The Borzoi is a large, furry, human-friendly dog breed that originated in Tsarist Russia. The Borzoi was bred to be a hunting dog for the Tsars and the wealthy and affluent Russian nobility. Thus he has the long legs and sleek body frame that suggests his truest calling: running. But despite the breed's initial intention, when he is well-trained and well-socialized, the Borzoi is a wonderful pet.
The Borzoi can live happily in a suburban setting, and will be able to live in your home without too many problems that one might normally expect from dogs bred to "work" outside. For example, he will be content to sit with you and snuggle on the couch as opposed to constantly needing to be outdoors running and playing. However, potential owners should be aware that though a Borzoi can be a companion dog, he is at heart a hunter. And this important instinct can never be denied or ignored.
First, consider your other pets and family members. If you have cats or small dogs, the Borzoi may be inclined to chase them around the house. This can be traumatic for a small pet and for your home given the size of the Borzoi. The Borzoi could likewise chase a running child if he felt the instinctual need to hunt. The good news is that when the Borzoi is raised with children and other pets, he will get along well with them. Also, male Borzoi tend to be less inclined to chase, so for homes with cats or children males may be best.
The Borzoi typically has long, silky hair that needs to be brushed regularly. Should an owner not properly care for the dog's coat, their home would quickly be covered with the shed hair from the Borzoi. The Borzoi will always shed at the change of seasons, and during the rest of the year as well, so this should be taken into consideration.
Another small problem is the Borzoi's resistance to housebreaking. The Borzoi breed is incredibly intelligent, and he can become bored with all types of obedience training, even housebreaking. This means that there may be 6 months of doggy accidents before he knows to potty outside.
This breed does need to be exercised to prevent a problematic build-up of energy. A bored and energetic Borzoi will result to chewing, and that isn't good for any home. But while regular exercise is important, the properly exercised Borzoi will curl up in his bed and have calm, polite manners towards people and animals. Be sure to have a comfy bed for him, though, because he will take over your couch if he doesn't have an appropriate bed.
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