CHAPTER XL VIII 

 The Russian Wolfhound 



HE marked family resemblance between the long-coated grey- 

 hounds of Eastern Russia, Persia and that section of 

 Europe and Asia, demonstrates very clearly that there must 

 have been for many ages a v^^ell defined type of greyhound 

 or racing hound such as we have known for nearly twenty 

 years as the Russian wolfhound. Being a fast racing hound it naturally is of 

 greyhound formation, but it differs somewhat in general appearance, being 

 leaner as well as taller. It is also apt to be more roached in back and 

 straighter in hind legs. Stonehenge in speaking of the sweep of the hind legs 

 of the greyhound said that without that formation speed would be impossi- 

 ble, yet the wolfhound shows speed. We acknowledge that we have never 

 seen racing between greyhounds and wolfhounds and are quite open to cor- 

 rection as to what we say on this subject. The greyhound is much quicker in 

 action than the wolfhound, the wolfhound's stride being longer and in those 

 we have seen racing the action is higher, possibly from so many being more 

 upright in shoulder than we see in the majority of greyhounds. Quick action 

 is often deceiving when it is not in actual competition with a slower but 

 longer stride, but it will rather surprise us to have it demonstrated that the 

 wolfhound can beat a greyhound, both being good ones. Certainly the 

 better shouldered dog is much the cleverer and quicker in turning and can 

 travel down hill without propping himself, but as the accounts of Russian 

 wolf hunting are to the effect that wolves race straightaway, and do not 

 turn or twist like a hare, and the hunting ground is on level plains, there is 

 not so much necessity for good shoulders in the borzoi as in the hare 

 courser. 



The type of the wolfhound or borzoi has been thoroughly established 

 for centuries, undoubtedly. When we go away back as far as we can and 

 yet not be shrouded in "the mists of antiquity" we find representations of 

 racing hounds which may or may not have been meant for illustrations of 

 dogs which were of the family now under discussion. For instance that very 



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