Consider These 9 Factors Before Getting a Borzoi

Popularly known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi is a large, elegant, and graceful dog. The hallmark of this sighthound is its long and silky coat, while in terms of personality, it is gentle and affectionate. 

If you are mesmerized by the breed’s appearance and temperament, here are the 9 things to consider before getting a Borzoi. 

Size

The Borzoi is a sizeable dog. So that you can understand its size, keep in mind that it can stand well over 2 feet in height and weigh more than 100 pounds. As a result, the first thing to consider when looking into this breed is its size. 

The Borzoi needs free space so it can move around, stretch its long legs, and simply be active. In simple words, this breed does not do well in apartments and even houses that lack outdoor access. 

As a sighthound, the Borzoi relies heavily on its sight and can spot potential prey from distances. Therefore, it needs a safely enclosed outdoor space. 

The Borzoi’s size also means you will have to get large crates, beds, toys, and significant amounts of dog food, which may be cost-prohibitive. 

Additionally, the dog’s size can be intimidating for others, and you will have to have great control over your Borzoi, especially in public and crowded places. 

Exercise

As a hunting dog, it is safe to say that the Borzoi is born to run. The breed needs plenty of running and physical activity to stay healthy and well-behaved? 

But what does plenty mean?

Well, before you get a Borzoi, ensure you have time and energy for daily exercise sessions of at least an hour. However, if you can handle more than an hour, your Borzoi will be grateful. 

If not allowed to burn off energy, the Borzois are likely to get bored, and in the dog world, bored equals destructive and includes: 

• Chewing 
• Digging 
• Barking 
• Scratching

Borzois love all types of activities, including running, jogging, hiking, etc. As an alternative, they also love playing games with the owners, such as tug-of-war and fetch. 

However, there is one trick - regardless of the activity, you must put safety first. This means not allowing your Borzoi off-leash unless in a fenced area. Due to the strong prey drive, this dog can quickly wander off. 

Coat Care

The long and silky coat of the Borzoi is high-maintenance. In simple words, it requires regular and extensive brushing to stay healthy and free from mats and tangles. 

What is the Borzoi coat like? 

Borzois have a double coat that consists of two layers - a coarse topcoat and a soft undercoat. Overall, it is long, which is why it needs maintenance. 

The coat must be brushed at least once a week, but ideally, more often than that. During shedding seasons (twice per year), it is important that practice more frequent brushing sessions. 

You should use a slicker or pin brush to manage the mats and tangles. Then, use a comb for a smoothening effect. 

The Borzoi is prone to ear infections because of its specific ear anatomy - long and floppy ears. To prevent the issue, pay extra attention to ear care and trim the hair around and inside the ear canal.  

Bathing, dental care, and nail trimming are also important aspects of the regular grooming routine for a Borzoi. 

Training

The Borzoi is an intelligent canine. However, it is also stubborn at times. Therefore, to ensure successful training, you need to be consistent and patient. 

Training is a vital aspect of being a dog parent. Through proper training, you can channel Borzoi’s behavior into positive actions and raise a well-behaved and obedient canine friend. 

When it comes to training a Borzoi, there are two main steps: 

• Early socialization 
• Basic obedience

Socialization is a must. Unless properly socialized and from an early age, the Borzoi will likely become shy and withdrawn. In the long run, a timid personality can result in behavioral issues, including fearfulness and aggression. 

Basic obedience includes teaching basic commands. To do this, use positive reinforcement techniques - treat-based rewards and clicker training. 

Once you and your Borzoi master these steps, you can proceed with advanced training, including: 

• Advanced obedience 
• Agility 
• Lure coursing

Lastly, never punish your Borozi during training. The breed is very sensitive, and harsh treatment will harm your mutual bond deeply. 

Prey Drive

Bred to be skilled hunters, Borzois have a highly pronounced prey drive. They thrive on chasing smaller pets, like cats and rodents. 

