Borzoi Club

Borzoi Club Open Show

20th of July 2024

Mrs Sarah White (Mischran)

Thank you so much to the Borzoi Club Committee for the kind invitation to judge this show, It was an honour and my pleasure, the gift I received was beautiful and I will cherish this forever.

A special mention to my amazing Stewards who kept the ring in order and moving smoothly, (Mum and Lois, I was very much glad you were there as support as well as the tight ship you ran!)

To those who stayed after the morning judging of the hound show to watch and give me moral support 😊

Thank you to all who entered under me, for the sportsmanship in which you took my decisions, and to each of you for allowing me to go over your dogs.

I had some fabulous dogs to go over, however a few things of concern I want to note.

The classic head of a Borzoi, that the breed standard depicts, is something that proved to be exceedingly rare to find on the day. Many heads were dished, heavy or snippy, with large, drooping ears and not the small delicate, set high, almost invisible ears the breed is known for. Eyes were sometimes large, round and light, not the beautiful dark almond shaped the breed standard states. Some necks are flat and in some cases there were ‘ewe’ necked dogs, not with the elegant strong muscled, slight arch.

The lack of muscle was disappointing, this had an impact on the dogs movement and without the drive and push that is required for this hunting dog, they wouldn’t be able to do a full day’s work for which they were bred for. Free running and road work is needed to keep this breed in tip top condition.

The ground, to be fair, was a problem, with pot holes and the grass a little long that made it challenging to decipher where the irregular ground was for both handler and their dog, This made it difficult to access the dogs movement fully, as in some cases I was unsure if it was the way the dogs were built and moving or was it the uneven ground. I had to judge what I saw on the day.

Some Feet, especially the fronts, were too long, flat with long claws and week pasterns.

Toplines were flat and some lost their graceful arch while on the move, some lacked the depth of chest or spring of rib, to give this breed the heart and lung capacity to run.

 Although bites were correct there were some with dirty teeth.

Coats, mostly, were silky, and I want to thank those who brought their dogs in the ring clean and groomed, I know how much work it takes, not all exhibits took the preparation that is expected to show. I have to say each dog I went over was well tempered and I appreciated the Borzoi Lean and kisses. 😊

The Breed type differed greatly, and it was tough to have a final lineup of dogs that fitted my own, personal interpretation of the Borzoi in the UK. I was however, very pleased by my placed dogs.

Can I also add, that those of you with bitches, don’t wait until your girl is in full coat to show her off, the coat is the finishing touch, and if we did this with our girls we would never get to show them.

Class 1 – Veteran Dog or Bitch

Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 2 – Puppy Dog or Bitch

Entries: 8 Absentees: 0

A difficult class to judge with 8 very different ‘styles’ of borzoi all at different stages in their development. It was a pleasure to see many were having a lovely day, enjoying themselves with happy tails and sometimes too much of a spring in their steps. Puppies should enjoy their day, we don’t want it being a chore, making them bored and tired by the time they reach Junior. I would consider some additional training in some cases to get them used to what it is you are expecting of them, even if it’s in the park or your garden, and get friends to go over them, this will help when they move on in their show careers.

I look forward to seeing how they all develop and mature over the next few years.

1st , Best Puppy Bitch, and BPIB

CHYWOON PILLOW TALK (Mrs C Smetten -Minson)

11 month old Attractive girl, with an aloof and understated elegance about her. Lovely dark pigmentation and neat, ears folded back along the neck. She had a few missing teeth yet she had the correct bite and underjaw. What I liked about her was her well-muscled correctly angulated rear and front. She was strong with a reasonably long arched neck, set correctly on decent shoulders, good spring of rib, and depth of chest for her age and her back curved with a well-balanced fallaway, already showing broad, well developed muscled loins with the correct feet. Although she was a little unsettled on the move, I forgave her for being a little cautious and unsure as she was handled sympathetically to get the best out of her by her runner, and I was able to see that she had the drive from behind as she pushed off from her well angulated hindquarters. With a bit more focus on her coat, this would further enhance her presentation.

