Honest FAQ for Borzois

What kind of temperament and personality does the Borzoi have?

The most descriptive words that come to my mind regarding Borzoi temperament and behavior are:

elegant and graceful... but much more powerful than you might think; extremely fast, extremely agile, extremely quick reflexes, usually calm and docile but very independent and can suddenly explode into a relentless, driving gallop after anything that moves

I give you my honest opinions about Borzoi temperament and personality traits and characteristics – positives AND negatives – in my dog breed review, Borzoi Temperament and Personality Traits (What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em).

How do you pronounce Borzoi, and what does it mean?

It's pronounced BOR-zoy,  from the Russian borzyi,  meaning "swift".

By the way, the official plural of Borzoi is... the same, Borzoi. With no s. But people often say Borzois anyway, so you'll see and hear it both ways.

Originally the breed was known as the Russian Wolfhound.

What were Borzoi used for?

Centuries ago, the Russian aristocracy favored the "pasttime" of hunting wolves. From their grand estates, they would swarm out on horseback, led by more than fifty tall, lean, powerful Borzoi eager to locate and take down wolves. These types of dogs hunted more by sight than by smell, so are known as sighthounds.

What traits would help Borzoi accomplish their work? That's right... independent thinking, keen senses, quick to notice the slightest movement, incredible speed (35 mph!) and agility, and powerful drives to chase and grab things that run.

How big are Borzois? Height and weight?

About 26-33 inches at the shoulder, and 55-105 pounds, which puts them in the LARGE or GIANT category. Females are usually at the lower end of the scale, and males at the upper end.

What colors do Borzois come in?

Lots of beautiful colors and patterns. For example, black and white, black and tan, red, white with colored spots/patches, sable, brindle, and more.

Do Borzois come in different "types"?

No. Some lines inherit greater "working/chasing drives" than others. But generally you should expect all Borzoi to inherit such drives.

Do Borzois have a doggy odor?

No.

How much exercise do Borzois need?

Borzoi need a very specialized form of exercise. They don't care about leashed walks. Instead they need a large fenced yard, preferably open space rather than wooded, where they can gallop at top speed (without bashing into trees) for a few minutes two or three times a day. Then they're content to come inside and snooze quietly on the sofa.

If you keep more than one Borzoi, they may help exercise each other through vigorous play.

If you truly love your Borzoi, you will get him involved in an AKC sigthound-focused activity called Lure Coursing  – sighthounds pursue a lure dragged by a pulley system across an open field or around a dirt track. Sighthounds love it!

A sighthound who can't stretch his legs and gallop cannot develop proper muscle tone for good physical health. Free galloping is also essential for the breed's psychological and emotional health. Remember, these dogs are speed demons and hunters at heart.

Do Borzois need a fenced yard?

Absolutely, with a high solid fence. These lithe athletes can scale or jump a 6-foot fence. Why a fenced yard? and best and worst fences.

Are Borzois easy to train?

Nope. Like all sighthounds, Borzois are independent thinkers, somewhat like cats. They have little desire to please, and many individuals aren't even motivated by food treats. They're also physically and emotionally sensitive, so although you do need to correct them for misbehavior, keep it very gentle.

Are Borzois easy to housebreak?

Yes, no problems here.

Are Borzois friendly with people?

Borzoi are usually polite or standoffish with strangers.

Are Borzois good with children?

I don't recommend Borzois for children younger than about age 10, unless a child is exceptionally gentle. Sensitive sighthounds can be a bit high-strung and defensive around very young children, and their reflexes and reactions can be lightning-fast.

Are Borzois good with other dogs?

Borzois tend to prefer their own breed, but they're usually fine with other dogs. However, there can be some same-sex aggression.

Also I would never keep a Borzoi with a toy breed. I was an unhappy witness to a Borzoi snatching a toy breed right from its owner's arms and killing it. This breed is a powerful hunter. I know I keep saying it, but that's because it is such an essential characteristic that you must manage.

Are Borzois good with cats?

Hmm. If they're raised with a cat in their own family, they might be okay with that cat. Indoors. Maybe.

