Among the most impressively beautiful of all dogs, the aristocratic Borzoi is cherished for his calm, agreeable temperament. In full stride, he is a princely package of strength, grace, and glamour flying by at 35 to 40 miles per hour. The Borzoi — formerly known as the Russian Wolfhound — is a graceful, strong, and swift dog developed in Russia to pursue wolves.
A member of the sighthound family, the Borzoi chases and overtakes its quarry using sight and speed rather than trailing by scent. It descended from the Arabian Greyhound and a collie-like Russian sheepdog, and was bred as a companion for Russian nobility. Known for its regal appearance — including a long snout and silky coat — and gentle, friendly demeanor, the Borzoi is a princely member of the dog world.
Fast Dogs of the Russian Tsars
The Borzoi originated in 16th-century Russia, when Saluki and European sighthounds were crossed with thick-coated Russian breeds. "Borzoi" is the masculine singular form of an archaic Russian adjective that means "fast" — borzaya sobaka ("fast dog") is the basic Russian term for sighthounds. The official name, russkaya psovaya borzaya, refers to the breed's wavy, silky coat, and until 1936 the breed was known in English as the Russian Wolfhound.
Russian nobles were Borzoi lovers as early as the 1500s. Many aristocrats owned huge kennels of the dogs, which starred in hunts staged with much pageantry — wolves were the most prized prey. To capture a wolf, several Borzoi would chase it down and surround it, seizing it by the ear or neck and holding it until their masters arrived to finish it with a dagger or take it alive.
For centuries, Borzois could not be purchased but only given as gifts from the Tsar. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich of Russia bred countless Borzoi at Perchino, his private estate. When the feudal system collapsed in Russia, the number of Borzoi dwindled, and the breed suffered a further setback during the Russian Revolution. A few Americans had taken an interest in the breed before the revolution — Joseph Thomas Jr. bought some of Russia's finest dogs and established the breed in the United States. During the 1920s, Art Deco painters and sculptors often added the elegant dogs to their creations, and later American breeders eventually sent dogs back to Russia to re-establish the breed in its native land.
Elegance in Motion
The Borzoi is a large, elegant sighthound standing at least 28 inches at the withers for males and 26 inches for bitches, with males weighing 75 to 105 pounds and bitches 15 to 20 pounds less. The skull is slightly domed, long and narrow, with a uniquely long snout and jaws that are long, powerful, and deep. Dark eyes, small ears, and a large black nose complete the aristocratic head.
The silky coat is medium-length, flat or slightly curled, with a distinctive thick, somewhat curly neck frill — fur that served to protect the dog's neck from attack in wolf hunting. The long topcoat has varying degrees of waviness or curling, with a soft undercoat that thickens in winter and sheds in hot weather. The body is a study in grace: a deep but narrow chest, long, muscular hindquarters, and a long, curved tail, with flowing lines and unmistakable elegance in motion or repose.
Calm, Sweet, and Sensitive
The Borzoi is an affectionate and athletic breed with a calm temperament. When they're not in hunting mode, Borzoi have a sweet, friendly personality — great with people of all ages, including children. They are open to affection and cuddles, but aren't big on rough play, and they like simple, low-key games like tug-of-war.
Borzoi can be shy around new people and may be reserved before making canine friends. They can be sensitive and aloof, love being companions to their humans, and don't like to be left alone for too long. Despite their robust size and elegant coat, they are gentle souls who like to be a goofball on occasion.
Exercise and Activity
Borzoi are a calm breed that needs about 45 minutes of daily exercise. Their favorite activities are chasing and running, and they do well in the organized sport of lure coursing. The best way to keep them happy and healthy is with long walks and runs in a fenced-in area.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 30–45 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 20–30 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Note the emphasis on the fence: Borzoi will definitely chase squirrels, cats, and other animals that light up their hunting instincts, so going off-leash in public or open places is not advised. Keep your friend on the leash at all times when on walks or at parks. Once they've gotten all that energy out, they're happy to curl up with you on the couch — in fact, that's what they prefer. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a sighthound.
