An elegant Russian sighthound bred to course wolves, the Borzoi combines great speed with a calm, dignified, cat-like temperament indoors. It is a gentle, quiet companion that needs safe space to sprint and careful management of its strong prey drive.
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Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
House with yard + serious daily exercise
House + secure yard + 60–90 min exercise
A large dog can adjust to apartment life only with an athletic owner; most do better in a house with a secure yard and 60–90 minutes of structured exercise daily. Crate-train and supervise free-roam until reliably mannered.
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Recommended
Suburban home + ¼-acre fence + 90 min exercise
House + ¼-acre fenced yard + 90 min exercise
A suburban property with a quarter-acre or larger securely fenced yard, 90 minutes of daily exercise split across walks and off-lead time, and consistent training. Most large breeds peak in this setting.
Sighthounds need safe, fully-fenced space at least a third of an acre for full-speed sprinting — a single 30-second run can be the highlight of their day. Lure coursing or straight-track racing channels their drive; never let off-lead in unsecured areas as recall fails at sight of fast-moving prey.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Can live in a calm apartment thanks to its mellow indoor nature, but needs access to a large, securely fenced area to gallop, as it should never be off-leash in unfenced spaces. Requires daily walks plus regular opportunities to run at full speed. A soft bed is appreciated by this lean, large-boned breed.
Diet
Feed a quality large-breed diet portioned to maintain its naturally lean, racy build; do not over-condition. As a deep-chested sighthound, the Borzoi is at elevated risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus): feed two smaller meals, use a raised-calm feeding routine, avoid heavy exercise around meals, and discuss gastropexy. Sighthounds are also sensitive to certain anesthetics and have low body fat, which vets should account for.
Behavior & temperament
Calm, gentle, affectionate but independent and somewhat aloof, with a quiet, cat-like demeanor at home. Intelligent but not eager-to-please in the obedience sense; training requires patience, motivation, and a soft approach, and recall is unreliable due to chase instinct. Strong prey drive toward small running animals. Generally good with gentle older children and other large dogs; supervise around small pets. Sensitive and does not respond to harsh handling.
Health
Predispositions include bloat/GDV, cardiac conditions (including dilated cardiomyopathy and degenerative valve disease), bone cancer (osteosarcoma), and anesthesia sensitivity common to sighthounds; eye conditions occur occasionally. Recommended screening: cardiac evaluation, eye exam, and thyroid testing in breeding stock; ensure your vet uses sighthound-appropriate anesthesia protocols.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The long, silky coat needs brushing/combing 2-3 times a week to prevent mats, with heavier seasonal shedding. Keep the dog leashed or fenced at all times given the prey-driven sprint instinct. Train with gentle, reward-based, low-repetition sessions and realistic expectations for recall. Provide soft bedding to protect bony pressure points, and learn bloat warning signs.
