Borzoi Dog: Temperament, Exercise Needs, Care and Health
Is a Borzoi Dog a Good Fit for Your Home?
A Borzoi can suit someone who enjoys a quiet dog indoors, daily walks and the chance to watch a hound stretch into a full run in a securely fenced space. Many adult Borzois are content to rest near their family for much of the day. That calmness can be deceptive, though: the same dog that barely lifted its head from the sofa may spot a rabbit on an evening walk and accelerate before you have even seen it.
Before bringing one home, picture your usual walk. If it follows a pavement beside traffic, plan to keep your Borzoi on a leash. If you have access to a field, check whether it is actually enclosed; an open field gives a dog room to run but nothing to stop a chase. Access to a secure place to run matters more than the size of your house. A large garden with an unreliable gate offers less freedom than a smaller home near a properly fenced exercise area.
Consider what you want from the relationship, too. A Borzoi may choose to lie beside your chair without wanting to retrieve a ball ten times in a row. If you enjoy that quieter companionship, the breed may suit you well. If you already have a cat or small dog, ask about the individual Borzoi’s experience living with animals of that size. A calm meeting on a leash tells you less than a history of sharing a home.
What Was the Borzoi Bred for, and Why Is It Called the Russian Wolfhound?
The Borzoi was developed in Russia as a sighthound: a dog bred to spot moving game and pursue it at speed. Russian nobles kept these hounds to hunt hare and fox as well as wolves. Wolf hunting gave the breed its familiar English name, Russian Wolfhound. The name describes the quarry the dog pursued, not wolf ancestry.
The Borzoi’s role becomes clearer if you picture the moment game broke into open ground. Once a hare or wolf was in view, the hound needed to accelerate, follow changes in direction and keep the animal in sight. A hunter could not guide every turn. That history helps explain why a modern Borzoi can be attentive to its owner on a quiet path, then focus entirely on something moving across the field.
Borzoi and Russian Wolfhound are two names for the same breed. In the United States, the American Kennel Club approved the change from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi in 1936. That is why an older dog book or a family photograph may use a different name for the same long-legged hound.
How Big Does a Borzoi Get? Height, Weight and Build
An adult Borzoi is tall even by large-dog standards. In the U.S. breed standard, a mature male should stand at least 28 inches (71 cm) at the shoulder, and a mature female at least 26 inches (66 cm). These are minimum heights, not averages. The measurement is taken at the top of the shoulder blades, so a Borzoi standing with its head raised reaches considerably higher.
Seen from the side, the Borzoi has a deep chest, a belly that rises toward the hind legs and a gentle arch over the loin. The long coat can soften that outline, especially around the neck and hindquarters. The weight ranges above describe the breed; they are not feeding targets for an individual dog.
For everyday planning, consider length as well as height. A Borzoi curled up on a rug looks surprisingly compact until it stretches out. When choosing a bed, measure your dog lying comfortably on its side. For a travel crate, check that the dog can stand naturally, turn around and lie down without folding its neck to fit.
What Is the Borzoi’s Temperament Like at Home and Outdoors?
Many adult Borzois are quiet companions at home. Affection can be understated: your dog may follow you from the kitchen to the living room, choose a spot nearby and settle without asking to be stroked. Some greet visitors readily; others prefer to watch for a while. Give a reserved dog room to approach in its own time. Puppies and adolescents can be considerably more playful and energetic than the composed adults that give the breed its reputation.
Outdoors, one of the most noticeable changes is what holds the dog’s attention. A Borzoi may pause on a walk, lift its head and watch movement far across a field while you are still trying to see what caught its eye. That visual focus is characteristic of a sighthound. A dog that is gentle with people can still react quickly when a squirrel runs across the path.
If you are meeting a Borzoi before adoption, spend time together both in a quiet room and on a leashed walk. Notice how the dog greets you, whether it can settle after the initial excitement and what happens when something moves in the distance. Those observations tell you more about the companion you might bring home than the word calm on its own.
Can Borzois Live With Children, Cats and Other Dogs?
A Borzoi can live well with children and other dogs, but a household with a cat or very small dog needs a more careful assessment. For a sighthound, the moment another animal starts running can matter more than how calmly the two stood together a minute earlier.
