Borzoi Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Russia
The Borzoi is a large Russian sighthound originally bred by the aristocracy to hunt wolves across open terrain. Known for its elegant build, silky coat, and calm indoor temperament, it combines breathtaking speed outdoors with a quiet, catlike nature at home.
| Breed | Borzoi |
| Size | Large (75–105 lbs) |
| Height | 28–32 inches |
| Lifespan | 9–14 years |
| Temperament | Gentle, Independent, Loyal |
| Energy Level | Moderate●●●○○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Borzoi Overview
The Borzoi is one of the tallest and most graceful dog breeds in the world, recognized for its long narrow head, flowing silky coat, and arched back built for explosive speed. Despite its athletic ability, the Borzoi is surprisingly calm and low-key indoors, often spending much of the day resting like a large, elegant cat. It bonds deeply with its family but retains a strong independent streak inherited from centuries of hunting without handler direction.
📜 History & Origin
The Borzoi, whose name means 'swift' in Russian, was developed by Russian nobility during the 17th century by crossing Arabian Greyhounds with thick-coated native Russian breeds to create a dog capable of hunting wolves in the harsh Russian climate. These dogs were kept in large kennels on aristocratic estates and used in spectacular organized hunts involving hundreds of hounds and horses. After the Russian Revolution decimated the breed due to its association with the nobility, dedicated fanciers in Britain and the United States preserved the Borzoi, and the AKC officially recognized it in 1891.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 75–105 lbs (34–47 kg)
- Height: 28–32 inches (71–81 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 60–85 lbs
- Height: 26–29 inches
Coat type: Long, silky, and wavy or curly with a thick neck frill
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Borzois are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Can show aggression toward other dogs or animals. Early socialisation is important, but this breed may need careful management in multi-pet households.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Borzois have moderate exercise requirements — around 60 minutes of daily activity is sufficient. Two daily walks plus some playtime keeps most individuals happy and healthy.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Borzoi)
- Daily amount: 3 to 4 cups per day split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Brush 2–3 times per week to manage shedding and coat condition.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Borzoi lifespan is 9–14 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Experienced dog owners
- Active families with large yards
- Owners who appreciate independent breeds
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- Households with small pets
- Apartment dwellers
🆚 Borzoi vs Other Breeds
✅ Borzoi wins at
The Borzoi has a more luxurious, flowing coat and a more striking aristocratic appearance suited to dog shows and family life.
✅ Greyhound wins at
The Greyhound is easier to find, typically less expensive, and is often available through retired racing adoption programs.
✅ Borzoi wins at
The Borzoi is better suited to colder climates and has a thicker coat that provides more protection in harsh weather.
✅ Saluki wins at
The Saluki is slightly more trainable and has an ancient, well-documented history that appeals to enthusiasts of desert sighthounds.
🏠 Who Should Own a Borzoi?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Experienced dog owners
- Active families with large yards
- Owners who appreciate independent breeds
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- Households with small pets
- Apartment dwellers
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Borzoi good for families?
The Borzoi can be a good family companion in the right household, as it is gentle, calm, and affectionate with its own people. It generally does well with older children who understand how to interact respectfully with a large, sensitive dog, but its size and energy during play can unintentionally knock over very young children. Families with small pets such as cats or rabbits should be cautious, as the Borzoi has a strong prey drive and may chase small animals instinctively.
How much does a Borzoi puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Borzoi puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,200 and 2,500 GBP depending on lineage and health testing. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 80,000 to 200,000 PKR, though the breed is rare and finding health-tested stock can be difficult. In India, expect to pay between 60,000 and 150,000 INR, and buyers should take extra care to source from breeders who provide vaccination records and proper health clearances.
Is Borzoi easy to train?
The Borzoi is not considered an easy breed to train and is best suited to experienced owners who understand sighthound psychology. It is highly intelligent but independent by nature, meaning it will often choose not to comply rather than being unable to understand commands. Positive reinforcement, short sessions, and patience work best, while harsh corrections will cause the Borzoi to shut down or become avoidant.
What food is best for a Borzoi?
A high-quality commercial dry food formulated for large breeds is a solid foundation for a Borzoi, with protein from named animal sources listed as the first ingredient. Because Borzoi are deep-chested and prone to bloat, meals should be split into at least two portions per day and vigorous exercise directly before or after meals should be avoided. Some owners feed a raw or fresh food diet under veterinary supervision, which can support coat quality and lean muscle mass in this athletic breed.
Does Borzoi bark a lot?
The Borzoi is a relatively quiet breed and is not known for excessive barking compared to many other large dogs. It may alert bark occasionally but generally prefers silence, which makes it surprisingly tolerable as a house dog despite its large size.
Can a Borzoi live in an apartment?
A Borzoi is not well suited to apartment living due to its large size, need for daily off-leash running in a securely fenced area, and the risk that restricted space could lead to restlessness or destructive behavior. Owners without access to a large yard or nearby secure open space will struggle to meet this breed's exercise requirements adequately.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Borzoi is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 9–14 years, moderate activity needs, and moderate grooming requirements, the Borzoi is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Borzoi will reward you with years of loyal companionship.