2nd ZINARTE AMARULA AT CHERDONKI (IMP FIN) (Mr G & Mrs D Cherriman)

9 month old bitch presented immaculately with the desired silky coat and the typical ‘Borzoi puppy curl’ for her age. She was a steady mover in the class, but for me, she didn’t quite have the power and rear drive of my 1stplaced. Pretty girl with the desired principal veining already prominent. Dark eyes and I loved that it looked as if she had been made up with winged black eyeliner, this was very attractive. Correct bite, dark pigment and neat ears, arched neck set correctly with a good lay of shoulder. Fine at withers with clean and straight legs with good front and rear feet. Correct topline and correct fallaway. Enough depth to her chest, well balanced with attractive markings. Correct tail set and tail carriage.

3rd and Best Puppy Dog

LYNX FASTER THAN LIGHT OF NOLDOLI (IMP SWE) (DR T Logvinenko)

Striking 10 month old male with a lovely full coat and in great condition. Masculine head, with correct veining and a large Dark round nose. He has a lovely expression, that looks like he is smiling and enjoying himself in the ring, his eyes were a little light for me and I would prefer neater, smaller ears with a higher ear set. Correct bite with strong , large, clean teeth. Neck is already well muscled, but preferred the neck placements and overall balance of 1st and 2nd. Elbows directed correctly backwards and under him. Good depth of chest already for his age, oval ribs for that all important heart and lung room. Slightly pronounced breastbone. straight, strong legs, front feet are correct with thick pads, but his rear feet could be a little longer. At present, his topline doesn’t have the graceful rising curve situated over his last rib as my 1st and 2nd places and he is longer in loin than I would prefer with a rather steep fallaway. He has well-muscled hide quarters that gives him drive from behind and a lovely long tail. Handled well, he moved steadily and effortlessly looking up at his handler cheerfully.

Class 3 Junior Dog or Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

My 1st and 2nd placings are 14 month old litter sisters, my comments for both are similar and the decision between them was like splitting hairs. For me, my 1st moved a little more with purpose and power. I am sure these sisters will swap places many times throughout their show careers and I look forward to see them both as they mature.

1st & Reserve Best Bitch

SUKESHI TSARINA ALEXANDRA (Ms Y Odell)

I would love to see her free run, because I bet she can shift.

Attractive feminine head, dark pigment, correct bite, strong teeth, neat ears, nice arched neck, well-muscled, set correctly on clean shoulders, deep chest, good spring of rib, allowing plenty of lung and heart room, good topline, broad and powerful loins and correct bend of stifle, clean and straight forelegs. Long, low set tail.

Presented in immaculate, hard, strong condition. She was handled well, you could see that she is a bit of handful and given half the chance she would just go fast and furious. She was handled by a different handler in the challenge, again handled very well to be able to keep that power under control, although she was pulling slightly towards ‘mum’ the handler did a great job to maintain her at a steady pace, she just wanted to move, which I admired. Pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd SUKESHI ANNA LEOPOLDOVNA (Ms M & Mrs J Donnelly & Devereux)

Lovely classic head, with superb dark intelligent and almond shaped eyes, well filled in below the eye, feminine with strong jaws, and complete scissor bite. There is a lovely balance to her with good muscle tone from top to toe. Her coat is beautiful, silky with a lovely wave to it. She moved out well and it was nice to see the silky, long coat flow as she moved. She is a steady mover with a spring to her pasterns, but today she didn’t quite have the drive and power as 1st.

Class 4 Graduate Dog or Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

A class with 2 very different males at different stages in their development.

1st SLOVYK DE L’HERMITAGE D’EOLE (IMP FRA) (Mrs D Cherriman)

3 year old with attractive, dark eyes and dark third eyelid. I would prefer his nose to be less sharp and more rounded as well as a darker black, it had a purple tinge to it. Correct bite, lovely veining and delicate ears pinned back. Nicely muscled and presented in good, clean condition. Silky, wavy coat, with the desired curly frill around his neck. He had the correct neck, and tail set when stood, yet when on the move he would lower his head slightly below the level of his back, and lifted his tail to be level with his back, which detracted from his overall movement. Good depth of brisket reaching to his elbows, adequate width between his elbows and correct tuck up, he has a rather steep fallaway and was a little short coupled for me. I personally found his hind movement a little too close and lacked power and drive which didn’t quite fit with what was happening with his front, I appreciated his front reach and bone and his profile when stacked.

