Overview
The Chortai, sometimes called the Hortaya Borzaya, is a short-haired steppe sighthound related to the Borzoi but lighter and plainer in coat. It was bred by Cossack and steppe hunters to run down hare, fox and even wolf across vast open ground, which gives it tremendous endurance for a sighthound.
In the UK it is a very rare dog. Owners describe them as calm, affectionate and easy in the home, with a quiet dignity and little interest in barking. Outside, the hunting instinct is strong and the speed is in the Greyhound class, so the lead is your friend.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day with at least one proper gallop in a fully fenced area is the ideal. Unlike some sighthounds, the Chortai has stamina as well as pace, so a long, loping lead walk is welcome too.
Keep the dog warm in winter; the coat is thin and the body carries little fat.
On the walk
- Prey drive: Hare, deer and rabbits trigger an instant chase that can cover a field in seconds. Only consider freedom in a secure field with no gaps in the fence.
- Recall: Workable in the absence of prey, absent in its presence. Train with a long line and reward every return generously.
- Other dogs: Usually polite and not a troublemaker. Small fluffy dogs at a distance can be mistaken for quarry, so keep an eye on the dog's focus.
- Lead: Walks nicely on a lead most of the time but the lunge when prey appears is sudden. Use a sighthound harness and keep a firm grip.
Tips for professional walkers
- A wide martingale or harness is essential; a standard collar slips over the narrow head.
- Carry a coat for cold weather and a towel for the inevitable charge through wet grass.
- Check feet and legs after a run. Thin-skinned sighthounds cut easily on brambles and flints.
- Give the dog somewhere comfortable to rest after the walk; they crash hard after a gallop.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever been coursed or hunted, and how strong is its reaction to wildlife and cats?
- Where does it currently get to run free, and is there a secure field you can use?
- Does it wear a coat in winter and how does it cope with rain?