Is the Borzoi a good family dog?
Borzoi
Borzois are large, elegant sighthounds known for their calm nature, tremendous speed and strong instinct to pursue moving animals. Originally developed in Russia for coursing game including wolves, they are typically sensitive, affectionate with their families and somewhat reserved or aloof with unfamiliar people.
| Recommended for | Families |
| Breed Classification | Hounds |
| Other names | Russian Wolfhound |
| Lifespan | 9-14 years |
| Size | Large |
| Temperament | Loyal, affectionate, calm |
| Intelligence | Above average: independent thinkers that can be less motivated by repetitive obedience training |
| Tendency to bark | Low: generally quiet dogs that are not known for frequent barking |
| Maintenance Level | Medium: need regular brushing and seasonal coat care, but no routine clipping |
| Health Risk | Borzois are generally a healthy breed, although GDV, certain cancers and inherited cardiac, neurological and eye conditions can occur. |
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Borzoi personality and temperament
Borzois are generally calm, sensitive and affectionate dogs that tend to form close bonds with their families. They are often quiet and relaxed indoors and can be surprisingly low-key for such large, athletic dogs. With unfamiliar people they may be more reserved or aloof than overtly outgoing, which is consistent with the breed’s traditional temperament.
Despite their relaxed manner at home, Borzois remain powerful sighthounds with a strong instinct to pursue moving animals. A running cat, rabbit or other small animal may trigger an immediate chase, so they should generally remain on lead in unenclosed areas and have access to securely fenced spaces when running freely.
Borzois with kids and other pets
Well-socialised Borzois can make gentle family companions and may live happily with children, particularly when raised with them. However, they generally prefer calm interaction rather than rough play, and their large size means interactions with young children should always be supervised.
Borzois can also live successfully with other dogs and, in some cases, cats they have been raised with. Their strong prey drive remains an important consideration around unfamiliar cats and smaller animals such as rabbits and rodents, which may trigger chasing behaviour even in an otherwise calm dog.
Borzoi training and exercise
Borzois are powerful sprinters but do not generally need hours of strenuous exercise each day. Most healthy adults benefit from around 45–60 minutes of daily activity, including walks and opportunities to run in a securely fenced area. Lure coursing is particularly well suited to the breed because it provides an outlet for their natural speed and pursuit instinct.
They are intelligent but independent dogs and may lose interest in repetitive training. Patient, positive reinforcement-based methods and short, varied sessions generally work best. Recall training should begin early, but even a well-trained Borzoi should not be relied upon off lead in unsecured areas because the sight of a moving animal can trigger an immediate chase.
| Energy level | Medium: relaxed indoors but capable of extremely fast, energetic bursts of activity |
| Exercise requirements | Medium: around 45–60 minutes of daily activity plus opportunities to run safely in a secure area |
Common health issues for Borzois
What do Borzoi owners claim for the most?
Borzois are generally considered a relatively healthy breed, but they can be predisposed to several gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurological and cancer-related conditions. Responsible breeders may undertake cardiac, eye, thyroid and genetic screening before breeding.
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV or bloat) is a life-threatening emergency to which large, deep-chested breeds such as the Borzoi are susceptible. The stomach becomes distended with gas, food or fluid and may rotate, compromising its blood supply. Signs can include abdominal swelling, restlessness, excessive drooling and repeated unsuccessful retching, and require immediate veterinary attention.
- Heart disease is an important area of health screening in Borzois. Because different cardiac conditions vary in their signs, severity and treatment, responsible breeding programs may include an echocardiogram performed by a veterinary cardiologist.
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is an inherited neurological disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of coordination in the hind limbs. DNA testing for the SOD1A variant is recommended as part of the Borzoi Club of America’s health screening program.
- Eye conditions can occur in Borzois, and specialist ophthalmic examinations are recommended for breeding dogs. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is one inherited retinal disorder reported in the breed and can lead to progressive vision loss.
- Thyroid disorders are another area for which the Borzoi Club of America recommends health testing of breeding dogs. Thyroid disease can cause signs such as lethargy, weight changes and skin or coat problems depending on the underlying condition.
- Certain cancers, particularly osteosarcoma and haemangiosarcoma, are recognised health concerns in the breed. Osteosarcoma affects bone, while haemangiosarcoma is an aggressive cancer arising from blood-vessel-forming cells.
- Less common but recognised areas of concern include chylothorax, lung lobe torsion and geriatric-onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy (GOLPP).
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Borzoi
When comparing cover for your Borzoi, look for:
Cover for common Borzoi conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Borzois can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Borzoi, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Borzoi and your budget.
Borzoi feeding and nutrition
Borzois should be fed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age, body condition, activity level and health. Because they are a large, rapidly growing breed, puppies should receive an appropriately formulated large-breed growth diet and should remain lean rather than being encouraged to grow as quickly as possible.
Because Borzois are susceptible to GDV, dividing the daily food allowance into two or more meals rather than one large meal is sensible. Avoid strenuous exercise immediately around mealtimes and discuss individual GDV-risk reduction strategies with your veterinarian.