2nd PALAMEDEES ARIAN KHRYSOS AT KEANVER JW (Mr K & Mrs A Dover)

2 year old red and white male presented in excellent silky coat and well-muscled condition. He has a kind eye with a gentle soft expression, lovely prominent veining, sufficient pigmentation neat, small ears, correct bite with strong large teeth, his lower jaw could be a little stronger. His head was a little ‘dished’ for me, when viewed from the side he did not have the classic forehead and upper line of muzzle form an almost straight, slight curved line. He has adequate bone and a good depth to his chest. I found him to be short coupled with a very steep fallaway for my taste. He is a little upright in shoulder and his front feet are long and flat, rather than oval with his toes close together, his hind feet are fine. His tail is set correctly and carried low. I think he will look like a different dog in a year or two and needs the time to drop into himself. He is still young and lost out today on the maturity of 1st. He moved well in Class 11, Special Beginners Dog or Bitch, and I was happy to award him 2nd.

Class 5 Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st & Reserve Best Dog PRIME RUBIN CASTOR (IMP HUN) (MR P & Mrs C Raczka)

Elegant, masculine, 3 year old lad, you need to get your hands on to fully appreciate him. He and his coat is in beautiful condition. He has an aloof expression, to be picky I would prefer a darker eye, however he had dark pigmentation around his eye rims, his large round nose and lips. Skull ever so slightly domed and narrow, joining very gradually to tip of nose. Strong long jaws with correct bite and large teeth. Neat ears with lovely veining and his black dark mask provides a beautiful contrast to the lighter red further up on his head. I also loved his little black freckles on his white blaze on the top of his nose. He had a strong, well-muscled slightly arched neck set correctly onto his shoulders. He is a little upright in shoulder and I would prefer them to be sloping back a bit more, but they are muscled and not loaded. The markings around his point of shoulder to his withers give an optical allusion and make him look more upright than he is. He stands on straight, clean forelegs, with accurately placed elbows and slightly sloping pasterns. He has a deep chest with plenty of depth for lung and heart room to help him do the job he was bred for. Front and rear feet are fine. He had the desired gradual rising topline, with the highest point of the curve situated over his last rib. An elegant fallaway and the correct width between his hip bones. Low set, long tail that flows behind him on the move. He is a graceful, Aristocratic, powerful hound and he floated around the ring, while keeping his topline. Sufficient reach from the front, he has enough bend of stifle and broad hocks and he used his strong rear to his advantage to help push him forward. I was pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog.

2nd and Best Special Beginners in Show BARNESMORE BETELGEUSE (Mr C J Umfreville)

Completely different type to 1st, a robust 4 year old male with a beautiful gold silky, full coat and attractive large curly frill around his neck. He is carrying a little bit too much weight which is a shame as it impacted him on the move as well as his feet and topline. He is masculine and strong in head with lovely dark pigment contrasting against that gold coat with a gentle kind expression and the principle veins clearly visible. Correct head proportions but a little heavy in back skull for me. Well-muscled and strong neck, correctly placed onto his shoulders. He has plenty of bone and has a deep chest and adequate spring of rib. He has a wide, sturdy backend and a long low carried tail. He has a good length of loin and a gentle fallaway. He has a good bend in stifle and stood in profile he is balanced and stands over plenty of ground. He wasn’t moving as well as he could in this class, he was a little reluctant, however with a change of handler in Special Beginners, he looked like a completely different dog. His young handler really got him moving , he lifted his head and pushed from behind and gave good reach in front, she really got the best out of him. He is a little wide in front but has great driving hocks that help him on the move, I was happy to award him 1st in Special Beginners Dog or Bitch.

