Bath Canine Society

 BORZOI

BATH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 25th May 2024

JUDGE:  Lorraine Harvey (Albaneiler)

DCC.     Am Gchg Elista's Cross My Heart (usa) (Ms C & Ms K & Mrs J & Mr R Shepard-Hart & Sneath & Carleton & Martin)

RDCC.   Int Ch Paskova Night Warrior at Greenhaven (Miss K Arden)

BCC.     Ryazan Vogue (Ms J Clare)

RBCC.   Stubbylee Chiara Mia (Mr A, Mr N & Mrs E Dawson)

BOB.     Am Gchg Elista's Cross My Heart (usa) (Ms C & Ms K & Mrs J & Mr R Shepard-Hart & Sneath & Carleton & Martin)

BP.        Lynx Faster Than Light of Noldoli (Imp Swe) (Dr T Logvinenko)

Thank you to Bath Canine Society for my first appointment awarding CCs after over 40 years in the breed. And thank you to all exhibitors for a super entry. I was pleased to have well filled classes particularly in the dogs being numerically stronger than bitches and some very nice exhibits went unplaced. Key words of the standard and what should be the essence of the breed - well balanced, graceful, aristocratic, dignified, elegant, courageous, powerful, of great speed. Muscular is mentioned several times in the standard, lacking in a few exhibits. Hindquarters which should be wider than shoulders, I found some to be very narrow, with less than the minimum 3 ins required between the pin bones. Movement was important in my choices, shortcomings in conformation will affect performance and soundness in the hunting and coursing field. Short second thighs with little angulation through the stifle caused loss of rhythm in trot with asymmetrical and stilted hind movement. I want to see a borzoi move powerfully with courage, and can forgive exuberance, especially in youngsters. Heads were varied in style, veining was not always visible, just one exhibit with a markedly short muzzle and concave profile. Puppies and juniors were overall of good quality with some eye catching quality exhibits of promise and it will be interesting to see how they develop. Borzoi are Breed Watch Category 2, the Points of Concern are * “Misplaced lower canine teeth” and * “Overly narrow lower jaw”.  A few dogs did have misplaced lower canine teeth encroaching into the upper gum. Not only tight but the canine teeth on one or both sides have created a deep channel into the upper gum, this will cause discomfort and a dog maybe reluctant to have the mouth examined.  Narrow lower jaws noted, pinched incisors pushed forward. Generally teeth were clean, though a couple had thick plaque and a foul odour which should be addressed now. Coats mostly were clean and in good condition, just one had way too much of of a sticky coat dressing in and this left a tacky white residue on my hands.

MPD. (2:0)

1. Logvinenko’s, Lynx Faster Than Light Of Noldoli (Imp Swe). Attractive white & cream, balanced angulation front and rear which enabled him to move with a light and easy trot showing enough reach. At this stage he has correct oval ribbing and depth of brisket. Masculine head with dark eye and pigment, good width and depth of lower jaw, back skull a little heavy at present but this should refine as he matures. A long tail, a little happy at times but that is only to be expected in a youngster. Handled positively and well presented in good condition. BPD and BP.

2. Webb and Bates’, Rosskaja Jack Daniels. White and black, sweet natured 6 months of age and initially a little overawed in a noisy atmosphere, sympathetically handled he settled down well to move with grace. Elegant head, showing veining and almond shaped dark eye. Correct silky coat texture. Hindquarters of good width and enough angulation at this stage.

PD. (1)

1. Bigland and Phillips, Rua Soleil Kurazh (Imp Ita). White and cream at almost 10 months of age. Very nice head proportions, visible veining with a Roman Nose and dark almond shaped eyes and dark pigment. Accentuated occiput, small and neat folded ears. A reasonably long, well set neck into a good layback of shoulder. His good length of leg, depth of brisket, and gentle curve of topline gives an elegant picture in profile movement. At this stage he is a bit close behind but this should improve as he gains body condition and develops muscular strength throughout.

JD. (5:2)

1. Dawson’s, Mischran The Sequel For Stubbylee. 16 month old grey & white refined junior, balanced overall, acceptable depth of brisket, oval ribbing, enough tuck up. Presented in good body condition with immaculate silky coat. Good head with dark eye and pigment, neat ears, large and dark nose. Clearly enjoying his day with exuberant movement in profile, though his enthusiasm unbalanced him at times making him paddle east / west coming towards me. 

