fellfolioSighthound
Borzoi
A very tall, lightly built sighthound with a long, easy stride. The Borzoi needs secure places to run and people who enjoy its independent nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 27 to 47 kg
- Lifespan
- over 10 yearsUK Royal Kennel Club breed profile
- Activity
- High
- Grooming
- Several times weekly
- Training
- Patience & clear guidance
- Owner experience
- Experience recommended
Often calm at home, a fast hunter outdoors
Borzoi were used in Russia to hunt wolves by sight. Today this large dog can be calm and affectionate at home. Outdoors the sighthound instinct remains: a small animal running suddenly can trigger a chase.
Many Borzoi are cautious with new people at first. Unhurried introductions and reward-based training help more than pressure. Allow the dog distance from visitors if it seeks it. Supervise young children closely: the dog’s sheer size and speed are easy to underestimate.
Everyday life
Plan for about an hour of daily activity for an adult Borzoi. It also needs room to stretch into a run, ideally in a secure enclosed area. In open countryside, keep it on lead where wildlife or other small animals may appear.
Practise recall and loose-lead walking without harsh corrections. Short search and running games add variety. Avoid vigorous sprints just after meals and discuss feeding and bloat risk with your vet.
Staying home alone
Dogs learn to stay home alone in small steps. The RSPCA advises no more than four hours at a time. Puppies and dogs that become unsettled when left alone need shorter absences and gradual practice. Arrange someone to care for your dog when you will be away longer.
Day-to-day care
The silky coat is short on the head and front of the legs, and longer on the chest, tail and backs of the legs. Brush several times a week, especially behind the ears and through the longer areas, to prevent mats. Expect more loose hair during shedding.
The long, narrow muzzle warrants attention when choosing a puppy: the UK veterinary charity PDSA warns that exaggerated jaw shape can contribute to painful dental problems. Ask to see the dog eat comfortably and check that teeth and gums look healthy.
Size and build
The Borzoi looks narrow but is a very large dog with a deep chest, long muscles and a gently curved back. The British standard gives minimum shoulder heights of 74 cm for males and 68 cm for females; PDSA offers a broad adult weight guide of 27 to 47 kg. Its long muzzle, small ears and fine, slightly wavy coat give it a distinctive outline.
Free, even movement matters more than extreme length or an especially narrow jaw. A young Borzoi takes time to grow into its strength and coordination.
Health
PDSA identifies degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease that often starts with progressive weakness of the hind legs. A DNA test detects an associated genetic variant. It helps inform breeding decisions but cannot predict with certainty whether a dog will develop the disease. The US breed club also recommends heart, eye and thyroid checks. Ask for documented results and for information about the parents’ dental and jaw health.
Like other large, deep-chested dogs, Borzoi can develop gastric dilatation-volvulus. Repeated unproductive retching, restlessness or a swollen abdomen needs emergency veterinary help.
Could this breed fit your life?
Could work well if …
- You have a safe place where a very large dog can run.
- You enjoy a quiet, sensitive companion and patient training.
May be more difficult if …
- You need to house small animals with it without separation.
- You require a dog that can always walk off lead outside.
Similar needs, different dogs.
Selected by shared size, activity, grooming and training characteristics.
Swiss mountain dog
Bernese Mountain Dog
A large Swiss farm dog that likes to stay close to its people. Its strength, dense coat and sensitivity to heat shape daily life more than its relaxed manner may suggest.
Flushing spaniel
Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber is the heaviest spaniel: low, long and strong, with a white coat and an excellent nose. It often seems relaxed at home yet follows outdoor scents with persistence.
Setter
English Setter
A friendly bird dog in a silky, flecked coat. It ranges widely when searching and needs more activity than its gentle expression suggests.
Sources and photograph credit
- Teaching your dog to be left alone
Used in this profile for: Staying home alone
- Borzoi dog breed information
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Borzoi breed information
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Health, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Borzoi, Breeds A to Z
Used in this profile for: Temperament, Everyday life, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Borzoi breed standard
Used in this profile for: Size / Weight, Temperament, Day-to-day care, Size and build, Lifespan, Could this breed fit your life?
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Used in this profile for: Health
Portrait · Mychtar looking very cute even if it was a bad frizzy-hair hair day :) · Deb · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
Side view · Grupp 10, BORZOI, NO UCH NORD JV-14 Stravi She Sells Sanctuary · Johan Frick-Meijer / Svenska Mässan · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
.jpg){kind=link}
In action · Ninotschka Kalinow laufend · Barsoi ajoscha · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited
Puppy · Borzoi puppy on sofa 0293 · ROVER_JP · CC BY 2.0 · Edited
