| comparison
of the standards |
RKF
1997 |
FCI
2000 |
| Brief historical
summary |
|
The Russkaya
Psovaya borzaya has been an integral part of the national culture and
Russian history for 9 centuries. The French Chronicle of the XIth century
shows that three Borzois accompanied the daughter of the Grand Duke of
Kiev, Anna Iaroslavna when she arrived in France to become the wife of
Henri I. Among the owners and breeders there were many famous people
including Tzars and poets: Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Nicolas II,
Pushkin, Turgenev. The creation of the famous kennel “Pershinskaya
okhota” by the illustrious breeders the Grand Duke Nicolai Nicolaevitch
and Dimitri Valtsev had great importance. From the end of the XIXth
century, the Borzoi is seen in the biggest breeding kennels of Europe and
America. |
| General
Appearance |
Dog of aristocratic
appearance, of large size, of lean and at the same time robust
constitution, |
Dog
of aristocratic appearance, of large size, of lean and at the same time
robust constitution, |
| |
of
a very slightly elongated construction. |
of
a very slightly elongated construction. |
| |
Females are
generally longer than the males. |
Females
are generally longer than males. |
| |
Strong
bone structure but not massive. |
Strong
bone structure but not massive. |
| |
The
bones are rather flat. |
The
bones are rather flat. |
| |
Muscles lean, well
developed, especially on the thighs, but not showing in relief. |
Muscles lean, well
developed, especially on the thighs, but not showing in relief. |
| Important
Proportions |
In males, the height at
the withers is equal or barely superior to that from the summit of the
croup to the ground,
in females, these heights are equal. |
In
males the height at the withers is equal or barely superior to that from
the summit of the croup to the ground. |
|
In
females these two heights are equal. The height at the withers must be
slightly inferior to the length of the body. |
| |
|
The depth of the
chest is approximately equal to half the height at the withers. |
| |
|
The length of the
muzzle, from the stop to the tip of the nose, is equal or slightly to that
of the skull, from the occiput to the stop. |
| Behaviour
/ Temperament |
In its everyday
life the Borzoi has a quiet and balanced character. At the sight of game
it gets suddenly excited. It has a piercing sight, capable of seeing very
far. Its reaction is impetuous. |
In its everyday
life the Borzoi has a quiet and balanced character. At the sight of game
it gets suddenly excited. It has a piercing sight, capable of seeing very
far. Its reaction is impetuous. |
| Head |
Lean, long, narrow,
aristocratic |
Lean, long, narrow,
aristocratic. |
| |
Seen in profile,
the lines of the skull and chamfer form a long, slightly convex line, the
line of the sagittal crest being straight or slightly oblique towards the
well marked occipital protuberance. |
Seen
in profile, the lines of the skull and muzzle form a long, slightly convex
line, the line of the sagittal crest being straight or slightly oblique
towards the well marked occipital protuberance. |
| |
The head is so
elegant and lean that the principal veins show through the skin. |
The head is so
elegant and lean that the principal veins show through the skin. |
| Cranial
Region |
Cranial region seen from
the above, narrow, elongated into an oval shape; seen in profile, almost
flat. |
Seen
from above, narrow, elongated into an oval shape; seen in profile, almost
flat. |
|
| Skull
Stop |
very slightly
marked |
Very slightly
marked |
Facial
Region
Nose |
Large, mobile,
considerably prominent in relation to the lower jaw. |
Large, mobile,
considerably prominent in relation to the lower jaw. |
|
| Muzzle |
Muzzle is long,
filled out in all its lenght, arched hear the nose. |
Long,
filled out in all its length, arched near the nose. |
| |
The length of the
muzzle from the stop to the tip of the nose is equal or slightly superior
to that of the skull, from the occiput to the stop |
The length of the
