Principal Winners

I am so honored to have been asked to judge the entry at the 50th Anniversary Show for the Northern Borzoi Association. Congratulations to all who have participated and labored to get to this point in history and who made this show possible. Following are a few short comments on the entry, Congratulations on the care and well-being of your dogs! Nearly every exhibit had large, clean teeth with scissors bites, maybe only 3 or 4 had mouths needing cleaning and one level bite. The broad low hocks with well angulated stifles in much of the entry were so wonderful to see and gave the dogs a very powerful and pleasing appearance. Something greatly lacking in my country. The unbelievably high percentage of correct front assemblies; good layback with slight protuberance of breastbone or prosternum and many with good/equal return of upper arm, which is needed for shock absorption when running, was truly amazing for this day and age. Borzoi breeders need to keep this in the forefront of their minds as it’s so hard to regain it once lost. Overall this borzoi entry was one of the highest quality numbers I’ve seen in a decade or more, and I’ve been to every BCOA National in the US since 1996 and countless regional specialties. It was truly an honor and one I don’t think I will ever forget. Thank you for bringing me your beautiful borzoi!

DOGS

Class 1 - 0 entries

Class 2 Puppy – 3 entries

40 - Menigma Rey’s Infatuation (11m) Gold and white male. Displayed a ground-covering side gait that was balanced and clean in movement. The front assembly included a pronounced breastbone, well-set shoulders, and an equal return of upper arm. Exhibited a long neck with a broad base, tapering at the withers. Proportions were adequate in height to length and angulation, front to rear. Showed a level back but nice broad low hocks, a long tail, and correct feet. The head was long with a good underjaw but lacked chiseling, fill under the eye, roman finish, and had a dark eye. Ears were well set but slightly large.

59 - Stubbylee Penderyn at Voyshka(11mo) Gold and white male. On final go around, he settled and showed adequate side gait. 1st place covered more ground. Very clean coming at you and both 1st and 2nd had lower hocks than 3rd place. Correct feet. Well set front assembly with good lay back and neck set. Good length of neck. Smooth withers with graceful rise but croup is too steep. Lovely expression with dark eyes, good fill underneath and between eyes. Long head with nice finish, good underjaw. Ears a bit low set. 

33 – Lynx Tell a Tale of Albaneiler (IMP SWE)

Class 3 Junior – 4 entries

46/RCC – Everwyck Alphin (13 months) Exhibits a red and white coat with a black mask. Possesses an exquisite head that is chiseled, long, and lean with a roman finish, complemented by dark eyes with very black pigment and a lovely expression. The under jaw is strong, and the ears are small and set high. Shows a pronounced breastbone, well-laid-back shoulders, fine withers, and good return of the upper arm with matching rear angles. The second thigh is well-muscled. Although the topline appears somewhat exaggerated, it is preferable in young dogs compared to a level one. Demonstrates good substance and bone for a male puppy. Displays clean movement from both front and back with rear convergence, distinguished as one of only two dogs in the entire entry, the other being his dam. His side gait is balanced with effortless power, featuring a low, broad hock. The front feet are correct, while the rear could benefit from longer toes.

40/BPuppyDog- Menigma Rey’s Infatuation(11m) Gold and white male. See class 2. 

21 – Everwyck Golden Psammead @ Keanver (13mo)

Class 4 – Graduate 3 Entries

42 – Go Go Bolshoi Casina Royal (IMP HUN) Handsome sable boy with balanced proportions & angles with correct prosternum. Good amount of substance and muscle. Correct topline with slight rise, broad loin, and balance croup. Dark pigment, dark almond eyes, high set & small ears. Lacks roman finish. Strong balanced side gait, small broad, low hocks. Correct feet. 

22 – Palamedees Arian Khrysos at Keanver JW  Good front assembly, shoulder well laid back & return to match. Front to rear balanced angulation and well-muscled. Acceptable side gait, clean coming and going.  Short coupled with short steep croup. Excellent low, broad hocks & sloping pasterns. Front feet slightly splayed but well knuckled, correct rear feet. Nice veining on head, no Roman finish. I would like a bit more head length. 

49 – Chywoon Love Story

Class 5 – Post Graduate 2 Entries 

60 – Mischran TakodaLovely veining & length of head with roman finish. Dark almond eyes and pigment. Lovely small highest ears. Coming/going clean with graceful, light side gait. Lacking adequate prosternum. Less front angulation than rear, short coupled. Correct pastern, hock, and feet. 

