CHAPTER XIV 

 THE CIRCASSIAN ORLOFF WOLFHOUND 



YET another interesting variety of the Greyhound group is the 

 Circassian Orloff Wolfhound. Although we have not had many 

 specimens in this country, yet the variety is one that is worthy 

 of encouragement, as it has a good appearance, activity, and 

 strength to recommend it. Some seventeen years ago there was 

 exhibited at the Crystal Palace Show a remarkably handsome 

 specimen of this variety in M. Zambaco's Domovoy. This was a 

 fine, upstanding dog, straight and strong in limbs, and in contour 

 resembling a Scotch Deerhound, though shorter in comparison to 

 height. In colour he was a cloudy red, with a useful if not very 

 thick coat. He was a winner at many Continental shows and a 

 descendant from winners. His weight and measurements are thus 

 recorded : Weight, 83lb. ; height of shoulder, 32|in. ; length from 

 nose to set-on of tail, 5iin. ; length of tail, 26in. ; girth of chest, 

 35m. ; girth of loin, 21 gin. ; girth of head, ijin. girth of fore-arm, 

 8in. ; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, n|in. ; girth 

 of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, gin. ; length of 

 neck from joint to shoulders, n|in. ; girth round neck, 17 in. ; girth 

 of thigh, iQin. ; length of ear (important as showing purity of breed), 

 5in. ; colour, fawn, mixed with black (wolf colour). 



M. Zambaco, the owner of Domovoy, thus describes the variety : 

 "The Circassian Orloff Wolfhound is the cousin of the Siberian 

 Borzoi, but it has a few special characteristics that show it to be a 

 distinct variety. The coat, instead of being wavy, as in the Northern 

 animal, lies flat on the body, though it is about 2in. long. The 

 hind part of the front legs, the thighs, and the lower part of the 

 tail, are heavily feathered; the coat is longest about the breast, 

 and neck, forming a sort of frill. The legs of the Circassian dog 

 are proportionately longer than those of the Siberian ; the head 

 is shorter, and the forehead not so sloping back between the 

 ears ; the eyes are more open ; the colour is dark fawn or black. 

 This hound is faster than the Siberian, and perhaps more intelligent, 

 though both are suitable as companions; their aristocratic 



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