muzzle from the stop to the tip of the nose is equal or slightly superior
to that of the skull, from the occiput to the stop. |
| Lips |
Fine, clean, well
fitting |
Fine,
clean, well fitting. |
| |
The eye-rims, the
lips and the nose are black whatever the colour of the coat. |
The eye-rims, the
lips and the nose are black whatever the colour of the coat. |
| Jaws/Teeth |
White, strong; full
dentition, scissor bite |
Teeth white, strong;
full dentition; scissor bite. |
| Eyes |
Large, expressive,
dark hazel or hazel coloured, very slightly prominent, almond shaped, set
obliquely. |
Large, expressive,
dark hazel or hazel coloured, very slightly prominent, almond-shaped, set
obliquely |
| Ears |
Small, supple,
mobile, |
Small,
supple, mobile, |
| |
nearby |
|
| |
set
on the above the eye level. Backwards, |
set
on above the eye level and backwards, |
| |
almost
towards the nape of the neck, the tips of the ears situated near each over
or directed downwards along the neck and close to it. |
almost
towards the nape of the neck, the tips of the ears situated near each
other or directed downwards along the neck and close to it. |
| |
When the dog is
alert, the ears are carried higher and on the sights or forward; sometimes
one or both ears are erect like horse
ears. |
When the dog is
alert, the ears are carried higher and on the sides or forward; sometimes
one or both ears are erect like horse ears. |
| Neck |
Long,
clean, flattened laterally, muscled, slightly arched. |
Long,
clean, flattened laterally, muscled, slightly arched, |
| |
Carried rather low. |
carried rather low. |
| Body |
|
Not marked. |
| Withers |
| Back |
Broad,
muscled, elastic, |
Broad,
muscled, elastic, |
| |
forming
with the loin and croup the same curve which is more pronounced in the
males. |
forming
with the loin and croup a curve which is more pronounced in the males. |
| |
The highest point
of this curve is situated in the region of the 1st or 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
The highest point
of this curve is situated in the region of the 1st
or 2nd
lumbar vertebra. |
| Loin |
Long, prominent,
muscled, moderately broad. |
Long, prominent,
muscled, moderately broad. |
| Croup |
Long,
muscled, broad, |
Long,
broad, |
| |
slightly
sloping. |
slightly
sloping. |
| |
The width of the
croup measured between the two hip bones (iliac crests) must not be less
than 8 cm. |
The width of the
croup measured between the two hip bones (iliac crests) must not be less
than 8 cm. |
| Chest |
Of
oval cross-section, not narrow, yet not wider than the croup, |
Of
oval cross-section, not narrow, yet not wider than the croup, |
| |
long,
deep, spacious. Nearly reaching down to elbow level. |
deep,
well developed in length, spacious, reaching down almost to elbow level. |
| |
The
region of the shoulder blades being flatter, the chest gets gradually
wider towards the false ribs, which are short; seen in profile, it forms a
change in slope. |
The
region of the shoulder blades being flatter, the chest gets gradually
wider towards the false ribs, which are short; seen in profile, it forms a
change in slope. |
| |
The
ribs are long, slightly prominent. |
The
ribs are long, slightly prominent. |
| |
The forechest is
slightly prominent in relation to the scapular-humeral articulation. |
The forechest is
slightly prominent in relation to the scapular-humeral articulation. |
| Belly |
|
Well tucked up, the
underline rises abruptly towards the abdomen. |
| Tail |
In shape of sickle
or sabre, |
In shape of sickle
of sabre, |
| |
low
set, thin, long (passed between the hindlegs, must reach up to the hip
bone), |
low
set, thin, long. Passed between the hindlegs, it must reach up to the hip
bone (iliac crest), |
| |
furnished
with abundant feathering. |
furnished
with abundant feathering. |
| |
When the dog is
standing, the tail hangs downwards, in action, it is raised, but not above
the level of the back. |
When the dog is
standing, the tail hangs downwards. In action, it is raised, but not above
the level of the back. |
| Limbs |
Forelegs clean, muscled.