58 – Barnesmore Betelguese at Voyshka A big boy with good substance, shoulder & return of upper arm. Balanced angles front/rear. Toes in coming, close going. High hock. Correct topline with rise over the loin and nice croup. Deep brisket. Head needs more refinement but back skull width matches his substance. 

Class 6 Mid Limit - 4 entries

13 – Mischran The Sequel for Stubbylee JW  Ground covering reach and drive, effortless, and graceful. Beautiful silver brindle with long head, dark eye, roman finish, & nice fill under the eyes. Head could be leaner. Well set, small ears. Correct front assembly well set on with prosternum. Loved his top line, long neck into fine withers, slight rise over loin and graceful curve of balanced croup. Deep brisket. Correct feet, pasterns & hocks.  

24 – Ryazan Velsk  Gold & white with silky profuse coat. Adequate side gait, efficient & ground covering. A bit long in body. Needs more rise over loin. Good substance and condition, broad loin. Arched neck, well set on, good layback and return of upper arm. Balanced angulation, low broad hocks, good feet and pasterns. Head could be longer and leaner. Good high ear set and dark pigment but light eye. 

44 – Prime Rubin Castor (Imp HUN)

Class 7 – Limit Dog -  3 Entries

8 – Donskoi Szlalost -Handsome sable boy, silky long coat. High set ears. Beautiful roman finish, strong long under jaw. Dark almond eye could be more obliquely set, dark pigment, large nose. Nice substance and condition. Very strong & broad loin. Well set on strong, long neck. Excellent shoulder lay back with nice equal return and deep brisket. Extremely low broad hocks and angulated stifle. Adequate side gait, clean coming and going. 

44 – Prime Rubin Castor (Imp HUN) Red and white sable w/black mask. Long head & strong under jaw, could use a little more roman finish. High ear set, large ear. Almond shaped dark eye with intelligent expression & dark pigment. Straighter shoulder and short upper arm. Correct sloped pastern and feet. Short loin with a steep croup. Stifle not well angulated, broad low hock. Graceful side gait but lacks power. Coming and going is not clean.

35 – Viridis Pink Floyd 

Class 8 Open Dog - 5 entries

43 – Jamarqui Alchemy Argent ShCEx  Golden white with sable ears, black mask. Mature, very substantial male. Beautiful head profile, good fill, dark eye, roman finish, long strong & deep jaw. Beautiful shoulders and neck set. Very low broad hock. Matching angles front to rear. Curvy topline, once again a bit more extreme than I prefer but flexible on move, with a graceful, gentle sloping croup. Great balanced, ground covering side gait, and a good clean down and back. 

3 - Jansams The Show Must Go ON Spotted gold with sabling. Very nicely balanced, ground covering side gait. Long head, nice fill, dark eyes, could be leaner. High set ears but large. Shoulder sloping well back but needs more return of upper arm. Neck long and well set, fine withers. Correct topline with a gently curved long croup. Broad low hock. Stifle lacking in angulation. Well arched toes and correct feet. 

60 – Mischran Takoda 

Class 9 Special Beginners -  2 Entries

22 – Palamedees Arian Khrysos at Keanver see Class 4 Graduate

58 – Barnesmore Beteljeuse at Voyshka see Class 5 Post Graduate

Class 10 champions -  3 entries

7 /CC – Ch Donskoi Groza At Russmechta  Substantial spotted sable male with beautiful long head and profile with roman finish very dark almond eyes and dark pigment. Lovely high set, small ears and smooth flat zygomatic arch. Beautiful aristocratic expression. Excellent front assembly correctly placed with slight prosterum. Well set on arched neck, correct length. Top line continues flow with a gentle rise over the loin and a graceful, curved croup and long tail. Loin was broad and strongly muscled. Deep brisket reaching to elbow. Clean coming and going. Feet oval and tight, well knuckled.  Powerful and efficient, light and graceful side gate. 

7 /CC – Ch Donskoi Groza At Russmechta This substantial spotted sable male captivates with a beautiful long head, a roman finish, and very dark almond eyes, exuding intelligence and warmth. His high set, small ears and smooth flat zygomatic arch add to his aristocratic charm. He exhibits an excellent front assembly, with a beautifully arched neck of correct length, and a top line that flows gracefully, rising gently over the loin and curving elegantly into the croup. His deep brisket reaches to the elbow, and his broad, strongly muscled loin adds to his powerful stance. His feet are oval and tight, showing a well-knuckled strength. On the move, he displays an efficient, light, and graceful side gait, making him a true delight to watch.