Class 6 Limit Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st RYAZAN VLADIMIR ( DR T Logvinenko)

4 year old aristocratic, svelte male, when stood he is well- balanced with flowing lines. He is very fine throughout and although his head isn’t as masculine as I would personally prefer, it is long, lean and in proportion to his whole body. I would like a darker eye, his pigmentation on his nose and lips are in-keeping with his pale coat. He almost has this air of superiority about him, with his aloof, dignified elegance. His head is a little too ‘dished’ with a noticeable stop for my preference. Lovely veining with correct scissor bite and clean teeth, neat small and fine ears lying back on the neck with the tips nearly touching behind the occiput. He has a good muscular neck with the correct placement onto clean, sloping shoulders. He is fine at withers with a flowing topline that curves gracefully over his last rib, with a well-balanced fallaway, to a low, correctly set tail that he keeps low on the move. Again, I would prefer more spring of rib, a deeper depth of chest and brisket, and more bone all together, however, everything was all in proportion on this boy. Correct tuck up and he has good muscular hindquarters that are winder than his shoulders ensuring stability of stance. He has the correct oval feet, with his toes close together, his hind feet were the correct length being slightly hare-like. He has decent pasters, and all in all a pleasing outline. He is in fit condition and well-muscled throughout. Nothing is hidden as he does not have the most profuse of coats, it was clean with the correct silky texture and enough feathering. Consideration of his final coat presentation in some areas of his body could help showcase his overall appearance. He moves out with a light, free, steady far reaching action and he floated around the ring with a long stable stride coming from his slightly sloping pasterns. For my liking I would want to see a little more masculinity and strength for this wolf hunting male, I appreciated his balance and he was handled well and won the class on his light, effortless, ground-covering movement.

2nd DONSKOI THE MAD HATTER AT RUSSMECHTA (Ms M L F Clare)

 A different type altogether to 1. A strong boned 2 year old lad of the most striking deep red with an attractive black mask. His beautiful prolific wavy coat, shone in the sunlight like a conker and it really catches the eye. He is in great, muscular condition throughout. His head has lovely dark pigmentation, dark eyes, third eyelid and nose, his eyes were too round and set a little too wide apart for me. What I liked was that he has a ‘Cheeky Chappy’ look about him and looked as if he was smiling. He has visible veining and a lovely round dark nose, neat ear set and his head, although slightly dished, with a decided stop at the interval of skull and muzzle, I appreciated that he had the Roman nose that I love from a ‘typical’ Borzoi head, where there is a slight drop-off of the end of the nasal cartilage. Large teeth and correct bite. He has a strong, powerful yet moderate neck leading to a modest lay of shoulder, I would prefer more return of upper arm, so that he has more reach from his front. He has a rather level topline that was more apparent on the move. He has a good deep chest with well sprung ribs and plenty of heart and lung room. He is a little short in loin which again showed on the move with his front and rear foot placement. A nice gentle fallaway with the correct tail set that he used to express himself, although carried correctly, it didn’t’ rise above his back by any means, I liked that this showed me that he has a cheery nature and was happy to be there with his handler, I noted the little wag at the end.

Class 7 Open Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

I was very excited to judge this class when I saw the quality males enter the ring.

1st , Best Dog & BIS CH SUKEISHI DAZZLING DAN (Ms Y Odell)

I first judged this dog last year at Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society, I awarded him BOB and I was pleased to get my hands on him again and see that he still has the qualities I loved a year on.

