Hortaya Borzaya vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison

Hortaya Borzaya vs Galgo Espanol - Breed ComparisonGalgo Espanol is originated from Spain but Hortaya Borzaya is originated from Russia. Galgo Espanol may grow 8 cm / 3 inches shorter than Hortaya Borzaya. Galgo Espanol may weigh 6 kg / 13 pounds lesser than Hortaya Borzaya. Both Galgo Espanol and Hortaya Borzaya has same life span. Both Galgo Espanol and Hortaya Borzaya has same litter size. Both Galgo Espanol and Hortaya Borzaya requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Spain
Russia
Height Male:
66 - 67 cm
25 - 27 inches
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
Height Female:
65 - 66 cm
25 - 26 inches
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 29 kg
59 - 64 pounds
18 - 35 kg
39 - 78 pounds
Weight Female:
23 - 25 kg
50 - 56 pounds
16 - 32 kg
35 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
14 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
6 - 8
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Spanish Galgo, Galgo, Spanish Greyhound
Hort, Chortaja borzaja, Kурч, Kurtas Chortaj Hortaya Horty, Xорт, Hrt, Chort
Colors Available:
(brindle),
brown, black, white, red, piebald , brindle
Coat:
Smooth or Rough
short yet dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Quiet, Sweet
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

galgo espanolGalgo Espanol means Spanish with galgo meaning greyhound, thus a Spanish Greyhound. This breed is ancient with their roots in perhaps the English greyhound and others in the sighthound family. They are much like the greyhound in that they are laid back, calm, gentle and quiet, unless they are competing on the local track. Like the greyhound they are shy and reserved; great with kids and other pets. And of course, they love cats.

There are dogs like the Galgo referred to in writing by the ancient Celts and Romans. One author, Arrian, had his own Galgos and used them when hunting. The breed flourished in the second half of the Middle Ages in Spain and well into the 8th century. When the Christians regained control of the Iberian Peninsula, they did away with the hunter old forms of hunting and introduced a new form with hounds that made the Galgo the pride of the aristocracy and not in the homes of the ordinary people. Arrian claim to two types of dogs, the smooth and rough coated.

Muslim and Chrisitan Kings kept Galgo Espanols. In all probability the Saluke and Galgo were crossbred at this time. It was illegal to kill a Galgo and in 1081, the Mayor of Cartuario of Slonza left his Galgo in his will to Diego Citid. Dogs seen in painting from the 12th century look just like dogs of this breed who can be seen today.

It is believed that when the Galgo was developed, it was in the midsection of Spain or the Castillian plains. They ruled the interior of the country while the bloodhound ruled the exterior. The 18th and 19th centuries saw very little change in the breed. However, in the 20th century, there was cross breeding with the English greyhound that produced a leaner, faster and powerful track racing dog. The results was a faster dog without the long distance stamina of the pure Galgo. For this reason, the breeders returned to breeding the pure professional racing dog.

The sport of racing the Galgo earns Spain around sixty million dollars per year. They train anywhere from three to four thousand of the Galgos every year for Open Field Coursing Championships. Still, there no longer is any cross breeding between the Greyhound and the Galgo. The current coursing programs feature a hare that is much hardier and difficult to pursue so the stamina of the old Galgo Espanol is desired. In Castile, where these games are played, the landscape is open with large fields that requires that the hare travels far greater distances. This means that the stamina of the original Galgo Espanol is needed.

When not racing the Galgos have become great house pets. They have a reputation as gentle dogs that are docile and quiet, with good health. This reputation is well earned. They are also successful show dogs in Europe much more than the states. This is perhaps because they are really rare outside of Spain. They are not recognized by the United Kennel Club nor the American Kennel Club.

hortaya borzayaThe Hortaya Borzaya is an ancient sighthound from Asia with its origins in Kievan Rus = Grand Duchy of Lithuania = Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Empire of Russia. The Hortaya is a large dog, especially a long in body dog with a muscular build suitable for running fast. He is one of the most talented of sighthounds, able to track moving prey at quite great distances. He is an intensely active when running prey and quiet and well balanced when not working.

In Asia and Russia, it is still a working hunting dog, hunting a variety of game such as Saiga antelopes, wolves, foxes, and hares. With tremendous endurance, the Hortaya can run at great speeds and great distances on the hunt. The Hortaya Borzaya is a long distance runner rather than a sprinter like the greyhound we are all so familiar with. He also needs very little rest between runs of up to 4 km. The Hortaya uses his sense of smell as well as sight in the hunt. They hunt solo, in pairs or in packs.

