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Отправлено: 27.04.10 13:22. Заголовок: О Стандарте
Статья Барбары Лонг , заводчицы питомника "Bacaret"
The Russian Wolfhound
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By Barbara Long (Bacaret)
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The Psovoy (meaning long coat) Borzoi is the type known today throughout the world. The
breed is very old and the exact date of his origin is hidden. However, Russian archives record
that in the twelfth century members of the Grand Duke Vladimir's court used Borzoi to hunt
wolves and other game. The hounds were described as very tall, having long legs for speed
and a long dense coat to protect them from the cold winters. Their appearance differed greatly
to the hounds used for hunting in Europe that were shorthaired.
The Psovoy Borzoi remained a separate breed until Peter the Greats' reign (1689 - 1725).
During this time the popularity of European novelties in Russia increased and many dogs of
other hunting breeds were introduced into Russia from the 'West". Peter also introduced
refinements of European culture, manners, arts and scholarship. Count Stroganoff, like many
other nobles, brought in French cooks; (hence the Russian/French dish Beef Stroganoff) and
other English upper class sporting customs. Count Stroganoff was an active hunter with
Borzoi and Greyhounds at this time. Borzoi were kept in large numbers in separate kennels,
their appearance was dictated by the personal hunting taste of their owners and which of the
'Western' hounds they might have been crossed with. Thankfully a few kennels retained pure
Psovoy Borzoi and by the end of the nineteenth century, their traits had become even more
distinct. However, the emancipation of the serfs, which resulted in a loss of labour, ensured
that a large number of kennels went out of existence. Thankfully there was an exchange of
Borzoi amongst the larger kennels, the Gustopsovoy and Christopsovoy were joined together
to form the single type known today as the Russian Psovoy Borzoi. Records prove that at the
end of the nineteenth century there were seven types of Russian Psovoy Borzoi named after
their individual kennels. They were Perchino, Boldirev, Chilischev, Sumarokov, Geyer,
Bibnikov and Ozerov.
PERCHINO
The first and most important is the Perchino variety, since this was the first type developed by
the Grand Duke Nickolai and is the type after which we all strive today. These were bred from
the best blood of the old Borzoi (1860 types) and were divided into two groups, dark and light
coloured.
The dark coloured variety had a lean fine head with a hillock at the end of the nose, dark eyes,
which stood out, ears placed high up and lying smoothly on the neck. Height was 76-78 cms
(30."). Coat was fairly close, hair soft and wavy but not curly. Tail fine and in the form of a
sickle. They had the appearance of light hounds not heavily boned and resembled near
enough the old type of normal coated borzoi. When hunting they were courageous and
obedient. The light coloured hounds differed only slightly from the dark, their heads being
lean and long but with a straight nose. They were similar in size but at first were stronger and
had heavier bone, more like the old close-coated Borzoi. Later, when efforts were made to
breed more fierceness into them they became slightly lighter in build. Towards the end, the
Perchino Borzoi developed into light hounds with very little bladed bone.
OSEROFF
These were credited with have done much to ennoble the appearance of other types with
which they were crossed. It is clear that they were regarded as having great beauty according
to Russian standards and taste.
Outstanding features were; Colour, mainly pure white or white with grey. Coat very close,
curly not wavy and not very long. Head had characteristic hill on lower part of the nose and
forehead lying very far back giving the impression that the head started at the eyes and
sloped forward to the nose and backwards into the neck. The eyes were remarkably black,
stood out, large and very open, had clever expression and bloodshot whites. Extreme heights
were dogs 78 cms, bitches 76. Bone was fine and quarters broad.
BOLDAREFF
A smaller variety, dogs 74-76 cm. Eyes as in the Oseroff variety, but head flat, only
occasionally having the hillock on the end of the nose. Appeared to be a lighter type but was
fearless and keen without being particularly fierce.
TSCHELISCHTSCHEFF
They were the largest type of Borzoi, dogs 83 cm (33") bitches 78 cm (30."). Coats on the back,
neck and sides, large curls, on the sides more wavy, very soft and silky. Colours, most light
shades. Eyes the same as Oseroff. Special characteristics were the ears. These were very
small, thin, situated high above eye level, when alert they stood erect in a form of a triangle,
otherwise lay on the neck crossed like scissors. Bone structure and carriage heroic, giving
impression of immense strength. Courageous, keen, very fierce, they were the ancient type.
SUMAROKOFF
A large hound of the old type. Most striking features with a light eye with inflamed eyelids and
a pink nose. Tail hanging down nearly straight. Bone structure sound but some-times fronts
were well developed whilst hindquarters were weak and narrow. They were reported to be very
courageous and particularly fierce.
GEJEROFF
Not particularly big type, dogs 74 cms (29"), bitches, 72 cms, (28"). Colour black with red
shades or dark red with grey. The dark red hounds having black muzzles. Coats not
particularly close and a little coarse. Eyes, yellow and against the dark background made a
bad impression. Ears were set low, though pressed very close to the head and when erect
drew up the skin of the neck forming a sort of cape. They were not courageous but
exceedingly vicious. When they caught a wolf they went for it blindly and held on. Their
enormous fierceness was not approached by any other variety of Borzoi.
