Fleet-footed, flowy-furred, and forever looking for the best spot to take a nap, the Borzoi is the star of this Dog Breed Corner! Learn more about this regal pup’s history, exercise needs, and health. Are you looking for the pawfect meal plan for your Borzoi? Sign up for Dinner Bowl to receive the best raw dog food!
Quick Facts ✔
Height – 65cm – 75cm
Weight – 30 – 45kg
Lifespan – 9 – 12 years
Country of origin – Russia
Breed type – Hound group, sighthound, wolfhound
- Households with small animals
- Owners looking for a quiet companion
Borzoi Breed History ♜
On sight, the Borzoi looks a bit like a fuzzy, elongated Greyhound. Or maybe it reminds you of an Afghan Hound with an interesting haircut. That’s because our dog in question is part of the sighthound group. Their lanky build and barrel chest are designed for speed, and their long, narrow facial structure allows for better vision. These distinctive characteristics make the Borzoi easy to spot. But there’s more to the Borzoi than their looks!
The Borzoi is a Russian breed, although their ancestry can be traced back to Middle Eastern breeds like the Saluki. Beginning as early as the 15th century, sighthounds were brought north and crossed with Russian dogs to make them more adaptable to the harsh cold of the steppe. With a thicker coat, the new breed was ready to face the frigid conditions to hunt rabbits, foxes, and most importantly for the time period, wolves.
In fact, the Borzoi was called the Russian Wolfhound for much of its existence. How well a Borzoi performed in a wolf hunt was a determining factor in breeding decisions. The dogs who were slower or less aggressive in taking down a wolf were considered unfit to carry on the bloodline.
As you might have guessed, wolf hunting was an activity only for the wealthiest and most powerful Russians. Some of the largest Borzoi kennels belonged to noble families, who could house hundreds of dogs at a time. A full staff was needed to oversee the feeding and care, and a single hunt could include an entire fleet of Borzoi and other hunting dogs.
Eventually, rigid social structures were overturned in Russia, and the way of the prestigious Wolfhound went out with the old power dynamics. The number of kennels dwindled and eventually, wolf hunting became less of a large group activity.
Today, the Borzoi has all but given up their hunting life in favour of a more domestic one. They’re not the most popular doggos out there, but that’s only because their numbers had dwindled so low during the 20th century that many dog lovers have only learned about them recently. Borzoi Owners will be the first to say that if more people knew how special this dog really is, they’d be in every household!
Borzoi Personality Traits ★
As is the case with many sighthounds, the Borzoi toggles between work and rest. Thousands of years of breeding have made this dog incredibly smart, alert, and a bit reactive. When something interesting catches their eye, their independent quick-thinking can get the better of them.
When it comes to dogs and other animals, they see the world in two categories: coworker or prey. The former category may include dogs of a similar size that they’ve warmed up to. The latter category includes cats, small dogs, and anything else that takes them back to their hunting days. It may be possible to train this dog to get along with small animals, but it’s not a task to be taken lightly. As quiet as they are, these stealthy hunters don’t give much of a warning before they attack. So, Owners need to be 100% confident that their Borzoi is small animal-friendly before letting them off the leash.
So, what are Borzoi dogs like when they’re not “on the clock?” Most Borzoi Owners will tell you that these dogs are masters at the art of resting and recharging their energy.
If you’re looking for a watchdog, for example, the Borzoi may not take the title too seriously. While they are alert and attentive, their quiet demeanor makes them less than ideal as guardians. And, as far as houseguests and strangers go, these dogs typically take an aloof stance. They’re not necessarily shy, but they probably won’t seek attention from anyone outside their beloved family unit.
When around their trusted family members, these dogs want nothing more than to curl up and enjoy some leisure time. They may not climb into your lap, but they will surely demand space on the couch so that they can be close to you.
With kids, they tend to be calm and patient, generally preferring to watch from a comfortable spot than join in the play. Because these dogs value their naps, it’s important to teach children to respect their personal space.
Borzoi don’t typically develop the symptoms of separation anxiety that we see in many other breeds, but that doesn’t mean that this doggo enjoys alone time. In fact, they are quite sensitive and can develop doggy depression from too much time alone.
Overall, a Borzoi will be a steadfast, quiet companion with their trusted Owner. If you’re looking for a cuddlesome pup who will silently follow you from room to room, the Borzoi is your dog.
Borzoi Trainability & Training Tips
Intelligent, distractible, and independent, you can look forward to a somewhat challenging training process. Here are a few do’s and don’t when it comes to training the Borzoi:
Do: begin training as soon as possible
The longer a Borzoi is able to grow into their personalities without proper training, the harder it will be to work with their independence. So, as soon as a Borzoi comes into your care, make sure to start the training process.
Do: find the right reward system
Unlike some people-pleasing dogs, a Borzoi may not feel motivated to perform a command for anything less than a delicious treat. To be sure, it’s still a good idea to provide them with plenty of verbal praise, but don’t be offended if they’re really just in it for the edible rewards!
Do: start training in a distraction-free area
Remember that Borzoi dogs always keep an eye out for something chaseable, which can make training a difficult task. When you’re first starting out, choose an area with few distractions, such as a room with the blinds drawn or a backyard with a high fence.
