Midland Counties Canine Society

MIDLAND COUNTIES CANINE SOCIETY 27th October 2024

BORZOI

Thank you to the committee of Midland Counties Canine Society for the invitation to judge at this show and to my friendly and efficient stewards who keep things organised and moving.

Judging after a gap of two years you expect to see changes in any breed. I was delighted to see some sound, fit and typey borzoi. However there were number of faults that are becoming more apparent and frequent. For the first time ever I seriously considered withholding some awards. The judge’s role is to place the exhibits in order of merit, so, if an exhibit had the defining characteristics of the breed and was not unsound it was placed. Borzoi are slow to mature and can go through some startling phases as they grow and mature. I would not have been so tolerant in the senior classes.

Perhaps the most significant problems were in the front assembly. Steep shoulders, little or no return of upper arm and flat feet; some so flat as to merit the term ‘paper feet’. All of these are highly undesirable in a coursing hound and increase the concussion suffered when the hound lands from the double suspension gallop. Flat feet can be an hereditary trait, of course, but are also caused by overexercise on smooth paving slabs, on pavements, in the garden (fashionable porcelain slabs are the worst) and even in the home. In addition there were also a number lacking in forechest and with poor or no spring of ribs ‘. This reduces heart and lung room and decreases stamina.

The borzoi is often described as a ‘head breed’ and the paragraph in the breed standard which defines the desired characteristics and appearance of the head is the longest in the standard. Despite this we are losing breed characteristics. Males with rather feminine heads, ears set lower than desirable, no visible veining. I found no problems with dentition although than more than a few had dirty teeth, this is so easily remedied and will save vets bills in the future. There were some narrow and weak under jaws but none that I saw had caused misaligned teeth.

MPD (4,0) 1 Pinkerton’s Lynx The Magician. Wow what a super youngster. Obviously he is not fully mature but you would hardly know it. He shows all of the required breed characteristics. Balanced and true with flowing lines. He excels in head and has the best veining I have seen in years. Head carried proudly on an elegant neck which was set into correctly laid shoulders. Angulation fore and aft was balanced bone strong and correct. His topline was just right, he was well ribbed back and a strong loin. His movement was revelation sound and balanced with good extension. I have no doubt that he will go through the usual growth spurts but today was his day to shine. I look forward to seeing him as he grows on. DCC & BPIB. 2: Odell’s Fedor Of The Wicklow Hunters at Sukeshi NAF. Another promising youngster. Good profile, and well balanced, Move a little close but as his forechest develops I suspect that this will improve. Side gait showed good extension. PD (2,0) 1 Odell’s Fedor Of The Wicklow Hunters at Sukeshi NAF. 2 Tomkinson’s Rosskaya Jim Beam. This lad was highlighting borzoi growth spurts. He has gained height and needs to wait for the rest to catch up. I hope that he develops in depth and spring of rib as he grows on. Might benefit for being left at home for a while until he settles. JD (3,1) 1 Logvinenko’s Lynx Faster Than Light of Noldoli JW (Imp Swe). Balanced and correct angulation. Presents a pleasing profile stood. In good fit condition and moved with a free and easy gait. Just a little close behind but as he matures this could well improve. Nice to see a good length of neck, head carried well. Fine points a little lacking but time for these to come. 2 Tomkinson’s Rosskaya Jim Beam. PGD (8,1) 1 Dawson’s Mischran The Sequel for Stubbylee. A very promising young hound. Nose to tail he flows. Head very pleasing with an attractive expression. Neck strong and elegant, well set shoulders and correct topline and all angles balanced. Light and easy action with good extension. RDCC. 2 Dover’s Palamedees Arian Khrysos at Keanver JW. Masculine head although ears a little low. Plenty of scope, angulation moderate and balanced. Had a tendency to stand wide in front but did not show this on the move. LD (6,3) 1 Logvinenko’s Ryazan Vladimir ShCEx. Well bodied and sound. Good head although the finer points could be better. Well ribbed back with a correct topline. Angulation balanced and used well on the move. 2 Raczka’s Prime Rubin Castor. Lovely head although eyes were a little red. Angulation moderate and balanced. Moved well in profile and held topline, a little erratic from behind. OD (6,0) 1 Harvey’s Ch. Astragorn Zeus Glory of Albaneiler (Imp Aus). Very sound and well balanced dog. Put down in great condition. Excellent masculine head, well set on neck and flowing lines. Moved truly and with power. In the challenge (for no reason I could see) he flattened his topline which cost him the reserve challenge certificate. 2 Pinkerton, Cattoni-Sarman & Allenby’s Ch. Ryazan Viceroy of Menigma ShCEx. Lovely type, masculine hound I have admired before. Excellent head, veining clear, eyes of good colour and shape, well filled. He has the balance and flowing lines required in the borzoi. Lacking a little in extension on the move although sound and true. SBD (1,0) 1 Tomkinson’s Rosskaya Jim Beam. MPB (2,0) 1 Catilina’s Borscana Solglimt at Dofro NAF. Very promising young lady. Very feminine and showing plenty balance. Angles balanced and correct and although her movement was rather unsettled I could see that it was true and even. 2 Giblett’s Alma Rose at Sunnymeadow. Slightly younger that the winner. She is balanced and has the head, neck and shoulders that flow with the correct borzoi construction. Sadly she was let down by very flat and open feet. I hope that correct exercise can help to tighten them. PB (1) 1 White & Baker’s Mischran Cleopatra. Going through a puppy spurt. She has gone up and need body length to catch up. This was throwing her angles and causing a high stepping gait. Needs time to mature and settle. PGB (3,1) 1 Donnelly & Devereux’s Sukeshi Anna Leopoldovna. Moving soundly this lady was showing herself to advantage. Breed typical head and flowing lines, well ribbed back and with pleasing topline. 2 Sixsmith’s Mischran Nidami. Less mature than the winner and rather flat in the ribs. Graceful topline and moderate balanced angulation. Moved well and true. BSB. LB (6,2) 1 Dawsons’s Stubbylee Chiara Mia. Although she was out of coat she was the standout of the class. Refined head, correct length of body with topline and all angulation balanced. Movement was a pleasure to watch. 2 Thomas’s Mischran Asherah at Mournebrake. Feminine head but needs better underjaw. Balanced angles with a graceful topline and good length. Movement true but not enthusiastic. OB (11,2) 1 Harvey’s Ch. Lynx Ocean of Peace at Albaneiler (Imp Swe). Lovely head with dark eye, refined and classic. Elegant neck, well laid shoulders and a good length on body. Good depth of brisket with the desired length of ribbing and strong loin. Well muscled, correct balanced angulation which she used on the move with a flowing stride. BCC and BOB. 2 Dawson’s Ch. Stubbylee Mood Indigo. Another lovely bitch and my notes are virtually identical to the winner. So pleased to see these two lovely girls together. RBCC. VB (2,1) Donnelly’s Serenefol Amelia. Very sound seven year old. Lovely head and flowing lines. Just flattening a little. Moved soundly but without enthusiasm so wasn’t extending as I am sure that she can. BV. SBB (1,0) 1 Sixsmith’s Mischran Nidami.

Chris Mayers.