The breed also known as the Russian Wolfhound and bred to hunt wolves in packs is the Borzoi.
The Borzoi is a Russian sighthound whose name comes from an old Russian word associated with speed. It was developed for coursing game by sight, especially in the open country of Russia. Before 1936, English-speaking registries commonly called the breed the Russian Wolfhound.
Wolf hunting traditionally involved groups of mounted hunters and several Borzois. When a wolf was flushed from cover, the dogs were released to pursue and seize it while riders followed. This required exceptional acceleration, agility, courage, and the ability to work alongside other hounds.
The breed became closely linked with Russia’s aristocracy and was favored by the tsars. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich bred many Borzois at his Perchino estate. The breed is sometimes confused with the Saluki or Scottish Deerhound, but the Borzoi’s long, silky, often wavy coat and narrow, aristocratic outline are distinctive.