2. Arden’s, Monterun Star Accord. 12 months old, tricolour, strong masculine head in proportion to his size and substance, really good depth of jaw, desired head profile with imperceptible stop inclining to Roman Nose. At the tall and rangy stage, I liked his masculinity and substance, decent depth of brisket, correct topline, and strength of hindquarters. Unfortunately he was very unsettled today and his movement was hesitant, though this will come with maturity as he showed potential when he relaxed enough for a few strides proving he could move powerfully with reach. 

3. Raczka’s, Go Go Bolshoi Casino Royal (Imp Hun)

PGD. (6:0)

1 Cherriman’s, Slovyk De L’hermitage D’eole (Imp Fra). 3yr old fawn & white, elegant head with veining, almond shaped eye, and dark pigment, small neat ears. Enough length of neck with a slight arch well set. Balanced angles front and hind, with a good turn of stifle and length of thighs. Not enough spring of rib and hindquarters should be wider. Presented in good condition with a correct coat texture. Movement is straight though he could be a bit more positive to improve reach and drive. 

2. Allen’s, Lynx Life Of Brian With Araura (Imp Swe). White and fawn 3 yr old with great substance. Good masculine head with excellent dentition, large teeth, and great depth of lower jaw. Correct neck set, laterally flat, well muscled with a slight arch. Strong body, good shoulder and correct proportional width of hindquarters, hocks broad and well let down. Coat in beautiful condition and of correct silky texture. Unfortunately he was carrying too much weight which restricted his movement on the day. 

3. Gardner’s, Cavallierik Wolford (Imp Rus)

LD.(6:0) 

1. Jarczynska Eastell’s, Diamond Magnus Borzoj. White and red 3 yr old, of substance and impressive outline, well presented and handled. Masculine head, showing veining, ears could be smaller and higher set. Moderate length of neck with enough arch and muscle. Correct feet front and hind. Good topline, strength in hindquarters, slightly sloping pasterns, appropriate length of forearm to total height, though a better return of upper arm would improve stability of front movement. His movement in profile is eye- catching, coming towards me he was not so positive and tended to be loose in front almost plaiting. 

2. Logvinenko’s, Ryazan Vladimir. 4 yr old red and white, another well presented in good condition. Acceptable head proportions though lacking the masculinity of 1. Neck is rather low set and lacks arch which does spoil the overall balance especially on the move. A good shoulder and forelimb down to springy pasterns and well arched feet. Adequate depth of brisket, graceful curve to the topline and unexaggerated fallaway. Not quite of the required proportional width of hindquarters to shoulders, good length of thighs. Light and elegant movement. 

3. Cherriman’s, Krilat Eliksir At Cherdonski (Imp Fin)

OD. (8:0) A very well filled, competitive class of quality and some nice dogs had to go unplaced. 

1. Shepard- Hart, Sneath, Carleton, and Martin’s, Am GrCh Elista’s Cross My Heart (USA). Black and white 4 yr old, aristocratic and elegant outline, immaculately presented. Overall very well balanced. Decent head and acceptable dentition. Correct length and set of neck, well muscled with a slight arch, so important in a coursing hound. Good clean shoulders. Graceful curve to his topline, great depth of brisket with oval cut of ribs, broad and powerful loin, well balanced fallaway. Long thighs and well angulated stifle without exaggeration. Straight movement with enough reach in profile and down and back, though more drive through the hindquarters would have improved an overall picture to one of effortless power. CC and BOB. 

2. Arden’s, Int Ch Paskova Night Warrior At Greenhaven. White and fawn 5 yr old of substance, moderate height, overall well balanced throughout. Well presented with an abundant silky, wavy coat that did disguise some of his good qualities. Masculine head, deceptive head markings make his back skull look too broad which is it not, visible veining and a Roman finish to the nose. Adequate length and slight arch of neck, good shoulder and return of upper arm, slightly pronounced breastbone. Thick well padded feet of correct shape front and hind. Enough width of hindquarters, complemented by depth of brisket and broad strong loin. Straight movement in profile, and down and back, would just like to see more power on the move from him to complete the picture. RCC. 

3. Dawson’s, Steppdance Pintel At Stubbylee (Imp Nor)

SB. (3:0) 

1. Parsons’, Jamarqui Alchemy Annie JW. 5 years old white and fawn presented in good coat and body condition. Head refined though stop should be less pronounced. Dark eye and reasonably small ears set high enough. Strength in neck set well into a good shoulder, sufficient depth of brisket, correct ribbing, her topline has levelled out a little with age, hindquarters of good width. Moved enthusiastically. 

