Borzoi Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

What do you need before bringing home a Borzoi puppy?

Last updated October 8, 2026

• 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.

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• 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.
  One option: 1.5 in Martingale Collar on Amazon. A 1.5-inch limited-slip martingale that tightens just enough to stop a narrow head from slipping out, without choking. Fit it so the two rings don't meet when tightened, and take it off when the dog is unsupervised.

• 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.
  One option: Chris Christensen Ice on Ice Detangling Spray (16 oz) on Amazon. A leave-in detangling spray with sunscreen, misted on before brushing so the pins slide through the coat instead of tearing it. Mist the coat lightly, not the skin; it's a finishing spray, not a substitute for a bath.
• Pet insurance enrollment: Enroll before the first vet visit. Ensure the policy covers anesthesia emergencies, GDV/bloat, cardiac conditions, and osteosarcoma.

First Week Setup

What should the first week with a Borzoi puppy look like?

• 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.
One option: Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush (27 mm) on Amazon. Chris Christensen's Original Series oval pin brush: 27 mm stainless pins without ball tips in a cushioned pad, made for long, silky and double coats. Brush in layers from the skin out; a pin brush is for daily maintenance, not for working out mats.

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.