Seen from the front straight and parallel. |
Forelegs
clean, muscled, seen from the front perfectly straight and parallel. |
| Forequarters |
| |
The height of the
forelegs from the elbow to the ground is nearly equal to half the height
at withers. |
The height of the
forelegs from the elbow to the ground is equal or little superior to half
the height at the withers. |
| Shoulders |
Shoulder blades
long and oblique. |
Shoulder blades
long and oblique. |
| Upper
arm |
Moderately oblique,
its length is barely superior to the length of the shoulder blade. Angle
of the scapular-humeral articulation well pronounced. |
Moderately oblique;
its length is barely superior to the length of the shoulder blade. Angle
of the scapular-humeral articulation well pronounced. |
| Elbows |
In parallel plane
to the median plane of the body. |
In parallel plane
to the median plane of the body. |
| Forearm |
Clean, long, of
oval cross-section; seen from the front: narrow, seen in profile: broad. |
Clean, long, of
oval cross-section; seen from the front, narrow, seen in profile, broad. |
| Pastern |
Slightly oblique in
relation to the ground. |
Slightly
oblique in relation to the ground. |
| Hindquarters |
Seen
from behind: straight, parallel, set slightly wider than the forequarters. |
Seen
from behind: straight, parallel, set slightly wider than the forequarters. |
| |
When the dog is
standing true, the hindlegs are set backwards. |
When the dog is
standing true, the vertical line dropping from the ischiatic tuberosity
(Point of buttocks) must pass in front of the centre of the hock joint and
of the metatarsals. |
| Upper
thigh |
Long, muscled,
placed obliquely. |
Well muscled, long,
places obliquely. |
| Lower
thigh |
Long muscled placed
obliquely. |
Long, muscled,
placed obliquely. |
| |
|
The femoro-tibial
and the tibio-tarsal articulations well developed, broad, clean,; the
angles must be well marked. |
| Metatarsals |
Not long, placed
almost vertically. |
Not long, placed
almost vertically. |
| |
All the
articulations are well angulated. |
All the
articulations are well angulated. |
| Feet |
Lean, narrow,
"harefeet" (of elongated oval shape), slightly arched, with
tight toes. Nails long, strong, touching the ground. |
Lean,
narrow, of elongated oval shape (called “harefeet”); toes arched,
tight; nails long, strong, touching the ground. |
| Gait/Movement |
When
not hunting, the typical gait of the Borzoi is the extended trot,
effortless, very supple and lifting; |
When
not hunting, the typical gait of the Borzoi is the extended trot,
effortless, very supple and lifting; |
| |
when hunting the
charging gallop is extremely fast, with leaps of great length. |
when hunting the
charging gallop is extremely fast, with leaps of great length. |
| Skin |
Supple, elastic. |
Supple, elastic. |
| Coat:
|
Silky,
soft and supple, wavy or forming short curls. |
Silky,
soft and supple, wavy or forming short curls. |
| Hair |
| |
On the haid, the
ears and the limbs, the hair is satiny, short, smooth, close lying. |
On
the head, the ears and the limbs, the hair is satiny (silky but heavier),
short, close lying. |
| |
On
the body, the hair is quite long, wavy; on the region of the shoulder
blades and the croup, the hair forms finer curls; |
On
the body, the hair is quite long, wavy; on the regions of the shoulder
blades and the croup, the hair forms finer curls; |
| |
on
the ribs and thighs, the hair is shorter; |
on
the ribs and thighs, the hair is shorter; |
| |
the hair which
forms the fringes, the "breeches" and the feathering of the tail
is longer. |
the hair which
forms the fringes, the “breeches” and the feathering of the tail is
longer. |
| Colour |
Combination
of white with: yellow of
different shades, light fawn with black overlay, grey, red, red fawn with