The Borzoi is instinctively inclined to chase, capture, and even kill potential prey. As for what is considered prey, the answer is any animal smaller than the Borzoi. 

The strong prey drive can be an issue. First of all, it is a safety hazard - triggered by a smaller animal, the Borzoi can escape and wander off. Second, attacking another pet can be a legal issue. 

The best way to control the Borzoi’s prey drive is through socialization. If raised together, this dog can learn to cohabitate and even get along with other animals. This may take some time and requires close supervision. 

To prevent accidents, always keep your Borzoi leashed in public and unfenced places. This applies even to trained and well-socialized members of the breed. 

Sensitivity

The Borzoi is a very sensitive dog that requires a peaceful and quiet home as well as a calm and understanding owner. It is in sync with the environment and can pick up even the slightest changes in the owner’s mood. 

Because of its sensitivity, the Borzoi can be triggered by unfamiliar objects, loud noises, sudden movements, etc. Therefore, it is important to start socializing your dog from an early age to prevent exaggerated reactions. 

In addition to being very sensitive, the Borzoi is extremely attached to its human family and thrives on companionship and affection. Because of this trait, it is considered to have a “velcro” personality.

The high sensitivity affects training. In simple words, it is essential that you use positive reinforcement and never punish your Borzoi. Harsh treatment will hurt its feelings and harm your mutual bond. 

Health Concerns

The Borzoi has an average lifespan of 7 to 10 years. Just like any other breed, it is prone to several health problems, including:  

• Heart Disease: Common heart diseases are mitral valve disease (MVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Both conditions impair the heart’s pumping ability and can result in heart failure. 
• Bloat: Also known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), is a potentially fatal condition in which the stomach fills with gas and liquid and twists on itself. 
• Joint Problems: The Borzoi is susceptible to various joint conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). These problems result in pain and limited mobility. 
• Eye Issues: The top two eye diseases in this breed are cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Both problems can result in blindness. 
• Thyroid Problems: The breed is prone to hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormones), which manifests with lethargy and weight gain.

To minimize the risk of such health concerns, it is important that you find a reputable Borzoi breeder who tests both parents for genetic diseases. It is also vital that you provide your Borzoi with regular and high-quality vet care. 

Time Commitment

Raising and taking responsible care of a Borzoi is time-consuming. Before you get this breed, ensure you have time for the following: 

• Exercise: As a highly active breed, the Borzoi needs at least an hour of daily physical activity, and preferably even more. 
• Grooming: The long and silky coat is high-maintenance and needs regular brushing to stay healthy and tangle-free. 
• Training: The foundation of good behavior is training, and due to the dog’s stubbornness can take longer than expected.  
• Socialization: Borzois have a very high prey drive and need extensive and early socialization to curb this unwanted behavior. 
• Medical Care: As explained, the breed is prone to several conditions and, therefore, needs regular veterinary care. 
• No Alone Time: Being sensitive and attached to its human family, this dog does not like being alone and is prone to developing separation anxiety.

Temperament

Finally, you need to consider the breed’s temperament. While all members of the Borzoi breed can be different, certain personality traits are more or less the same. Here are some must-know considerations: 

• Reserved: Without proper socialization, the Borzoi can become reserved and aloof with strangers. 
• Independent: As independent thinkers, Borzois do not always obey, and this can make training a challenge. 
• Sensitive: Unless in a calm and predictable environment, the Borzoi can easily get stressed and anxious. 
• Affectionate: Borzois are extremely affectionate and bond closely with their human families. 
• Gentle: Do not be fooled by the size - the Borzoi is a very gentle dog and is, therefore, suitable for children (it never plays rough).

Conclusion

Overall, before you get a Borzoi, you must consider the breed’s size and physical exercise needs. Also, remember that the Borzoi needs plenty of socialization and training as well as regular and extensive grooming. 

If you do not mind these considerations and tasks, the Borzoi will make a great pet - it is profoundly loving, very affectionate, and extremely gentle.