Borzoi

Show Breed

Find

Compare with

Size: Large
Other Names: Russian Wolfhound, Barzoï
Country of Origin: Russia
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Hound
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Hounds
United Kennel Club (UKC): Sighthound & Pariah
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Hounds
The Kennel Club (KC): Hound
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Hound
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Hound

A Borzoi looks like a long-haired Greyhound. Borzoi are very large dogs, and demonstrate grace, whether in motion or at rest. His head is lean, long, and narrow, with a muzzle that is at least as long as the skull. His eyes are large, almond-shaped, and dark. His black nose is large and prominent, and his ears are small and fine.

A giant sighthound who is quiet and clean indoors, has a coat that needs brushing, and must have safe space to run — not a small-yard-only life.

Historically, the Borzoi was used by the Russian aristocracy to hunt the populous wolves, and was once known as the Russian Wolfhound.

Height: Male: at least 28 inches; Female: at least 26 inches
Weight: Male: 75-105 pounds; Female: 55-90 pounds
Color: Any
Coat: Long, silky outer coat of medium-length, slightly curly hair; undercoat is thick in winter and cold climates
Lifespan: 9–14 years
Litter size: 6–8 puppies

Temperament

The Borzoi is intelligent, calm, and quiet, and is a good companion. Most Borzoi bark rarely, making them poor watchdogs. Despite their size, Borzoi adapt well to suburban living, provided they have adequate exercise. Adult Borzoi make great couch potatoes, and have remarkably gracious house-manners. They are rather reserved and sensitive to invasion of their personal space, which can make them nervous around children unless they are brought up with them from an early age. Borzoi can be raised to live with cats and other small animals, provided they are introduced to them at a young age. However, some Borzoi possess such a degree of hunting instinct that they find it impossible not chase a cat that is moving quickly, and much may depend on how the cat behaves.

Training

Borzoi are intelligent learners, who quickly become bored with repetitive, apparently pointless activity. They can be stubborn when not properly motivated. As with other sighthounds, Borzoi do not understand or tolerate harsh treatment, or training based on punishment. They become extremely unhappy at raised voices and threats.

Care and grooming

Borzoi require a fully-fenced yard for containment, as they are independent and can cover incredible distances in a very short time, with no regard for road traffic. They have an instinct to pursue game, and have a powerful instinct to chase things that run from them, so off-leash walks are not a good idea. It is now widely accepted that forcing faster growth by feeding a highly-concentrated, high-energy diet is dangerous for skeletal development, causing unsoundness and increased tendency to joint problems and injury. Laboratory-formulated diets designed for a generic large or giant breed are unlikely to take the needs of the big, lean body weight sighthounds into account.

Shedding

Moderate and seasonal; the long coat mats if loose hair is ignored.

Health

Borzoi may be affected by bloat, heart disease, and sensitivity to anesthesia. Use sighthound-aware veterinary protocols and avoid hard running right after meals.

Top

View Privacy Policy

Pup.com accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the advertisements placed on the Pup.com website or for the contents of any website to which a hypertext link from Pup.com links. The Seller Ads and links to products and/or services are provided as a service, and Pup.com gives no warranties, expressed or implied, about the information and/or policies of the Seller Ads or the linked-to webites, or of the information shown.

Pup.com is the sole owner of the services and of all information provided by and posted to the Pup.com website. The use, reproduction, or storing of content for any purpose other than to contact a Seller, purchase a product or service, or compare prices is prohibited. You cannot use the information provided by Pup.com to recreate a directory, rebrand the informaton or redistribute the information in any way. Information provided by Pup.com is for individual, non-commercial use only. All information, processes and content contained within and that make up the services are the sole property of Pup.com. You may not reproduce, duplicate or redistribute any information provided by Pup.com for profit or personal gain of any kind. You may not frame any content or pages contained within the Pup.com website unless expressly granted permission by Pup.com.