Northern Borzoi Association

NORTHERN BORZOI ASSOCIATION :

OPEN SHOW, 31 August 2026

CRITIQUE : RHIANNON THOMAS (KHARUSSO) (Judge)

I was so pleased to receive the Invitation to judge for this lovely club, where I once spent 10 years as a Committee Member, and thank the present Committee and Secretary for their kindness and hospitality on the day as well as the lovely gift. Hard-working club Chairman Roger Heap did a sterling job as my Steward and I thank him for keeping the ring running smoothly, with good humour! The greatest thanks, as always, to the exhibitors, especially those who stayed for the NBA show while the second Driffield Ch Show breed was judged ~ which, luckily, saved a late arrival on my part after a nightmare journey, during which I realised I had left my proper reading glasses at home! So, apologies for being slow to make notes, with a spare but not very effective pair.

It was reassuring to find the entry of good quality, though that most elusive and desirable feature was not always allied with the essential soundness of construction and / or movement the Standard requires. Slack pasterns, flapping and plaiting in front, and hind feet being thrown out, were more evident than I would have liked and some decisions were on the lesser of those evils. Presentation was good, though many ~ including youngsters ~ could do with cleaner teeth, while one adult had a sizeable matt between the hind legs. Feet, for once, were mostly correct ~ and well trimmed! One or two had short hind feet but only a couple could do with better nail management to reduce splayed, open toes that also affect movement. Heads were typical and pleasing, all with correct bites and only a couple in need of a slightly stronger underjaw. The classic Roman nose was not much in evidence, though lovely to see veining to the foreface in a large proportion of the entry. Tail carriage all good and second thighs surprisingly well muscled ~ well done, everyone, considering the hot weather must have affected exercise a lot, this year and last.

I was horrified that so many exhibitors were busy shovelling food into their youngsters, even as I had my hands to their teeth to check bite and dentition. I actually had to ask one person to stop doing it and stand back, as she made it impossible to examine her dog’s head. I quote the legendary but now late, still great Mr Reg Bassett (Colhugh Borzoi) : “NEVER bait a Borzoi”. This is for safety. A Borzoi accustomed to a set of fingers forever putting bait into its mouth may, some time, assume that all passing fingers contain sweeties ~ and take the fingers instead. A Borzoi’s natural reactions are so swift, the bite so powerful, a horrible accident could occur in the blink of an eye. 

There is also the story of an experienced CC judge from another breed twiddling and waving his fingers in front of a young Borzoi puppy’s nose in attempt to make him prick up his ears, having mistaken the Standard’s words “ears may be erect when alert” as an Instruction to try and make this happen when, in reality, it is only a helpful Explanation of this very occasional (and startling!) characteristic. Eventually, the bewildered puppy opened his mouth and gently attempted to take the phantom treat from the twiddly fingers ~ and the judge promptly dismissed him from the ring, for allegedly ‘biting’! It would have been reported to The Kennel Club, with that poor puppy’s career over before it even began. And not his fault!

Borzoi respond very well to copious praise and love ~ and judicious use of the word “No”. Please, please STOP baiting your Borzoi, and learn new handling skills (and patience) instead.

Veteran D/B (4 entered, 2 absent) 1st : Baker’s Mischran Melchior Tall s/red boy, rising 8 years, in lovely coat and condition, and standing over a good length of ground on correct feet. Lovely proportions, with a moderate topline, good moderate angulation fore and aft, well muscled second thighs and low hocks. Pleasing masculine head, typical eye and expression, nice ears, though could do with more fill to the foreface, which weighed against him in the Challenge for BD. Many heads of the old UK lines continue to fine down, even at this age, and his had gone rather further than ideal for me. A very slightly stronger underjaw desireable, though not a serious issue. Head held on a good length of neck, correctly set, which his profuse coat did not disguise and gives his outline a pleasing balance. Expected more chest, spring of rib and forechest for a boy of his size, though perfectly acceptable. Could do with an inch more length of tail, but correctly set and carried. Good movement in all directions, though throwing his hind feet out occasionally. BVIS.

