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Comments on the historical article about Krilutt and Zloeem transcribed by Bonnie
Dalzell, MA. (e-mail:bdalzell@clark.net)
This article from an English dog fancier's magazine in the 1890's is of
historical interest for a number of reasons. Firstly, even in 1890 the
writer is commentling that the proper name for the breed is Borzoi.
Secondly, There is a description of Krilutt, an important dog in the
foundationn of the breed in the west, and also an account of Zloeem, a
dog who has few descendents time in my pedigree database. In addition
there is a report of the height at the shoulders of 3 Borzoi of the time
who were imported from Russia to England: "the males Krilutt 30 1/4[in;]
Zloeem 29 3/4in; and the bitch Pazooba [sic should be Pagooba] 29in."
The overall tone of the article with the comments on the nature of the competition are instructive. |
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The Meeting of Borzois at Brighton Show (Oct 24, 1890) from Oct 24, 1890 issue of (? and Fancier's Chronicle) (author is unnamed) England V. America | |
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| A desultory discussion on what are commonly and erroneously called Russian or Siberian Wolfhounds has, for a long time past, haunted the columns of the kennel Press in this country [England], America, France and Germany. Positive knowledge on the subject is scarce and hard to get at, so silly conjecture has had a long and wearisome innings. Now and then the correspondence has brightened up, but it was reserved for a M. Rosseau to set it in a flame. This gentleman put the fat in the fire when he gave out that he, Rosseau. considered the Hon. Mrs Wellesley's Krilutt a "duffer". But a few words are necessary to explain his hazarding such a remark upon a dog that has openly and honestly won his spurs, and had no need to rely upon the prejudiced opinion of a dog-dealer. A great interest in this beautiful breed has grown up in America, and our readers know full well that if an American breeder takes up a variety it is his laudable ambition to obtain the best that money can buy, Mr Wade has evinced his keen interest by securing a litter of pups, and Mr. Paul Hacke, probably from seeing M. Rousseau's name so often at the end of letters, wherein the writer informed the kennel world upon his authority that the [sic] knew all about Borzois, and nobody else knew anything, put himself into communication with the authority on the spot, and appears to have given him a commission to buy a couple of Borzois that could beat all we have yet seen. M. Rosseau executed the order, and, we hear, paid 50 Pounds for the dog and bitch. Zloeem and Prokaza, which are now in this country [England]. We mention the price because all manner of wild sums have been mentioned; if we are wrong we are open to conviction, but only Mr. Hacke's word would satisfy us. M. Rousseau affecting to pose before English and American readers as a kennel power in the Russian land we considerd it discreet to make inquiries before accepting the gentleman at his own valuation. We do not find the opinion he entertains of himself generally shared, we hear of nothing detrimental to the gentleman's character. He appears to frequent race meetings which may impart an air of sport to his person, he dabbles in dogs and poultry, and acts as an agent inn Russia for Spratts biscuits. That he is employd by the company is in itself security that he would do his best for his customers who entrust him with orders to buy dogs and fowls, but it does not make him a judge of Borzois. If M. Rousseau, after he purchased the dogs for Mr. Hacke, confined himself to praising his own wares, we should have been content to leave the gentleman to flounder about in his own conceit, but when he had the bad taste to decry another dog in order to enhance the value of those he had sold, we thought it about time to record our objection to such a display of bad taste. It will be noticed, though, that we have waited until the match was over. We impute no blame to Mr Hacke, he bought the dogs, and being desirous of gauging their merits, instructed his agents in this country to enter the dogs at shows where they would have an opportunity of meeting Krilutt. Colonel Wellesley might reasonably have declined to assist in bringing this about, because according to M. Rousseau 's partial puffs, he had no chance against Zloeem, and there was no reason why he should court and opportunity for defeat; still, as our readers know, the Colonel immediatly accepted the challenge, and though his dog has barely recovered from an exceedingly severe illness, and was a long way from being in his best form, he was benched at Brighton to take his chances of victory or defeat. When the class filed into the ring it may be imagined that excitement ran high in the crowd of spectators who had gathered round the railings to witness the event of the show. The judge rather quickly cleared out the other competitors, leaving the rivals to fight out the duel. | |
Krilutt - click on the image for a larger picture, 52K. | |
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Krilutt looked a picture of grace and power, he was not in a coat, and the beautiful silvery gloss was absent, but the splendid outline was still there. As the dogs stood side by side, the first difference that struck the eye was in the shape of the back. Krilutt rises just beyond the shoulders, and the arch is continued in a graceful line over the loins, and down to the set-on of the hangling stern [dog man's term at the time for the tail]. Zloeem is too long in the couplings, is straight-backed, and goose-rumped, so he lost in one great point. Krilutt many a good judge might desire to see a little closer in front but Zloeem is unpardonably wide in front, and shakey about the elbows. Krilutt's head might be a little finer, but we prefer it to Zloeem's. The American champion is bad on his hind legs, and worse in front, his feet are splayed and spread, and he is disfigured by a broken toe, which must render him unfit for his work. Krilutt's great girth of chest made his rival look slight. It was any odds on Krilutt, and an onlooker whispered an offer to lay 10 to 1 on, but the Colonel smiled and shook his head. The decision was never in doubt and when the judge gave it in favor of Krilutt we may put it on record that there was not a judge, a reporter, or a spectator present who did not endorse the award. The only remark that was made was that Mr. Tauton had erred in not putting Mrs. Wellesely's bitch, Pagooba, also over Zloeem. We had the three down again after the judging, and went over them with another critic of the breed, and we came to the same conclusions as to the position Pazooba [sic] should have occupied. [note the last paragraph of this photocopy is chopped off around 3 letters to the left of the right edge of the page. I have indicated in italics the letters I have taken the liberty to insert in the text and I have printed the text at its published width- Bonnie Dalzell]
With a spirit-level measure we took the heights of the | |
| *** End of article ****
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Here is the English Kennel Club entry from Vol XVIII (1891 covering wins for 1890)
about Zloeem:
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| This article may be reprinted by Borzoi publications. I would appreciate being acknowledged as the transcriptionist and having the reference to Borzois.com included in the credit for the article. Bonnie Dalzell | |
| pedigree of Krilutt | pedigree of Zloeem |