Borzoi care and grooming
Borzois have a silky coat that requires regular but manageable grooming. Brushing thoroughly two or three times a week generally helps remove loose hair, prevent tangles and keep the feathering in good condition, with more frequent brushing useful during periods of heavy seasonal shedding.
Bathing is usually only needed when dirty, along with routine nail, ear and dental care. Borzois shed throughout the year and may experience a more pronounced seasonal shed.
Size, appearance and coat of Borzois
The Borzoi is a large, graceful and athletic sighthound with a distinctive long, narrow head, deep chest, tucked abdomen and gently curved topline. Despite its elegant appearance, the breed is powerful and built for tremendous speed. Its small ears are normally folded back along the neck but may become erect when the dog is alert.
The silky coat may be flat, wavy or fairly curly but should never be woolly. It is short and smooth on the head, ears and fronts of the legs and longer over the body, with pronounced feathering on the chest, legs, hindquarters and tail. Any coat colour is acceptable under the Dogs Australia standard except merle.
| Weight range | Males 34 to 47 kg; females 27 to 38 kg |
| Height range | Males: minimum 74 cm; Females: minimum 68 cm |
| Colours | Any colour except merle |
| Coat length | Medium: silky and shorter in some areas, with longer feathering over the body, legs, chest and tail |
Breed history of Borzois
The Borzoi is an ancient Russian sighthound developed over many centuries to pursue game including hare, fox and wolf across the country’s varied terrain. Russian aristocrats maintained large kennels and developed different strains according to local conditions and hunting preferences, with some estates keeping hundreds of Borzois.
During the late 19th century, Russian breeders increasingly worked to standardise the breed, and the first modern Borzoi description was adopted in 1888. The famous Perchino kennel of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich played a particularly important role in developing and preserving the type recognised today.
The Russian Revolution devastated many aristocratic kennels and greatly reduced the Borzoi population in its homeland. Fortunately, substantial numbers had already been exported to Britain, continental Europe and the United States, where established breeding programs helped preserve the breed through the revolution and the two world wars. Borzois were later exported back to Russia as the breed was re-established there.
The breed was known as the Russian Wolfhound in English-speaking countries, and the American breed club formally adopted the name Borzoi in 1936. The name derives from the Russian word borzaya, meaning swift or sighthound.
Borzois first arrived in Australia from Russia in 1898 and were quarantined at Melbourne Zoo before release.
Explore related breeds
Borzoi facts!
- The name Borzoi comes from the Russian word borzaya, meaning “swift” or “sighthound”.
- The breed was officially known in the US as the Russian Wolfhound until 1936.
- Borzois traditionally hunted in pairs or teams, using their speed to catch and hold a wolf until mounted hunters arrived.
- Some Russian aristocratic kennels once maintained several hundred Borzois at a time.
- Borzois became favourite subjects of Art Nouveau and Art Deco artists because of their long, flowing silhouette.
- The first Borzois arrived in Australia from Russia in 1898 and spent their quarantine period at Melbourne Zoo.
Summary
The Borzoi is a large, graceful sighthound known for its speed, elegance and calm temperament. Gentle, friendly and affectionate, Borzois are often relaxed at home and can become closely attached to their owners.
Despite their laid-back indoor nature, Borzois retain a strong instinct to chase small animals and need safe opportunities for exercise. They suit families that appreciate a quiet, independent companion and can provide secure management outdoors.
FAQs about the Borzoi
They are often gentle and affectionate with their families, although their independent nature and prey drive should be considered when choosing the right household.
Moderate to high. Daily walks, play and mental enrichment are important, with regular opportunities for more active exercise.
They are intelligent but can be independent or strong-willed, so patient, consistent reward-based training and early socialisation are important.
They are generally relatively quiet dogs, although any individual may bark when alerting, excited or anxious.
Yes. They generally shed a low to moderate or moderate amount and benefit from routine brushing.
They can adapt to apartment living in the right circumstances, but owners need to meet their daily exercise, enrichment and behavioural needs consistently.
They are often gentle with respectful children, but their sighthound prey drive can make cats and smaller animals tempting to chase, so careful introductions and supervision are important.
Potential health concerns include gastric dilatation-volvulus, heart disease, thyroid disease and some eye conditions.
Because Borzois are powerful sighthounds with a strong instinct to chase moving animals, they should generally only be allowed off lead in securely fenced areas. Even a well-trained Borzoi may pursue wildlife or another animal suddenly, and their exceptional speed can carry them a considerable distance very quickly.
Borzois can adapt surprisingly well to apartment living because they are often calm and quiet indoors, provided they receive appropriate daily exercise and have regular access to a secure space where they can stretch their legs. Their large physical size still needs to be considered.
MORE INFORMATION
Borzoi Club of NSW: https://www.borzoiclubnsw.com/
The Borzoi Club of Queensland Inc: https://www.borzoiclubqld.com/
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