KENNEL NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 201, 15 July 1936, Page 6

KENNEL NOTES

THE BORZOI. (By “ICuri.”) This beautiful dog is, as wo If now, of the greyhound family. They came originally from Russia where they were used for the dangerous sport of wolf-coursing—-two being unleashed at once, each one taking the wolf behind the ears at the same moment and between them throwing him to the ground until tho huntsman arrived. In Russia appearance took second place to coursing intelligence, speed, strength, and fearlessness, but in England no sport like this could bo found for it, so appearance became uppermost. They were crossed with greyhounds, but no Russian huntsman ever trusted a dog not of pure Borzoi broeding. It was not until 1812 that two Englishmen visited Russia and saw these “fantailed greyhounds” as they called them. Two years later, we again find mention of them, but this time as Siberian greyhounds, but it was not until about 30 years later that Queen Victoria was presented with two from Russia. This started the breed in England and all the fashionable people were seen with Borzois. In 1863 they were exhibited in a show at Birmingham, the Duchess of Manchester's Borzoi Katae, from the Czar’s Imperial kennels, being the great attraction. In 1876 a dog called Czar was exhibited, while among later gifts to i Royalty came Molodetz and Owdalzka, whilst shortly after 1888 a dog called Damon was shown who had such a perfect head that the whole breed was nearly runined by the attempts of enthusiasts to breed a head as good; j bur they forgot about the rest ol the body. The situation, however, was saved by the real lovers of those glorious dogs. In 1892 the Borzoi Club was founded, and at Islington fifty Borzois were shown, the Russian contingent being sold after the show, Oudar realising £2OO. It is the opinion of some that Oudar, (Juslad. Ivrilutt and Koratai were the best Borzois seen in England. Among the best known breeders to-day are the Duchess of Newcastle, Major Borman, and Mrs Vlasto, who bred Ch. Sparrowhawk of Addlestone, who sired more champions than any other dog of this breed. The Borzoi is not easy to breed, too little or too much weight making a terrific difference. Size without coarseness is difficult to obtain as is quality without weakness. me body is long, nicely arched in the back; the ribs very deep, giving heart room and lung play; chest rather narrow; ehouluers clean and sloping well back ; the thighs are Jong anil well-developed; stifles and hocks well-bent. The forelegs are lean and straight, pasternus strong. The head is unusually long and lean, and inclined to be Roman-nosed, very fine; jaws very powerful; ears small and fine; eves dark and expressive. The coat long and silky; tail carried low, not gaily. Altogether very graceful, aristocratic and elegant, standing up to 29in. at the shoulders, and combining courage, muscular power, and great speed. Some of the important dogs of recent times are: —Ch. Felstead, Loauiugdale, ch. My the Mazeppa, ch. Zikovitch of Brunton, ch Sladkaya of Addlestone, Ballerina of Branagore, and ch. My the Petroushka to mention only a few. MAKING CLEVER SHEEPDOGS. Every shepherd interested in his work aspires to the possession of a clever siieepdog that will help him without being ro.ugii with his charges. Some men have the knack of training a dog, while others are not only incapable ol doing it but fail to make the most of a usei ui dog when they have one. Both man and dog need to have special qualities if they are to be a success. Heredity counts just as much in sheep dogs as it does in gun dogs, or those bred lor exhibition, lhe International Sheepdog Society in England publishes a stud oook giving information as to the best strains to breed from, and by registering sheepdogs with the New Zealand Kennel Club sheep farmers will be helping themselves towards information of a similar nature. In the promotion of trials they find the dogs that have the brains and ability. Champions of international iaino have ieched as much as £175 and are not dear at the price, as the international trials of England, Scotland, and Males are on a tooting of their own with ft world-wide reputation. The little Border collies that do all the winning are finding their way about, superseding all others. 1 hat shows the importance of a good name. They are small almost to the point ol insignificance, but shepherds who use them are all against big dogs which, they say, frignten the sheep, and may also be rougn. A skilled dog is gentle in his methods, drawing up to his sheep almost on his stomach and coaxing them in the direction he wants them to go; but when it is necessary he can assume conrol with a master hand. He waits his time until be is sure that they are not likely to stampede. If they do, lie checks waiting for them to stop. He has to be smart, though, for at the international lie has to fetch two lots ol sheep ten in each, from a distance ot BUU yards, drive them through a number of obstacles, and pen at last, all in thirty minutes. The sheep are out of sight when he is sent to gather them. After the first ten have been brought to the centre of the held he is directed to fecli the others. Besides manoeuvring them through obstacles, he has to drive the lot away from his handler for 400 yards through two (rates and then hack to the shepherd. Lastly, he has to shed five marked sheep from the twenty and pen them in an enclosure six feet square. general. Any queries written to “Kuri” care “Standard” will he gladly answered. “English Setter” : I was sorry .to hear ol your dog's death. Anything 1 can do"for you in the way of replacing her you have only to let me know. FINNISH DOGS FOR ENGLAND. The latest breed of dog to be introduced into England (according to recast mail advice) is the Finnish Spitz, and the few that have made their appearance in the London streets have aroused considerable interest. The dog, except for its colour, might be regarded as a pocket edition of the Samoyed. For hundreds of years the Spitz has been the tribal dog of Finland, and has been used for herding and guarding cattle. “He is now used for hunting eapercailize and bears,” a well-known breeder explained. “He has a beautiful lustrous coat, and seems to take a pride in keeping it clean without human help. He takes well to his new environment here, though it is imperative that he should be conditioned regularly and correctly.” The Spitz is described as an excellent house dog, and at the same time he is trustworthy with children.