The Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound. 2 1 1 



is so applicable to him at the present time as to be 

 worth reproducing here. He says this 



Is one of the noblest of all dogs, and in Russia he is con- 

 sidered the very noblest, and valued accordingly. Like all things 

 noble that are genuine, he is rare ; and, like many other highly- 

 bred creatures, the genuine Borzoi is, from in-breeding, becoming 

 rarer every year. By crossing, however, with the deerhound and 

 other suitable breeds, the race will no doubt be kept alive with 

 stained lineage. 



From the earliest times, the great families of Russia have 

 bred the Borzoi jealously against each other for the purpose 

 of wolfhunting, but there are now few really good kennels of the 

 breed. There are, I believe, various kinds of Borzois the 

 smooth, the short-tailed, &c. but by far the handsomest, and 

 the only one of which I have personal knowledge, is the rough- 

 haired, long-tailed strain. Of these I have seen but very few 

 good specimens in England, and in fact have seen prizes given at 

 shows to very inferior specimens entered in the foreign class 

 under this name. The true Borzoi is shaped like a Scotch deer- 

 hound, but is a much more powerful dog. In height he should 

 be from 26in. to 32in., with limbs showing great strength, com- 

 bined with terrific speed power. Indeed, their speed is greater 

 than that of an English greyhound. This quality is clearly shown 

 by the long drooping quarters, hocks well let down close to the 

 ground, and arched loins of such power and breadth as to give 

 the dog almost a hunched appearance. The coat is silky, with a 

 splendid frill round the neck, well-feathered legs, and a tail 

 beautifully fringed on the under side. The carriage of the tail is 

 peculiar, as it is almost tucked between the hind legs, so straight 

 down does it hang until at the end it curls slightly outwards with a 

 graceful sweep ; but this, like the bang tail of the thoroughbred 

 racehorse, adds to the beauty of the quarters. The depth of these 

 dogs through the heart is quite extraordinary, giving them, with 

 their enormous strength of loin, a very powerful appearance, and 



P 2 



