The Borzoi may be a large dog, but he is also, as a well-socialized and trained adult dog, a wonderful companion. For homes with people looking for a calm, good-natured companion who does not demand copious amount of attention and is simply a buddy rather than a worker or a protector, a Borzoi is a good option. But for homes with a lot of noise, rambunctiousness, and a need for a dog who fetches and plays, the Borzoi would not be a good fit.
Homes with plenty of space, a large backyard with good, tall fencing, and a quiet atmosphere will be the perfect place for a Borzoi. The Borzoi was bred to be a hunting dog, and he needs space to run so he can burn off his extra energy. If given the room he needs to exercise, the Borzoi will be content to live in your home. But the Borzoi is also very conscious of noises and quick movements. These things need to be considerably lessened in order for a Borzoi to be happy.
The Borzoi will be uncomfortable in any household where people are yelling or given to extreme emotional outbursts. This breed requires quiet, and will not tolerate any shouting. The abundance of this in his environment can lead him to nervous behaviors and can actually make him physically ill.
If the Borzoi is introduced to children or other pets at a young age, he will generally be very happy with his living situation. He can have an adverse reaction to later additions to the family, and this should be avoided. Borzoi who are properly socialized will enjoy people in general and will readily accept other adult humans. But the introduction of small, running children may entice the dog to chase and possibly inadvertently hurt the child. As a child's playmate, the Borzoi fails. He does not fetch, but is partial to "keep away".
If you have another dog, the Borzoi will likely live quite happily with it. In fact, the Borzoi is often at his best when he does live with other dogs. Since he is a sighthound, he does best with other sighthounds, though Borzoi can be happy with any larger dog breed. Cats living with Borzoi can be problematic as the Borzoi is given to chase cats when they are running.
If you are willing to put in the time to train and socialize your Borzoi, he will make a wonderful companion animal. As with all breeds, there are exceptions to every rule, but in general the above are good guidelines to follow, especially if you are planning to purchase a puppy. Since you can't be sure what type of personality your Borzoi puppy will have, a full grown adult may be a better option: pick one that is calm, loving, and extroverted for a family home and you may find a Borzoi can be a good choice for your family.
|
