I) Purpose of the Study:

Importance of the study:

Many other breeds have developed into a show-type that competes in conformation, and a field-type that competes in performance events. It would be a tragedy to have this happen to borzoi. At this time we have borzoi who excel in both conformation and coursing/racing events. What is written in the AKC, Russian and FCI standards that describes the features of a borzoi including those that are critical to speed. This study is to try to determine which conformational factors most influence speed. Hopefully, then applying this information to keeping our breed functional.

Field Labrador

Show Labrador

Field Cocker

Apparently then, the problem is not as much with the standards, but with fanciers interpreting incorrectly (or ignoring) the standards.

elegance /refinement*** important, but not measurable

1) long legs

2) bladed bone

3) deep & narrow chest

4) high tuck up

5) wide rear

6) short back & ribs/ long loin

7) high ear set

8) tight elastic skin

9) angled croup

10) broad loin

-Measurable features mentioned in Russian, FCI and AKC standards that are not listed above and may or may not correlate to speed:

11) angle of hock (rear angulation)

12) length of stride

72 Borzoi from over 20 different kennels – many of which participate in both performance and conformation events*.

All Borzoi used in my study meet the following conditions:

a) The Borzoi follow the lure/squawker with enthusiasm. Borzoi that did not appear to be running with maximum effort were removed from the study. The squawker is run in a straight line.

b) Only healthy, fit Borzoi between the ages of 2 and 6, inclusive are measured.

c) Borzoi are selected by owners for participation in study*

* These factors bias the sample toward faster than average Borzoi

 

Speed is measured from behind the dog at approximately 75 - 150 yards from the start with a Bushnell Speedster radar gun designed for baseballs.

Physical characteristics were measured with calipers, measuring tape or compass as indicated.  The measurements taken are as follows:

Height at withers (cm)_______

Height at elbow (cm) _______- taken from floor to point of elbow

Width of chest (in) _________- taken at widest point

Depth of chest (in) _________ -taken at level of T 11

Width of loin (in) _________-taken at level of L5

Depth of tuck up (in)_______ - taken at level of L 5

Width of rear (in) __________- taken at widest point

Length of back (cm) ________ - taken from sp. pr. of T1 to sp. pr. of T11

Length of loin (cm) _____________ - taken from s.p. of T11 to iliac crest

Ear set (mm) ______________ - from top of skull to the base of the auricular cartilage

Width of foreleg (mm) ____________ - taken at 3cm above the carpus

Depth of foreleg (mm) ____________- taken at 3cm above the carpus

Elasticity of skin (mm) ____________- taken at iliac crest

Angle of croup (degrees) _____________

Angle of hock (degrees) _____________ - metatarsals perpendicular

Length of stride (cm) ____________ - at a trot, from forefoot marked with paint

A) Test for differences in the mean and median conformation characteristics for the slower vs. faster Borzoi. The average (mean) speed in this study was 33 mph. The sample was divided into two groups, one is slower than 33mph and one is faster than this speed.

 

A p-value less than .05 indicates a significant difference in the mean or median. The lower the p-value, the less the chance that the difference in means or medians is due to random chance.

The faster group of borzoi in this study have significantly more bladed bone, longer loin to back, longer stride at a trot, higher ear set, tighter skin, wider rears, and less rear angulation than the slower group.

 

B) Test to determine characteristics that are linearly related to speed.

A p-value less than .05 indicates a significant linear relation to speed for that variable. If the variable’s sign is negative (positive), there is a negative (positive) relation between higher values of that variable and speed.

1) short back to long loin, bladed bone, tight elastic skin, high set ears, and a moderately broad deep chest are significant, positively related to speed. Combined together these factors explain approximately 58% of the differences in speed observed in these borzoi.

A short back and ribs, with a comparatively long loin accounts for approximately 25% of a borzoi's speed. Another way of saying this is that the beginning of the rise over the loin (and thus it's highest point) should be noticeably far forward on the topline. In the fastest dogs the loin length is approximately twice the length of the back.

Bladed bone accounts for approximately 10% of a borzoi's speed. The legs should be very distinctly narrower when viewed from the front as compared to the side. In the fastest dogs, the foreleg is half to three quarters again deeper than it is wide.

High set ears and tight elastic skin are separate measures of connective tissue. Although the skin and ears themselves probably play a minimal role in speed, they are composed of the same connective tissues present in the joints, ligaments and tendons which play a huge role in a galloping hound. Tighter connective tissue creates a faster hound. High set ears and tight elastic skin each represent about 8% of a borzoi's speed.

A moderately broad to deep chest contributes approximately 5% to a borzoi's speed. Having a very narrow chest (slab sided) decreases speed even over short distances.