The beautiful Borzoi, previously known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a large sighthound developed in 17th-century Russia. The new name, Borzoi, means swift in Russian, and it perfectly suits them. 

Borzoi were bred to hunt wolves, foxes, and other larger game. They were built for speed, as you can see in the conformation of their bodies. Borzois have long legs, deep chests, and long necks. All of this means they are great runners. Their need to run remains even today when they are long away from hunting in the forests.

1. Size

Borzoi is a large dog. Both males and females can be more than 25 inches tall and can weigh more than 70 pounds. The exact AKC measures are:

• Male height: 28 inches and up (71cm and up)
• Male weight: 75 to 105 pounds (34 to 47 kg)
• Female height: 26 inches and up (66cm and up)
• Female weight: 60 to 85 pounds (27 to 38 kg)

The official AKC standards for the Borzoi state: “…the Borzoi should always possess unmistakable elegance, with flowing lines, graceful in motion or repose. Males, masculine without coarseness; bitches, feminine and refined.” And, that’s the first thing we notice about these dogs – their elegance. However, when you spend some time with them, you’ll notice that they somehow manage to combine elegance with goofiness. One of the admirers of Borzois said they look as if someone who has never seen a dog drew it from their memory.

2. Color

Borzois come in all kinds of coat colors. From solid white and solid black to black and white, cream, brindle, and sable. And, they have many coat markings and masks. Some of the markings are ticked, spotted on white, and a black mask, etc.

Basically, any coat color is acceptable, including any coat color combinations. Here are some examples of coat color (pictures below).

3. Social Traits

Every dog has positive and negative traits, depending on what you expect of the dog and what your lifestyle is. It’s rather subjective, because some people love the goofiness and the aloofness of a Borzoi, while others find that to be a con.

Every dog is unique, but breeds have general characteristics that can be pinned to most dogs. In the case of Borzoi, they are considered to be shy dogs, not too open to strangers which makes them a bit anxious around unknown dogs or people. Borzois are not aggressive, however, if not properly socialized, fear can induce aggression. A lot of people we talked to consider them to be quite sensitive to touch. This varies from dog to dog, of course, but it is something to keep in mind if you plan on bringing a Borzoi dog to a home with children. 

Good with other dogs: yes, with socialization to help them relax

Good with children: need socialization, but yes

Good with other animals: need socialization

When it comes to other animals, Borzois need to be properly introduced to them from an early age. If they grow up with cats, rabbits, chickens, and other small animals they won’t look at them as prey. But, it all depends on how strong their prey instincts are. 

Borzois are hound dogs, so they naturally have a higher prey instinct. You might come across a Borzoi that has no interest in small animals. You can also have a Borzoi that cannot be controlled when he sees a small animal such as a squirrel or a cat running through the neighborhood.

4. Trainability

If you want to teach them basic obedience training, then Borzoi is an easy dog to train. That’s what a majority of those who have a Borzoi dog claim. But don’t expect perfect recall from a Borzoi. They were bred to run and hunt big and small game, fairly independently, so getting him to come back every time they are off leash is hard.

This is why it is not recommended to walk these dogs off-leash. If they see something that triggers their prey instinct, such as a running small animal, they are very hard to control. Don’t forget another important thing, these dogs mature slowly. They might look like adults, but they keep puppy behavior for a longer period than some other dog breeds. This also makes them “less trainable”. You will need more patience and it will take more time, but they can be trained.

5. Activity Needs

Borzoi is a sighthound, they were bred to run. This means they need their daily exercise, and not just a quick walk in the morning and evening. Ideally, you can provide around 1 hour of daily exercise combined with some indoor games. 

Don’t just go on a walk, give Borzois an opportunity to do what they were made to do – run. It would be perfect if you could find a fenced area where they can stretch their long legs. Or if you have a yard at home, let them run around. Just don’t forget to make proper fencing. Borzois are tall dogs that can jump over smaller fences if given the chance.

6. Feeding

Borzois are big dogs so don’t expect to feed them a cup or two. They need from 3 to 4, and some sources state even 8 cups of kibble food a day. Of course, 8 cups might be too much. It depends on many things, especially your dog’s health and activity levels.

If a dog doesn’t have a lot of exercise, they don’t need so much food. On the other hand, if you see your dog whining for more food every time, and you are giving him 3 cups, add another one. However, it is best to consult a vet. They can first examine your dog to see if there are any health issues and then give a suggestion on how much to feed your dog.

Whatever you decide, 3 or 4 cups, or even more, it is best to divide it into two meals. If you feed your dog 4 cups a day, give him 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups in the evening.

7. Grooming

Borzoi has a double coat of medium to long length. It’s silky and wavy and to keep it healthy, you will need to brush your dog at least once a week. They shed, but not profusely. You can brush your dog every day during the shedding season. However, once a week with a pin brush with longer wire pins is fine. You can also combine a pin brush with a slicker brush to thoroughly remove any dirt stuck in the coat.

Of course, they need their nails regularly trimmed, approximately once a month, and they will need an occasional bath depending on how dirty they are or if you sense dog odor. Don’t forget to check and clean their ears regularly as well. 

8. Possible Problems

Borzois are generally healthy dogs. Like any other big dog, they are at risk of developing Bloat (GDV). There are no ways to prevent it, but that’s why it is recommended to feed your dog twice a day, not one time when they can gulp down air and food.

Other problems that might occur:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Responsible breeders can screen-test their dogs on these diseases. If some of the breeding dogs test positive, they should not be included in a breeding program. As for their average lifespan, it is around 10 to 12 years. 

Final Thoughts

Borzoi is not a very common pet, especially in the USA. If you want to get one, you will usually need to wait a year. If you do plan on getting one, you will need to brush them weekly, exercise them daily for at least one hour (especially let them run), and pay attention to off-leash walking because they have very bad recall because of their sighthound instincts.

Borzois go well with other dogs and children, but only if they have been well-socialized from an early age. This is because they are shy and anxious, not aggressive. They are also often associated with being too sensitive to touch, but this all varies from dog to dog.

Borzois are healthy dogs, they don’t need any special types of food, but some can eat much more than 3 cups a day. The best is to consult a vet before changing your dog’s diet. 

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