Additonal Breeds Starting
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Chortaj
COUNTRY: USSR
HEIGHT: 25-26 inches
COAT: Thick and smooth
COLOR: Many colors
allowed, often solids
OTHER NAMES: Eastern
Greyhound
REGISTRY: None
GROUP: Southern
South Russian Steppe
Hound
COUNTRY: USSR
HEIGHT: 24-28 inches
COLOR: Solid colors
OTHER NAMES: Steppe Borzoi
REGISTRY: None
GROUP: Southern
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While the AKC Borzoi has had all the worldwide publicity because of his
association with royalty, the lesser known borzoi (sighthounds) of
the Soviet Union are far older and are still widely bred and hunted.
In the northern half of Russia, hunting is done either with scenthounds
or laikas. But in the south, across the vast plains and steppes, the villagers
still hunt on horseback with one or two sighthounds and sometimes an eagle
or falcon instead of a gun. This is a centuries old tradition of the Tartars
and Cossacks who settled these regions. The proximity of this area to the
Middle East probably answers the question of source, although these dogs
came into the area so long ago, they are now considered indigenous breeds.
On the immense
steppes from the north Caucasus Mountains, west of the Caspian Sea, up
through the Volga and Don River estuaries, abundant game flourished, allowing
the continuation of the Cossack tradition of coursing.
In these areas,
hunters use both the Chortaj (pronounced hortai) and various strains
of the South Russian Steppe Hound. They ride out looking for game, depending
on the Chortaj, who has eyesight keen enough to spot game up to 280 yards
away. Once seen, the pursuit is on.
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