The Borzoi is a royal Style Hound.
Once called the Russian Wolfhound, Borzoi means “swift, light & agile.”
Those are exactly the qualities a fashionista needs to keep up with trends & styles of the day.
Borzois have managed to remain stylishly front & center for over a century in both the world of fashion & home décor.
Vintage Dog+ Dame Post Card. Image: IDH
Being a favorite Dog of royals no doubt helped the Borzoi remain popular in the decorative arts.
The Dogs reigned at kennels of the Russian Imperial family and swiftly found themselves at home in the Britsh Monarchy’s kennels at Sandringham. (More here.)
King Edward VII & Queen Alexandra were certainly fans of the Borzoi. So were the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle, who founded the Borzoi Club in England in 1892.
The Dog-loving Duchess of Newcastle bred Borzois and was said to have the largest and most successful kennel of the Dog breed outside of Russia.
In addtion to Queen Alexandra & the Duchess of Newcastle, Mrs. Borman of Billericay was a prominent Borzoi breeder at the turn of the century.
I’d say Mrs. Borman was a Fashion Hound as well, wouldn’t you?
Borzoi Champion “Statesman.” Image: IDH
I’d love to see a Dog fancier trotting around the ring at Westmister wearing one of those chapeaus!
The fashionable elite adopted the aristicratic Dog. It became a four-legged symbol of style, grace & elegance.
Even yound Pups were paired up with the Borzoi for added panache…
Vinatge Dog Magazine Cover. Image: Firnsby
Fashions can be fleeting, but the faithful Borzoi always remains in style.
While the chic riding pants below might seem tame by today’s standards, the pants were ground breaking in 1918.
“The equestrian feels more and more that she is entitled to emancipation from the hampering, conventional riding skirt. For her new freedom the coutrier is creating happy combinations of style & comfort.”
Borzois Begging for a Ride. Image: IDH
Yep, the Borzoi witnessed women’s “new freedom” in the world of fashion.
Corsets were tossed and skirt hems begain to rise.
Parisians embraced the Russian Wolfhound on the pages of their most fashionable publications of the day.
Borzoi, La Guirlande, 1919. Image: Artophile
Edouard Blanche illustrated the latest Dobbs’ fashion in 1919 for La Guirlande magazine (above) with a white Borzoi by the model’s side.
In January of 1920, a Borzoi made an appearance on the cover of Femina magazine, complete with falling snow reflected in the mirror.
It seems everyone was enomoured with the Russian Wolfhounds in the 1920’s!
Femina Fashion Hound. Image: Finsbry
It wasn’t long before the Russian Woldhounds made their way to the the stage and screen.
The amazing Ballets Russes had great influence on the tastemakers of the day with their elaborate sets & costumes from 1909-1929.
In 1919, the Ballet Russes dancer Maria Kuznetsova appeared in La Légende de Saint Joseph attended by servants, “two of whom had a couple of honey-colored Wolfhounds on white leads.”
The Moulin Rouge featured bejeweld Borzois…
Moulin Rouge Dogs. Image: Museums Galleries
In the States, Ziegfeld Follies beauties would strut across the stage with the sophisticated Borzois on fashionable leashes.
The Hounds made it to Hollywood when actress Norma Shearer drummed up publicity for MGM in November 1926 with this Russian style photo…
Hollywood Wolfhound . Image: Regency
Norma Shearer appeared in Photoplay magazine and their caption said it best:
All dressed up for a snowstorm in California: Norma Shearer and two Russian Wolfhounds who are a long way from home. The Russian influence in fashion is great, if like this lady, you are beautiful enough to get away with it.
And then there was this tinseltown production:
MGM’s Zeigfeld Borzois. Image: youtube
The 1936 MGM movie The Great Zeigfeld.
Yep, it featured 6, very well-trained Russian Wolfhounds in an extravagent dance number starring Harriet Hoctor.
Only in Hollywoof! You can watch it here.
Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,
Taffy, our charming 