Training a Borzoi
Bred to hunt side-by-side with Russian royalty, Borzoi are obedient and smart dogs that do best with training using positive reinforcement, patience, and repetition. In terms of obedience, they are selective learners who quickly become bored with repetitive activity and can be difficult to motivate — but they are definitely capable of enjoying and performing well in competitive obedience and agility trials with the right kind of training.
Early socialization is important so they become comfortable around strangers, new situations, and other pets — they need to learn that the family cat or hamster is a family member, not something to hunt. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Borzoi
The Borzoi is famous for its silky coat, which requires frequent maintenance to keep free of tangles. The long, silky topcoat needs regular brushing, and a slicker brush and comb are essentials. Routine care includes trimming the nails regularly, cleaning the ears, and brushing the teeth.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 3–4 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a long-coated sighthound.
Feeding a Borzoi
Borzoi are large dogs and need quite a bit of food — but because they have a lean, delicate frame, there's no need to feed them an excessive amount. Too much food may result in bloat, one of the most common health concerns in the breed.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1.5–2 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 3–4 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 2.5–3.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Feed measured meals rather than free-feeding, and keep the deep-chested Borzoi calm around mealtimes as part of bloat awareness. Dietary needs change through life, and your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Borzoi lifespan is typically 9 to 14 years — a 2024 UK study found an average life expectancy of 12 years. Borzoi are generally healthy dogs, but like many large, deep-chested breeds, they are susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation volvulus), which can be life-threatening — know the symptoms and what to do.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip/elbow dysplasia and bloat awareness | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 5–6 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
All sighthounds, including the Borzoi, are slower to recover from general anesthesia or heavy sedatives than other breeds because of their lean muscle mass and low body-fat percentage, which makes them absorb drugs more slowly. Talk with your vet before any procedure requiring anesthesia or sedation. An American study of echocardiographs found some Borzoi to have heart murmurs, mitral or tricuspid regurgitation, and cardiac disease. The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Borzoi are large but not overly imposing or heavy, and they adjust easily to apartment living with a fenced-in yard where they can run safely. They are sweet and friendly with children and other dogs, but socializing them young is essential.
This is a rare breed in the U.S., and one of the quieter, calmer breeds — barking shouldn't be a problem. Because they don't like to be left alone for long stretches, they prefer a home where someone is usually around. If you're weighing whether a Borzoi fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Borzoi means living with a sighthound's powerful chase instinct — the breed must always be leashed in public and needs a securely fenced yard. The silky coat requires frequent grooming, and the lean frame is sensitive to anesthesia. Borzoi can be shy and aloof with strangers, don't like rough play, and prefer not to be left alone for long periods.
Yet for the right owner, the Borzoi is a treasure — a calm, sweet, sensitive companion of extraordinary beauty. From the pageantry of Russian wolf hunts to modern couches, the aristocratic Russian Wolfhound remains a princely and loyal friend.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Calm, sweet, agreeable temperament
- Beautiful, elegant appearance
- Quiet, low-barking breed
- Adapts well to apartment living
- Good with children and other dogs
- Affectionate and cuddly
Disadvantages
- Powerful chase instinct; must be leashed
- Needs frequent coat grooming
- Can be shy or aloof with strangers
- Sensitive to anesthesia
- Prone to bloat
- Doesn't like to be left alone long
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Borzoi get? Males stand at least 28 inches; females at least 26 inches, weighing 60–105 pounds.
How long do Borzoi live? Typically 9 to 14 years.
Are Borzoi good family dogs? Yes — they're sweet, friendly, and good with children.
Are Borzoi easy to train? They're smart but selective learners — patience and repetition work best.
Are Borzoi good apartment dogs? Yes — they adapt well to apartments with fenced-yard runs.
Are Borzoi good with cats? They may chase small animals unless socialized young.
Are Borzoi good with other dogs? Yes, with early socialization — they may be shy at first.
Are Borzoi good guard dogs? No — they're quiet and gentle, not guard dogs.
Do Borzoi bark a lot? No — they're one of the quieter, calmer breeds.
Are Borzoi good for first-time owners? Their sensitivity and training needs suit experienced owners.
Are Borzoi faster than Greyhounds? Both are swift sighthounds; Borzoi can reach 35–40 mph.
What health problems do Borzoi have? Bloat, heart issues, and anesthesia sensitivity are main concerns.