39/Best Veteran in Show – CH/INT CH Korsakov Radost Power of Love Menigma ShCM ShCEx (IMP USA) Handsome white and gold spotted male. Beautiful dog overall would like to see a darker eye and a little bit more type in the head, lacking a Roman finish, but has a nice dark eye. Well set on ear. They’re a little large Well set on neck. Great lay back, prosternum, and upper arm with good return. Coming is a little sloppy, toed in on one foot but beautiful side gate, efficient. And nice strong rear. I would like more topline. 

29 – CH Astragorn Zeus Glory Of Albaneiler JWW23 (IMP AUS)(AI)

Bitches

Class 11 Veteran - 1 Entry

23 – Russkiy Azart Liberty The Wind Of Passoon At Keanver Elegant white and gold 7 year old. Beautiful head from all views with veining, fill between and under her eye, and roman finish. Lovely expression with dark eyes and very small high set ears. Broad neck set because of well laid-back shoulder, very fine at the withers and pleasing outline. Good return of upper arm and bend of stifle. Wonderful low hock and excellent feet. Nice balanced side gait, easy and light. 

Class 12 Puppy - 6 Entry 

30/Best Puppy Bitch/Best Puppy in Show – Lynx Fairy Tale of Albaneiler (IMP SWE) (8 mo) Pretty fawn and white bitch with a black mask. Pleasing outline with matching angles front: rear, correct topline and croup. Maybe a tad short on leg but still has growing to do. Lovely light side gate with good reach and drive. Broad low hocks. Close going away at this age with her well angulated stifle but clean and straight coming at you.  Exquisite head with the sweetest expression, dark eyes and pigment, narrow lean, long head with flat zygomatic arch and prominent occiput. I would like ears to be a little smaller and to see cleaner going away, hopefully it’ll come with age. Very promising youngster. 

47 – Menigma Crazy About Her With Cairdean (11mo) Nice sable girl with smooth side gate, a little narrow in the front, standing and moving. Pretty head with dark eyes, veining, nice roman finish. Good fill between and under eyes. Good underjaw. Large ears.  Overall outline is pretty, moderate angulation but balanced. Correct proportions height: length. 

14 – Stubbylee At Sunrise

Class 13 Junior - 1 Entry 

10 – Everwyck Caladria at Enolam (13mo) Long head, bowed zygomatic arch, round lighter eyes. Good fill between and under eye. Down and back was very clean but going around did not show good reach even though she had a nice lay back of shoulder and good return of upper arm. Maybe a good warm up and loose lead would help? I liked her outline, nice rise at the loin and gracefully curved, long croup. Deep brisket and good tuck up. Straighter in the pastern but nice low broad hock and correct feet. 

Class 14 Graduate - 4 Entry 

5 – Ryazan UlyssaGold and white bitch with a lovely head profile. Loved her tiny- (rare in this entry) well set ears. Nice Roman finish. Good fill from side but a bit wide between her light eyes. Nice long neck well set on with well laid-back shoulders and long upper arm. Nice short back with rise over her long loin and croup with gentle fall away. More rear angulation than front, broad hock but could be shorter. She was light on her feet with a ground covering gait.  

50 – Chywoon Pillow TalkThis gold and white lightly brindled bitch was clean on the down and back and had a balanced go round. I liked her proportion height: length. She had a pretty enough head with good fill, dark eye, underjaw, and roman nose. But her large low set ears throw off the overall profile of her head making it look too deep and a bit course from the side. Front assembly is rather straight. Topline is correct, even though her coat hid it somewhat, with nice rise over the loin and not too steep croup. Very nice feet. 

Class 15 Post Graduate - 0 Entry 

Class 16 Mid Limit - 2 Entry 

37 – Nibrass Queen Ethelflaeda JW  Curvy typey little bitch, lovely outline.  Beautiful long lean head, flat zygomatic arches. Loved her profile, nice fill between her dark eyes, and roman finish with strong underjaw. Good shoulder layback could have a bit longer upper arm but had decent return. Correct amount of prosternum.  Good rear angulation with low hock and correct feet. Topline was curvy with nice rise over the loin which was broad and muscular, with a gently sloping croup. She was not perfect coming and going but had very light balanced gait from the side. 

