¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Borzoi is a large Russian sighthound that combines a calm manner at home with a strong prey drive and a very fast gallop. In Sweden, the breed is kept primarily as a companion, but its original working style lives on in lure coursing, in which the dog chases an artificial lure under controlled conditions.
- The desired height at the withers is 75–85 cm for males and 68–78 cm for females.
- The breed is generally quiet indoors, independent and neutral to friendly towards people.
- Fast movement in the distance can trigger a chase; a lead, long line or fully enclosed area is therefore a central part of everyday life.
- The long, silky coat needs regular brushing and can shed heavily at certain times.
- The Borzoi is best suited to someone who appreciates a large, sensitive dog and does not expect to let it off the lead in open country.
¶Appearance & Coat
The Borzoi is tall, lean and slightly elongated, yet should also be strong and well muscled. Its long, narrow head, deep chest, pronounced abdominal tuck and gently arched topline create the breed's distinctive outline. The bone should be strong without being coarse. The typical trot is long and effortless; when chasing, the dog shifts into a very fast gallop.
The coat is long, light and silky. It may be wavy or form large curls and is shorter on the head, ears and insides of the legs. Longer feathering appears on areas including the neck, chest, backs of the legs and tail. Many colours and colour combinations occur.
Expect to brush the coat a couple of times a week and more often during a moult. Work through to the skin, paying particular attention behind the ears, in the armpits and through the long feathering, where mats can hide. Check the nails, paws, ears and mouth at the same time. The coat does not need to be kept in show condition to remain healthy, but mats must not be allowed to pull on the skin. The Borzoi is not a good choice for anyone who wants a home free from dog hair.
¶Temperament & Personality
The Borzoi is usually calm, intelligent and independent, with a keen awareness of movement around it. The breed standard describes its attitude towards people as neutral to friendly. Many individuals are reserved with strangers and bark little, but that is not the same as being fearful or detached from the family. A confident Borzoi can be deeply affectionate without constantly looking for instructions.
The breed's calm reputation does not guarantee that every individual will suit every child or dog. Early, considerate socialisation and the parents' temperaments matter greatly. A dog and young child should always be supervised by an adult, and the dog needs a resting place where it will be left alone. Because a Borzoi is large and fast, an adult should also take responsibility for walks.
Many Borzois live happily with other dogs. A familiar cat in the home may also be compatible, particularly after a carefully managed introduction. This does not automatically make the dog reliable around fast-moving cats or other small animals outdoors. The Swedish breeding strategy for the breed highlights this precise distinction: an animal that belongs to the household may be treated very differently from one that runs away outside.
¶Training & Exercise
Training works best as calm teamwork with clear rewards, short sessions and purposeful variety. The Borzoi is intelligent but was bred to make rapid decisions at a distance. Repetition without a clear purpose may therefore reduce engagement, whilst harsh methods risk both welfare and the relationship. Start early with attention to the handler, loose-lead walking, stopping at doors and gates, cooperative handling and a strong recall cue.
Recall matters, but it must not be the only safety plan. When a Borzoi sees possible prey, the decision to chase can happen in an instant. Use a lead or long line where wildlife may appear and choose a fully enclosed area for running freely. In Sweden, dogs may not run loose where wild animals may be present between 1 March and 20 August; during the rest of the year, owners must still prevent their dogs from driving or pursuing wildlife.
An adult Borzoi needs daily exercise combining walks, opportunities to sniff and explore, short training sessions and chances to stretch out in a secure setting. There is no single number of minutes that suits every dog. Adjust the amount to the dog's age, health, the terrain and its recovery. Lure coursing can provide a controlled outlet for breed-typical behaviour in a healthy, mature dog.
Puppies grow quickly and can reach high speeds at an early age. Increase walks and training gradually, and avoid pushing a puppy through long, repetitive or high-impact sessions. Free movement at its own pace on safe ground, sufficient rest and a well-planned feeding routine discussed with the breeder and vet provide a better foundation than trying to exhaust the puppy.
¶Health
Sweden's breed-specific breeding strategy describes the Borzoi as a generally healthy breed and has not found a need for a dedicated health programme. That does not mean the breed is free from disease or that all lines are alike. Parts of the evidence come from owner surveys and older insurance data, so percentages should not be treated as an exact risk for an individual dog.
In the 2021 Swedish health survey, gastrointestinal problems were the most commonly reported category, although diagnoses were often missing. The survey also mentions osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, among cancers seen in the breed. Do not ask only for a standard set of test results. Ask the breeder to describe the health and longevity of the parents, siblings and older close relatives, including gastrointestinal problems, gastric dilatation-volvulus, cancer, sudden deaths and temperament.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus is an immediately life-threatening emergency that most often affects large dogs. Unproductive retching, restlessness, a rapidly swollen abdomen and severe pain require an immediate call to a vet and urgent travel to a clinic. Discuss preventive routines with your vet; the Swedish Kennel Club advises avoiding exercise immediately before feeding and for the first few hours afterwards.
A DNA test for degenerative myelopathy, DM, needs careful interpretation. The Swedish breeding strategy describes it as a risk test, not a diagnosis, and several other conditions can produce similar signs. A result should therefore be considered alongside family history and veterinary expertise, not used as a stand-alone prediction of the dog's future.