2nd : Johnson’s Viridis Pink Floyd Tall w/grey brindle D of 7 yrs with a fabulous head, a lovely eye and really small ears, set on a good length of neck that, together, draw great admiration. Stands taller than the ideal, and appeared short coupled today with the highest point of his topline over the loin, not the last rib. Not as well balanced as (1) but does share the characteristic of a good depth of chest and spring of rib. Excellent large feet. This boy has improved enormously with age and is looking better than I have seen him previously, including his unusual hind action from sloping hocks when moving, which have always been his undoing for me. In profile, more stilted in action than (1), though I fully congratulate his owner on this big boy’s improvement at this advancing age.

PUPPY D / B (3, 1a) : A delight to find both these quality puppies already have prominent veining to their forefaces. Comments very much “on the day”, a lot is going to change and develop as these boys grow and mature. At any age, teeth need to be cleaner, and please stop baiting them ~ they were both well behaved, not attempting to escape! 

1st : Mullis’s Menigma Rey’s Raining Fire, a very nice balanced red/w boy of 9 months. Angulation is presently very moderate but he has lovely low hocks and a gentle but definite topline, correctly placed. Lovely head with dark, expressive eye and small ears, set on a decent length of neck which is at the correct angle. Good bite and underjaw. Chest acceptable for this young age, with the makings of good spring of rib which can develop with age and exercise. The more accurate mover of the pair, with pleasing extension in profile.

2nd : Smith’s Menigma Rey’s Mountain Song white / tortoiseshell boy, age 9 months, of a different style and lighter build, who is presently at the “legs and wings” stage and rather bum-high, hind legs rather straight and pushing his croup upwards, compared to his litter brother who stood (1st) ~ although, like him, (2) has a lovely balanced head, with typical eye and correct bite. The general impression of this boy is more angular, whereas (1st) has gentler curves and is better balanced. The angle of this boy’s set of neck was rather low for my liking, today, and his topline rather flat, though this can easily strengthen and develop gradually with appropriate exercise over time, and he drops into himself. Adequate extension in profile movement, but not driving as straight and sound behind as (1st). Patience ~ I feel sure time can make a lovely Borzoi of him.

JUNIOR (1) : 1st : Odell’s Sukeshi Dance with Another : Gorgeous w/tortie boy of 8 months, already very poised and aristocratic ~ a veritable picture of a well-made, solid young hound of quality. Beautifully balanced, good angulation in front and behind, with a textbook sloping shoulder and return of upper arm. Has a gentle topline and stands with “a leg at each corner” on correct feet, though hind feet could be a smidge longer. Beautiful head ~ though his eye is still puppyish, his ears are nice and small and he has good big teeth with a correct bite. Set and angle of neck correct, perhaps another inch in length may yet come. And perhaps his head could be slightly stronger, for a male and considering his substantial build, but time will tell. One of the very soundest of all the entry, lovely extension in profile movement, and with noticeably good width behind, seen from behind his hocks-to-feet absolutely vertical and totally accurate away and back, both hind legs moving correctly in the vertical / forward plane rather than swinging out, as some do. Delighted to award him RBD and BPIS, I am sure he has a very promising future.

PGD (2) 1st : Umfreville’s Barnesmore Betelgeuse at Voyshka Self gold, 6 yrs who is a perfect example of the Standard’s requirement of height-to-foreleg ratio being ‘nearly half’. Not the tallest of dogs but presents a graceful picture, standing over a decent length of ground with a very gentle topline and a leg at each corner on correct feet. Good angulation front and rear but, for me, now looks rather long for a male as he lacks the topline of his younger days, when I once did him very well in a strong entry. Decent spring of rib, depth of chest and a nicely prominent forechest, the latter not often found these days. For me, his backskull has become heavier than ideal, although his head is pleasing in profile and, with a very beautiful eye and expression, I feel sure he is a lovely character. Strong teeth and underjaw. Good extension in profile movement, but throws his hind feet somewhat away and back. Delighted to find he has been on reduced rations since I last judged him, well done his owner! Stay with it!

