanced, ground-covering movement, they help preserve the essence of the breed.

 

The Borzoi should leave the ring looking as though it could continue moving — smoothly, powerfully, and without strain.

 

That is correct type in motion.