black overlay, brindle, black. |
Combination
of colours: white and yellow of all shades; white and wolf grey (banded
hair, agouti); white and light fawn with black overlay, white and red;
white and red fawn with black overlay, white and brindle; white and black. |
| |
All
the colours above mentioned may be solid or pied. |
All
the colours above mentioned may be solid or pied. |
| |
The
fringes, "breeches", featherings of the tail are considerably
lighter than the background colour. |
The
fringes, “breeches”, featherings of the tail are considerably lighter
than the background colour. |
| |
For the overlaid
colours a black mask is typical. |
For the overlaid
colours a black mask is typical. |
| Size |
(Size)
Desirable height at the withers: dogs:
75 - 85 cm, females: 68 - 78 cm. |
Desirable
height at the withers: dogs:
75-85 cm bitches: 68-78 cm |
| |
In males, the
height at the withers is equal or barely superior to that from the summit
of the croup to the ground, in females, these heights are equal. |
In males, the
height at the withers is equal or barely superior to that from the summit
of the croup to the ground. In females, these heights are equal. |
| Faults: |
|
|
| |
|
Any
departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact
proportion to its degree. |
| General
appearance |
Light or massive
construction; stockly appearance or hight on the legs |
Light or massive
construction. |
| Stocky
appearance or high on the legs. |
| |
Light bone structure.
Insufficiently developed musculature. |
Light
bone structure. |
| Insufficiently
developed musculature. |
| Head |
Abrupt
stop. |
Abrupt
stop. |
| |
Profile
of the haid is distinct wedge shape due to exaggerated height of the
skull. |
Profile
of the head is distinct wedge shape due to exaggerated height of the skull |
| |
Forehead
broad. |
Forehead broad |
| |
Zygomatic arches
developed. |
Zygomatic arches
developed. |
| |
Muzzle short.
Bridge of the nose too narrow. |
Muzzle
short. Bridge of the nose too narrow |
| |
Superciliary arches
prominent. |
Superciliary arches
prominent. |
| Teeth |
Small, decayed;
abnormally worn |
Small, decayed;
abnormally worn. |
| |
until
pincer bite in subjects aged more than 6 years old. |
Pincer bite in
subjects aged more than 6 years old. |
| |
Absence of P1 and
P2 (not more than 3 teeth). |
Absence of PM1 and
PM2 (not more than 3 teeth). |
| Eyes |
Small,
round, light hazel. |
Small,
round, light hazel. |
| |
Third eyelid too
developed. |
Third eyelid too
developed. |
| Ears |
Low set, not set on
backwards. |
Low set, not set on
backwards. |
| Neck |
Short, carried
high. |
Short, carried
high. |
| Body |
Narrow with a
hollow, too arched. |
Back narrow with a
hollow at the level of the anticlinal vertebra (11th
thoracic vertebra); too arched. |
| |
Short, straight,
narrow. |
Loin short,
straight, narrow. |
| |
Narrow,
short, steep. |
Croup narrow, short,
steep. |
| |
Narrow, flat,
sternal line much higher than the level of the elbows. |
Chest
narrow, flat, not deep; sternal line much higher than the level of the
elbows. |
| |
|
Belly only slightly
tucked up. |
| Tail |
Set high or low,
carried high, tip of the tail in ring shape, falling sideways, feathering
sparsely developed, short. |
Set high or too low;
carried high; tip of the tall in ring shape, falling sideways; feathering
sparsely developed; short tail. |
| Forequarters |
Scapular-humeral
angle too open. |
Scapula-humeral
angle too open. |
| |
In or out at elbows. |
In
or out at elbows |
| |
Forearm slightly
crooked. |
Forearm
slightly crooked. |
| |
Pastern too short,
too oblique or too straight. |
Pastern
too short, too oblique or too straight. |
| |
Feet turning
slightly in or out. |
Feet turning
slightly in or out. |
