Borzoi Grooming Guide

Coat Overview

Understanding the Borzoi Coat

The Borzoi coat is long, silky, and flowing — flat or wavy on the body, with profuse feathering on the ears, chest, belly, back of the legs, and tail. Despite the coat's luxurious appearance, the Borzoi is actually less prone to severe matting than other long-coated breeds like the Afghan Hound or Old English Sheepdog. The silky texture and the breed's natural fastidiousness (Borzoi are unusually clean dogs) reduce the maintenance burden somewhat.

Shedding is moderate to significant — the long, fine hairs are visible on furniture and clothing. The coat sheds year-round with heavier periods seasonally. Regular brushing captures shed hair before it ends up throughout the house.

The feathered areas — particularly behind the ears, in the armpits, and where the leg meets the body — are the most mat-prone zones. These require more careful attention than the body coat. The spectacular tail is a breed signature and requires protection from damage in tight spaces; Borzoi tails are long and can be caught in doors or wagged against hard surfaces.

Grooming Routine

Step-by-Step Grooming Routine

Frequency: Brushing 2–3 times per week; bathing every 4–6 weeks or as needed.

Tools needed: Pin brush, wide-tooth metal comb, slicker brush for feathering, detangling spray, gentle dog shampoo, conditioner, dryer.

Brushing: Work section by section with a pin brush, supporting the coat at the root to avoid pulling. Begin at the ends and work toward the skin to prevent yanking through tangles. Follow each section with a wide-tooth comb to confirm no remaining knots. Pay particular attention to: behind the ears (heavy feathering, high mat risk), armpits (friction zone), back of hind legs (feathering tangles), and the tail (long plume needs regular attention).

A light misting of detangling spray before brushing makes the process easier and reduces breakage. Never brush a fully dry, dirty Borzoi coat without moisture — friction causes breakage and static.

Bathing: Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo followed by conditioner — the silky coat benefits from conditioning to maintain texture and reduce tangling. Rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner and allow it to penetrate for 3–5 minutes before rinsing.

Drying: Use a towel to remove excess water, then blow-dry on low heat while brushing through the coat. Full air-drying is acceptable for Borzoi (unlike Afghan Hounds where air drying causes severe tangling) but blow-drying while brushing produces a smoother result. Ensure the feathered areas dry fully to prevent skin irritation at the skin surface.

Nails: Every 3–4 weeks. Borzoi nails are often long and fine — careful trimming to avoid the quick is important.

Special Considerations

Professional Grooming and Special Care

Professional grooming: Borzoi are not typically high-frequency professional grooming candidates in the way of poodles or schnauzers — no clipping or hand-stripping is required. Some owners have their dog professionally bathed and blown dry every 6–8 weeks, which maintains coat health and reduces home maintenance. Professional fees for a Borzoi are typically $60–$120 per session given the coat volume.

Tail protection: The long, plumed tail is one of the most beautiful features of the breed and also one of the most vulnerable to injury. In tight quarters — hallways, crates, small rooms — the tail can be caught in doors or struck against walls and furniture. This is a real consideration in home setup: ensure the dog has adequate turning room, and be careful with doors. A Borzoi tail injury (called 'happy tail' — chronic splitting from repeated impact) is painful and slow to heal.

Shedding management: The long, fine Borzoi hairs are very visible on dark clothing and furniture. Regular brushing 2–3 times per week reduces the amount that ends up throughout the house. A high-quality pet hair vacuum and lint rollers are household necessities for Borzoi owners.

Coat during lure coursing or racing: Borzoi that participate in lure coursing events may pick up burrs, twigs, and debris in the coat, particularly in the feathering. Check and remove debris immediately after any field activity — debris left in the coat mats quickly. A light spray of detangling solution and careful comb-through after outings prevents problems.