20/05/2026
# # Remarks on the Borzoi Judging in Kassel, October 25–26, 1913
# # # Caption under the drawing:
**The ideal type of the Russian Borzoi. Pencil sketch by General von Meyer, Kiev.**
When, at the request of Dr. A. Wegener, I undertook the judging of Russian Borzoi at the exhibition in Kassel, I was extremely interested to see how well the type and exterior of our Russian Borzoi bred in Germany had been preserved, and how our beautiful breed was developing under the devoted care of German enthusiasts.
Out of the 30 Russian Borzoi exhibited, only two — “Asmodei” and “Ptitschka” — had been born in Russia; all the others were born in Germany.
I conducted the judging in the same manner customary in Russia: I examined each dog individually and assigned points for the following characteristics:
* front legs,
* hind legs,
* chest,
* back,
* head,
* ears,
* eyes,
* tail,
* and overall impression.
This method of judging allows the Borzoi owner to clearly understand the strengths and faults of the dog, since the judge evaluates every feature in detail.
If anyone felt that I was too strict in my judging, I ask you to believe that I had no wish whatsoever to criticize Russian Borzoi born abroad. My sole intention was to draw attention to the qualities that Russian breeders expect from a true Russian Borzoi, as well as to point out faults that could eventually damage the authentic type of the Russian Borzoi.
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# # # Page 73
# # # # Photo captions:
“Zloim” from the Perchino pack.
“Zorka” from the Perchino pack.
I was personally convinced of the high level your breeding has achieved and was sincerely touched to see with what heartfelt love Borzoi are cared for in Germany and how well they are maintained.
Strictly speaking, faults can be found in every animal; however, I do not wish to analyze each exhibited dog in detail. Allow me simply to express my opinion about the dogs presented and about the standards our Russian specialists expect from Borzoi.
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# # # Page 74
# # # # Photo caption:
“Porkhai” from the Perchino pack.
I must openly admit that I encountered several dogs bred in Germany that were so excellent they greatly exceeded my expectations, as they were tall, possessed magnificent coats, and retained pure breed type; however, in my opinion, the bi***es were not as good as the males.
Your dogs are generally very good for their size, which is also highly valued in Russia, but only when beautiful structure is preserved at the same time. One must be careful in striving for size, because our breeders have learned through experience that overly large dogs rarely possess beautiful conformation: the hindquarters are often worse than the front, the back unattractive, the chest small, and the head excessively large and heavy.
The head must be clean, correct, long, and not broad in the forehead.
The eye should be large, expressive, and dark.
We pay special attention to the ears. They should be small and beautifully set, as in figures No. 1 and 1a; particularly valued are ears that “rise” in excitement like those of a horse, as shown in figure No. 2, since this gives the dog a fiery and spirited expression.
Wide-set ears, as in No. 3, indicate impure breeding, while low-set ears, as in No. 4, suggest a sluggish temperament.
The tail not only adorns the dog but also serves as a rudder during the gallop; it is considered correct when of proper length as in No. 5 and saber-shaped as in No. 5.
When the dog is standing, the tail in profile must not curl into a ring as in No. 6; nor should it hang while moving, as in No. 7, since this indicates laziness and lack of energy. Viewed from behind, the tail should be straight and not carried to one side as in No. 8.
Because the Borzoi in Russia is used primarily as a hunting dog, we pay particular attention to the correct construction of the legs, back, and chest. Even if we criticize the head, eyes, or ears severely, the dog may still be an excellent runner; however, this proves that the breed is no longer pure, contains other blood, or has deviated from its original type.
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# # # Page 75
The front legs must be straight and without curvature, as in figure No. 9; viewed from the front they must stand correctly as in No. 10; abnormal are those like No. 11, and completely bad are those like No. 12.
The shoulders should be like No. 13 and not straight like No. 13a.
Even more important than the front legs are the hind legs, because they must provide the greatest strength and endurance during running.
The hind legs should be like No. 14; the closer they come to a straight line like No. 15, the worse they are. Viewed from behind, they should not resemble No. 16 or No. 16a.
The back is considered correct when it begins from the withers as in No. 17; in a male it should be exactly like No. 17. A back like No. 18 is considered poor and weak.
A straight back, as in No. 19, is considered a fault in a male, although permissible in a bitch.
# # # # Photo caption:
From the Borzoi pack of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich in Perchino.
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# # # Page 76
# # # # German Sighthound Studbook
(*Deutsches Windhund-Zuchtbuch*)
The closer the croup resembles figure No. 20, the more correct it is; the more it approaches No. 21, the worse it becomes.
The chest must be at least as deep as shown in figure No. 22; even better if it reaches the level shown in No. 23. If it resembles No. 24, it is considered a serious fault.
These illustrations provide the basis by which the Borzoi’s body structure is judged and criticized.
Naturally, there is no flawless dog, since every dog possesses certain faults that may indicate the influence of other blood and may be passed on to offspring. Therefore, these faults must be eliminated through the intelligent selection of stud dogs and bi***es.
# # # # Caption under the drawings:
Breed characteristics of the Borzoi according to original sketches by General von Meyer, Kiev.
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# # # Page 77
# # # # German Sighthound Studbook
(*Deutsches Windhund-Zuchtbuch*)
Legs are improved through exercise, movement through everything else, including the careful selection of suitable males and females. It is said that a young dog inherits the front from the father and the hindquarters from the mother, and that luxurious coat is among the most strongly inherited traits. However, I have often observed that excessive coat can be detrimental to the true nature of the dog.
My opinion is this: if you wish to preserve the breed and form of the Borzoi, you must select the very best bi***es for breeding. Their backs should be less steep than that of the bitch shown here as No. 20. Then I can confidently say that if our national Russian Borzoi were ever to disappear in Russia, you would be capable of restoring them again.
Kiev, February 12, 1914.
General Georg de Meyer.
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