| Hindquarters |
Over-angulated
or too straight angulation. |
Over-angulated
or too straight angulation. |
| |
Close behind or
spread hocks. |
Close behind or
spread hocks. |
| |
Feet toeing in. |
Feet toeing in. |
| Feet |
fleshy or
flat, spread toes. |
Tendency to be a
little too broad, slightly round, fleshy (thick) or flat; spread toes. |
| Skin |
Insufficiently
supple, elastic. |
Insufficiently
supple. |
| Hair |
Dull, tousled;
fringes, "breeches", feathering of the tail sparse. Straight
hair. Fine curls all over the body. |
Dull, tousled;
fringes, “breeches”, feathering of the tail sparse; straight hair;
fine curls all over the body. |
| Colour |
Flecks of the same
shade as the background colour. Striking tan markings. |
Flecks of the same
shade as the background colour; striking tan markings. |
| Serious
Faults |
| General
appearance |
Soft
constitution, coarse constitution, |
Soft
constitution, coarse constitution. |
| |
short trunk. |
Short
trunk. |
| |
Heavy, coarse bone
structure. |
Heavy, coarse bone
structure. |
| |
Round bones. |
Round bones. |
| Head |
Soft
tissues. |
Soft
tissues. |
| |
Blunt muzzle. |
Blunt
muzzle. |
| Teeth |
pincer bite in
subjects aged less than 6 years; asymetrical bite |
Pincer
bite in subjects aged less than 6 years. |
| |
Any deviation from
the scissors bite (overshot or undershot bite, pincer bite in subjects
aged less than 6 years; asymetrical bite) no matter how is the degree,
absence of incisors which
prevents judging the bite, absence of more than 3 premolars, absence of
P4, absence of any molar exept M3. |
|
| |
Deep set, blue,
grey, and yellow. |
Eyes:
Deep set; yellow. |
| |
Thick, coarse, with
rounded tips. |
Ears: Thick, coarse,
with rounded tips. |
| Neck |
Dewlap or loose
skin at level of throat; neck of round cross-section. |
Dewlap or loose
skin at level of throat; neck of round cross-section |
| BodyBack |
Sagging, straight
back in males. |
Sagging; straight
back in males. |
| Croup |
sag too steep (the
hindlegs are under the dog) |
Very
narrow, very short, excessively steep (goose rump). |
| Chest |
Hollow in its front
part, barrel-ribbed. |
Hollow
in its front part, barrel-ribbed. |
| Belly |
|
Pendulous. |
| Tail |
Coarse, in action
falling downwards. |
Coarse, in action,
falling downwards. |
| |
corkscrew, broken,
docked (even partially), |
|
| Forequarters |
Important
deviations from the points described; knuckling over; |
Important
deviations from the points described; knuckling over. |
| |
forearm: of round
cross-section. |
Forearm: Of round
cross-section. |
| Hindquarters |
Important
deviations from the points described. |
Important
deviations from the points described. |
| Feet |
flat with
spread toes. |
Broad, round,
“cat feet”, flat; spread toes. |
| Skin |
Loose. |
Loose |
| Coat
Hair |
Stiff, bristly. |
Stiff,
bristly. |
| Colour |
Flacks of shade
other than that of the background colour, brown, chocolate, all lilac
shades. |
Flecks of shade
other than that of the background colour; all lilac shades. |
| Behaviour
/ Temperament |
Aggressive towards
people. |
Aggressive towards
people. |
| Disqualifying
Faults |
| Teeth |
|
Any deviation from
the scissors bite (overshot or undershot bite); wry jaw, absence of
incisors which prevents judging the bite, absence of more than 3 premolars,
absence of P4, absence of any molar except M3. |
| |
|
Lower
canines set backwards from their normal position thus possibly touching
the upper gums or the palate (mandibula angusta). |
| Eye |
|
Wall eye. |
| Tail |
|
Corkscrew
tail, broken tail (fused vertebrac), docked, even partially. |
| |
Presence of
dewclaws. |
Presence of
dewclaws. |
| Colour |
|
Brown, chocolate. |
| |
|
NB:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum. |
