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AKC: Borzoi breed overview

Hound group · Russia

Borzoi

Also called Russian Wolfhound, Russkaya Psovaya Borzaya

An aristocratic Russian sighthound once used to course wolves, now a quiet, graceful couch companion with a sprinter's heart.

Tall, silky and built for speed, the Borzoi was developed by the Russian nobility to hunt wolves, foxes and hares across open country. Calm and dignified at home, it can reach remarkable speed outdoors and has a strong chase instinct that shapes how it must be exercised and managed.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

27 to 48 kg

59 to 106 lb

Height

68 to 85 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 12 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

24 months

approximate model input

Life with a Borzoi

The Borzoi's story is tied to the Russian aristocracy. For several centuries, nobles staged great hunts across the steppe, releasing pairs or trios of these hounds once scent hounds had driven a wolf into the open. The sighthounds were expected to catch and hold the wolf until the mounted hunters arrived. The most celebrated kennel belonged to Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich at Perchino, where breeding is said to have been meticulously recorded.

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, many of those kennels vanished, and the breed's survival owes a great deal to dogs already exported to Britain, Western Europe and North America. The name comes from borzyi, meaning swift, and English-speaking kennel clubs used the name Russian Wolfhound until the 1930s.

Today's Borzoi is gentle, quiet and dignified. It spends much of the day draped elegantly over the largest sofa available and is affectionate on its own terms rather than clingy. Many are reserved with strangers and dislike rough handling, which makes them a better match for calm, older children than for boisterous toddlers.

The hunting brain is still very much there. Anything small and fast can trigger a chase at speeds far beyond what any recall can override, which means secure fencing and careful off-lead choices for the dog's whole life.

A great match for

calm households without small pets
owners with access to a securely fenced area
people interested in lure coursing
adults or families with older children

Think twice if

strong chase instinct and poor recall
needs secure fencing for life
bloat risk and sensitivity to some anesthetics
independent and hard to motivate in training

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Borzoi eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	33 kg	1350 kcal	365 g (3.8 cups)
Female, typical pet	33 kg	1540 kcal	415 g (4.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	41 kg	1810 kcal	490 g (5 cups)
Male, very active	41 kg	2270 kcal	615 g (6.3 cups)

Full Borzoi feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Borzoi

Feeding5 cups, depending on size and activity. Many are picky or light eaters.Read more Puppy growthBorzoi puppies shoot up in height, often reaching most of their adult stature by 12 months, and they look gangly and uncoordinated for a while. Chest depth, muscle and the full silky coat keep developing until about 2 to 3 years.Read more ExerciseAn adult needs around 45 to 60 minutes daily, ideally including a chance to sprint flat out in a securely fenced area several times a week. Borzois love short bursts of all-out running followed by long rests.Read more GroomingTwo or three brushing sessions a week keep the long, silky coat in order. Use a pin brush and a wide-toothed comb, paying attention to the feathering on the legs and chest and the soft hair behind the ears, where mats form first.Read more TrainingExpect a thinker rather than a pleaser. Borzois were bred to make split-second decisions far from the hunter, and they rarely show enthusiasm for repetitive obedience.Read more HealthKnown issues in the breed include bloat, some heart conditions such as cardiomyopathy, certain eye problems, and a sensitivity to some anesthetic drugs that is common among sighthounds. Responsible breeders screen parents with heart and eye examinations and may hip score as well.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The name comes from the Russian word borzyi, meaning swift
2Called the Russian Wolfhound in English-speaking countries until the 1930s
3Top sprinting speeds are often said to approach 55 km/h (35 mph)
4Grand hunts at estates such as Perchino are said to have involved over 100 hounds
5Rarely barks and is often described as cat-like at home

Borzoi questions

Are Borzoi good apartment dogs?

Surprisingly often, yes. Adults are quiet, rarely bark and spend much of the day resting. The catch is room for such a tall dog to stretch out, and access to a safe area for sprinting several times a week. A Borzoi in an apartment needs an owner committed to providing real outlets outside.

Can Borzoi be trusted off lead?

Only in secure, fully fenced areas. The chase instinct is strong and fast-moving animals trigger it instantly. At top speed, a Borzoi covers ground far too quickly to respond to a recall, and road accidents are a real risk. Fenced fields, lure coursing clubs and long lines are the safe options.

Do Borzoi get along with cats?

Plenty of Borzois share a home happily with a cat they grew up alongside and treat it as family. That same dog may still chase unfamiliar cats or small animals outdoors. Introductions should be slow and closely supervised, and an adult Borzoi with no history of living with cats is a risky match.

Why is the Borzoi called the Russian Wolfhound?

Because Russian nobles used it to hunt wolves, often slipping two or three hounds together to catch and hold the quarry. English-speaking countries used the name Russian Wolfhound until the 1930s, when kennel clubs switched to Borzoi, from the Russian word for swift.

How fast can a Borzoi run?

Borzoi rank among the fastest dog breeds, with top speeds often said to approach 55 km/h (35 mph) over short distances. They accelerate rapidly and are built for sprinting rather than endurance, which is why short bursts in a safe area suit them better than long jogs beside a runner.

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