Sight hound Large size 27-48 kg

Borzoi

An elegant, quiet sighthound that lounges indoors but sprints after anything that moves - independent, tall, and needing a secure area to run.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
27-48 kg, 68-85 cm tall
Moderate
Activity
Calm indoors; needs sprint space outdoors
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Independent; tolerates alone time reasonably
Low
Trainability
Aloof and independent; recall unreliable
Moderate
Coat care
Silky coat; brush a few times weekly
Moderate
Fit with kids
Gentle but reserved; better with older kids
Low
Other pets
Strong prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Bloat, bone cancer, cardiac concerns

The Borzoi typically weighs 27-48 kg, stands 68-85 cm, and lives 9-11 years.

Consider this breed if…

you appreciate a quiet, cat-like dog that keeps some dignity and distance,
you have access to a large, securely fenced area for regular sprints,
a calm household without chaos suits you both,
you can accept training on the dog's terms, not yours.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want an obedient dog with reliable recall - a Borzoi follows its eyes, not your voice,
cats, rabbits, or toy dogs live in or around your home,
you want a cuddly, eager-to-please family clown,
you have no safe place for a 50 km/h sprinter to run.

A typical day with a Borzoi

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Quiet 30 min leash walk
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Sleeps elegantly draped over furniture
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short break, brushing a few times a week
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Sprint session in a fenced field or lure coursing
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk, calm coexistence with the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Silent - Borzois rarely bark

Temperament and training

Independence Very high
Prey drive Very high
Calmness indoors Very high
Trainability Low
Sensitivity High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Letting it off leash in open country and expecting recall to work · Using harsh corrections on a sensitive, independent breed · Feeding one big meal before activity in a deep-chested bloat-risk dog

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Gentle but reserved; prefers calm older kids to toddler chaos.
Dogs Conditional
Fine with similar-sized dogs; small running dogs look like prey.
Cats Risky
Strong prey drive; even raised-together truces can break outdoors.
Apartment Conditional
Quiet and calm indoors, but needs sprint outings and space for its frame.
House with a yard Suitable
High secure fencing is essential.
City Manages
Composed on leash; finding safe run space is the hard part.
Countryside Conditional
Wildlife everywhere means leash-only outside fences.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested; know the warning signs
Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) Elevated in tall sighthounds
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Heart condition; monitor with age
Hypothyroidism Manageable with medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Short-coated, easier-care sighthound
Greyhound
The original 70 km/h couch potato - calmer indoors than most small breeds, with a hard-wired chase instinct that never fully switches off.
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Similar elegance and independence
Saluki
A graceful, sensitive sighthound that is calm at home but needs secure sprinting space - its intense prey drive rules out off-leash areas and small pets.
View profile →
Another glamorous, aloof sighthound
Afghan Hound
A glamorous, aloof sighthound for owners who love grooming and can accept a dog that runs on its own agenda rather than yours.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Borzoi cost in the US?
Puppies from reputable breeders typically run $2,000-$4,000, and litters are not common, so expect a wait. Routine costs are those of a big dog: sizable food bills and weight-priced medication. Lifetime ownership commonly reaches $18,000-$30,000+, and one bloat emergency can add $5,000-$10,000, so an emergency fund or insurance is smart.
Are Borzois hard to train?
Compared to retrievers or shepherds, yes. A Borzoi is intelligent but was bred to make chase decisions on its own, so repetition bores it and commands are treated as suggestions. Short, rewarding sessions work; drilling does not. Recall around prey should never be trusted, no matter how well trained the dog seems.
Can a Borzoi live in an apartment?
Surprisingly, often yes. Indoors a Borzoi is quiet, clean, and mostly horizontal, and it rarely barks. The conditions are real, though: it still needs daily walks plus regular sprint sessions in a securely fenced area, and a dog this tall needs an apartment with actual floor space.
Is a Borzoi safe with cats and small dogs?
Treat it as high risk. The chase instinct that once ran down wolves fires at any small, fast-moving animal. Some Borzois raised with cats coexist peacefully indoors, but the same dog may chase an unfamiliar cat outside. With toy breeds and pocket pets, constant management is the honest requirement.