Number of Borzois in different Hunts. Russia around 1880s and 1890s. /Andrus Kozlov

 

Regarding the number of Borzois at O’Valley Farm Kennels (see my previous post), here is some additional information from Russia in the 1880s and 1890s.
In 1887, the Gatchina kennel had 24 Borzois aged 3–7 years and 40 young dogs (puppies) aged 1–2 years. At Perchino in 1892, there were 39 Borzois and 22 puppies. Note: A dog was considered a puppy until it reached one year of age.
Leaving aside these two largest kennels, the number of Borzois owned by a single person was considerably lower than at O’Valley Farm.
According to information found in contemporary magazines, Colonel Priklonsky had 21 Borzois in 1883. In 1884, S. Kareev had just 15. In 1888, P. Durassov owned 58 Borzois, but by 1895 the number had fallen to 25. The famous breeder Nikolai Boldarev had 27 Borzois in 1894, of which he sold 21 to Count Stroganov. Platon Korotnev, the breeder of Krilutt, who was sold to England in 1888, owned just 7 Borzois in 1894.
In Russia, Borzoi breeders were primarily hunters who bred dogs mainly for themselves or their friends, for sport hunting. O’Valley Farm, by contrast, was established primarily to generate profit and operated more like a “puppy factory.”
An advertisement from the 1883 issue of Nature and Hunting — apparently, drunkards were a problem even back then!
Needed huntsman/borzyatnik
Huntsman are wanted for the hunting grounds of Count Stroganov. Preference will be given to men who are experienced in handling dogs and familiar with hunting with borzois.
Absolutely sober and good behavior and careful care of dogs are required. . Men who do not meet these requirements need not apply, as they will be dismissed immediately.
Those wishing to apply should write to Grigory Pavlovich Pyshchev, in the town of Porkhov, Pskov Governorate, village of Volyshovo. They should enclose certificates of previous service and state their age, whether they are single or married, and whether they have children.
The salary is 20 roubles per month, together with hunting clothes. For good service, the salary will be increased to 25 roubles per month.

Additional information by Andrus:

Huntsman at Count Stroganov’s Voloshovo estate

Drunkards are a concern. Letter from Colonel Priklonsky from the journal Nature and Hunting 1883- January

In the December issue of the journal Nature and Hunting, the editors expressed a wish that hunters should inform them about the composition of their hunting packs. I shall therefore hasten to fulfil the editors’ wish and report on my own pack, which is located in the Sergach district of Nizhny Novgorod Governorate.
My pack consists of 11 hounds; among borzois, there are 10 male and 9 females.
The borzois are of various breeds, not distinguished by their pure breeding, but they are good at hunting. This applies especially to the male dog Murugoy, from Mr. Traskin hunt. Four dogs were purchased by me from Mr. Aristov. Two dogs were bought from a single breeder; they are not particularly handsome, but they hunt very well. One half-bred male dog was given to me by M. Ya. Stolypin. The dog belonging to Machevarianov is very handsome.
The other borzois were bred by me. They had their first autumn hunting season, which was not particularly successful, because I had an elderly drunkard as a huntsman, who would drink away the oats and took no interest in the dogs. Consequently, the dogs were in a desperate state, and the young ones were unable to demonstrate their speed.
Colonel Priklonsky
The photograph shows the huntsman at Count Stroganov’s Voloshovo estate, with the stables and kennel buildings in the background.

 

Year of Event:

1890

Country:

Russia

Personal Collections:

 

Source:

 

Author:

Dan Persson

Dogs:

 

Persons: