Borzoi: Adult and senior changes

For an adult or senior Borzoi, a change from the dog's own normal baseline deserves more attention than a generic age expectation. Use the individual dog's age, comfort, and recovery to set the pace. Compare movement, appetite, sleep, interaction, and body condition week to week; make one low-impact change and record the result. Compare with the dog's own recent baseline and make one low-impact change before judging the result.

What a change may be telling you

Borzoi's weight is recorded as 75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female). Here, that matters because it gives context for the individual dog's body condition, but not a target by itself.

Compare the dog with its baseline

  1. Compare movement, appetite, sleep, interaction, and body condition week to week; make one low-impact change and record the result.
  2. Use the weight (75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female)) as context, then measure the individual dog's trend rather than changing the plan from the reference alone.
  3. Compare with the dog's own recent baseline and make one low-impact change before judging the result.

Arrange veterinary review if

Book a veterinary assessment for persistent pain, reduced mobility, weight change, confusion, or a sudden behaviour shift.

If this may be a health problem

This page is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Do not change food, medication, exercise, or care for an individual dog based on this page alone; contact a veterinarian for symptoms, pain, weight change, skin changes, persistent behaviour change, or any urgent concern.

References

Height: 28 inches & up (male), 26 inches & up (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height

Weight: 75-105 pounds (male), 60-85 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight

Life expectancy: 9-14 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy

Grooming: Like any long-coated dog, the Borzoi will shed a bit. In general, a quick brushing every day or two with a pin brush, slicker brush, and/or a comb will remove any loose hair and dirt from the coat. About once a year the Borzoi will shed more heavily for several weeks, and during this shedding season more frequent grooming is needed. Regular baths keep the…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy

Exercise: Even though Borzoi are large, they are graceful, athletic animals who make good housedogs. They do need daily exercise, whether in the form of long walks or running in a securely fenced yard. Being sighthounds, they are apt to chase anything that moves, so they should always be in an enclosed area or on a leash. It is never advisable to allow a Borzoi to…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy

Training: Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended. Exposing the puppy to positive experiences with a wide variety of people, places, and situations will help him develop into a well-adjusted adult. Borzoi are intelligent and very affectionate with their owners, but are also independent and sometimes stubborn, so training may be a challenge.…
AKC page Training > official section copy

Official breed description: Among the most impressively beautiful of all dogs, the aristocratic Borzoi is cherished for his calm, agreeable temperament. In full stride, he is a princely package of strength, grace, and glamour flying by at 35 to 40 miles per hour.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description

Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Cardiac Exam', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'Thyroid Evaluation', 'Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) DNA SOD1A']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club

Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Borzoi.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard

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