With children, give the dog a resting place where it can sleep undisturbed. Teach children to invite the Borzoi over rather than leaning across its bed or putting their arms around its neck. An adult should supervise interactions with young children: even a gentle Borzoi can knock a toddler over simply by turning quickly in a narrow hallway.
With cats, ask about the individual dog’s history. “Has this Borzoi lived with a cat that ran through the house?” is more useful than “Has it ever met a cat?” Start introductions behind a secure barrier and give the cat a route to a dog-free room. If the dog repeatedly fixes its gaze on the cat, stalks it or lunges when it moves, end the introduction. Do not let the cat run loose to see what the dog will do. For a Borzoi with a history of pursuing cats, a cat-free home may be the safest fit.
With other dogs, look for compatible play styles as well as a calm first meeting. Start with a parallel walk before arranging time together in an enclosed space. Two dogs that take turns chasing and pause voluntarily are having a different interaction from one in which a small dog keeps trying to hide while the Borzoi follows. In the latter case, interrupt the chase and give them separate space.
How Much Daily Exercise Does a Borzoi Need, and Where Can It Run Safely?
For a healthy adult Borzoi, about an hour of exercise a day is a useful starting point, often divided between a morning and an evening walk. That does not mean an hour of running. A walk at a comfortable pace, time to sniff and occasional opportunities to gallop serve different purposes. Adjust the routine to your dog’s age, fitness and comfort. A growing puppy needs shorter outings and self-paced play rather than being expected to keep up on an adult’s jogging route.
For off-leash running, choose a fully enclosed area with a secure gate and enough clear ground to turn and slow down. Before releasing your dog in an unfamiliar field, walk the boundary: look for gaps under the fence, an unlatched second entrance, holes in the ground or obstacles hidden in long grass. A privately booked exercise field can be a better choice than a busy dog park if unfamiliar small dogs are likely to join the chase.
On open land, keep the leash on. A Borzoi that returns reliably during practice can still set off after a hare before you see it. The value of an enclosed field is that your dog can enjoy the very thing it was bred to do—stretch into a full gallop—without a road or an open gate at the end of the run.
How Do You Train a Borzoi to Come When Called, Even Around Distractions?
Start close enough that your Borzoi can succeed. In a quiet room, say your chosen cue, such as “come,” once. Take a few steps back and reward your dog when they reach you. Give the reward beside your leg so your dog learns to come all the way back, rather than stopping just beyond reach. Sometimes release them to play again. Coming when called should not always mean the walk is over.
In a securely fenced space, change one thing at a time: distance or distraction. First practise from farther away while the area is quiet. Then move closer and try the same cue while your dog is mildly interested in a scent. If your Borzoi cannot turn away, make the next attempt easier. A missed response tells you more about the difficulty of that moment than about the dog’s willingness to learn.
On walks, notice the moment before a chase: your Borzoi lifts their head, stops sniffing and fixes their gaze on movement. If they can still turn toward you, reward that check-in and move away together. If they are already pulling toward the animal, keep hold of the leash and create distance. A rabbit in an open field is not a safe recall test. Practise for a better response when you need it, and keep full-speed off-leash running for enclosed ground.
What Should You Feed a Borzoi From Puppyhood to Old Age?
For a puppy, choose a complete and balanced food formulated for the growth of large dogs. The goal is steady growth, not reaching adult weight as quickly as possible. Measure meals, track growth at veterinary visits and avoid adding calcium to an already balanced puppy diet unless your veterinarian recommends it. A Borzoi may still be growing after its first birthday, so base the switch to adult food on the individual dog’s development.
For an adult, use both your hands and the scale. A Borzoi naturally has a pronounced abdominal tuck, while the long coat can hide changes around the ribs and hips. Run your fingers over the ribs: they should be easy to feel beneath a light covering. Ask your veterinarian to show you what a healthy body and muscle condition feels like on your dog. That gives you a better basis for adjusting portions than trying to make a slender Borzoi look like a heavier-built breed.
For a senior, watch what happens to muscle as well as weight. A dog taking shorter walks may need fewer calories, but a dog losing muscle over the spine or hindquarters needs a different assessment. Even a stable weight can hide muscle loss. Before cutting portions or changing to a food labeled “senior,” bring your veterinarian a record of the food, treats and amounts your dog actually eats. If appetite or weight has changed without explanation, mention when you first noticed it.
How Much Does a Borzoi Shed, and How Do You Care for Its Coat?