2nd : Ford’s Jansams White Russian Attractive 23 month old w/ tortie who stands much taller and has a better topline than (1), but is short coupled for his height therefore not quite the proportions I prefer, and consider useful for tight turns at speed during a hunt. Lovely masculine head with a typical Borzoi eye, ears rather large but a good bite and depth of underjaw. Good length of neck. Angulation more upright than (1st) although nicely balanced, with slight but discernible slope to pasterns. A slightly longer second thigh would help his rear angulation, and place his hocks further back so he would stand over a little more ground. Good depth of chest, but spring of rib could be better. However, at barely two he has time to develop and drop into himself as he matures, when he could become very attractive. Whether fidgeting after the long wait to get in the ring, or another reason, he did not appear to stand comfortably with all feet set straight ahead, and was throwing his front right foot on the away and back, though profile movement was quite good.

LIMIT / D (5, 1a) 1st : Clare’s Donskoi the Mad Hatter at Russmechta Stunning big self-red boy, a week short of 5 yrs, beautifully balanced with definite and matching angulation in front and behind. In profuse coat, presents with the proportions I admire. Attractive, strong masculine head, with detail and no coarseness, set on a correctly angled neck of good length and curving gently into a moderate and correctly placed topline, strong loin of useful length, down to his low tailset. Stands four-square on good feet, covering plenty of ground. Lovely balance to his head, beautiful typical eyes and small ears. Foreface is well filled in, with veining ~ a feature in which he scored over the similar-looking winner of Veteran, in the Challenge for BD. In profile, when this boy’s mouth is open, curiously it looks as if his underjaw could do with being rather longer ~ however, it is deep and strong, and his scissor bite is correct. Depth of chest and spring of rib correct, good length of loin and wide quarters. Lovely extension in profile movement, very occasionally throwing his hind feet slightly going away, but generally accurate. Pleased to award him BD, RBIS, BOS.

2nd : Ford’s Mischran Miika Self black of 4 years but looks older with his grizzled foreface and unusually calm demeanour. At first, not as striking as some of his competitors but is a very nice dog to have one’s hands on, with all his features flowing together to present a good impression of “dignified and elegant”, if not flashy. Well balanced and moderate in every respect, angulation is a little straight for my liking but is well-matched front and back. Springy pasterns have a slight slope. Balanced head with a lovely eye, set on correctly, lots of work and detail in it, excellent depth to foreface, good teeth and a slight but noticeable Roman nose. Ears on the large side and set on rather low. His neck has length and a gentle curve, flowing into a moderate but correctly-placed topline and a gentle fallaway. Excellent depth of chest and a good pronounced forechest. Sound all ways, with reasonable extension, if somewhat lack-lustre and not the free strides of (1). A good, honest dog whose head was more correctly balanced for length proportions than the handsome dog stood ~ 

3rd : Raczka’s Prime Rubin Castor (Imp Hun) whose neck is more upright and movement more stilted. However, front action was straight and low, preferable to the high steps of the fourth competitor. 

OPEN (1 ~ Absent)

SBD : Umfreville’s Barnesmore Betelgeuse at Voyshka ~ See 1st in PGD.

GRADUATE / B : (3, 1a) At first glance, both of light build and very ‘houndy’ in shape. Both high on the leg at present, and upright in angulation ~ but still with time to drop into themselves as they mature. Each has great length of second thigh, lovely low hocks, and some spring to the pasterns. Comments absolutely “on the day”, both are likely to develop to look quite different in future.

