Borzoi Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

Preparing for Your Borzoi Puppy

• 6-foot fencing audit (absolute requirement): Borzoi cannot be off-leash outside a secure fence. Check the full perimeter: no gaps the dog can slip through (sighthounds can squeeze through surprisingly narrow openings), no surfaces near the fence they can use to vault over, solid panel construction preferred so prey animals cannot be seen through gaps. Test every section of the fence before the puppy arrives.
• Anesthesia sensitivity documentation: Prepare a written note for your vet: "This dog is a sighthound. Sighthound-adjusted anesthesia protocols required." Flag this in the permanent file at the first visit. This is non-negotiable and applies at every vet practice, emergency clinic, and specialist facility this dog will ever visit.
• Large/XL crate (42–48 inches): Select for adult Borzoi size. Line with a soft bed or blanket.
• XL orthopedic dog bed: Borzoi are long dogs — standard large dog beds are often too short. Measure for a bed that allows the adult dog to fully stretch out.
• Collar and harness: A martingale collar is popular for sighthounds (prevents backing out of a flat collar). A well-fitted harness for walks reduces pressure on the narrow sighthound neck.
• Grooming tools: Pin brush, wide-tooth metal comb, detangling spray. Start gentle brushing sessions from the first week to build coat handling tolerance while the puppy coat is soft.
• Pet insurance enrollment: Enroll before the first vet visit. Ensure the policy covers anesthesia emergencies, GDV/bloat, cardiac conditions, and osteosarcoma.

First Week Setup

First Week: Vet Visit Priorities

• Flag sighthound anesthesia sensitivity in the permanent file: The first and most important veterinary administration step. Request it be documented prominently so it is visible at every future appointment and cannot be missed in an emergency.
• Discuss prophylactic gastropexy timing: Bring this up at the first appointment. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a significant risk in deep-chested breeds. Gastropexy at the time of spay/neuter ($200–$500 additional) eliminates the fatal stomach rotation risk. Schedule the conversation — and the procedure — early.
• Complete puppy vaccination series: Core vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Confirm schedule.
• OFA hip, CAER eye, and cardiac screening plan: Ask your vet when to schedule preliminary and formal OFA screenings and the first cardiac evaluation.
• Factor VII and cardiac history: Discuss any health documentation provided by the breeder — particularly cardiac evaluation results and any Factor-related blood testing your breeder may have done.
• Microchipping: Essential for any sighthound. Microchip at or before the first appointment.
• Exercise restriction guidance: Borzoi are a large breed with growth plates that close later than smaller breeds. Ask your vet for appropriate puppy exercise guidelines — over-exercise in puppyhood causes lasting orthopedic damage in large breeds.

Training

Starting Training Right

Borzoi training is a relationship-building exercise more than a compliance exercise. This is an independent, sensitive sighthound — positive reinforcement works; pressure and repetition produce avoidance. The goal is a dog with solid household manners, reliable leash behavior, and a comfortable, trusting relationship with its owner. Off-leash recall in open areas is not a realistic training objective.

Start coat handling immediately. The first weeks are the ideal time to build grooming tolerance. Handle paws, ears, and body gently during daily interactions, always pairing with treats. Introduce the pin brush early — a Borzoi puppy's coat is soft and easy to brush, making this the ideal time to establish positive grooming associations.

Crate training builds independence and security. Borzoi can develop separation anxiety — a crate provides a safe, contained space during alone time. Build crate comfort gradually with meals and treats placed inside.

Leash training — martingale collar or harness. Start loose-leash training early. The sighthound neck is delicate — avoid training approaches that put sustained pressure on the throat. A harness distributes pressure safely while training is in progress.

Socialization during the critical window (8–16 weeks). Borzoi tend toward reserve with strangers — early, positive social exposure reduces this tendency. Introduce to varied people, gentle dogs, and environments. Controlled, positive experiences during this window shape adult temperament significantly.

Lure coursing introduction. When the puppy is mature enough (typically after 12 months), investigate lure coursing or fast-CAT events. These provide ideal, safe breed-appropriate exercise in a fully enclosed environment. Most Borzoi love it immediately.