If you’ve ever dreamed of sharing your home with a dog that looks like it’s walked straight out of a royal portrait, the Borzoi is the breed for you! With their long, elegant frame and flowing coat, these dogs are about as regal as they come. But the price of owning one can also match that aristocratic look, and before you decide a Borzoi is definitely the right breed for you, you’ll need to be confident you’ve got the financial means to look after it properly. That’s what you’ll learn here today as we take you through everything you need to know about the full costs of owning a Borzoi.
Before you welcome a Borzoi into your home, the first thing you need to think about is how much you’ll need to spend buying or adopting one. Pricing will vary depending on which route you choose to go down, with Borzoi puppies from registered breeders costing around $4,000 – $6,000 and adoption fees averaging around $500 – $700.
One thing to be very cautious about is Borzois being sold at suspiciously low prices. These puppies may come from unregistered breeders or puppy farms where health and welfare aren’t prioritised, potentially leading to health issues later in life. By choosing a registered breeder or adopting a Borzoi through a rescue shelter, you can rest assured you’re bringing home a healthy, well-adjusted dog.
A Borzoi from a registered breeder comes with an average price tag of between $4,000 and $6,000. There’s a good reason for this high pricing, too, with things like health screening, the dog’s pedigree, and even the breeder’s reputation determining the final price.
Adoption fees for Borzois tend to be much lower compared to the price you’ll pay when going through a registered breeder, usually sitting between $500 and $700, and these fees also tend to cover the cost of vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing. However, as you might imagine from such a fancy-looking breed, Borzois don’t tend to show up in rescue shelters all that often, so you’ll have to exercise a little patience in the search for one.
Regardless of whether you shop or adopt, not all Borzois come with the same price tag, and there are several factors that can make a big difference in how much you’ll pay for a puppy. These include:
Borzois have a long history as noble hunting dogs, and their lineage plays a big role in their price. If a puppy comes from champion bloodlines of show or coursing, they’ll be priced at the higher end of the $4,000 to $6,000 scale because of their superior genetics and strong health history. You don’t have to be interested in showing your Borzoi for this to affect the price, either. Even if you’re just looking for a pet, a Borzoi with a strong pedigree is more likely to have predictable temperament traits, good overall health, and, of course, a higher price tag.
While all Borzois are stunning, certain coat colours are harder to come by, and this rarity adds to the price. For example, classic white-and-gold and white-and-tan coats are pretty common, while rarer coat colours of solid black, brindle, or blue are rarer, and since there is more demand for these, breeders can charge a higher price. Likewise, the demand for symmetrical markings also influences the cost, as Borzois with well-defined facial patterns are more desirable in the dog-showing world.
The size of a Borzoi can also affect the price, and while all Borzois are large, some have a particularly refined and balanced frame and ideal proportions of long legs and a deep chest. If these meet the breed standards laid out by Dogs Australia, the higher the price will be as these characteristics are highly sought after for show competitions. Even if you’re not interested in showing your dog, those with the correct structure are less likely to suffer from joint problems in later life, which can be an added benefit.
Some breeders put loads of effort into producing the happiest and healthiest Borzoi puppies possible, including early socialisation, health screenings, and even some basic training before sending them to their new homes. All of these things come at a cost to the breeder, which means the more work that has gone into raising the puppies, the higher the price will be so they can pick up the costs and make a profit.
That’s the initial purchase price covered, and before you bring your Borzoi home, you’ll need to make sure they’ve got all the supplies needed for a comfortable life. Here’s what you’ll need and how much you’ll likely spend:
Now for the ongoing maintenance costs of looking after a Borzoi. After all, you’ll need to keep them fed, healthy, and looking great, all of which come with a price! Let’s break these down below.
Borzois are lean but athletic dogs, and a healthy adult weighing between 30kg and 45kg needs around 400g – 800g of food per day. Taking the diets detailed below into account, this means you could spend between $90 and $420 each month on feeding your Borzoi.
Remember, these are only estimates. The amount you’ll actually spend will depend on your dog’s age, sex, size, and overall health, as well as the diet type and brand you choose. We recommend consulting your vet before you decide which diet is best for your Borzoi.
To keep your Borzoi in top health, regular vet visits and preventative treatments will be needed. This is another cost you’ll need to factor into their annual upkeep, with prices averaging:
Borzois aren’t as high-maintenance as some other long-haired breeds, but they do still need regular trips to the doggy salon to keep their coats healthy and looking fabulous. Grooming costs will vary based on what service you need, but here’s a general idea:
Like all dogs, Borzois need training to implement good behaviour. But, because they’re so intelligent, getting them into training classes from an early age is always best, and this will come with more costs:
There’s no denying that owning a Borzoi is expensive, and if you don’t feel confident that you’re able to financially cover all of their needs across their average lifespan of 10 – 14 years, it might be worth looking into some other breeds. However, if you can meet the cost, you’ll be rewarded with unmatched elegance, devotion, and a bond that lasts for years to come.
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