ForTheBreed
Quiet breed Suits flat living

Do Borzois bark a lot?

Borzois are a notably quiet breed — they rarely bark without a clear reason. If noise levels matter to you (flat living, terraced house, close neighbours), this breed is one of the easier choices.

Quiet — rarely barks
Rarely barks — excellent for shared buildings, flats, and terraced houses.
About the Borzoi

The Russian aristocrat of the dog world. Elegantly aloof, blindingly fast, and deeply unsuited to off-lead parks.

Size
Large
Weight
27–48 kg
Energy
Moderate
Trainability
Challenging
Lifespan
9–14 yrs

How much do Borzois bark?

Borzois are a quiet breed. They might bark to alert you to someone at the door, or react to an unusual noise, but sustained or excessive barking isn't in their character. Most owners report that their neighbours are unaware they have a dog at all.

This makes them one of the more practical breeds for UK urban living — flats, terraced houses, semi-detached homes. Noise from a dog is one of the most common neighbour complaints; with a Borzoi, it's rarely an issue.

An independent dog barks on its own assessment of what's worth barking at, not to get your attention. The bark means something, even if you disagree with its reasoning. Sensitivity picks up environmental changes before most breeds register them. More input means more bark triggers, especially in environments with regular outside noise.

What triggers Borzois to bark?

  • Visitors at the door. A brief alert bark is typical, but it usually stops quickly
  • Unusual sounds. Uncommon triggers, and responses are short-lived
  • Separation anxiety. Like any dog, prolonged isolation can cause distress barking if not properly managed

Do Borzois suit flat living?

Can I keep a Borzoi in a flat?
From a noise perspective, yes — Borzois are one of the more practical breeds for flat living. Their low barking level means you're unlikely to get noise complaints from neighbours.

The bigger considerations for flat living are:
  • Exercise — Borzois need regular daily walks. A flat is fine if you're committed to getting them out twice a day.
  • Alone time. Any dog in a flat needs proper habituation to being alone. Barking while you're out affects neighbours even with a quiet breed.

How to manage barking in Borzois

With a naturally quiet breed, management is minimal. The main thing to avoid is inadvertently rewarding alert barking with attention — if you come running every time the dog makes a noise, you teach them that barking produces a response. Acknowledge, then settle, and move on.

If a Borzoi that's usually quiet suddenly starts barking more than normal, it's worth investigating the cause. Increased vocalisation in a low-barking breed can signal boredom, a change in the environment, separation anxiety developing, or a health issue causing discomfort. A change from baseline is always more meaningful than the absolute barking level — even in quiet breeds.

Full Borzoi profile — temperament, shedding, training and costs.

Read the complete Borzoi breed guide →

More questions about Borzoi barking

Do Borzoi puppies bark more than adults?
Puppies often go through a vocal phase as they explore their voice and test responses. Most settle as they mature and become more confident in their environment. The breed's adult barking tendency is the more relevant predictor of what life with a Borzoi actually looks like.
Does leaving a Borzoi alone cause barking?
Borzois that are well-settled and properly habituated to alone time are generally fine when left. Occasional alert barks at sounds are the most you'd expect.
Are there ways to reduce Borzoi barking without training?
Exercise and mental stimulation are the closest thing to a shortcut — a well-exercised, mentally satisfied dog barks significantly less than a bored or under-stimulated one. For moderate barkers, this often resolves the issue without needing formal training at all.
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More questions about Borzois

Do they shed?Are they good with kids?Are they good with cats?Are they easy to train?Are they aggressive?How long do they live?