Graceful and sweet, the Borzoi is a wonderful family companion. Here’s the scoop on this regal breed.
Borzois, also known as Russian Wolfhounds, have an elegant look and demeanor that makes it easy to envision them lounging in the palaces of Russia in the 1600s. But despite their gentle nature and wonderful personality, few of these regal dogs remained by the late 1800s, making the breed a pretty rare sight, even today.
As tall and glamorous today as their ancestors, Borzoi dogs are now perfectly content to relax on the couch all day instead of chasing down wolves in the countryside. However, they still enjoy a quick sprint around the block or romp in the yard, as long as they’re by your side.
Why We Love the Borzoi Breed
- They may not be royal hunting companions today, but with their gentle, sweet natures, they still excel at being loyal family companions.
- Like the greyhounds they resemble, Borzoi are known for their speed — however, after a short sprint, they’re perfectly content to relax on their favorite couch, preferably with you by their side.
- Borzoi dogs aren’t vocal at all — while you may not be able to rely on them as watchdogs, you can count on a quiet home with these pups around.
- These dogs have a very gentle and laidback personality, but the Borzoi breed is still known to excel at various dog sports.
Things to Consider
- These dogs are pretty sensitive — there are some drugs your vet should avoid with them, and they shouldn’t be allowed on lawns that have recently been treated with fertilizers, insecticides or other chemicals.
- Borzois are sight hounds by nature, meaning they like to chase anything that moves. They should always be kept on a leash outdoors unless in a secure area where they can roam freely.
- The Borzoi breed is rare. If you’re hoping to get one of these dogs as a (healthy) puppy, you’re likely to have a hard time tracking one down.
- Borzoi dogs love their human families, but they’re prone to separation anxiety if left alone for too many hours in the day.
Why Rescue?
Due to their status as a rare breed, these beautiful and regal animals fall victim to irresponsible breeding habits in order to produce more puppies. Overbreeding and poor practices make these dogs more susceptible to health concerns, including bloat, progressive retinal atrophy and osteochondrosis dissecans (which causes painful joint stiffening). Before shopping around for a Borzoi puppy with a breeder, check out a local shelter or rescue group for a healthy pup who needs a loving forever home.