It was not until 2004 that the Hortaya was first exported to Europe and given full breeding papers. They went to Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic in 2004. They went to Switzerland and Finland in 2005 and to the United States around 2005. Prior to this the Hortaya Borzaya was bred only in its original territory for thousands of years.

Unlike Western breeding programs, the Hortaya is not bred for the purpose of improving the breed. Like Asian thoroughbred horses the breed is considered “finished”. Because of this there was no inbreeding, linebreeding or incest. This is true for about 4-6 generations of a line. This helps the breed to stay healthy.

The breed was developed centuries ago being bred by many different groups of people throughout the region, making it impossible to say exactly where and how this Central Asian/Afghanistan/ southern Russian breed developed. The Russian Kynological Federation (RKF) member of the FCI, developed a standard for the Hortaya Borzaya, which unlike most breed standards, does not tell you what the Hortaya must be like. Instead it tells you what he cannot be.

It gives boundaries that the dog must fit inside in order to be considered a Hortaya Borzaya. This is because the breeds of these dogs in their native territories want to preserve as many different types and sub-types as possible under the banner of one breed. To most people these dogs would look like very different breeds. For this reason, they have not been accepted into International Breed Groups and Associations. The breeders of these dogs do not want to be tied down to one standard. They do not want the breed to be separated into western lines and the original line or show lines and working lines. They wish to keep all the dogs within one grouping.

The breed is recognized on the national level by the originating countries and federations, including Russia’s. There are an estimated 2500-3500 dog of this breed in existence to day. Only a few dozen of the breed exist outside of the original countries. In other Eastern and European countries, the dogs may be registered with hunting associations instead of a breed association.

The breed is held mostly by hunters in remote, local areas and villages that are fairly isolated. Here the Hortaya is seen as a partner in feeding the hunters family and the dog is invaluable. In these remote areas a good hunting dog is equal in value to the good horse. Both are essential to the hunter and his family’s livelihood.

The Hortaya Borzaya is a pack dog and does well with the family as well as an athletic hunter. They hunt in packs, small groups or alone and bring their catch back to the hunter for the family meal. No hunter had to go with the dog. In fact, the hunters would send the dogs several times for food. The Hortaya might travel for miles across tough terrain to get food for the family.

Description

galgo espanol puppy - descriptionObviously the Galgos looks a lot like the Greyhound, but in some very important ways they are very different. The rear of the Galgos is higher than the front and their muscle are flatter. They are built for endurance while the Greyhound is built for speed. The Galgos is a lighter, smaller dog with larger ear on a long head. They have long tails and their chests are not deep like the Greyhounds.

The Galgo comes in smooth and rough coats and a variety of colors. The rough coat protects dogs that are in climates colder than the ones in Spain and also keeps them from injuring their skin while running. The colors include brindle, black, golden, toasted, cinnamon, yellow, red, white, white with patches, or any color as long as they have a white forehead and muzzle.

hortaya borzaya puppy - descriptionThis athletic sighthound is a handsome dog, ranging from large to giant. Remember there are many different ‘types’ of dogs within the one line/breed of Hortaya. Breed standards are exclusionary, and performance based rather than inclusionary, and appearance based. Still most of the breed lines share many of the same traits.

They are a long legged breed with a very deep chest and flexible spine. They have immensely strong lungs and a narrow but long skull. Their gait is fluid, effortless trotting when not hunting. When she is hunting, they gallop like a horse and cover a lot of ground.

There eyes are usually black but can be any color and their fur is also any color. It is thick and dense. Finally, in the 2000’s, there were some dogs in a subline exported to Europe and to North America. Here, for this subgroup, a standard was established based on appearance and the color or the coat was now set at only white, blue, black, cream, red, sable and brindle, and piebald. They might or might not have a saddle. Definition of this type is still going on and has not been entirely settled yet. This standard is only for the European and American market show dogs.

These dogs, bred for show, have the same ability to run like the wind and for a very long time with his muscled body and long legs. The breed has strength and stamina that will fool you. He also has a long neck and broad back. He has thin, short ears.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

galgo espanol dog - characteristicsThey are good with children, but you need to be careful no one gets knocked down or hurt.

Special talents

Stamina for running and a good record in lure coursing.

Adaptability

Though they can be couch potatoes like greyhounds they are better off with a fenced yard and not an apartment.

Learning ability

They are smart and can learn anything you want to teach them if you can keep their attention.

Children friendliness

hortaya borzaya dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness - yes, they are very good with children and will play with them for hours.