Don’t: let them off the leash too soon
Some Borzoi Owners choose never to let their dogs off leash in areas that are open. And that’s because once these dogs really do fly once they’ve noticed something interesting in the distance. If you are committed to training recall well enough to let your Borzoi off the leash, only do so when you’re very confident they’ve mastered the skill.
Don’t: use overly harsh training methods
Borzoi were originally bred to go head-to-head with wild wolves, but that doesn’t mean they’re not sensitive. Harsh or mean training tactics will alienate this already independent dog, so always stick with positive reinforcement training.
Don’t: assume that a Borzoi is untrainable beyond the basics
If training your Borzoi has been like pulling teeth, they may never perform fancy tricks. In that case, work on mastering the basics and providing your pup with other forms of mental stimulation. But, if your Borzoi is engaged in the training process, don’t feel that you have to stop once they’ve learned the fundamentals! Some Borzois love training and can be taught everything from dog dancing to obstacle courses!
Do: have some patience
No matter how well trained a Borzoi, they will never be as quick to follow commands as a German Shepherd or a Poodle. But their lack of enthusiasm doesn’t mean they’re not engaged in the training process! Give this slow-moving giant a few extra seconds to complete a command, while remembering to be quick with the reward!
Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂
One of the funny things about sighthounds is that they’re built for short stints of intense exercise. The rest of the time, they’re committed to napping, cuddling, and lounging around.
True couch potatoes, it’s important to give these dogs just enough exercise that they stay healthy, about an hour. But don’t be surprised if the majority of their day is spent snoozing.
Here are a few ways to exercise this sprinter:
- Interactive games with their favourite human. Whether it’s tug-of-war or a nice long game of fetch, Borzoi love to play with their Owners. If you find your Borzoi getting bored, try playing with new toys so that you and the game are more interesting than something else that might catch their watchful eye.
- Lure coursing. It’s absolutely incredible to watch a pack of sighthounds pursue a lure in an open field. This sport was made for dogs like the Borzoi!
- Flyball. Training a Borzoi the basics of flyball may take some time, but once they get it, they’ll leave the competition in their dust—while getting a great workout!
- Playdates with other sighthounds. If you’re able to schedule playdates with other Borzoi, Greyhounds, or even a Basenji or two, you’ll see why this is such a wonderful way to exercise your dog. When they’ve got equally fast playmates, these dogs can really show what they’ve got!
- Long walks. In between highly active exercise activities and hours of cozy rest, walks are ideal for the mental and physical health of a Borzoi. The low-impact exercise is good for muscle recovery and the time outside will keep their senses sharp. A dedicated Dog Walker will be happy to go for a stroll with your gentle giant when you’re not able to take them out.
As sprinters to the core, Borzois should always have access to highly nutritious dog food. Fresh protein is great for energy and stamina while dog-friendly veggies can provide the vitamins and minerals they need for muscle growth and recovery.
In terms of living conditions, these are very tall puppers who need some room to stretch their legs, and stretch out on the couch. They prefer to live in a household with a fenced backyard, but because of their calm demeanor in the house, can fit into an appropriately sized apartment setting.
As far as climate goes, they’re much more adaptable to cold weather than their southern sighthound relatives. They are Russian Wolfhounds, after all, and would probably rather roll around in the snow than sunbathe at the beach.
Borzoi Grooming ✄
Borzois have a silky double coat that should be brushed gently a couple of times per week. You might also use a comb to take care of any tangles. They do shed more during season changes, so more frequent brushing can help with the loose fur around the home.
Their luxurious coat stays pretty clean and odour-free, only requiring a bath when needed. Some Borzoi Owners never bathe their pup, while others may wash them once every three to four months.
Keeping the fur on their feet and forelegs short can prevent them from picking up burrs and sticks, but the rest of their coat doesn’t need to be trimmed.
Beyond that pretty minimal care, Borzois should have their nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly!
Borzoi Health +
They may look delicate, but these dogs are hardy and healthy! That said, they can develop the following health conditions:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Wobbler syndrome, aka cervical spondylomyelopathy, a neurological disease that compromises the spinal cord
- Bloat
Because Borzoi puppies grow up so quickly, it’s a good idea to establish a good relationship with your vet from day one to monitor their progress. Make sure to get your pup covered by a reliable pet insurance plan so that they can sprint through life worry-free!
Fun Fact ♥
There’s something we have to clear up for the fellow grammar enthusiasts out there: what in the world is the plural of Borzoi? Borzois, or Borzoi?
As it turns out, you can use whichever variation rolls off the tongue better. Whether you plan on bringing home a pack of Borzois, or your Borzoi is part of a group of friendly Borzoi who meet up at the dog park, you can refer to them however you like!
Final Thoughts on the Borzoi
Graceful with a goofy side and lightning-fast with an otherwise lazy demeanour, the Borzoi is one interesting pupper! Life with a Borzoi is filled with quiet cuddles, but potential Owners should also be prepared for an intelligent doggo with an independent streak and natural chasing instinct.
If you’re able to put in the extra time for training, socialisation, and a sturdy dog-proof fence, the gentle Borzoi is an excellent companion!
1 comment
Thank you so much for the article. Borzois certainly are wonderful