The aristocratic Borzoi, one of the most stunningly attractive dogs, is cherished for his placid, amiable disposition. He is a royal package of power, grace, and glitz flying by at 35 to 40 miles per hour when he is in full stride. Large and sophisticated sighthounds are borzoi. A mature adult is 75 to 105 pounds in weight and at least 28 inches tall at the shoulder. Females will be more petite. Under the opulent silken coat, the Borzoi is built using the classic Greyhound design. The Borzoi, sometimes referred to as the Russian Wolfhound, were designed to be quick and hardy enough to chase and pin their fierce lupine prey. They can be recalcitrant in their silent, cat-like nature, so training is best done with persistence, patience, and a sense of humor. Despite being loving family dogs, Borzoi is a little too dignified to genuinely relish a lot of roughhousing. Their impulse to pursue will be instantly sparked by the sight of a cat or squirrel running, therefore a fenced-in running area is essential.
Borzoi
loyal / affectionate / regally dignified
Hound Group >>
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
28 inches & up (male)
26 inches & up (female)
Weight
75-105 pounds (male)
60-85 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
9-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Affectionate With Family
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.
Shedding Level
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.
Coat Grooming Frequency
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.
Drooling Level
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.
Coat Type
Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.
Openness To Strangers
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!
Playfulness Level
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.
Watchdog/Protective Nature
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.
Adaptability Level
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.
Trainability Level
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!
Energy Level
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.
Barking Level
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.
Mental Stimulation Needs
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Borzoi
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
Although Borzoi are typically healthy dogs, a responsible breeder will check breeding stock for diseases including osteochondritis dissecans, progressive retinal atrophy, and elbow and hip dysplasia. They are susceptible to bloat, a sudden and potentially fatal gastrointestinal disease, like other big, deep-chested dogs. Owners should get knowledgeable about the indications that indicate something is happening and what to do in that case. The Borzoi is one kind of sighthound that is more sensitive to anesthetic than other breeds. A Borzoi's ears should be checked frequently, as with all breeds, and its teeth should be brushed frequently.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Degenerative Myelopathy DNA Test
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The Borzoi sheds a little bit, just like any dog with a long coat. Generally, any loose hair and debris from the coat can be removed by giving it a brief brushing every day or two with a pin brush, slicker brush, and/or a comb. The Borzoi sheds more frequently for many weeks once or twice a year, and during this time, frequent grooming is required. The Borzoi looks his finest and stays clean by taking regular baths. The Borzoi's nails should be frequently clipped, as with all breeds.
Exercise
Despite their size, Borzoi is graceful, athletic dogs who make wonderful house dogs. Whether it's through long walks or jogging in a safely fenced yard, they do require daily exercise. They should always be in a confined space or on a leash because sighthounds are known to chase everything that moves. It is never a good idea to let a Borzoi roam free. Borzoi thrives in canine sports like agility and lure coursing and love engaging in activities with their owners.
Training
It is advised to take puppy training sessions as well as early socializing. The puppy will grow into a well-adjusted adult if he is exposed to favorable encounters with a diversity of people, places, and situations. Training a borzoi can be difficult since they are independent and occasionally stubborn, but they are also intelligent and highly affectionate with their owners. The trick is to be persistent and patient. They are often friendly, well-behaved companions. When going on walks, keep in mind that Borzoi were raised to chase game, and any tiny animal that runs may cause this response.
Nutrition
Despite their size, borzoi typically eats less than one might anticipate. Due to their quick growth, borzoi pups consume more food than adults. The Borzoi should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and consent of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. Strenuous exercise is not advised before or after feeding time due to the possibility of bloat. Watch your dog's calorie intake and weight level because certain dogs are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History