Borzoi
A tall, elegant Russian sighthound with a silky coat, calm and quiet indoors and independent by nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 75–85 cm · Females 68–78 cm
- Weight
- Males 34–47 kg · Females 25–40 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Silky, Wavy, long
- Colours
- White, Cream, Gold, Red, Fawn, Sable, Grey, Brindle, Black
- Bred for
- Hunting by sight, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Russia
- FCI
- Group 10, no. 193 · Sighthounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 2/5 – Low |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 1/5 – Very low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm, quiet and striking large dog
- have a secure garden and room to move
- enjoy grooming a long coat
Think twice if you …
- keep small pets or unfamiliar cats
- want an obedient, eager working partner
- have little time for coat care
Care
Temperament
Calm, gentle and dignified, the Borzoi is affectionate with its own people and reserved with strangers. It is independent and can be sensitive to rough play.
Exercise
Daily walks and regular sprints in a fenced field keep it fit. Lure coursing is a natural outlet.
Grooming
The long, silky coat needs brushing a few times a week, with extra work during seasonal shedding. Feathering on legs and tail tangles if neglected.
Training
Borzois understand quickly but are not eager to please; short, patient, reward-based sessions work best. Off-lead recall is unreliable around game.
Health
Borzois can be affected by bloat, heart disease and some eye conditions, and like other sighthounds they may be sensitive to certain anaesthetics. Ask the breeder for heart and eye results on the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Heart
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Borzoi was developed by the Russian aristocracy for hunting wolves, hares and foxes, often working in small teams with mounted hunters. Great estates kept large kennels, and the breed suffered badly after the 1917 revolution before being preserved by breeders in Russia and abroad.
In the home it is calm, clean and often cat-like in its manners, content to rest for much of the day. It is affectionate with its family but not demanding. It needs space, a secure garden and regular chances to run. The coat needs steady care, and its prey drive is strong.
Did you know?
In the United States the breed was known as the Russian Wolfhound until the American Kennel Club changed its name to Borzoi in 1936.