Do borzois shed a lot?

Borzois shed, but their long, silky single coat does not typically blow out seasonally in the same heavy way a dense double coat does. Regular brushing is still needed to manage loose hair and keep the coat from matting given its length.

Is any dog breed truly hypoallergenic?

No. The allergen that triggers most dog allergies is a protein in saliva, skin cells and urine that every dog produces, regardless of breed or coat type. Some breeds shed less loose hair and dander into the environment, which can help some allergy sufferers, but there is no allergen-free breed.

How much grooming does a borzoi need?

Their long coat needs brushing several times a week to prevent matting and to remove loose hair and dander before it spreads around the home. This is more grooming than a short-coated breed needs, even though the coat itself sheds relatively lightly.

Can someone with allergies live comfortably with a borzoi?

It depends on how sensitive that person is. Some mild allergy sufferers manage well with a well-groomed borzoi, but there is no guarantee, so arranging supervised time with an adult borzoi before bringing a puppy home is a sensible step.

Are borzois hypoallergenic?

No, borzois are not hypoallergenic, and no dog breed genuinely is — the claim describes marketing rather than biology. What is true is that a borzoi's long, silky, single coat sheds differently to a dense double coat, and with regular grooming some allergy sufferers find them more manageable than a heavier-shedding breed, though this is far from a guarantee for everyone.

Why 'hypoallergenic dog' is a myth for any breed

The protein that triggers most dog allergies is found in saliva, skin cells and urine, and every dog produces it regardless of coat type. What differs between breeds is how much loose hair and dander circulates through the home, which affects how much of that allergen ends up on furniture, floors and clothing rather than whether the allergen exists at all.

A borzoi's coat is long, flat and silky rather than a dense double coat, and while it does shed, it does not typically 'blow' its coat in the same heavy seasonal way some double-coated breeds do. That can mean less loose hair in the environment at any one time, though the coat is also long enough to hold onto dander that does shed until it is brushed out.

What actually helps allergy sufferers around a borzoi

Regular, thorough brushing — ideally a few times a week given the length of the coat — removes loose hair and dander before it spreads around the home, and matters more in practice than the coat type alone. A slicker brush or long-tooth comb suited to a longer coat makes this manageable rather than a chore that gets skipped.

Beyond grooming, the usual practical steps apply: keeping the dog out of bedrooms, vacuuming regularly, washing soft furnishings, and washing hands after handling the dog. None of these are specific to borzois, but they matter more with any dog in a household where someone has allergies.

If allergies are a real concern

Reactions to dogs vary enormously between individuals, and even between different dogs of the same breed, so it is worth spending supervised time with an adult borzoi — ideally more than once — before committing to a puppy, rather than relying on the breed's reputation for being easier on allergies.

An allergist can also help assess the likely severity of a reaction beforehand. A mild allergy sufferer may manage well with a well-groomed borzoi; someone with a more significant allergy is less likely to, whatever the breed.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

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Common questions

Do borzois shed a lot?: Borzois shed, but their long, silky single coat does not typically blow out seasonally in the same heavy way a dense double coat does. Regular brushing is still needed to manage loose hair and keep the coat from matting given its length.
Is any dog breed truly hypoallergenic?: No. The allergen that triggers most dog allergies is a protein in saliva, skin cells and urine that every dog produces, regardless of breed or coat type. Some breeds shed less loose hair and dander into the environment, which can help some allergy sufferers, but there is no allergen-free breed.
How much grooming does a borzoi need?: Their long coat needs brushing several times a week to prevent matting and to remove loose hair and dander before it spreads around the home. This is more grooming than a short-coated breed needs, even though the coat itself sheds relatively lightly.
Can someone with allergies live comfortably with a borzoi?: It depends on how sensitive that person is. Some mild allergy sufferers manage well with a well-groomed borzoi, but there is no guarantee, so arranging supervised time with an adult borzoi before bringing a puppy home is a sensible step.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.