Borzoi characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Giant | 6% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Low | 10% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | High | 15% of breeds |
| Barking | Very Low | 4% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Low | 17% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 10 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Borzoi right for you?
The Borzoi is one of the true giant breeds that needs a spacious home — its size alone means more room, a bigger car and higher food costs. In terms of temperament, it gets on with children when raised around them and is not a natural guard and greets visitors warmly. Day to day, the Borzoi wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Borzoi wants a decent walk or two each day and some playtime. With medium energy and high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Borzoi to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Borzoi needs frequent grooming and benefits from professional trims and sheds quite a lot — expect fur on furniture and clothes. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Borzoi takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency and is very quiet and rarely barks. It is fairly independent and handles alone time well, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Borzoi
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Borzoi genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Barking: Very low — the Borzoi is unusually quiet, one of the few breeds that rarely uses its voice. Only 4% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Size: Giant — the Borzoi is a giant breed, which changes the car, the vet bill and the space a dog needs. Only 6% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Trainability: Low — the Borzoi is less biddable than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Shedding: High — the Borzoi sheds more than most breeds, year-round rather than just seasonally. Only 15% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Borzoi actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | Notably quiet. |
Where the Borzoi fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Depends | Size alone rules out small flats, though the temperament can suit one. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Poor fit | The combination of drive, independence and training difficulty is a lot for a first dog. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Poor fit | High shedding and no low-allergen coat recorded. |
Perfect for
- Experienced sighthound owners
- Large properties
- Gentle families
- Show enthusiasts
Things to consider
- Very large size
- Strong prey drive
- Can be cat aggressive
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Borzoi good with children?
- The Borzoi can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Borzoi shed a lot?
- The Borzoi has high shedding.
- How much exercise does the Borzoi need?
- With medium energy, the Borzoi needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Borzoi live?
- The Borzoi typically lives around 10 years.
- Can the Borzoi live in an apartment?
- The Borzoi is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
- Is the Borzoi easy to train?
- The Borzoi takes a little persistence to train but responds to consistency. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Borzoi be left alone during the day?
- The Borzoi is fairly independent and handles alone time well. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.