The Borzoi Price & Cost: Can You Swing It?

Has the Borzoi absolutely drawn you in with his Whippet / Collie-like appearance?

If so, then you’re probably dying to know how much one costs.

Well, the purebred Borzoi price is a hefty one, costing anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 if purchased from a reputable breeder. We've seen some estimates as high as $9000. However, you can save a significant on the Borzoi dog price by opting for adoption around $150 or rescue or $500 if you are lucky to find one.

First, how about you take some time to get to know a little more about this breed’s temperament and personality to help you decide if he’s really “the one.”

The Borzoi, Up Close

If you have a thing for Russian history, then you may feel particularly attracted to the Borzoi breed.

Russian nobles began to breed the Borzoi back in 1650. From there, noblemen used these beautiful dogs as hunters.

The popularity of the breed declined after the Russian Revolution; however, they first made their way to the U.S. in the late 1890s whereupon Americans fell in love with them.

It’s good to know the hunting thing because that piece of the Borzoi’s history can still have an impact on the dog you bring home today.

Borzoi Temperament and Personality

There are a few things you need to know about the Borzoi temperament before you run off and buy one of these dogs.

They’re Gentle Goofballs

The Borzoi is famous for acting silly while also remaining dignified and gentle.

The Borzoi puppy acts just as playful as you would expect him to. Once he grows up, however, the Borzoi is a calm and graceful animal.

This doesn’t mean he loses his silliness though – he still has those moments as an adult that’ll cause you to slap your forehead in disbelief.

They Need Their People

The Borzoi is one of those breeds who needs constant companionship.

If you’re not around for most of the day, it is very likely that the Borzoi will develop separation anxiety.

So, if you know you’ll have to leave the Borzoi completely alone for long periods each day, that kind of arrangement simply will not work for this breed.

They’re Not Good Guard Dogs

Sure, the Borzoi is a large breed, but that’s about all there is to him that could possibly intimidate an intruder.

He’ll bark to let you know when he feels danger may be afoot, but he’ll never act aggressively toward that danger.

More than anything, the Borzoi is a shy and trustful breed on average. However, there are those few who become aggressive due to poor socialization while they’re young.

Make sure you take your Borzoi pup to the dog park on the regular, and you should be just fine.

They Act Like Large Cats

If you’ve ever wanted a large cat around the house, the Borzoi will do just fine.

That’s because the Borzoi is largely an independent breed. You don’t need to keep him occupied all the time; he’s perfectly capable of finding his own things to do.

They’re Picky with Other Animals and Children

While the Borzoi typically does well with other dogs on average, the same may not apply to children and other animals.

With children, the Borzoi is not a fan of rough play. You should probably only consider getting a Borzoi if your children are older.

Else, make sure you supervise them when they’re together. The Borzoi may snap or even bite if a child gets on his nerves.

Something important to remember: Borzoi are “touch-sensitive.” This means you can startle him by touching him when he doesn’t expect it – and he may lash out in response.

As for other animals, remember that the Borzoi is a hunter at heart. This means you should probably keep him away from cats and other small animals.

They’re Athletic

You can probably already tell by the Borzoi’s size that he needs a lot of exercise.

He’s not a great apartment dog because of his size and because of his activity level.

One of his favorite activities is running because he gets the chance to stretch out those long legs of his.

Just make sure you’re supervising him when he’s outside. The Borzoi’s prey drive is so strong that one of the leading causes of death for this breed is cars hitting them while they chase after potential prey.

They’re Sensitive

The Borzoi is one of those breeds who knows when you’re having a fight with your husband and feels the tension himself.

In fact, if you argue too much, it may cause him to feel physically ill.

Borzoi Size

The Borzoi is the definition of a large dog.

On average, this breed grows up to weigh about 100 lbs. as an adult and comes in at between 26 to 30 inches tall.

If this is simply too much dog for you, then it’s good to know this going in before you buy. You just can’t tell these kinds of things in simply looking at a puppy!

Borzoi Price – How Much Do Borzois Cost?

As mentioned earlier, the Borzoi price range is a steep one.

It’s not unheard of to pay anywhere from $2,000 to upwards of $5,000 as a Borzoi puppy price.

However, you can reduce the amount you pay for one of these dogs by opting for a mixed breed, or by adopting or rescuing from the appropriate organization.

Demand

Today, the Borzoi is a rare breed, coming in at only 93^rd place of the AKC’s most popular dog breeds.

This partially explains why the Borzoi average price is so high.

While you can expect breeders to price rare dogs higher than more common dogs, knowing the typical price of a Borzoi ahead of time can protect you from scammers.

Borzoi Rescue and Adoption

Rescuing or adopting a Borzoi is a great way to both help a dog and save a little money off the purchase price.

You can check out the National Borzoi Rescue Foundation for more information on how to rescue one of these dogs.

Rescue organizations are a great source to check when the breed you’re interested in is rare. This is because it’s a great way to find a selection of dogs you’re looking for all in one place.

The price of a rescue (around $450) is always higher than the price of a shelter (around $150) because rescues put more work into their dogs.

Shelters usually charge the $150 to cover the costs of any vet care (including shot) and neutering the dog might need before he goes home.

Rescues, on the other hand, usually foster their dogs, and the $450 is a “donation” that the organization can put toward helping other dogs.

Borzoi Cost of Ownership

Of course, when it comes to owning a dog, there’s more to the price than what’s on his sticker.

Sure, you’re probably already factoring in how much you’d need to spend on food each month, but what about veterinary care? Grooming needs? Training?

See below for what to expect, on average, with owning a Borzoi dog.

Cost of Food

Because the Borzoi is a larger breed, you’ll need to budget for how much it costs to feed one of these larger dogs.

One of those large dog food bags at the grocery store costs about $35, depending on the brand you choose to buy.

For a 100-lb. dog, you’ll probably need to buy two bags a month to keep up with his appetite.

Don’t forget to check with your vet first to see what food, and how much of it, you should feed him.

Health Care Expenses

You should always have money set aside for a medical emergency when you own a dog.

You just never know what kind of problems could pop up, and when.

If you’re lucky, you can go years without needing any kind of care other than your dog’s annual checkup.

As far as health problems for the Borzoi go, there are a few you need to know about ahead of time. These include:

• Cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart)
• Gastric dilatation volvulus or gastric torsion (bloat)
• Hypothyroidism
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans(an orthopedic condition)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (degenerative eye disorder)

There is no guarantee that your dog will definitely suffer from one of these conditions. However, they are common for this breed, so it’s important to plan ahead.

Grooming Costs

Borzois are heavy shedders, so you may want to consider hiring a professional groomer to help out.

The Borzoi has an annual shedding session, however that session lasts several weeks when it arrives.

You don’t need to bathe him all that often, so if you can keep up with the brushing, you may not need to hire a groomer at all.

Training Programs

Most people can, of course, train their dogs themselves without paying for a trainer.

However, if you simply don’t have the time, or if you end up with a very stubborn dog, then it’s a cost you’ll need to consider.

Shop around, though, since you may be able to find training packages that can save you money if you opt for group sessions or lessons.

Kailyn C.

Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.