HoundRussia

Borzoi

Russian wolf hunter with royal manners.

Weight: 60–105 lbs
Height: 26–34 in
Lifespan: 9–14 yrs

In short

The Borzoi is a sighthound from Russia, bred by the nobility to course and hold wolves; it was called the Russian Wolfhound until 1936. Adults weigh 60–105 lbs and live 9–14 years. Expect a quiet, gentle house dog whose instinct to chase anything that runs makes off-leash time risky.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a calm, quiet dog indoors
have a tall, secure fence for sprinting
like an independent, cat-like dog

Think twice if you…

want off-leash hikes and reliable recall
have cats or small pets
want an obedient, eager-to-please dog

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 135–205 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyModerate5.0/10

Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10

SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Long, narrow head
Gives a wide field of view for spotting movement, the trigger for a sighthound's chase.
02
Deep chest and arched back
Built for explosive speed; a deep chest also raises the risk of bloat.
03
Silky, flowing coat
Long and wavy or curly; it needs regular brushing and sheds seasonally.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	75–105 lbs	60–85 lbs
Height	28–32 in	26–30 in
Lifespan	9–14 yrs
Coat	Long, silky coat, flat, wavy or curly

Side profile 26–34 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Borzoi are calm, dignified and often cat-like indoors, spending much of the day draped over the sofa. They are affectionate but not clingy or eager to please. Outside, a flash of movement can switch on a sprint you can't call back.

With kids

Gentle with respectful kids but don't enjoy rough handling; best with older children.

With other pets

Fine with other dogs, especially other sighthounds; small pets and cats may be seen as prey, even if raised together.

With strangers

Polite and reserved; not a guard dog.

Alone time

Usually tolerates time alone well once adult, as long as exercise needs are met.

Training

Borzoi are smart but independent and see little point in repetition. Keep training short, gentle and worth their while.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

From 8–16 weeks, focus on calm exposure to small dogs, cats and moving things like bikes, plus handling of feet and coat. Gentle socialization matters for a sensitive breed.
Self-control

Practice a "look at me" when something moves, at a distance the dog can manage. Never rely on recall near open space; build it anyway on a long line.
What it works for

Food works best, in small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver, keeping treats within 10% of daily calories. Lure coursing is the ultimate reward for many.

Exercise

Borzoi need a chance to sprint in a securely fenced area plus daily walks. They are sprinters, not endurance runners.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Lure coursing
Sprints in a securely fenced field
Long leashed walks

Brain work

Scent games and food puzzles
Short trick sessions
Exploring new places on leash

Best home

A home with a tall, secure fence is ideal; apartments can work for a calm adult with daily outings.

Watch for Never off leash in unfenced areas; and avoid hard exercise around meals, given the bloat risk.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Borzoi (60–105 lbs) lands around 1,325–2,025 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,675–2,550 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 170–255 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–13 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,325–2,025 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 135–205 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–10 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,825–2,800 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 185–280 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 9–14 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,175–1,775 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 120–180 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–9 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,675–2,550 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	170–255 kcal	8–13 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,325–2,025 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	135–205 kcal	7–10 pieces
Active / Working	1,825–2,800 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	185–280 kcal	9–14 pieces
Senior	1,175–1,775 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	120–180 kcal	6–9 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Bloat, heart disease and eye problems are the main concerns, and Borzoi can be sensitive to some anesthetics, like other sighthounds. Know the signs of bloat and tell your vet the breed before surgery.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Heart disease (cardiomyopathy)	Cardiac exam by a veterinary cardiologist, ideally with echocardiogram	In breeding dogs, repeated over time (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	In breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Degenerative myelopathy	DNA test (SOD1)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Borzoi breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Thyroid panel
Heart exam
Degenerative Myelopathy

Also recommended

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate, with a heavier seasonal shed

Brush 2–3 times a week with a pin brush and comb, daily during shedding season. Trim hair between the paw pads and keep nails short. Check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1600s–1800s

Hunting hounds of Russia

Russian nobles kept large packs of Borzoi, working them in teams to course and hold wolves, foxes and hares.
Late 1800s

Arrival in the West

Borzoi were exported to Britain and the US; the AKC recognized the breed as the Russian Wolfhound in 1891, renaming it Borzoi in 1936.
1917 on

After the Revolution

The Russian Revolution ended the great hunting estates, and many lines in Russia were lost; dogs abroad helped keep the breed going.

Questions owners ask

Are Borzois easy to train?

No, not in the obedience sense. They are smart but independent and lose interest with repetition. Short, gentle, food-rewarded sessions work best.

Are Borzois good with kids and other pets?

With care. They are gentle but prefer calm, older kids. They usually get along with other dogs, but cats and small pets can trigger the chase instinct.

How much exercise does a Borzoi need?

About 60–90 minutes a day, including a chance to sprint in a securely fenced area. Indoors they are usually quiet.

Do Borzois shed?

Yes, moderately, with a heavier seasonal shed. Brush 2–3 times a week to prevent mats; they don't need haircuts.

What health problems do Borzois have, and how long do they live?

Borzoi live 9–14 years. The main risks are bloat, heart disease and eye problems. Learn the signs of bloat and ask for heart and eye screening results.

Is a Borzoi good for apartments or first-time owners?

Sometimes. A calm adult can live in an apartment with daily outings. First-timers must accept that the dog will never be safe off leash in open areas.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Borzoi needs only 7–10 pieces a day, well inside the 135–205 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Borzoi ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.