1st : Clare’s Fair Isle Ita at Russmechta This young lady doesn’t need any twiddly fingers to make her seem alert ~ she even showed us what Borzoi ears look like when erect!! At 14 months, really enjoying her day, and whizzing more-or-less soundly round the ring, all great fun! Modest but lovely-coloured red-gold coat doesn’t hide her attributes, she was the better balanced of the two, standing proudly over plenty of ground. Lovely feminine head, with a twinkle in her attractive eye. Some may question depth of underjaw but it is commensurate with her size and substance so, at the moment, not a problem. Good teeth. Head set on a long neck, of correct set, that flows on along a moderate but definite topline, correctly placed. Not so much depth of chest and spring of rib, yet, hopefully this can develop as she grows on and does more aerobic exercise. Shoulders could be quite upright, at times, depending upon how she stood, but pasterns are nicely sloping and strong. Movement slightly erratic due to her exuberance, but more free extension and accurate than 

2nd Baker’s Mischran Francesca Self-mahogany of 23 months with a definite air of quality about her, but not as “together” as (1) despite her advantage in age. A good example of a Borzoi that has good individual features that do not quite fit together, yet, to form the proportions and balance I consider typical, the overall impression being more straight and angular in appearance rather than ‘flowing’ ~ even ungainly at times. Handling must be improved, with a looser lead ~ she was sometimes stacked with her hind feet deep under her, so both front and hind quarters often looked very straight in angulation, also affecting topline and apparent length of loin. Beautiful head, with veining, and a lovely eye and good teeth. Set of neck not especially graceful, but has great length ~ as does her second thigh. Feet not her fortune, splayed by long nails, did nothing to help her movement in any direction as they were very randomly placed, being particularly slack in pastern in front. With luck, she may be in one of the well-known “young Borzoi” stages and, given more clement weather, some balanced exercise could help ‘pull’ her into shape. She’s worth the effort, her potential balance seen later when free standing, and more relaxed, in the Brace class.

POST GRADUATE / B : (2) : 1st : Derrick’s Jansams Cosmopolitan (AI) W/ grey, 23 months, quite tall but with very nice proportions, and far more substantial than her rival. Moderate angulation front and back, with a correctly placed gentle topline and moderate fallaway, giving a good, well balanced and typical outline. Head balanced, with veining, but the overall impression was rather plain, for a bitch ~ possibly due to a smaller eye; also, it is set on a shorter neck than I prefer. Decent depth of chest and spring of rib. Hind feet rather short, but movement in profile has pleasing extension and she was fairly accurate away and back.

2nd : Jackson’s Stubbylee Black Silk This tiny little bitch had me entranced, at first look, as a beautifully balanced, houndy self-black with a feminine head held on a long neck, lovely angulation, a perfect old-fashioned, distinct Borzoi topline, good length of loin, a leg at each distant corner. But she looked like a puppy. I actually thought she must be a puppy, entered in the wrong class. However, she is 2 years 4 months; as such, questions arise as to ‘fit for function’, and whether up to the minimum height requirement of the Standard. I say this having seen hundreds of working Borzoi in Russia, who were of surprisingly slight build ~ and once saw an older puppy of mine, weighing 3.5 stone, flatten a larger dog weighing 6.5 stone, on a classic, full-tilt hunting gallop. So, size and substance is not always a determinant of strength, and the Standard mentions “substance” only in a comparative context, not defining it, nor is it a requirement. Asked for a triangle, we had tug-o-war ~ the owner vainly attempting to encourage forward movement round the ring with a titbit, while ‘happy girl’ much preferred the taste of the lead, in a tussle of strength, wits and acrobatics. Having scoffed at the second chance at movement given to her (I do have some history, and sympathy, with ‘dancing’ Borzoi), movement truly was impossible to assess. Second.

LIMIT / B (3) : I moved this class 2.5 times round the ring (rather than 1.5 times) as I suspected potential issues with feet and pasterns which could (and did) contribute to deciding the matter, after more extensive movement. 

1st : Hall’s Jansams Bloody Mary JW  W/sable, a week short of her second birthday. I was honoured to have the opportunity to examine this very attractive girl, with the typically ‘shapely Borzoi’ outline that I like ~ though surprised to find she was rather well covered under her pretty plush coat. Compact young bitch, correct set of neck with good length flowing into a definite topline, correctly placed, with fallaway rather level. Very good depth of chest and spring of rib. Good angulation, nicely balanced in front and behind, a definite bend of stifle allowing her to stand over a reasonable length of ground, despite not being very long in the loin and an inch or two more second thigh would enhance her hind quarters and the ground over which she stands. Very sound in profile and up-and-down movement, with good width behind. Lovely small ears but, for me, her head is a little plain for a bitch, though correct in all respects, and was a factor in the Challenge for Best Bitch, though an overly sloping right pastern in the final Challenge was also a factor in awarding her RBB, but not RBIS above the BD. Perhaps reduced rations could help lighten the impact on the right foreleg on the go-around. However, at this point in the proceedings she was ‘the favourite’ for BB, with a bunfight to follow for RBB. So, today, she was unlucky to meet the eventual winner in the Bitch Challenge ~ as most would be.

