Borzoi

The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a unique looking breed. We’ve put together lots of useful information for you with some extra help from the BorrowMyDoggy community.

Sidsel, who owns Qirov says he is:

a lazy gentleman who likes sleeping on the sofa. He is very friendly and loves to play with other dogs in all sizes.

What is a Borzoi?

The Borzoi is part of the sighthound family. They are Russia’s most recognised hound and were originally used in the 17th century to hunt wolves! They were also a popular gift offered to Royals by the Czars of Russia. The first person in the UK to own a Borzoi was Queen Alexandra after she was gifted one. They have since become a popular family and companion dog due to their typically placid nature.

How much exercise do they need?

Despite their size, the Borzoi is not generally a high energy dog. The Kennel Club recommends up to an hour of exercise per day. They do require lots of outdoor space to keep them busy, so a garden is a must for this breed.

Bolt’s owner, Karen, signed up to BorrowMyDoggy because:

Borzois are a little reserved so hoping to bring Bolt out of himself and have a friend to play with

What about temperament?

They are a graceful breed with very gentle characters, although they can be rather independent and stubborn. This does make them a difficult breed for first time owners. They have a very high prey drive - if they see livestock in the distance, they'll be off.

They can be quite nervous around strangers but with their family members and people they know well, they are very affectionate and will form very strong bonds with their owner.

An interesting fact that makes them stand out from other breeds is their high body sensitivity. They are very aware of touch, which also means pain and discomfort is felt much stronger for them. If they get even the slightest bit of pain, they will let out a much louder yelp than most dogs.

Doggy member, Xanthe is:

very large and fast, luckily, her recall isn't too bad for a sighthound.

"She is just over 2 years old and still a bit puppy like and a total clown. She loves water and will swim to retrieve a stick or a ball. Xanthe can be a bit lively and needs to be kept busy."

Are they easy to train?

Despite Borzois being very intelligent dogs, they are also very stubborn meaning training can be rather difficult. Their high prey drive and stubbornness means they will be off on their own accord and unlikely to come back if their recall isn’t perfected.

With that being said, it isn’t impossible to train them but it does need to start early with lots of patience and understanding.

Thanks to the Borzois (and owners) from the BorrowMyDoggy community for sharing their wooftastic photos and quotes.

• Owners - if you’re looking to find your Borzoi a new friend for some extra exercise, why not get in touch with borrowers from the community who would love to help you out?
• Borrowers - if you’re looking to learn more about the Borzois (or any other breeds) why not reach out to local owners in the community who are looking for a helping hand and to share the love of their dog?

As more owners and borrowers join the community and start messaging, more woofs, walks and waggy tails can be spread to share the love of dogs.

Why not join the BorrowMyDoggy community today?