| 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. |
| Height: |
Male: at least 28 inches; Female: at least 26 inches |
| Weight: |
Male: 75-105 pounds; Female: 55-90 pounds |
| Color(s): |
Any |
| Coat: |
Long, silky outer coat of medium-length, slightly curly hair; undercoat is thick in winter and cold climates |
| Description: |
Historically, the Borzoi was used by the Russian aristocracy to hunt the populous wolves, and was once known as the Russian Wolfhound. |
| 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 & 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: |
Undercoat is shed in hot weather |
| Health: |
Generally very healthy, Borzoi will infrequently experience gastric torsion, also known as bloat. This life-threatening condition is believed to be anatomical, rather than genetic in origin. Many Borzoi owners recommend feeding the dog from a raised platform, instead of placing the food dish on the ground, and making sure the dog rests quietly for several hours after eating, as the most reliable way to prevent bloat. Less common health problems in Borzoi are cardiac problems, including cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia disorders. |
| Lifespan: |
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| Litter Size: |
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