Russian wolfhound dog lying on the grass

Borzoi vs. Coyote

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Borzois were originally bred to hunt wolves, but today they are typically kept as pets without any kind of canine job. However, if you have livestock, you might wonder if the Borzoi’s history means that they can keep your animals safe from coyotes. Borzois can hunt coyotes well, but they need to be trained properly if you’re raising them as farm dogs. Socialize them to your other animals early on so that they don’t come to see your livestock as prey. Let’s learn more about Borzoi vs Coyote.

When it comes to the similarities and differences between Borzois and coyotes, they are vastly different canines. Borzois have been long-bred for human companionship, and on the hunt they are speedy with low endurance. Coyotes are wild animals that spend most of their time on the move, traveling miles each day.

In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between Borzois and coyotes as well as their history with one another—particularly, whether or not Borzois have been used to hunt coyotes on farm land.

borzoi enjoying some time outside in the snow
Borzois love human companionship

Borzoi vs Coyote

Coyotes get more exercise in their day than Borzois, who are content to laze around the house after a nice walk or run. They might later follow this up with a sprint around the yard once they’ve gotten their energy levels back up.

This is primarily due to the way they hunt: Borzois being sprinters, and coyotes built for endurance.

coyote prancing in a field
Coyotes are built for endurance

Coyotes have stockier builds than thin-framed Borzois, and of course are wilder. While training a Borzoi can be tough for the inexperienced dog owner, trying to train a coyote would be a whole other battle!

Borzois live an average of 14-17 years, while Coyotes live 10-14 years in the wild and up to 20 in captivity.

Borzoi vs Coyote History

Borzois are big-game hunters, initially used in 1600s Russia where they went on wolf hunts for the aristocracy. Royals at the time might have owned hundreds or thousands of dogs for these hunts.

They went out in small packs, accompanied by human hunters. As a wolf ran out from the underbrush, the Borzois would be unleashed.

Sprinting after the wolf, they would then catch it and hold it in place. The human hunters would either kill the wolf or capture it in order to train future pups.

Today, some farmers have utilized the Borzoi’s hunting skills to keep their livestock safe from coyotes and other threats. Due to their past, they’re well-suited to hunting predator animals like this, although they’ll have to be socialized to the livestock so that they don’t see them as their own prey.

brown and white Borzoi standing in the snow
Borzois need lots of exercise

Farm life can be great for Borzois, who need large yards and lots of exercise. However, these dogs can be quite pampered as well and love being able to rest on a soft couch or bed when the hunt is over.

They are sensitive dogs that enjoy spending time around family inside the home. They do best when given plenty of exercise, but also plenty of rest.

Borzoi vs Coyote Appearance

Coyotes look similar to small wolves, with stocky frames and long, dense fur. They have large, pointed ears, triangular faces, and bushy tails.

Borzois are deep-chested with thin waists. They’re slimmer than coyotes with small, triangular ears, long muzzles and tails, and curly coats.

When it comes to coat color, coyotes can be white, tan, grey, or brown. Borzoi coats come in many colors and there is no breed standard on fur coloration or pattern.

While Borzois stand at 26-32 inches and weigh 60-105 pounds, coyotes are 21-24 inches tall and weigh 15-50 pounds.

Borzoi vs Coyote Temperament

Of course, the big difference between Borzois and coyotes in temperament is that one is a wild animal, while the other has been bred for human companionship for centuries.

Thus, Borzois are more people friendly, make excellent pets, and are much more trainable.

borzoi standing in the snow
Borzois may need lots of exercise, but they enjoy resting too!

Borzois also love living in comfort. They’re often seen as couch potatoes and, although they do need plenty of exercise to stay fit, they do like to lounge around the house!

Coyotes, unfortunately for them (but fortunate for us!) don’t live in human homes and don’t have access to these luxuries.

Some similarities between these canines are their hunting prowess and their tendency to roam. Coyotes travel 7-10 miles on an average day.

If a Borzoi is allowed unleashed in an open area, they’re likely to sprint off after another animal or moving object. This is why it’s so important to keep them contained in your yard with a tall fence.

Borzoi vs Coyote Exercise

Borzois need lots of daily exercise in the form of at least one long walk and time to sprint outside in an enclosed space every day.

When they’re through exercising, Borzois tend to laze around the house. They’re not yippy, high-energy dogs, but instead quite laid-back and mellow.

Though Borzois need a lot of activity, it’s nothing compared to coyotes! These canines travel an average of 7-10 miles daily, with females averaging 7.8 miles and males 10.2 miles.

Borzoi vs Coyote Hunting

When it comes to hunting, Borzois and coyotes have different tactics.

Borzois are sighthounds, meaning they hunt by sight. They have sprinter’s bodies that allow them to move very fast to catch prey. However, they don’t have a lot of stamina and will quickly tire, especially at these speeds.

They’ll then need a break to rest and relax.

coyote hunting in the snow
A coyote can travel miles per day looking for food

Coyotes don’t have the luxury of taking a break, as it could open them up to danger from predators. So, they’re built more for the endurance that they need.

They track prey with their sense of smell. They travel miles every day looking for food.

Borzois hunt in packs, and so do coyotes—though not always. When hunting small prey, they might go in for the kill on their own.


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