19 – Sukeshi Anna Leopoldovna  Gold brindle and white very nice, well-built bitch. She had a beautiful head, dark eye, Roman finish, and nice ear set though they are a bit large. Balanced angulation front: rear, correctly placed and built front assembly. Could use a bit more length of leg. Nice topline though hidden by coat. More substantial than 1st place. This was a hard decision, but the other girl beat her on side gait.

Class 17 Limit - 3 Entry 

62 – Mischran Tissaia at Parsax Irish marked red bitch with curvy outline, balanced angles and nice broad hocks. Beautiful long neck and head, great under jaw, nice high set smallish ears. Dark eyes. Great prosternum, correct shoulder layback with return of upper arm. Moves narrow coming, the down and back was not perfect and is breaking a little bit at the pasterns going around, but the best in this class.

57 – Chalksville Katerina. Loved the substance on this gold brindle spotted and white bitch. Balanced, moderate angulation front: rear. Good shoulder layback and return. Decent side gait but topline was flat, too long with a steep croup and very high tail carriage. Sweet expression, dark eye and pigment, good fill between eyes, long head with nice roman finish. Ears set a bit low and could be smaller.  

38 – Psovaja Ohota Shaherezada Is Charming (IMP UKR)

Class 18 Open - 4 Entry 

15 – Stubbylee Chiara MiaPretty Silver brindle and white curvy girl with good conformation. Good shoulder layback and return. Deep brisket and nice tuck up. Correct topline and croup. Nice long head, small, high set ears. The planes on the head are nice but need a bit more fill between eyes. Good roman finish, and nice under jaw. Dark eye could use a little more fill under the eye.  Good balanced ground covering side gait, clean down and back.

51 – Donskoi Spirit at ChywoonCompact golden and white bitch. Real pretty head, nice ear, dark eye and beautiful expression. Fancier head than 1st place. Front is set on a bit forward, recessed breastbone. Shoulder layback was good but return of upper arm is lacking and it needs to be longer. She’s in great condition with good muscle. Stifle was well angulated but front assembly didn’t match. Correct sloped pastern, nice knuckled tight feet. Out moved by 1st place. 

61 – Mischran Calanthe At Parsax

Class 19 Special Beginners - 1 entry 

34 – Rosskaja Lady In Red of Sterrennacht Refined white and red spotted bitch. She had light efficient side movement but needs reach and drive. A little straight in the front so topline goes downhill. She has a long 1stand 2nd thigh. Proportion is correct, height: length.  She has a beautiful head profile with a nice dark eyes, well set ears, and nice under jaw. She needs more bone and substance. 

Class 20 Champions 6 - entry  

45/CC/BIS – CH Donskoi BaristinyaRed and white with black mask and gorgeous head. Long and lean, balanced proportions, very flat zygomatic arch, dark eyes, roman finish, and nice strong under jaw. Well set and exquisitely tiny ears. An excellent front assembly that is set on correctly with nice width. Smooth curvy topline from neck to shoulder layback and fine at the withers. Then a slight rise over the loin, that is broad and strong and onto the gracefully declining croup. Great tail carriage. Angulation is balanced front: rear. Rear legs have long first and second thighs, are strong with well bent stifle and with low broad hocks. Correct hare feet. Correct proportion height: length. Her form follows function as the side gait is effortless, efficient, and ground covering with a clean down and back. Convergence going away, in my experience, is caused by correct width in the rear compared to the front as the standard states. I really can’t fault her, I think she will haunt my dreams for a very long time. 

32/RCC – CH/NO/DK CH Lynx Ocean of Peace at Ablaneiler (IMP SWE) CJW23 Self gold bitch with beautiful head, very nice veining and chiseling with roman finish and large black nose. Black pigment. Nice high set ears. Good front assembly, properly set on with slight protruding breastbone. Great shoulder lay back and return of upper arm with nice length.  Beautiful correct top line and gently flowing croup. The colic over the withers is deceiving and gives the look of being high in the rump. I would give her a bit more length of leg. But good angulation and balanced front: rear. The hock is a tadbit taller than much of the entry but still better than most of the borzoi in my country! Correct hare feet. Just a very pleasing picture overall. Clean moving down and back, with light ground covering side gait.  

41 – AM GCH/AM CH Morozova Rey’s Summerlane Mandolin Wind (IMP USA)