2. Giblett’s, Barnesmore Cinderella At Sunnymeadow. White and sable, 2 years old. Lovely feminine head, good length of neck. Moderate angulation, at the moment she is higher in rear than in front spoiling her topline. Movement was unsettled. 

3. Collins’, Cwmcoed Polka

MPB. (2:0) 

1. Clare’s, Ryazan Ulyssa. 8 months of age, tall white and silver sable. Feminine head with visible veining, nice neat ears. Neck is a bit low set, curvy topline to a long fallway.. At the leggy stage and on the day her movement showed instability through the hind limb particularly the hocks. 

2. Taylor’s, Rosskaja Dalwhinnie. White and red at 6 months old. As with her litter brother she was slightly overwhelmed by the atmosphere, very sweet natured and quickly gained some confidence with her sympathetic handler. Pretty, feminine head.  Upright in shoulder, moderate hind angulation, correct well arched feet with thick pads, lacking in depth and spring of rib at this stage. Movement was tentative at first but showed promise once she started to settle into her stride.

JB. (2:1) 

1. Odell’s, Sukeshi Tsarina Alexandra. White and sable, 13 months old. Well developed in body, moderate height for her age and sex with good substance. Attractive strong head but would like to have more depth of the underjaw, and a narrower back skull. Hind feet well padded but not of correct hare shape. She showed potential for consistent long and low strides at trot but she was tending to pull away with her head down from the handler today totally unbalancing her movement.

PGB. (3:1) 

1. Turner’s, Chalksville Katerina. Almost 4 yr old white and silver sable. I like her overall balance, enough substance and still feminine, nothing overdone, presented in good firm condition with silky coat. Strength in shoulder and hindquarters of moderate angulation. Movement should be more positive and moving with a little more power would help to improve straightness. 

2. Collins’, Palamedees Aneira Demeter. Silver sable of 2 years old. Feminine but strong head, a less pronounced stop would improve the profile. Not the angulation through the shoulder yet of 1 and upright in pasterns. She tends to look up and lean into her handler standing and moving which does not help. Good depth of body, correct topline, a little steep in fallaway. Movement erratic, again as she was more interested in her handler instead of moving forward with purpose.

LB. (7:2) 

1. Dawson's, Stubbylee Chiara Mia. White and brindle 4 years old. Presented in good hard condition, workmanlike head, small neat ears, out of coat but it only served to accentuate her good depth of brisket, spring of rib and strong broad loin of adequate length. On first impression standing she tends to look overdone in arch of the topline and fallaway, on the move this improves, enough drive from the hindquarters helps to compensate the fact her front movement is a little high stepping. Strong shoulder with slightly pronounced breastbone, and a correct length of neck set at the desired angle. RCC. 

2. Baker and White’s, Mischran Lagatha. 3 year old mahogany. More upright in shoulder, pasterns, and through the hind leg than 1. Pretty feminine head with a lovely dark eye of almond shape. Glorious coat colour in perfect silky condition, almost a plush coat and just the appropriate amount of feathering for a bitch, another with a nice long tail. Steady movement though more reach in profile is needed, and tending to lift and cross over in front coming towards me. 

3. Trinick’s, Brimpool Stiorra

OB. (4:1) 

1. Clare’s, Ryazan Vogue. 4 year old white and sable, of good substance. Workmanlike head, eye could be darker but of correct shape and set, slightly domed skull, ears neat. Body with good depth and correct topline, adequate angulation front and hind with proportional width of hindquarters. Front feet should be tighter and more oval. Her movement is low and straight, both in profile and coming and going away. CC BOS 

2. Hall’s, Ch Jansams Killer Queen. 4 years of age, gold and white. One I have admired since a junior, thank you to her owner breeder for the opportunity to go over her today and she did not disappoint. Strong head but still feminine, evident veining, profile of almost straight, slightly convex line, dark almond shaped eyes placed well back. I would like a longer and slightly arched neck but it is well muscled and set at the correct angle. Compact in body, moderate angulation in shoulder with clean and straight forelegs, gentle curve to her topline, and good width of hindquarters. Presented in hard condition with an immaculate silky coat. Movement today was lacking her usual energy and power, somewhat restricted and flat. It may have been the heat and it was a long day with sometime of waiting around as the second breed in the ring. 3. Fricker’s, Ryazan Vanessa For Borzdac.

Lorraine Harvey