THE BORZOI, OR RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND 95 



lemon, slate-blue, orange, and black markings. Self- 

 coloured dogs are occasionally seen, but are not 

 much liked. The most objectionable faults enume- 

 rated by the Borzoi Club are : Head short or thick, 

 too much stop, nose other than black, eyes too wide 

 apart or light in colour, heavy ears, heavy shoulder, 

 wide chest, " barrel "-ribbed, dew claws, legs turned 

 out or cow hocks. 



It is not surprising that Borzois have been re- 

 garded with great favour by the ladies. They are 

 very manageable in the house, and are credited with 

 being affectionate and kindly in disposition. Queen 

 Alexandra has usually had a good one or two in 

 her kennels at Sandringham, but it is the Duchess 

 of Newcastle who has done more than any one else to 

 popularise the variety in this country. I think it was 

 in 1889 that she first started to get together a kennel, 

 and they were not kept here in any numbers much 

 before that. I have an idea that the old Duke of 

 Manchester had two or three in Huntingdonshire still 

 farther back, but of that I would not be quite ceftain. 

 Mrs. Borman, one of whose dogs is illustrated, has 

 also many fine hounds. Youatt mentions what I 

 presume is the same dog, calling it the Russian 

 Greyhound, and he describes it in his day as being 

 dark brown or iron grey in colour, with a thin, lanky 

 body and soft, thick hair. 



In his native land the dog, which perhaps looks 

 fitter for the drawing-room, is used for hunting the 

 wolf, sport at which he is very clever. A brace of 

 dogs equally matched for speed are usually slipped 

 at a wolf, each endeavouring to seize the animal 

 behind the ears. If they have a drawback, it is that 

 the tendency to chase anything running is not wholly 



