Where the Borzoi came from
The Borzoi is a Russian sighthound. The name comes from an old Russian word that means swift. The breed is thought to have begun in sixteenth century Russia, from crosses of Saluki and other sighthound types with thick-coated Russian dogs.
Borzoi were used by Russian nobles to hunt wolves. For centuries the dogs could not be bought and were given as gifts from the Tsar. Grand Duke Nicholas Nicolaievich bred many at his estate at Perchino. After the 1917 revolution the breed was linked with the Tsars, and many dogs were killed in Russia. The breed survived in the West because many had already been exported.
Until 1936 the breed was known in English as the Russian Wolfhound. The AKC recognized it in 1891. Today the Borzoi is a quiet, graceful house dog that loves to run.
- 1500s The breed begins in Russia from sighthounds crossed with thick-coated Russian dogs
- 1891 AKC recognizes the Borzoi
- 1917 After the Russian Revolution, Borzoi are killed in large numbers in Russia, though the breed survives abroad
- 1936 The breed name changes from Russian Wolfhound to Borzoi
The job a Borzoi was bred for
A coursing hound for wolf hunts: they ran by sight, caught the quarry and held it until the hunters came. That is why many Borzoi chase small animals that run. In the house they are calm and very quiet, and often act reserved with strangers.
What you may see at home
Quiet, reserved with strangers, cat-like at home, chases small animals and fast-moving things.
Give them: Fenced run space, lure coursing or Fast CAT, calm leash manners, and gentle training. Never off leash in open areas.
Sports that fit a Borzoi
- Lure coursing. A sighthound sport that lets them run by sight in a safe field
- Fast CAT. A timed 100-yard dash for pure speed
- Straight racing. Short sprints in a fenced area
- Rally. Gentle pattern work suits a quiet dog
- Therapy work. Calm, gentle dogs can do well with the right temperament
Training tips for a Borzoi
- Keep sessions short and upbeat. Borzoi are known to get bored with repeats and to learn selectively.
- Use food and play, and avoid harsh corrections. These dogs can go quiet and shut down.
- Practice recall only in fenced areas. A Borzoi that sees something run can be gone fast.
- Reward calm greetings with strangers, since many are aloof and need time to warm up.
Body and health
Deep chest, so bloat is a concern. Sighthounds are lean and recover slowly from some anesthesia, so tell the vet your dog is a sighthound. Their thin coat and low body fat mean they can feel the cold.
Fun fact. Until 1936 the breed was known in English as the Russian Wolfhound.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Borzoi is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.