Borzoi
The borzoi is a hound with an elegant friendliness and noble independence. Whether lounging in the house or striding through the yard, the borzoi is a sleek picture of gracefulness, despite their size. They are distinguished by a long, narrow snout and silky, curly coat.
Breed Profile
Height
Males: 28
Females: 26
Inches
Weight
Males: 75-105
Females: 60-85
Pounds
Life Span
10-12
Years
Health
health
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
What is it?
Also known as Bloat or Gastric Torsion, GDV (Gastric dilatation-volvulus) is a life-threatening condition. GDV is common in borzoi, as they are large, deep-chested dogs.
Knowing the signs of GDV is key as it requires immediate treatment. When it occurs, the stomach twists due to excess gas, blocking blood flow and potentially sending your dog into shock.
Clinical signs:
Dry heaving, excessive drooling, panting, lethargy, restlessness, weakness, shock/collapse, poor pulse quality, increased heart rate, swelling abdomen
Treatment:
Stabilization followed by surgery
Other risks:
Do not hesitate to seek treatment. This disease acts rapidly and is more likely to be fatal if not treated promptly.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Graceful
The temperament of the borzoi matches their appearance in terms of grace. They are easy-going and dignified (although they can be silly at times).
Gentle
Borzoi may be large dogs, but they are impressively gentle for their size. Small children should still be supervised, but seniors or more timid individuals can easily get along with this breed because they rarely jump or roughhouse.
Friendly
Getting along with others is generally an easy task for a borzoi, although they can be timid with humans they haven’t met before. They aren’t the most demonstrative, preferring to show friendliness and affection more subtlely.
Independent
An independent mind makes this breed low maintenance in some ways but also more difficult in others. If you need to leave the house to work, they can handle the alone time, but training is no easy task.
Quiet
Borzois are also quiet. They rarely bark or whine.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Borzois have an elegant coat of medium length and a curly, silky texture. They can feature a large array of coat colors and patterns.
Hypoallergenic
No, the borzoi is not hypoallergenic.
Grooming
Brushing 2-3 times a week keeps the borzoi’s coat looking gorgeous and free of dirt, matting, or excess loose hairs. Other grooming needs such as bathing, dental cleaning, and nail trimming are standard.
Training
This may be an intelligent breed, but a strong will and sense of independence make them tough to train. Patience and diligence will be required, alongside plenty of positive reinforcement.
Living Space
Borzoi can do well as indoor dogs in homes of varying sizes thanks to their calm, gentle temperament. They do need plenty of exercise, so ensure you have sufficient outdoor space for them to run as well.
Borzoi: Breed Information Guide
One of the most distinct, elegant dog breeds in the world, the borzoi easily attracts new owners.
However, as with any breed, diligent research is essential to ensure you and your new pooch are the right fit for each other. Even if this breed catches your eye, you should learn about their temperament, health, grooming needs, and more before adding one to your family.
Spot Pet Insurance is here to do exactly that. In this guide, we’re taking a deeper look at the borzoi breed.
Meet the borzoi
Borzois are large, friendly hounds that are easily distinguished by their long, narrow face and big, lovable eyes.
Originally a hunting hound for Russian royalty, the noble heritage of the breed is still clear in its elegant build and beautiful coat. Their temperament is also rather noble, often compared more to cats than other dog breeds.
Where does the borzoi breed come from?
The borzoi’s history is revealed by its prior name, “the Russian Wolfhound.” Their name was changed in the early 20th century to borzoi, which means “swift” in Russian.
Swift they are indeed, but not quite as powerful as they once were. In the 15th century, Russian nobility bred and employed this breed to hunt game ranging from tiny hares and foxes to large boars and wolves.
A few centuries later (by 1860, specifically), the Russian nobility went down with the feudal system, resulting in a shift in the breed’s entire lifestyle, including its purpose.
In the early 20th century, the breed almost went extinct during the Bolshevik Revolution. Thankfully, the breed found refuge outside Russia and eventually returned home.
What are the potential health conditions for borzoi?
Overall, the borzoi breed is quite healthy, impressively so for its size class. With a 10-12 year life expectancy and a low rate of hip or shoulder dysplasia (common among other large breeds), they outperform what might be expected.
Are borzois affectionate with family?
Borzois show affection in their own ways. They are loving dogs but won’t necessarily smother you at all times. If this sounds like an ideal balance for you, this could be a perfect breed for your home!
Are borzois intelligent?
Borzois are highly intelligent, coupled with a strong will. They aren’t particularly mischievous, nor are they desperate for mental stimulation.
However, don’t expect training to be a walk in the park. They don’t feel a strong need to please their humans and will require plenty of positive reinforcement and patience to be trained.
Do borzois do well with children?
The gentle and friendly nature of the borzoi breed makes interactions with children a breeze. However, parents should always be wary of how the dog’s size could unintentionally create accidents.
How are borzois with strangers?
Strangers are accepted by borzoi, although sometimes with reluctance. They have a timid temperament which can make them shy around new humans, although they won’t necessarily be standoffish or aggressive.
Do borzois get along with other pets?
Borzois are friendly with other dogs, though you should always put effort into early socialization to make sure they know how to handle new encounters.
How to be the best pet parent for a borzoi
Understanding any breed is the key to caring for them in the best way. At Spot Pet Insurance, we’re here to walk with you along the way.
You’ll find tons of helpful resources in our Blog and more information about caring for your pet via pet insurance in our FAQs.
Let’s talk about a few more tips to help new pet parents of a borzoi.
Basic training and behavior etiquette for your borzoi
Borzois are independent and don’t have an eager-to-please disposition as some other breeds do. Despite their natural intelligence, it isn’t easy to train them.
If you do have the patience to stick through training, they can become well-behaved and excel in sports like agility due to their natural athleticism.
The borzoi is particularly sensitive, so positive reinforcement should always be used, as opposed to punishment or harsh treatment.
What types of foods should borzois never eat?
In addition to their need for a high-quality diet, borzois also need to avoid certain foods that are toxic to dogs in general. Here are a few common examples:
Exercising tips to keep your borzoi staying fit and healthy
Keeping a borzoi fit is a relatively easy task. Daily exercise for half an hour or more keeps them healthy and happy, but they won’t be as demanding as some more active breeds.
It is essential that all outdoor exercise be controlled by a leash or a secure fence, as this breed has both a strong wanderlust and propensity to chase (due to its hunting heritage as a sighthound).
These dogs are naturally quick and athletic, so with patience and training, they could get their exercise from sports such as rally or agility.
Borzoi life stages
Puppy: 0 - 4 years
Adult: 4 years - 8 years
Senior: 8 years - end of life
Sources:
Borzoi Dog Breed Information | American Kennel Club
Borzoi Dog Breed Information & Characteristics | Daily Paws
Borzoi Dog Breed Hypoallergenic, Health and Life Span | PetMD
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus | American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Identification of Genetic Susceptibility Factors Associated with Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus | National Library of Medicine
The Seriousness of Stomach Aches: GDV In Dogs | CVMBS News
Borzoi History: Behind the Majestic Breed | American Kennel Club
Socializing Your Dog | Animal Humane Society
Foods That Can Be Poisonous To Pets | The Humane Society of the United States