Special talents

They have tremendous stamina, speed and intelligence to hunt on their own without the hunter and bring the prey back in good shape for the hunter’s family to eat.

Adaptability

No they are not very adaptable in terms of living arrangements. They will not do well in an apartment and probably not in the city as they need land to run.

Learning ability

Learning ability yes, they are intelligent and learn easily.

Health Problems

galgo espanol puppies - health problemsBeing a large dog, the Galgo Espanol would normally face a high probability of hip dysplasia. Fortunately for the breed this is not true. In this respect their lightness of weight, their history as a working dog and their anatomy have protected them from it. They are however susceptible to other issues.

Osteosarcoma

Bone Cancer

Malignant tumors that quickly spread throughout the body. Life threatening.

Anesthetics

As a sighthound, the Galgo Espanol is prone to have issues anytime with anesthetics. They don’t metabolize the anesthetics like other dogs do. They will take longer to revive, and they are susceptible to hypothermia while under an aesthetic.

Muscle/Toe Injuries

While running, they are prone to injuries

hortaya borzaya puppies - health problemsAs previously mentioned, the original breed is isolated and therefore has a pretty good health track record. Most of the breed specific illnesses or conditions that usually are inherited barely exist in this breed.

They have a propensity toward obesity and diet is essential to prevent other issues.

Chronic or acute pancreatitis is possible because the breed developed eating small meals and hardly any meat. Too much meat or fat could cause this.

No tolerance for high protein dog food. Can cause puppies to have life threatening damage to bones and cartilage that is irreversible.

Bloat – because of the deep chest and the intolerance for large meals they are prone to bloat.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

galgo espanol dogs - caringFeed your puppy a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 3 meals a day 2.5 to 3 cups total for the day.

Feeding the adult

Feed your adult Galgo a high quality dry food made for large breed dogs. Feed 2 meals a day but don’t overfeed Give 4-5 cups total for the day.

Points for Good Health

They have amazing stamina and good speed. Generally good health as a breed.

Games and Exercises

He can be a couch potato indoors and runs forever outdoors. He does need daily exercise and bedrest both. The best would be if you could sprint him every day or have a small yard he can play in. They excel of course at agility and lure coursing. Keep them on a leash because if they run you will never catch them. The American Sighthound Field Association presents lure coursing events that they are eligible for. They have exceled at show competition in Europe but are not well known in the U.S.

Feeding the puppy

hortaya borzaya dogs - caringAs mentioned above do not overfeed a Hortaya Borzaya puppy. There is serious risk of irreversible damage if you do. Feed small meals 3-6 times a day with lower protein.

Feeding the adult

3 cups of an average protein high quality dog food served at least 3-4 times per day. To avoid bloat do not feed large meals before or after exercise and don’t let your dog drink a lot of water at one time.

Points for Good Health

They have tremendous stamina and speed.

Games and Exercises

This is an extremely active dog bred to hunt 5-6 times a day over wide expanses of various and rough terrain. They need exercise. If you run, they will run with you happily and they will outlast you. They are good at and enjoy fetch, chase, agility, and field trials. They will last hours at any game they play.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Galgo Espanol vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Galgo Espanol vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Galgo Espanol vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Galgo Espanol vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Galgo Espanol vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Galgo Espanol vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Galgo Espanol vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Galgo Espanol vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Galgo Espanol vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Galgo Espanol vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Galgo Espanol vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Galgo Espanol vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Galgo Espanol vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Galgo Espanol vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Galgo Espanol vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Galgo Espanol vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Galgo Espanol vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Galgo Espanol vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Galgo Espanol vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Galgo Espanol vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Galgo Espanol vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Galgo Espanol vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Galgo Espanol vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Galgo Espanol vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Galgo Espanol vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Hortaya Borzaya vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Hortaya Borzaya vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Hortaya Borzaya vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Hortaya Borzaya vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Hortaya Borzaya vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Hortaya Borzaya vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Hortaya Borzaya vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Hortaya Borzaya vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Hortaya Borzaya vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Hortaya Borzaya vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Hortaya Borzaya vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Hortaya Borzaya vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Hortaya Borzaya vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Hortaya Borzaya vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Hortaya Borzaya vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Hortaya Borzaya vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Hortaya Borzaya vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Hortaya Borzaya vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hortaya Borzaya vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Hortaya Borzaya vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Hortaya Borzaya vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Hortaya Borzaya vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Hortaya Borzaya vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Hortaya Borzaya vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Hortaya Borzaya vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison