Hardly any dog breed looks as aristocratic as the Borzoi. With his long, silky coat, narrow head and high, proud gait, he looks almost like a living sculpture. Yet behind that elegant appearance lies a dog with a mind of his own: calm and reserved indoors, lightning-fast and passionate out on open ground. Anyone interested in a Borzoi should know exactly what matters when it comes to temperament, keeping and feeding him. We show you what makes this Russian sighthound special and how to care for him appropriately.
Breed profile and temperament
The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, is one of the largest sighthound breeds of all. Males reach a shoulder height of up to 85 centimetres, with females usually somewhat smaller. Despite this impressive size, he never looks bulky, but slender, long-legged and muscular at the same time. His trademark is his long coat, wavy to silky smooth, which comes in almost every colour and colour combination.
In character, the Borzoi is a dog of contrasts. Indoors, he usually behaves remarkably calmly, almost cat-like in his composure. He likes to lie in his spot for hours, observing what's going on without pushing himself forward. Outdoors, however, he shows what he was once bred for: as soon as something moves, be it a hare, a cyclist or a jogger, his pronounced sight-hunting instinct can break through in a flash. Borzois are also independent thinkers. They don't work out of submission but because it's worth it to them, which makes training demanding. For experienced, calm owners with a sense of consistency and patience, however, the Borzoi is a wonderful, sensitive companion with a very close bond to his caregivers.
Origin and history
The roots of the Borzoi reach far back into Russian history. As early as the 17th and 18th centuries, he was bred on the estates of the Russian nobility as a hunting dog for coursing wolves and hares. What mattered here wasn't stamina over long distances but explosive sprinting ability and a sharp eye able to spot prey at great distance. These traits are still in the Borzoi's genes today.
The name "Borzoi" derives from the Russian word for "fast", and indeed the breed is among the fastest dogs in the world. In the wild, adult animals reach speeds of over 50 kilometres per hour. After the Russian Revolution, breeding was temporarily almost forgotten, but it was continued by enthusiasts in Europe and the USA and is now firmly established again. From the Tsar's former hunting companion, the Borzoi has developed into a cherished family dog, though one that has never entirely lost his original instincts.
Keeping, exercise and training
A Borzoi needs space, plenty of space. A house with a fenced garden is an advantage; he is generally not a pure flat dog. It's important that the fence is high and secure, as a fleeing deer on the horizon is enough to awaken his hunting instinct. Daily exercise should consist of a mix of calm walks and short, free sprint sessions on safe, fenced ground. Unlike many other large breeds, the Borzoi is not an endurance athlete but a sprinter: short, intense exertion followed by extensive rest matches his natural rhythm.
Caution is needed when it comes to free running without a fence. A reliably trained recall is rarely ever a hundred per cent dependable in such a strongly sight-driven dog, which is why many experienced owners use a long training lead when no fenced area is available. In training, the Borzoi responds best to calm, consistent guidance without harshness. Anyone who shouts or applies pressure quickly loses his willingness to cooperate, as sensitivity is a central trait of this breed. Early, positive socialisation with people, other dogs and, ideally, cats in the household pays off in the long run. For active families looking for a dog to accompany them on long runs, the Borzoi is rather unsuitable, but for calm households with enough space for free running, he's a fascinating housemate.
The right diet for the Borzoi
When feeding a Borzoi, one topic takes centre stage: his deep, narrow chest. This body shape is typical of the breed and makes the Borzoi, like other large sighthounds, more prone to gastric torsion, a life-threatening emergency in which the stomach twists on its own axis. To reduce this risk, you shouldn't feed your Borzoi one large portion a day, but should spread his daily ration across several small meals, ideally two to three throughout the day. This way, the stomach isn't heavily filled and stretched all at once.
Rest after eating is equally important. Avoid encouraging your Borzoi to romp, run or go on long walks straight after a meal. A calm digestive pause of one to two hours gives the stomach the time it needs before exercise resumes. You should also keep an eye on hasty eating and excessive drinking right before or after a meal; anti-gulp bowls or several small portions can help here too.