But sighthounds have powerful "prey" instincts, i.e. chasing and grabbing living creatures that suddenly run or flutter or move quickly.

How much do Borzois shed?

Quite a lot, be forewarned.

Are Borzois hypoallergenic? Good for people with allergies?

Definitely not. Borzois are not hypoallergenic dogs in any way.

How much grooming do Borzois need?

The amount of brushing depends on how long the coat is. Some Borzoi have much longer and heavier coats than others. You do need to monitor with brush and comb for mats and tangles, especially in the dog's "arm pits." You also need to make sure the hair around their private parts is kept short for sanitary toileting.

What's a good training schedule for training Borzoi puppies?

Here's the puppy training schedule I use for Borzois: Puppy Training Schedule.

What behavior problems do Borzois tend to have?

Borzoi PUPPIES are like any other puppy – they're mischievous and bumptious, bouncing on and off the furniture, jumping on people – and chewing destructively if you make the mistake of leaving them alone and loose in the house, instead of properly crated/penned.

Once they're adults, though, Borzoi don't misbehave much, as long as you provide sufficient exercise. Chasing behaviors are still the most obvious issue. The independence of sighthounds tends to take the form of passive resistance rather than confrontational disobedience. For example, rather than pull wildly on the leash, a Borzoi might simply brace his legs and refuse to walk. Here's how to handle general behavior problems.

What health problems might Borzois have?

A major worry in Borzoi is an emergency digestive syndrome called gastric torsion (bloat), which can kill a sighthound within a few short hours. Heart disease is a growing concern in Borzoi. Eye diseases can lead to blindness. And bone cancer and lymphoma take the lives of many Borzois each year.

What breeds are similar to the Borzoi?

Other sighthounds, like the Saluki or Afghan Hound.

If you would prefer a sighthound that is more active, more responsive, and more trainable, consider a Silken Windhound (developed from crossing Borzois with Whippets) or a Lurcher (developed from crossing Greyhounds with Whippets or Coonhounds or another hunting-type dog).

The most trainable sighthound of all? Whippets.

Where can I buy a Borzoi puppy?

Fortunately, Borzoi have not been singled out for mass production by unknowledgeable breeders, so quality remains high as long as you buy from a good show breeder. Read my article.

Where can I adopt an older Borzoi?

Rescue group or humane society/shelter? Read my article.

I just got a new Borzoi. Which pages should I read first?

• Borzoi Health, which includes my advice on feeding, vaccinations, and daily health care. These pages are very important, because if you start your Borzoi puppy off on the wrong foot, he will probably experience health problems later on. Starting off right is essential.
• Training Borzois, which includes my advice on respect training, housebreaking, and socialization. Again, you must start your Borzoi puppy off on the right foot by teaching him what he needs to know, and you must avoid doing the wrong things with him so that he doesn't develop bad habits that will be much harder to fix later on.

Do male dogs or female dogs make better pets?

Ah, let the debate begin! Honestly, male Borzois have pros and cons, and female Borzois have pros and cons. Visit Male Dogs versus Female Dogs

There's an adorable Borzoi puppy at the pet shop. The store manager assures me they only buy from responsible breeders. Could this be true?

No responsible Borzoi breeder would ever place one of their Borzoi puppies in a pet shop for resale. To find out more about pet shop puppies, visit Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store.

How do I pick the best Borzoi puppy from a litter?

You can do puppy personality tests. Visit How To Choose a Good Puppy.

What's the best dog food for Borzois?

3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food.

I have to take my Borzoi to the vet soon for shots. Which vaccinations does he really need?

The schedule of vaccinations that dogs really need has changed dramatically – but unfortunately most vets are not telling you this, because a good chunk of their income depends on frequent vaccinations. Please don't get any more shots for your Borzoi until you've read my article on Puppy Shots and Dog Vaccinations.

What are the pros and cons of spaying and neutering my Borzoi, and when should it be done?

Spaying and neutering are often recommended too early, which can lead to health problems later in life. Visit Spaying Your Female Dog or Neutering Your Male Dog for the straight scoop on the safest (and riskiest) times to spay or neuter.

I have a question about Borzois that I don't see answered on your web site.

It's probably answered in one of my free online books.