1 84 



THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG. 



The foregoing description embodies the 

 standard of points as laid down and adopted 

 by the Borzoi Club, but I have interpolated 

 some remarks for the further guidance of 

 the novice. 



The Borzoi Club was founded in 1892, 

 and now consists of about fifty members, 

 with the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle 

 as joint-presidents. It does much good 

 work for the breed, guaranteeing classes 

 at shows, where otherwise few or none 

 would be given, encouraging the breeding 

 of high-class Borzois by offering its valu- 

 able challenge cups and other special prizes, 

 and generally looking after the interests 

 of the breed.* 



Although the Club standard of height 

 has been raised from 27 and 26 inches 

 to 29 and 27 inches for dogs and bitches 

 respectively, it must be borne in mind 

 that the best dogs of to-day far exceed 

 these measurements, and, unless exception- 

 ally good in other points, a dog of 29 inches 

 at shoulder would stand little or no chance 

 in the showing under the majority of English 

 judges ; indeed, bitches of 29 to 30 inches 

 are by no means uncommon, as will be 

 seen by glancing at the following measure- 

 ments of some of the leading champions 

 of recent years. 



Ch. Velsk (dog) : 



Height at shoulder . . . . 31 J ins. 



Length of head ..... 12^ ins. 



Girth of chest ..... 35^ ins. 

 Ch. Tatiana (bitch) : 



Height at shoulder .... joj- ins. 



Length of head ..... 12 ins. 



Girth of chest ..... 35^ ins. 

 Ch. Statesman (dog) : 



Height at shoulder . . . . 3 if. ins. 



Length of head ..... 12^ ins. 



Girth of chest ." . . . . 35 J ins. 

 Ch. Kieff (dog) : 



Height at shoulder . . . . 33 ins. 



Head ........ 



Girth ........ 



Ch. Miss Piostri (bitch) : 



Height at shoulder . . . . 31 ins. 



Head ........ u i ns . 



Girth ........ 34! ins. 



* The Hon. Sec. is Major Borman, Billericay, Essex, 

 who will at all times be pleased to furnish any lady or 

 gentleman desiring to join with full particulars. 



I2 j i ns . 

 35 i ns . 



The above, of course, all combine quality 

 with size ; mere size in itself is nothing to 

 go by. A list of Borzois entitled to the 

 coveted prefix of " Champion " at the 

 present day (1907) may be of interest. 



Clumber Kennels (Her Grace the Duchess 

 of Newcastle's) DOGS : Ivan Turgeneff, 

 Velsk, Votrio, Vassal. BITCHES : Sunbeam, 

 Theodora, Tatiana. 



Ramsden Kennels (Mrs. Borman's) 

 DOGS: Kieff, Ramsden, Ranger, States- 

 man. BITCH: Miss Piostri. 



Padiham Kennels (Mr. Murphy's) DOG 

 Padiham Nordia. 



Mrs. Aitcheson's Kennels DOG : Straw- 

 berry King. BITCH : Votrio Vikhra. 



Mrs. May's Kennel DOG : Berris. 



There are, however, a few others that have 

 won one or two challenge prizes, and who, 

 ere this appears in print, may rank with 

 the elite of their breed. 



The above measurements, together with 

 the accompanying photographs, should be 

 sufficient guide to an intending purchaser 

 of Borzois, who must, however, remember 

 that they are given only as a guide, and 

 that he must not expect quite such ex- 

 cellence, unless prepared to dip very deeply 

 into his pocket. 



Not many of us can afford to start at 

 the top of the tree, and, except for the 

 favoured few to whom money is no object, 

 and who can buy ready-made champions, 

 there is no better way of starting a kennel 

 than to purchase a really good bitch, one, 

 say, capable of winning at ah 1 but the 

 more important shows. She must be of 

 good pedigree, strong, and healthy ; such 

 an one ought to be obtained for 15 up- 

 wards. Mate her to the best dog whose 

 blood " nicks " suitably with hers, but 

 do not waste time and money breeding 

 from fourth-rate stud dogs, for if you do 

 it is certain you will only meet with dis- 

 appointment. You may save a guinea 

 or two on the stud fee, but you will find 

 you will have no sale for the progeny of 

 unknown dogs ; whereas strong, healthy 

 puppies by a well-known sire will always 

 command a ready market. On the other 

 hand, if you have had little or no experi- 