Borzois shed throughout the year, with heavier shedding when the coat changes seasonally. A quick brushing every day or two is a practical starting point. During a heavier shed, a short daily session is often easier on both dog and owner than trying to remove a week’s worth of loose hair at once.
Pay particular attention to the soft hair behind the ears and the longer feathering on the legs, hindquarters and tail. These areas can look smooth on the surface while a tangle is forming underneath. After a walk through long grass, run your fingers through the feathering first to find burrs or seeds. Use a pin brush in small sections, then gently pass a metal comb through the longer hair. If the comb catches, hold the hair near its base and loosen the ends rather than pulling against the skin. Leave tight mats close to the skin to a groomer.
Brushing is also a chance to notice what has changed for your dog. Loose hair coming away evenly is different from a new bald patch, red skin or persistent scratching. Those changes deserve a veterinary assessment rather than a more vigorous grooming session.
What Health Problems Should Borzoi Owners Know About?
Bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is the concern that calls for the quickest decision. A Borzoi that becomes restless and repeatedly tries to vomit without bringing anything up needs emergency veterinary care. Do not wait for the belly to look swollen before seeking help.
Other concerns are easier to notice as changes in everyday routines. A new limp that persists or keeps returning, especially with a painful swelling on a leg, deserves an examination. Osteosarcoma, a bone cancer, is among the conditions reported in the breed. A limp alone does not identify its cause, but knowing which leg is affected and when the problem began can help your veterinarian investigate it. An unexplained collapse or sudden difficulty breathing warrants emergency care regardless of the suspected cause.
For owners choosing a puppy, screening records answer a different question from symptoms. The U.S. breed club identifies four areas for screening in breeding dogs: a heart ultrasound, a specialist eye examination, thyroid testing and a DNA test related to degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disorder. These records help you assess the parents’ health history. They cannot rule out every illness a puppy might develop later, and they do not replace an examination when a dog becomes unwell.
What Are the Warning Signs of Bloat (GDV), and When Is It an Emergency?
If your Borzoi repeatedly tries to vomit but brings up nothing or only a little foam, go to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. Call ahead if you can do so without delaying the trip. Do not wait for the belly to look swollen. In a deep-chested dog, enlargement of the stomach may be difficult to see, especially early on.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, occurs when the stomach expands and twists, interfering with blood flow. The first thing you notice may be a dog that cannot settle: getting up, pacing, drooling and retching again. Weakness, pale gums or collapse can follow as circulation worsens. You do not need to see every sign before seeking help, and there is no reliable way to distinguish simple stomach distension from a twist at home.
At a routine appointment, ask whether preventive gastropexy is appropriate for your Borzoi, particularly if a parent or sibling has had GDV. During this procedure, the surgeon attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to reduce the risk of twisting. The stomach can still expand afterward, so repeated unsuccessful retching remains an emergency even in a dog that has had the procedure.
Which Health Tests Should You Ask a Borzoi Breeder About?
Ask for the registered names of both parents and the dated results for each dog. In the United States, the Borzoi Club of America lists the following four screenings for its Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program. They answer different questions, so a general statement that the parents were “vet checked” or “DNA tested” is not enough to tell you which evaluations were done.
Screening | What to ask the breeder to show you |
Heart evaluation | The echocardiogram report from a board-certified veterinary cardiologist. A routine note saying “no murmur heard” is not the same as a heart ultrasound. |
Eye examination | A dated Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER) examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Check the findings as well as the examination date. |
Thyroid screening | The thyroid screening result from a laboratory approved by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). |
Degenerative myelopathy (DM) DNA test | The SOD1A result for each parent from an OFA-approved laboratory. Ask the breeder to explain what the two results mean together for the planned litter. |
A CHIC number means the required screenings were completed and the results made public; it does not mean every result was normal. Read the individual entries. Then ask one question the certificates cannot answer: “Has either parent, or any of their close relatives, had bloat?” That gives you family history to discuss with your veterinarian alongside the screening records.
How Long Do Borzois Live, and How Do Their Needs Change With Age?
The typical Borzoi lifespan is 9–14 years. As your dog grows older, familiar routines give you a useful way to spot changes. A Borzoi that still gets up eagerly for a walk but hesitates at the back steps may be telling you that the steps are uncomfortable, even though the walk itself is still enjoyable.
