7 Things to Know Before Owning a Russian Wolfhound
Thinking about bringing home a Borzoi — the elegant Russian Wolfhound? You’re picturing a graceful giant sprawled across your couch, and honestly, you’re not far off.
But here’s the truth most breed pages skip: these long-legged beauties come with a few quirks that can catch first-timers off guard.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly what daily life with a Borzoi looks like — the good, the surprising, and the "wait, my dog won’t fetch?"
Let’s break it down.
First Off: These Dogs Are Stunning — And Big
The Borzoi has that unmistakable sighthound build. Tall, slender, deep-chested, with a long silky coat that flows as they move.
They’re poetry in motion. Genuinely.
But don’t let those delicate looks fool you. These dogs were bred in Russia to chase down actual wolves.
So yes — they’re fast, strong, and wired with a serious prey drive.
35+ mph
Top sprinting speed of a running Borzoi
2 seconds
How long a squirrel needs to trigger the chase
“They look like they’d shatter in a stiff breeze. In reality, they were built to take down wolves.”
So they’re built like athletes. But how do they actually behave at home?
Calm, Gentle, and Surprisingly Lazy
Here’s the plot twist: despite their hunting history, Borzois are more couch potato than endurance athlete.
They love a good sprint in a secure yard. Then they’re perfectly happy to lounge indoors for the rest of the day.
You might be wondering: does that mean they’re low energy?
Sort of. They’re a "burst and rest" breed — explosive in short spurts, sleepy the rest of the time.
Quiet at home
Borzois are famously calm indoors — they rarely fuss or demand attention.
Independent thinkers
They love you, but they have their own opinions. Aloof, not clingy.
Sensitive souls
Harsh tones and chaos stress them out fast. Gentle homes suit them best.
Sprint, then sprawl
A short daily gallop is all they need before settling into full lounge mode.
Sensitive Souls Need Gentle Handling
Training a Borzoi is a bit of a dance.
They’re intelligent but independent — and they do not respond well to harsh corrections.
Push too hard, and they’ll simply shut down on you.
But here’s the good news: patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement go a long way.
There’s one training mistake almost everyone makes — more on that in the pets section below.
The gentle-training playbook
- Reward, don’t scoldTreats and praise unlock way more than corrections ever will.
- Keep sessions shortA bored Borzoi checks out. Five to ten focused minutes beats a long slog.
- Socialize before 16 weeksThis window shapes how confident and friendly they become as adults.
- Stay calm and consistentThey mirror your energy — frustration only slows things down.
Now, about that prey drive and your other pets...
Yes, They Can Live With Other Pets — But...
Remember that wolf-chasing history? It shows up here.
Small, fast-moving animals — especially cats and rabbits — can flip that sighthound switch in an instant.
Here’s the kicker: this is the training mistake we hinted at earlier. Owners assume a leash-trained Borzoi is safe off-leash. It isn’t.
Cats (raised together)
PossibleSome Borzois coexist fine if raised with them from puppyhood — but supervise.
Small pets (rabbits, etc.)
RiskyTheir chase instinct is strong. Best kept fully separate.
Other dogs
Usually fineEspecially with early socialization and calm introductions.
Outdoors, off-leash
NoOne squirrel and they’re gone. Fenced areas only.
They’re Low-Maintenance, Grooming-Wise — Seriously
That flowing coat looks like a full-time job. It really isn’t.
A good brush a few times a week keeps mats away. That’s most of the battle.
During their big seasonal shed, you’ll brush more often — but the rest of the year, it’s easy.
- Brush a few times a week to prevent mats
- Trim nails regularly
- Check ears and keep up with dental care
- Bathe only occasionally — they don’t get "doggy"
- Over-bathe or shave the coat
Big dog, small appetite? Let’s talk food.
Feeding Them Isn’t As Expensive As You’d Think
For such a large breed, Borzois are surprisingly economical eaters.
They don’t inhale food like some giant breeds do. Still, quality matters — pick a food tailored to their age, size, and activity level.
But there’s a catch, and it’s an important one.
Family & Kids: Read This First
Borzois are gentle by nature. But they’re also large — and not big fans of rough play.
So what does this mean for you?
Older, respectful kids usually do great with them. Toddlers are a different story.
Older kids
GreatCalm, gentle companions for children who know how to be respectful.
Toddlers
CautionA big dog can accidentally knock a small child over. Always supervise.
And one more thing about their protective instincts — or lack thereof.
They Can Get Destructive If Left Alone Too Long
Bored Borzoi equals chewed furniture. It’s that simple.
This breed needs regular exercise — mental and physical — plus plenty of companionship.
If you’re gone all day, set up a comfortable crate or kennel space and rotate a few brain games to keep them occupied.
Now for the health and climate side of things.
Health-Wise, They’re Solid — With a Few Watch-Outs
Borzois are a generally healthy breed. But like many large dogs, they have a few things worth keeping an eye on.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall health | |
| Bloat risk | |
| Joint health | |
| Medication sensitivity |
They Love Cold Weather — and Shed Once a Year Like Crazy
That plush coat was engineered for brutal Russian winters. Cool climates make them thrive.
Hot weather is the flip side. Stick to early morning or evening walks, and always give them shade and fresh water.
Then there’s shedding season. Once a year, it’s a snowstorm of fur — so break out the brush and save your furniture.
Nope — a few weekly brushings handle it. Only the annual shed ramps up the workload.
They need short bursts of sprinting, not marathons. Most of the day they happily lounge.
Their prey drive overrides recall. Fenced areas only — no exceptions.
They may alert you to visitors, but protection isn't in their nature. They're gentle lovers.
Quick poll
Which Borzoi trait surprised you most?
Still have questions? Here are the ones owners ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
They can be, if you're patient and calm. Their gentle, low-key nature is beginner-friendly, but their sensitivity and strong prey drive mean you'll need to commit to positive training and secure, fenced spaces.
A few hours is fine for a well-adjusted adult, but they crave companionship. Left alone all day regularly, they may get bored and destructive. Brain games and a comfy crate setup help.
Not at all. They're one of the quieter breeds — typically reserved and calm. They may give a soft alert when someone's at the door, but excessive barking isn't their style.
They're gentle and do well with older, respectful kids. With toddlers, supervise closely — their size means they can accidentally knock a small child over during play.
They usually get along with other dogs. Cats and small pets are trickier because of their chase instinct — some coexist fine if raised together, but always supervise and never fully trust the instinct.
Managing their prey drive. You can never let them off-leash in an open area, and you'll need secure fencing. Their sensitivity also means training takes patience rather than pressure.
Borzois are naturally mellow early on but hit an adolescent energy phase. Most settle into their signature calm-adult temperament somewhere between 1.5 and 3 years old.
Probably not enthusiastically. They're sighthounds, not retrievers — they may chase a thrown toy, then look at you as if to say, "You threw it, you go get it."
Judith Aleguen is a freelance writer, editor, and shelter volunteer who fosters rescue cats and dogs. She turns hands-on experience into practical, easy-to-read pet care guides.
Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.