2nd : Marvin and Shyman’s Psovaja Ohota Shaherezada is Charming (Imp UKR) Tortie / w bitch age 5 and 7 months. Gives the first impression of being much longer than I prefer, even in a bitch, as I feel a long back ~ especially without much topline ~ may become an issue in later life. That said, her topline has strengthened admirably since I first saw her, many moons ago, although is still “very gentle” and the highest point suspiciously close to being above the loin rather than the last rib. However, she has an air of quality about her, a gleaming coat and a very beautiful head and eye, with a slight Roman nose ~ though ears are rather large. Good teeth and underjaw. Neck is slightly upright, as are her pasterns. Although shoulder angulation is definite but moderate, it is more accentuated behind with a lovely bend of stifle and second thigh before turning down nicely round the hock to the foot. Movement very acceptable and quite correct, all ways; whilst being no match for the free extension of (1st), feet and movement were both more correct and accurate than ~ 3rd : Wheatley’s Takatori Legally Blonde, 4yrs and 7 months ~ Many comments on (2nd) apply here, too, but with feet, nails and movement being the deciding factors.

OPEN / B : (3, 2a) 1st : Clare’s Ch Ryazan Ulyssa, fabulous w/fawn, age 2.5 years, an undeniably and typically shapely Borzoi ~ but in a different style to the winner of Limit B. Some say “rangy” is not a compliment, but I think it is : a hound that has great ‘range’ in their height, length, length of neck, length of leg, etc, that ~ all together ~ allow for a huge capacity to stretch out and cover ground effortlessly on the hunt. In this bitch, we also have the essential qualities of elegance and the aristocratic air that say, unmistakably, “Borzoi”. Even in her pyjamas, her coat had a sheen like pale gold, and everything about her says “quality”. Stunning feminine head, with veining clearly seen, a Roman nose and lovely ‘far away’ gazehound look in her expressive dark eye. Ears a little larger than ideal, while teeth are an excellent large size, bite is correct and a good underjaw. Head carried with great dignity on a perfect length of neck ~ allowing an effortless ‘dip down’ to catch smaller prey, without missing a beat ~ then curving slightly to flow through her well-balanced, correct topline to a lovely wide croup and a moderate fallaway. Generous length of tail. Lovely sloping shoulder, hair-splitting perfection would be an inch more length of upper arm. But she has breath-taking movement, her definite angulation front and rear providing huge extension in front, which is properly balanced in her driving hind action, thanks to good length of first and second thighs. Strong pasterns provide a lovely airy, floating profile gait which I wish we could see more often. Accurate coming and going, with width behind. No hesitation in awarding her BB then BIS. Such a privilege to be allowed to go over her, a worthy Ch, I thank you!

SBB (2, 1a) 1st : Derrick’s Jansams Cosmopolitan (AI) see 1st in PGB

Brace : (3, 1a) : Both exhibits in each Brace were similar to each other in appearance, though very noticeably different in size and being a “matching pair” in this respect is one of the requisites of this class. 1st : Mrs A and Mr H Baker, and Mrs White’s Brace : A grandfather and grand-daughter, both self-red / mahogany. The young bitch, probably feeling more relaxed and confident alongside her grandfather, displayed her potential to make a lovely balanced Borzoi than was evident in Graduate (B). Both have better length of loin, and hind quarters, than 2nd Miss C Johnson’s Brace A litter brother and sister who each have a beautiful head, but soundness in construction and proportions were the deciding factor.

Rhiannon Thomas (Kharusso)

Judge