My comments remain the same today. He is an understated, elegant yet powerful dog. Nothing was overdone on this 4 year old masculine male, who is in his prime. He is well balanced, elegant, and powerful. He stands strong covering plenty of ground. He has a lovely aloof, intelligent expression with the desired almond shaped dark eye. He has the correct head proportions, lovely veining and dark pigmentation. He has a deep strong underjaw, the correct powerful bite and large teeth. His ears are delicate, lying back on the neck in the desired ‘rosebud’ position, almost invisible. I loved his black freckles on his muzzle. He has strong, reasonably long, slightly arched neck (reminds me of a stallion) that flows smoothly into the shoulders. He has the correct topline and fallaway, that he did not loose on the move. Correct set low, long tail. Clean, straight legs and correct feat front and rear. He has great depth of chest that is to the elbow, as it should be in a mature male. His ribs are deep, giving plenty of room for heart and lungs. He has broad loins with plenty of muscle development, moderately tucked up which helped him increase the length of his stride. His hindquarters are long, in hard muscular condition and powerful with well bent stifles that are correctly wider than his front. He has a powerful backend and an outstanding second thigh that he used on the move with power and drive. He may not be as ‘flashy’ as some, but he has elegant flowing lines that are well balanced throughout and his side movement was of a well-constructed hound, keeping his topline, he floated effortlessly with purpose. I feel that he could do a day’s work, doing the job he was bred for. He was in tip top muscular condition, with a lovely, correct coat, presented beautifully and handled very well. I was very pleased to award him Best Dog and Best in Show today.

2nd DONSKOI GROZA AT RUSSMECHTA (Ms M L F Clare)

A striking 4 year old male, with a lot of qualities. He has an air of grace about him as he stands pleasingly with the correct flowing outline. He has a lovely head, elegance and masculine combined without any trace of coarseness, noticeable veining, the correct dark almond eye, beautiful dark pigmentation, with dark eye rims, nose and lips. Correct Bite, neat ears with the correct ear carriage. Clean, strong neck in proportion to his head, leading to his correct sloping shoulders. He has the correct gentle rising curve with the highest point above his last rib, flowing to a well-balanced fallaway. A long, well feathered low set tail falling to the hock, that he carries low while standing and on the move. He has enough depth to his chest, and moderate spring of rib, to give adequate room for heart and lungs, with ample width between the forelegs and enough fill to his forechest. I would prefer him to have straighter forelegs and his front feet are not his fortune. The front pasterns are a

little too loose for me and he is down a tad on them, his front feet are too long for me, yet the pads are correctly thick, his hind feet are correct. He has the correct underline, a good width to his loin, enough hind angulation to complete that balanced outline. Excellently presented, with a beautiful silky, soft and glistening coat flowing as he moved. His movement is steady and efficient, but didn’t have the power from his hindquarters, or the straight, true front movement as 1st. I considered him for the RBD, but he didn’t move with the strength and drive from his backend as the Post Graduate Dog winner did at that time.

Class 8 Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st & Reserve Best Bitch

SUKESHI TSARINA ALEXANDRA (Ms Y Odell)

See write up from Class 3, Junior Dog or Bitch, 1st place.

2nd CHALKSVILLE SASKIA (Miss C Smith)

An attractive red and white 3 year old girl. She has a balanced head with the correct dark pigmentation, sweet expression and a lovely round dark nose and dark eye. Her veining can be seen ever so slightly. Her neck set is a little low and she is a little upright in shoulder, for me, which impacted her front movement. She has a moderate and acceptable topline, rising a little at the loin in a slight curve. She has a gentle fallaway and a correctly set tail, which she carries well on the move. She has sufficient depth of chest for her proportions. I would prefer more length to her loin, her feet are correct, but they are slightly splaying as her pads could be a little thicker, road work could help with this, she has good slope to her pastern. Her movement was difficult at times to asses, she tended to hunch herself over a little on the move and her handler needs to move her out a little quicker to show her off. This is a breed that needs to run and their power needs to be showcased in the ring. I found her to be very much on the leaner side and she needs to body up which will help with her overall condition. She has it there to be enhanced and showed off.

Class 9 Limit Bitch

Entries:4 Absentees:0

1st , Best Bitch and RBIS STUBBYLEE MOOD INDIGO (Mr A, Mr N &Mrs E Dawson)

I have admired this 4 year old power house for some time and I was glad to get my chance to go over her. She did not disappoint.

