from memory here... I haven't found my "manual" yet with all the
references. I know I gave a copy of it to HL Catrin Skynith to send in
to the SCA for library use...
The feast of the Borzoi starts off in the Grand Hall when the
Huntsmaster of the Royal Court of the Czar is escorted into the Grand
Hall with two Huntsment on either side. With the sounds of horns, the
Sire is brought into the hall, escorted by the Kennel Master, and led by
the finest leather collar wiht wolffur lining (ornately decorated) and
leash. He announces to court the name of the sire, his sires' parents
and grandparents. This is followed by the sires accomplishments, all the
while the sire is walked around the great hall for all to admire. Then
the sire is led to a special couch, just for Borzoi (no humans are
allowed on this couch as decreed by the first Czar of Russia).
With the announcement of horns again, the highest lady in court, dressed
in full corssets, would announce the arrival of the bitch. She was often
honored by the escort of the Czarina or the Princess (who wanted to show
off the bitch). The bitch had her own special collar, more ornately
decorated with the finest of jewels. Often this collar was made of the
finest tapestries with the finest fur linings. Her leash was made of
gold. Her name, parents, etc... and accomplishments were announced
before she too was led to the couch to lie down beside the Sire.
Finally, the much anticipated announcment of the arrival of the puppies.
Each one is carried into the Grand Hall by very well dressed kennel
helpers. Each carried on top of a burgundy silk pillow. Each puppy would
be gone over individually by the Czar, Huntsmaster, and Kennel Master.
Those found not "absolutely perfect" were (quote from the book)
"mercilessly killed". If a member of the immediate royal family had a
soft spot for one such puppy, they could be spoken for and allowed as a
mere pet, but it was not often. Puppies were then allowed to play in
the Grand Hall while the Feast of the Borzoi started. The Borzoi, no
matter the age, were allowed to go anywhere they chose, and should they
want a morsel of food, were never denied (even by the Czar).
After the feast was enjoyed, the Czar would choose one puppy and present
it to a member of court. Usualy it was the highest member of court, but
often it was to a favoured member (who by the act of being given a puppy
was just elevated 10X in court status).
The Borzoi were then ceremoniously escorted out of the Grand Hall before
the rest of the court "called it a night".
The tradition was started by the first Tsar of Russia and continued on
to the last Czar of Russia.
THe book I read this from, name escapes me right now, was wrote by a
member of the Royal Family of Romanoff, along with several writings of
Walztoff, who was the Kennel Master of Perchino, the great kennel of the
Archduke Romanoff, the Czar's brother. The same book included the story
of Mitzka, the black Borzoi bitch who belonged to Prince Nicholai
Romanoff, who was murdered by Razputin. It told of the story, as told by
the Royal Family from generation to generation, how the Borzoi came to
be. Much tradition even went into the telling of the story, and every
member of the immediate royal family was to know the story by heart so
they could pass it down word for word.
Jennifer and the "Half Tailed Pack"
~CBD Therapy Dogs~
Its amazing how one being can change the course of your life forever...
http://community.webtv.net/CBDTherapyDogs/doc
http://www.GRR-Adopt.org
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