High-quality food with a good ratio of highly digestible animal protein, healthy fats and moderate, easily digestible carbohydrates optimally supports the Borzoi's slender, muscular build. Whether dry food or wet food suits better depends on your individual dog and your daily routine; many owners combine both. In our dry food category, you'll find practical, easy-to-portion recipes, while our wet food scores with a high meat content and moisture level, particularly good for Borzois that tend to drink little. If you're unsure which recipe suits your Borzoi's age, weight and activity level, our food finder can help you choose.
Chews and chew items
Chewing is part of a species-appropriate daily life for every dog, but for a Borzoi it should be chosen with care. Since large, hard chews should be used cautiously given the tendency towards gastric torsion and the generally sensitive digestive system of many sighthounds, moderate, easily digestible chews are the better choice over extremely hard, long-lasting chew bones. Give your Borzoi chewing time preferably during calm moments, not directly before or after eating or before intense exercise.
In our range of natural chews, you'll find grain-free, easily digestible varieties that provide occupation without putting unnecessary strain on the stomach. For small rewards in between, such as during training or as a treat to reinforce calm behaviour, our natural treats are excellent, as they can be portioned small and fit ideally into the overall ration. If you'd like to know which chew best suits your Borzoi's individual needs, take a look at our chew finder.
Coat care and health
The Borzoi's long, silky coat looks impressive but requires regular grooming. Brushing once or twice a week with a suitable brush prevents matting, particularly behind the ears, in the armpits and in the feathering on the hind legs. During the spring and autumn coat change, more frequent brushing is advisable. Bathing is rarely needed; washing too often strips the coat's natural protective layer.
Health-wise, the Borzoi is considered a robust breed with a comparatively high life expectancy for a large dog, around ten to twelve years. Besides the tendency towards gastric torsion already mentioned, there's another important point every Borzoi owner should know: sighthounds, including the Borzoi, react sensitively to certain anaesthetics because of their very low body fat percentage. This so-called sighthound anaesthesia sensitivity means that anaesthesia in a Borzoi should always be discussed with a vet experienced with sighthounds, and that anaesthesia protocols suitable for sighthounds should be used. Actively point this out to your vet before every procedure; it can be decisive in an emergency.
Regular weight monitoring, moderate exercise and the feeding approach described above, using several small portions, all contribute significantly to your Borzoi's long-term health.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Borzoi a good beginner's dog?
Rather not. His independent nature, pronounced sight-hunting instinct and the particular demands of keeping and feeding him make him a breed best suited to calm, experienced dog owners who already have experience with sensitive or independent breeds.
How much exercise does a Borzoi need daily?
A Borzoi doesn't need hours of continuous running, but rather a combination of calm walks and short, intense sprints on safe, fenced ground. Overall, one to two hours of active time a day is usually enough; what matters is the quality and safety of free exercise.
Does the Borzoi get on with cats and small animals?
This depends heavily on individual socialisation. A Borzoi raised with a cat from puppyhood can live peacefully alongside her. With unfamiliar small animals or cats encountered out and about, however, the sight-hunting instinct can break through at any time, so caution is always advisable.
How do I recognise gastric torsion in a Borzoi early on?
Typical signs include a bloated, hard belly, unsuccessful retching without vomiting, restlessness, drooling and rapid, shallow breathing. Gastric torsion is an absolute emergency requiring you to get to the vet immediately. If you're not yet familiar with the Borzoi's breed traits, it's worth taking a look at our breed finder before getting one, to check whether this breed really suits your everyday life.
Temperament & who the Borzoi suits
In short, the Borzoi is best suited to: calm, experienced owners who appreciate an elegant sighthound.
- Size: very large (giant)
- Energy level: medium
- With children: good with children
- Flat living: fine with enough exercise
- For beginners: rather for experienced owners
- Coat care: medium grooming effort
- Trainability: independent-minded
- Alertness: not a pronounced watchdog
Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our breed finder "Which dog breed suits me?"
A good match: Grain-free dog food
