Reflections on Borzoi Type
BY PRUDENCE G. HLATKY continued
Historic paintings and a limited number of historic photos and videos show Borzoi alongside horses participating in various stages of hunts. One description of a hunt describes the Borzoi traveling for twelve verst to the hunt site. A verst is .67 miles. Although there are some paintings showing Borzoi traveling in sleds, most Borzoi most likely trotted for the majority of those eight miles. Then after a short rest the Borzoi did their real work of galloping after and taking down the game, with the courses running from an estimated ¼ mile to multiple miles. Upon completion of the hunt the Borzoi then reversed course and returned to their kennel. Remember, the game was not wait- ing at the kennel gate, saying “Chase me”. A Borzoi was expected to be physically able to get to the game, catch it, bring it back to the hunter then return to the kennel, an expenditure of many miles in a day. The Borzoi Club of America list the game of Borzoi as wolf, fox and hare (in that order). But history shows the majority of the hunting was for hare. These three different types of game created a very versatile dog, nimble and agile enough to capture a hare but strong enough to bring down and hold a wolf. There were very few solo wolf killers. Borzoi were expected to work in teams of threes, with multiple teams being released at a time. The teamwork between ken- nel mates during a course is beautiful and fascinating to watch. Most often one will be behind the game, pushing it, while the other two flank it, with each trying to turn it into one of the others. TO THE HUNTER THEN RETURN TO THE KENNEL, AN EXPENDITURE OF MANY MILES IN A DAY.” “A BORZOI WAS EXPECTED TO BE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO GET TO THE GAME, CATCH IT, BRING IT BACK
A young Borzoi bitch, Valeska My Oh My, OFC displaying a working trot; long stride, low to ground and light on her feet. Winner of the 2019 Borzoi Fall Classic (OFC Major Event)
284 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , D ECEMBER 2019
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