Grooming the Borzoi

COAT

Per the AKC breed standard, the Borzoi coat is long and silky, never woolly, and may be flat, wavy, or rather curly. On the head, ears, and front of the legs the coat is short and smooth; on the neck, the frill is profuse and rather curly. Feathering on the hindquarters and tail is long and profuse, somewhat less so on the chest and back of the forelegs. Any color or combination of colors is acceptable under the standard.

This is a true double coat — a thick undercoat beneath the silky outer coat — built originally for Russian winters, which is why the breed isn't well suited to tropical or very hot, humid climates. Despite the length and volume of hair, the silky texture genuinely doesn't tangle or mat the way a wire or curly coat does, which is the main reason this breed has a reputation as more manageable than its appearance suggests.

CHARACTER

The Borzoi carries an air of calm, dignified elegance — a princely package of strength, grace, and glamour, in the AKC's own words, who is equally content sleeping on the sofa as running at speeds up to 40 miles per hour. That same calm, independent temperament generally makes for an easy grooming partner, provided handling stays gentle; this is a sensitive breed, both emotionally and physically, and rough brushing technique is felt more than it would be on a hardier coat type.

Recommended Cindra Grooming Products

• Cindra Moisturizing Shampoo
• Cindra Moisture Plus Conditioner
• Cindra Super Coat — light use to enhance the natural shine of the silky coat
• Cindra Silhouette Topline & Thickening Crème — adds body and control to the neck frill and feathering without weighing down the coat's natural movement

Common Coat Problems & Solutions

Hands On Grooming Guide

Brush once or twice weekly under normal conditions, increasing to daily during the breed's seasonal coat blow. Use a pin brush followed by a comb — the Borzoi Club of America specifically cautions against wire slicker brushes, which can damage this coat's fine, silky texture. Brush with a light hand; pressing pins or bristles too firmly can scrape the skin and cause irritation on a breed with comparatively thin skin for its size.

Bathing is only needed about once a month under normal conditions, since the coat naturally resists dirt and frequent washing strips the oils responsible for its shine. When bathing, a warm-water soak actually helps loosen dead hair during a seasonal shed. Dry with a blow dryer on a medium-warm setting, but keep the nozzle a reasonable distance from the skin and coat rather than aiming it directly and closely — this is a specific caution from breed specialists, not a generic drying tip.

When working through any tangles missed during pre-bath brushing, go slowly and gently rather than forcing through resistance; the goal is to lose as little coat as possible while resolving the tangle.

For show presentation, a light application of Silhouette on the dry frill and feathering ahead of ring time gives the coat a touch more structure and fullness while still moving naturally on the move.

Do Borzoi Shed?

Yes, and the double coat means a real seasonal shed twice a year — once before summer as the dog lightens its coat for warm weather, and again before winter as a heavier cold-weather coat grows in. Outside of these blowout periods, shedding is more moderate and manageable with routine brushing. Because the coat's individual hairs are quite fine, shed hair can be more noticeable around the house than the breed's reputation as a comparatively easy-care dog might suggest. No breed is truly hypoallergenic, and given the coat volume and shed pattern, this breed is not generally recommended for allergy-sensitive households.

Puppy vs Adult Coat Care

Quick Grooming Schedule

Borzoi Grooming Resources

• How Often Should You Bathe Your Dog
• How to Choose Dog Shampoo by Coat Type
• Are Dogs Really Hypoallergenic?