Watch how your dog rises from bed, turns on a smooth floor and moves the morning after exercise. A non-slip runner between the bed and the door can help a tall dog find its footing. If one long outing leaves your Borzoi stiff, try two shorter walks and keep the parts your dog enjoys, such as stopping to sniff a familiar hedge. A new or persistent limp deserves a veterinary examination, even if your dog still wants to go out.
Senior dogs generally benefit from a veterinary checkup about every six months. For a Borzoi, ask the veterinarian to show you how to feel the muscles along the spine and hind legs beneath the long coat. This gives you a point of comparison at home: a naturally slender dog can lose muscle without an obvious change on the scale. If appetite, weight or mobility changes between visits, contact the clinic rather than waiting for the next scheduled checkup.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Borzoi Dog
Can a Borzoi live in an apartment?
Yes, some adult Borzois settle well in apartments. Consider the route outdoors as carefully as the floor space. Can your dog reach a toilet area easily? Is there room to pass another dog in the hallway? If the lift breaks down, could your dog manage the stairs? That last question matters particularly with an older Borzoi that may be too large for you to carry. Daily walks and access to a securely enclosed exercise area still matter wherever you live.
Does a Borzoi need to run at full speed every day?
No. Daily exercise does not have to mean daily sprinting. Walks give your Borzoi a chance to move, explore and spend time with you. A secure field offers something different: room to lengthen its stride and slow down at its own pace. If a safe enclosure is unavailable that day, choose a leashed walk rather than an open field near traffic or wildlife.
How can I tell whether my Borzoi is too thin?
A deep chest and a pronounced upward curve of the belly are normal features of the breed. A photograph from the side cannot tell you whether your dog is underweight. Feel the ribs and pay attention to muscle over the back and thighs. If the bones are becoming more prominent than they used to be, or your dog is losing weight despite eating normally, arrange a body-condition assessment before simply increasing the food.
Is an adult Borzoi a better choice than a puppy for a home with cats?
An adult with a documented history of living calmly with cats gives you more information than a puppy whose adult behavior is still unknown. Ask what happened when the resident cat ran, jumped down from furniture or crossed the room during play. A quiet first meeting is encouraging, but it cannot answer those questions. With either an adult or a puppy, start with a secure barrier and make sure the cat has a dog-free retreat.
Sources
Official source | What it covers | URL |
American Kennel Club — Borzoi | Adult height and weight, temperament, coat and the breed’s typical lifespan of 9–14 years. (www.akc.org) | |
American Kennel Club — Borzoi History | The breed’s Russian hunting heritage, its role as a sighthound and the origin of the name Russian Wolfhound. (www.akc.org) | |
American Kennel Club — 1936 archival record | The official decision to change the U.S. breed name from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi in 1936. (images.akc.org) | |
Borzoi Club of America — Ownership and Care of the Borzoi | Daily life with a Borzoi, exercise, secure running areas, shedding and coat care. (borzoiclubofamerica.org) | |
PDSA — Borzoi | Daily exercise guidance and considerations for households with children or smaller pets. (www.pdsa.org.uk) | |
Dogs Trust — Recall Training | Teaching a dog to return when called, rewarding the return and introducing distractions gradually. (www.dogstrust.org.uk) | |
American Animal Hospital Association — Age-specific and Breed-specific Diets | Choosing a diet for large-breed puppies, managing growth and deciding when to transition to adult food. (www.aaha.org) | |
Borzoi Club of America — Breed Health Statement | Breed-specific health concerns and recommended screening for breeding dogs: echocardiography, eye examination, thyroid testing and a degenerative myelopathy DNA test. (www.borzoiclubofamerica.org) | |
Borzoi Club of America — “Calling All CHIC Borzoi!” | How to interpret a Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) number: it documents completion and disclosure of the required screenings, not necessarily normal results. (www.borzoiclubofamerica.org) | |
American College of Veterinary Surgeons — Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus | Emergency signs of GDV, the need for prompt treatment and why preventive gastropexy reduces the risk of twisting but does not prevent stomach distension. (www.acvs.org) | |
American Animal Hospital Association — Supporting Your Senior Pet | Senior wellness visits, including the recommendation for examinations every six months. (www.aaha.org) | |
Mersin Vetlife Veterinary Clinic | Daily Cases |
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