June 24, 2025, 4:02 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Elegant, lightning-fast, and with an imperial history—the Borzoi captivates not only with its appearance. But how did this sighthound become the favored companion of czars and Russian grand dukes? And what makes it so special even today?
The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, originally hails from Russia and was used there for hunting wolves, foxes, and hares. This graceful sighthound is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and is considered one of the fastest land animals.
Origin
The Borzoi is a large sighthound from Russia. It is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world and, according to genetic tests, is related to the Greyhound and the Irish Wolfhound. The name “Borzoi” is derived from the Russian word “barzoi,” which means “fast.” The naming is no coincidence, as this graceful sighthound is among the fastest animals in the world. It was therefore used early on for hunting foxes, wolves, hares, and even big game. It enjoyed enormous popularity in its homeland between the 13th and 15th centuries. At that time, hunters relied on the skills of sighthounds, as there were no precise rifles for long-distance shooting. The dogs would chase the desired game until it was exhausted, allowing hunters to take it down from horseback.
The Borzoi was once bred extensively by princes and tsars, who sometimes had enormous kennels with up to 500 dogs. Since there was no breed standard as we know it today, the Borzoi was bred from about ten different strains. Until the Russian Revolutions in 1917, the fast four-legged friend was considered the “national dog” there. This changed from that point on, and the Russian sighthound began its worldwide triumph, primarily in Great Britain, where it was particularly often bred.
Appearance & Coat
Visually, the Borzoi impresses with its majestic appearance, which has made it a popular subject in art for centuries. With its elegant, sighthound-typical physique, narrow head, and long coat, this four-legged friend is a real eye-catcher. Its coat is wavy, silky-soft, and particularly long on the ribs and flanks, giving it its unique look. Colors range from black to cream to orange and sand. Borzois often have a black mask as well. Dogs of this breed reach an impressive shoulder height of up to 85 cm, with some males growing up to 95 cm. They weigh an average of just 35 to 45 kilograms.
Character & Temperament
The Borzoi could be described as a gentle giant. It is a true presence, visible from afar due to its enormous size. It is very gentle and affectionate but can–if it spots prey–switch from 0 to 100 in a tenth of a second and sprint away at a record-breaking pace. Fortunate is the one who can rely on their Borzoi’s recall in such a situation.
Borzois are generally gentle and calm dogs, very affectionate and loyal to their humans. They show a high willingness to cooperate and are child-friendly. They are initially somewhat reserved with strangers but never rude or aggressive.
However, one should not be fooled by the Borzoi’s model-like appearance. As mentioned, this four-legged friend has a strong hunting instinct and an impressive sprinting talent, against which even an Olympian like Usain Bolt would stand no chance. Therefore, the Borzoi should only be let off the leash in secured areas.
Training
Since the Borzoi is an intelligent and sensitive dog, it is relatively easy to teach it things. Nevertheless, owners should approach training with a lot of patience and empathy and commit to loving consistency in their dog’s education. Positive reinforcement should be used. As with most other sighthound breeds, shouting and negative reinforcement will not work and may even have the opposite effect.
Proper Care & Maintenance
In terms of care, the Russian sighthound is quite undemanding. Owners should regularly brush its coat and check its ears for diseases. Especially during the shedding season, the Borzoi loses a lot of hair, so the soft coat should be brushed 2–3 times a week during this time. Additionally, the hair between the paw pads should be trimmed regularly.
Since the Borzoi needs a lot of exercise, it should be ensured that it gets it. It should also have the opportunity to sprint regularly in a secured area to expend its energy.
Diet
When it comes to diet, Borzois are ultimately just regular dogs. Special sighthound food, as advertised by some brands, is not necessary. The quality of the food is important, especially with dry food. It should contain as few additives as possible, as these can lead to allergies.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
Like many large dogs, the Borzoi is prone to a dangerous gastric torsion. Therefore, it should rest after eating to minimize the risk. Overall, the Borzoi is a fairly robust breed. However, hereditary eye diseases and hypothyroidism can occur more frequently.
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The Borzoi at a Glance
- Character: attentive, calm, affectionate
- Size: 75–85 cm
- Weight: 35–45 kg
- Coat: long, wavy hair
- Exercise Needs: high
- Average Lifespan: 10–12 years
- Special Features: extremely fast runner