BIBIKOFF
A popular, but not very large type with varying texture of coat even to very coarse hair which
stood up line spines of a hedgehog. They could not be considered as particularly or at all
attractive, but were good hunters, very courageous and fierce at work.
Possibly the most well known of the Russian kennels in the western world is the Perchino,
which belonged to the Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaivitch Romanov and was situated in the
village of Perchino just west of the town of Tula. The Grand Duke was a passionate hunter
from his early youth and no expense was spared on his dogs. He kept approximately 160
Borzoi at one time, beautifully housed with 12 Borzoi to one kennel and enclosure. Added to
the total were English Greyhounds, Foxhounds and other cross breeds of hunting dogs.
During the 25 years of existence the Perchino hunt 10,080 head of game were killed. 681
wolves, 743 foxes and 8,656 hares. Despite their beauty, this then was the Borzoi real job in
life. Duke Nikolai Nikolaivitch became the president of the Society for the Encouragement of
Sport that had in 1889 written a compound Borzoi standard under the name of the hunter
Yermoloff. (See attached). In 1923 Artem Boldareff, Wonronzova hunt, was one of the three
men appointed by Duke Nickolai to write an authoritative Borzoi standard for the European
fanciers of the breed. (Also see attached )
The Russian revolution and the subsequent civil war plus World War 1 was a tragedy of
wholesale destruction of both men and beast and was to prove to be an extremely difficult
time in the history of the Psovoy Borzoi. Nearly all kennels were destroyed; surviving dogs
were given away, became wild or were shot by the revolutionary soldiers. The Crimean and
Gorsky hounds did become extinct and by the mid 1920's the number of pure bred Borzoi
were only a few dozen, most of whom were kept in either Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Thankfully, Chelischev, Sumarokov and V. Mamontov were able to save their Borzoi by
continuing their work as Borzoi experts under the communist government. The communist
eventually established a government kennel that employed many workers and Borzoi lovers
some of whom has been previously employed in pre-Revolutionary kennels.
By the time World War 11 ended there were only a few purebred Borzoi remaining and
breeders had to start almost from nothing. Despite many difficulties, lack of food and
infrastructure, a few individuals were able to preserve the breed. Some offspring of the Borzoi
who had fortunately escaped during the revolution and World War 1 to Europe, mainly
Holland, were able to be returned to their native country. In the USSR today there are only
about ± 2,000 Russian Psovoy Borzoi with authenticated pedigrees.
***
Today, however, I feel fearful that he is again an endangered species. He is one of the most
magnificent of dogs in the canine world and it is this very beauty that is proving to be his
undoing. In the past he was purpose built or bred to be a superb hunting animal where his
structure was appropriate for his function and was in no part superfluous. He was bred to be a
hound of clear sight and powerful movement who would hunt and kill his quarry whether wolf,
deer or hare. He was a clever intelligent thinking dog with a wonderful mental disposition and
ability second to none. He was never bred to be a cuddly pet rather a self-sufficient very tough
individual. His head, altogether beautiful, had eyes placed to give him a comprehensive view
of his location and his prey. He had strong jaws to seize and hold and a neck that was just
sufficiently long and strongly muscled to hold his quarry. He had a body that was sufficient in
bone, sinew, muscle and substance to carry him for long distances at a time. His depth was
sufficient to house his lungs and heart without failure. His legs and muscles were powerful to
outrun and pull down the fastest of animals and lastly a coat that kept him warm against all
extremes of Russian winter weather and incorporated a 'watershed' to stop him become
weighed down when wet. He was superbly designed with no exaggeration to spoil his
balanced conformation. There was no excessive angulation to weaken or to cause unsound
movement. On the contrary there was no lack of angulation to jolt and wear and tear his
cartilage, that protected his joints in fast and prolonged movement.
Today in 99% of the countries around the world he is bred only for the show ring, he is now a
SHOWDOG. Sadly, his appearance, temperament and uniqueness are being altered to such an
extent that the original Borzoi is now virtually extinct.
Some thoughts to dwell on.
• A great Borzoi does not require show ring confirmation.
• A great Borzoi is preceded by generations of thoughtful breeding.
• A great Borzoi should have correct conformation, which is easily appreciated in a
relaxed state.
• A great Borzois' offspring carry the legacy of his/her quality and heritage. Great Borzoi's
have good people behind them.
The Showring:
Embrace the notion that the show ring is not the final arbiter of good quality hounds or
breeding stock.
A physically fabricated show Borzoi is a travesty.
Keep in check the need for immediate gratification. It takes time to build a breeding program,
to become a good breeder and to prove a great sire/dam
Appreciate and know that the accolades of show fame are fleeting. However, revel in the hype
and the razzmatazz, then let it go.
Fad breeding flies in the face of the fine art of breeding, so strive to apply the fundamental
principles of breeding.
Seek the wisdom of timetested breeders, weigh with care all opinions, particularly those
people with a stake in your breeding decisions.
Fight off the urge to equate show ring pizzazz with good conformation and overall quality.
Evaluate a champion as you would any other breeding animal, and understand and appreciate
that genetics is not a game it demands respect.
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