Shown in her undies, nothing was hidden and you could see her whole attributes. She is in hard muscular condition without being musclebound. Her head is feminine but beautifully in proportion. She has attractive dark pigmentation that is eye catching against her pale coat. I loved her white eyelashes that stood out against the darkness of her eye, (she appeared to bat them at me). She had a mischievous glint in her eye, and like my Reserve Best Bitch, I would love to see her in full free running motion. She has the correct head proportions, with a light stop, a defined occiput, lovely veining, neatly, pinned back ears, strong jaw with large clean teeth and a powerful, correct bite. Round Black nose and my preferred Roman nose, that has the correct movement to help the breed breath when catching prey. Her neck is relatively long, strong and arched merging harmoniously into her well-laid back shoulders. She carried it proudly on the move which added to her overall grace and power. She has a deep chest and a moderate spring of rib, allowing for ample lung capacity and stamina. Her back is strong, leading to well-developed loins with the correct tuck up. The overall balance of her proportions are excellent. She has straight, strong legs, with well angulated stifles. Her front feet are the correct shape with well arched toes and thick pads. She has flexible pasterns allowing for efficient movement. Her coat, although a little naked today, was a silky and plush texture, with enough feathering on her legs and hindquarters. In motion is where this girl shines, she has a fluid effortless gait, covering a lot of ground with each stride. It’s light, yet powerful with a strong drive from her hindquarters. She showcased the breed’s celebrated speed and agility with grace and efficiency. I did seriously considered her for Best in Show, but it came down to the nitty gritty and the smallest of detail, and my preference of the males head.

2nd TAKATORI LEGALLY BLONDE (Mrs E M Wheatley)

2 year old feminine girl with a keen intelligent expression. Attractive head with beautiful dark pigmentation against her cream pale coat, lovely prominent veining and the correct proportions with a black round nose. Correct bite and neat ears. She has a slightly arched neck set correctly onto clean sloping shoulders. She has a gentle rise to her topline, however this was a little difficult to fully evaluate as she appeared to hunch herself up when stood and on the move. when relaxed you could see the graceful curve. She carried her tail low when stacked and moving. She has a deep chest, adequate width between her elbows. Broad loins with plenty of muscular development, and the correct rear angulation. She was presented in immaculate condition with a beautiful silky coat with her feathering finishing off the picture. Although I felt she needed to relax into her movement, I could see that she moved well both front and rear.

Class 10 Open Bitch

Entries:3 Absentees:1 Withdrew:1

1st & Best Veteran in Show SERENEFOL AMELIA (Ms M Donnelly)

An attractive 7 Year old girl who had a calm, dignified air about her. With a pleasing head, dark pigmentation with a black round nose, dark kind eyes and dark lips, with signs of slight whitening of the hairs around her head to give away her age. Correct Bite and strong, large teeth. She has good head proportions and she stands over plenty of ground. She is a strong girl but is in no way course or doggy. Good arched neck into correct shoulders, when stood she had a slight curve to her topline, but it slightly flattened, as to be expected for an older girl, while on the move. Front straight legs with her elbows directed backwards and well angulated hindquarters. Good depth to her chest and a lovely long, well-feathered tail that she carried correctly. She had a lovely effortlessness about her while on the move and a good front extension and rear drive. Handled caringly and presented in beautiful condition with an impressive, silky, wavy coat with heavier feathering on the backs of her legs and britches.

Class 11 Special Beginners Dog or Bitch

Entries:7 Absentees:1 Withdrew:1

1st BARNESMORE BETELGEUSE (Mr C J Umfreville)

Please see write up from Class 5 Post Graduate Dog, 2nd place.

2nd PALAMEDEES ARIAN KHRYSOS AT KEANVER JW (Mr K & Mrs A Dover)

Please see write up from Class 4 Graduate Dog or Bitch, 2nd place.

BIS & BD CH Sukeshi Dazzling Dan.

RBIS, BOS & BB Stubbylee Mood Indigo

BPIS & BBP Chywoon Pillow Talk

RBD Prime Rubin Castor (Imp HUN)

RBB Sukeshi Tsarina Alexandra

BPD Lynx Faster Than Light Of Noldoli (Imp SWE)

BVIS SERENEFOL AMELIA

BSBIS BARNESMORE BETELGEUSE