Borzoi: temperament, size, care and health

About the Borzoi

The Borzoi is a tall, narrow-headed sighthound with a long arched back, a deep chest and a silky coat that falls in waves and forms heavy feathering on the legs, tail and neck. The breed name comes from a Russian word meaning swift. Males stand a little over two and a half feet, but the build is light, so a Borzoi appears more slender than its weight suggests. Any color or pattern is permitted.

The Borzoi was bred to course wolves across open land, using speed to catch the animal and hold it until the hunter arrived. In the home it is quiet, clean and reserved, usually spending much of the day lounging with an air of royal detachment. Some people are drawn to that composure, while others find the breed too aloof.

Temperament and family life

A Borzoi is loyal to its own people and tolerant, sometimes indifferent, toward visitors. It is seldom aggressive and does not bark much. It is sensitive and does not like loud voices or harsh treatment.

The breed can live with older, considerate children, but it is not a rough-and-tumble family dog, and its size makes it risky around toddlers. Borzoi often get along with other dogs, particularly their own kind. The chase instinct is strong, and small animals that dart away, including the neighbor's cat or a pet rabbit, may trigger pursuit. A well-socialized dog can live with a cat it knows, but should be watched.

Exercise and training

The Borzoi needs a daily walk and regular chances to gallop in a securely fenced area. It is built for sprinting, not for long distances, so a few minutes at speed followed by hours of rest suits it. Never allow the dog off leash in an open space, because its eyesight is keen and its speed too great for any person to catch up with. A tall, solid fence is a must.

Training should be gentle, short and varied. The breed is intelligent but independent, and it will not repeat an exercise for its own sake. Positive methods and patience work best. Many dogs are slow to housebreak, and the dog may learn some cues quickly but choose when to use them. Lure coursing is a natural activity that many Borzoi enjoy.

Grooming and shedding

The silky coat is easier to manage than it looks, since it resists matting more than many long-haired breeds, but it still needs combing two or three times a week, with extra care behind the ears, on the chest and in the feathering of the legs and tail. A bath every month or two keeps it clean. Shedding is steady, with a heavier coat blow once or twice a year, and the fine hair collects in corners.

Nails, ears and teeth need routine care. A Borzoi's coat is thick enough for cold climates, but it is poorly suited to hot weather.

Health

As a deep-chested breed, the Borzoi is at risk of bloat, in which the stomach swells and may twist, which is an emergency. Other concerns include heart disease, particularly dilated cardiomyopathy, cervical spine problems called wobbler syndrome, hypothyroidism, eye conditions and degenerative myelopathy. Like other sighthounds, Borzoi have little body fat and can respond differently to some anesthetics, so the vet should know the breed. Breeders may test hearts, eyes and thyroid function. This overview of the Borzoi is general information; for any particular dog, ask a veterinarian.

History

The breed is generally traced to sixteenth-century Russia, where it was favored by the tsars and nobility as a coursing hound. It was developed by crossing the Saluki and European sighthounds with thick-coated Russian breeds. After the revolution of 1917 the breed was nearly wiped out in Russia, and it survived through dogs that had been exported earlier. It was known as the Russian Wolfhound until 1936.

Is the Borzoi right for you?

A Borzoi suits a calm adult household with a secure yard that values an elegant, undemanding house dog. It is a poor match for someone who wants an obedient, outgoing or protective dog, or who lives in a hot climate or a small space.

Compare the desert-bred Saluki for a lighter, smoother coat, or the more shaggy Irish Wolfhound for a friendlier, sturdier giant. The Afghan Hound shares the long coat and the independent mind.