[ BACKGROUND ] [ THE DOGS & US ] [ OUR PHILOSOPHY ]
We want to breed good tempered and functional sighthounds to serve as family members and partners in doggy sports. We value the origins and function of our chosen breeds, but cannot claim to preserve the breeds as they still are in the countries of origin - our resources are not sufficient for that. Our breedings are aimed at producing outgoing and healthy, unexaggerated sighthounds with potential for coursing and racing and hopefully also their original function. We do not strive for a uniform type conformation wise. Looks are not irrelevant, but in planning combinations they must not affect choices too much. Most important is that the temperaments of the prospective parents match. We think the exaggerated type, that does not coincide with our idea of a functional hunting hound, is overrated in the show rings of today. We value good temperament above all - a dog that is self-confident, brave, inquisitive and friendly and has the requisite hunting and prey drive. Although the hunting instinct is innate to the Saluki and Borzoi, one must not discount the importance of training puppies on the lure, as this provides the basis for the coming running career. We appreciate many different Saluki types. For instance, we especially like some classic British Salukis, while Anima Divina and Amanita Citrina are closest to our ideal among the Salukis of our own breeding. We like a balanced Saluki with strong bone and effortless, light and supple movement. Balance is paramount both standing and in motion. These days we see a lot of dogs with perfectly parallel movement, but with side movement lacking the typical suppleness and lightness. In Borzois we prefer medium sized, sparsely coated and all around moderate individuals. Our ideal is Klingsor's Udascha, who is lovely both in conformation and temperament. Our breeding focuses mainly on Salukis. Our principals: - We strive to use only good tempered dogs that are nice and easy to live with - a Saluki should not be a timid and jumpy ghost that hides behind its owner (or the furniture). A confident dog is a happy dog. - We strive to use a broad range of different lines and to avoid high inbreeding coefficients. - Our dogs must have normal reproductive instincts - we do not use artificial insemination unless the male is too far away (Europe is not too far, America is). We will not do combinations where the bitch rejects the male we've chosen. - We want to avoid breeding bitches that are closely related to bitces with birthing difficulties and/or insufficient nurturing instincts. - The dog must have a normal appetite and strong survival instinct. - We want to avoid breeding dogs too young. In our own breeding we want the bitch to be at least 4 years old, as in both Salukis and Borzois it is usually still possible to mate a bitch for the first time around 6 years of age. With males one naturally has even more time. * * * We have only been in sighthounds for a short while and still have a lot to learn. Our experiences thus far have however already strongly shaped our idea of good representatives for our breeds. |