¶History & Origins
The Borzoi was developed in Russia as a fast, strong and weather-resistant hunting dog. The official FCI history traces the breed's development from the fifteenth century and explains how several sighthound and local dog types contributed to the modern Borzoi. The dogs were used mainly for hare and fox and, to a lesser extent, wolf.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Russian nobility organised large hunts involving many sighthounds, scenthounds and riders. The work required a dog to detect movement, accelerate rapidly and act without constant human direction. This explains much of today's combination of calmness, independence and strong responses to visual stimuli.
In 1888, the Moscow Hunting Society adopted a common breed standard. Its main principles remain in the current standard. In Sweden, the Borzoi is now above all a companion dog; lure coursing allows it to use aspects of its natural movement and hunting pattern without live quarry.
¶Living with the Breed
Living with a Borzoi takes more planning than its calm indoor behaviour might first suggest. The home needs enough space for such a large dog to turn, lie fully stretched out and move without slipping. A flat can work if stairs, transport, coat care, toilet breaks and access to a secure place to run are properly managed, but a private garden replaces neither walks nor activity. An ordinary fence is not automatically a secure exercise area; assess its height, gates and weak points for the individual dog.
Time alone must be introduced gradually and assessed for each dog. A young puppy should not be left alone, whereas a securely trained adult may cope with a few hours. Swedish Board of Agriculture guidance says dogs should be taken out at least every six hours during the day, with puppies and older dogs going out more often. Plan around the dog's actual responses rather than assuming a quiet dog is always content.
Before buying, you should be able to answer yes to these questions:
- Can I provide safe daily exercise and regular opportunities to run in a fully enclosed area?
- Do I accept that the dog will often need to stay on a lead where wildlife or small animals may appear?
- Do I have the space, suitable car or other travel arrangement and budget for a very large dog?
- Can I care for a long coat and live with heavy shedding?
- Can the breeder describe temperament, health and longevity across several generations rather than simply show isolated test results?
For someone who values an independent partnership and can manage prey drive, size and exercise in practical ways, the Borzoi can be a calm, close family companion with breathtaking speed when given the right outlet.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 2/5 |
| Child Friendly | 4/5 |
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 3/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 5/5 |
| Learning Ability | 2/5 |
| Barking Level | 1/5 |
| Height | 68 – 85 cm |
| Weight | 25 – 48 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 12 years |
¶Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical temperament of a Borzoi in the home?
They are generally calm, gentle, and somewhat reserved indoors, often behaving like quiet companions. Many are affectionate with their family but not overly demonstrative, and they can be aloof with strangers. Their strong prey drive remains present even in a relaxed home environment.
How much exercise does a Borzoi really need and what kind is best?
They need daily walks plus regular opportunities for controlled running in a large, securely fenced area. Short bursts of high speed are more natural to them than nonstop jogging. Mental stimulation and varied environments help prevent boredom and restlessness.
Are Borzois good with cats and small pets given their strong prey drive?
Their hunting background means many have a strong instinct to chase small, fast-moving animals. Some can live peacefully with cats or small dogs if raised with them and carefully managed, but it is never guaranteed. Off leash contact with unfamiliar small animals is usually not safe.
What are the most common health problems in Borzois?
They are at increased risk for bloat and gastric torsion, certain heart conditions such as dilated cardiomyopathy, and some types of cancer. Sensitivity to anesthesia and some medications is also a concern due to their lean body type. Regular veterinary checks and awareness of early warning signs are important.
Do Borzois need a lot of grooming with their long, silky coat?
Their coat sheds seasonally and needs brushing several times a week to prevent tangles, especially behind the ears, under the legs, and in feathering. They generally do not need frequent baths, but regular coat and nail care is essential. Their fur is relatively low odor if kept clean and brushed.
Can a Borzoi live in an apartment or small house?
They are usually quiet indoors and can adapt to smaller living spaces if they receive sufficient outdoor exercise and access to a safe area to run. The main challenge is meeting their movement and mental needs, not the size of the home. Stairs and slippery floors should be managed carefully with such a tall, long-limbed dog.
How trainable are Borzois and do they listen off leash?
They are intelligent but often independent and sensitive, so they respond best to calm, consistent, reward-based training. Many will not be reliably obedient off leash if a moving object catches their eye. A secure area is strongly recommended for any off leash activity.
Is a Borzoi a good choice for families with children?
They can be gentle and tolerant with respectful, calm children, but they usually do not enjoy rough play or constant handling. Their size and speed can accidentally knock over small children. Supervision and teaching children how to interact appropriately are essential.
What kind of fencing and yard setup does a Borzoi require?
A high, secure fence is important because many will chase wildlife or traffic if they get loose. They are capable of clearing low fences and can exploit gaps due to their agility and speed. An enclosed area that allows them to stretch out in short sprints is ideal.
What should I know about feeding and weight management for a Borzoi?
They are naturally lean and should not be bulked up, as excess weight strains their joints and heart. Smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk of bloat, and vigorous exercise should be avoided immediately before and after eating. A diet that supports steady growth is particularly important during their long, slow maturation period.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Borzoi with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
