Chortaj  

        Description   

Chortaj is an ancient in last years extremely not numerous breed deduced in the south - wester areas of the country by crossing shorthaired and rather gentle english greyhounds with ancient crimean and mauntain, and also russian psowaya barsaya. As a result the smooth dogs combining the best qualities of initial breeds were received. Smooth, but lengthened wool provides sufficient protection against colds and heat, at the same time it almost does not soak and is not soiled even at a hunt in autumn foul weather. Eastern greyhounds have ability to long prosecution of an animal, which is typical for east greyhounds, in a combination with playfulness during runs and in the throw which has been lead up to perfection in russian psowaya barsaya.  In the past eastern greyhounds were widely spread on the territory of the Ukraine, in the south - western areas of Russia, in Poland. Now in the critically small number these remarkable dogs are kept in Tambov, Volgograd region, on Stavropolye, in Republic Mari El and at few Moscow enthusiasts. The Chortaj is energetic, high-spirited, and is a diligent hunter.  Nearly identical with the Chart Polski, the full-grown Chortaj will reach a height of 25 to 26 inches and weigh in between 45 and 75 pounds. Their coats are smooth and thick, and they come in all colors. The most common colors are black, black and tan, red, blond, and white with spots. Their eyes are large and dark, and their tails are long and sabre shaped, with a curled tip. Their feet are long and well arched, with toes close together.  The Cossacks and Tartars always went hunting with two sight hounds (similar to the Chortaj or the South Russian Steppe Hound) and a falcon. Both breeds are still used to hunt game found in the open Russian plains. The original Chortaj was probably created by crossing the Borzoi and Greyhound with two extinct Russian Breeds, the "Krymka" and the "Gorka."

General Appearance    Temperament and behavior.  Dog of large size, of lean but at the same time robust built, of conciderably elongated proportions. Elongation index – 103-105. Height at the withers: dogs – 65-75cm, bitches – 4cm less. In its everyday life the Chortaj is quiet and balanced. It has a piercing sight, capable of seeing a moving object very far.Movement. When not hunting short trot or even walk is typical of a Chortaj. When chasing the prey the Chortajs gallop in extremely fast leaps of great length.  Faults ^** Massive and coarse constitution, heavy bone structure, deviations from desirible size and elongation index.

Colour    White, black, cream of all shades, red, sable and brindle, solid or pied (with white markings, or white with coloured markings). Flecks of the same shade as the background colour are not a fault. Black overlay and black mask, grey or red tan markings are normal. Nose is black, with light colours a brown nose is not a fault.

Faults. Tan markings striking in shade, flecks of different shades from a background colour. Pink nose is a very serious fault.

Coat. On the body, outer coat is 2,5 cm long, straight, close lying and elastic. Short and not heavy breeches are typical. Short and not heavy featherings on the tail are accepted. Light undercoat in winter is typical.

Faults. Longer coat on the body, heavy featherings.

Skin  muscles and bone structure. Skin is tight-fitting and elastic without wrinkles. Muscles lean and well-developed, especially on the thighs. Bone structure strong but not massive.

Faults. Light bone structure and weak muscles. Coarse bone structure.

Head. With very little flesh, quite long and wedge-shaped as seen from above, with scull slightly broad. Occupit is only slightly prominent. Supraorbital ridge is not prominent, stop is very slightly marked. Muzzle is long and clean, pointed, sometimes slightly arched near the nose. Lips are fine, clean and well fitting.

Faults. Heavy and coarse head, abrupt stop, broad or squared-off muzzle, soft tissues, fluttering lips.

Ears    Supple, thin and narrow, set on the eye level or lower, directed backwards along the nape of the neck. When Chortaj is alert the ears are carried semi-pricked with the tips directed forward or to the sides.

Faults. Heavy, flying, dropped ears.

Eyes. Large, oval-shaped, set obliquely, with all coat colours dark brown or brown with dark eye rims.

Faults. Small, light-coloured, round. Eye rims not dark.

Teeth   White, strong, set closely, scissor bite.

Faults.  Small, decayed teeth. Pincer bite after 6 years of age.Lack of PM1 and M3 is not taken into account. Lack of one PM2 or one PM3 influences the placement but not the mark.

Neck    Long, muscled, clean, flattened laterally, carried high.

Faults.  Short, of round cross-section, with soft tissues.

Chest.  Of oval cross-section, deep, reaching down almost to elbow level.

Faults. Chest not deep, flat, narrow, barrel-shaped ribs.

Back. Broad, muscled, together with the loin and croup forming a gradual curve. Withers marked well.

Faults. Flat in withers. Flat, too arched, narrow, straight, weak, sagging back.

Loin     Well-muscled and arched.

Faults. Straight, narrow, flat loin.

Croup. Long, steeply sloping, wide (the width measured between the two hip bones should not be less than 7 cm).

Faults. Narrow, short, sunken or flat.

Belly. Well tucked up, the underline rises abruptly towards the abdomen.

Faults. Belly not tucked up. Pendulous belly is a very serious fault.

Loin   Well-muscled and arched.

Faults. Straight, narrow, flat loin.

Croup. Long, steeply sloping, wide (the width measured between the two hip bones should not be less than 7 cm).

Faults. Narrow, short, sunken or flat.

Belly. Well tucked up, the underline rises abruptly towards the abdomen.

Faults. Belly not tucked up. Pendulous belly is a very serious fault.

Forequaters     Clean, muscled, straight and parallel as seen from the front, forearms of oval cross-section. Forequaters angulation is well-pronounced (about 100°). Pastern short and set slightely obliquely in relation to the ground.

Faults.  In or out at elbows, narrow front, short or crooked forearms, upright pasterns, weak and sloping pasterns. Feet turning in or out.

Hindquaters.  Strong, clean, muscled, angulation well-pronounced. Straight and parallel as seen from behind. Hock joints are well-developed. Hocks are straight in relation to the ground. Normally the hindquaters are placed far back and wide.

Faults.  Over-angulated or straight hindquaters. Cow hocks or bandy hocks.

Feet     Oval-shaped, toes arched and close cupped. Forefeet are more round than the back feet.

Faults. Round, flat feet, spreading toes. Dewclaws are a very serious fault.

Tail. Long, in shape of sabre. Tip of the tail in ring form is normal. In a quiet state tail is carried low, in action tail is raised a little above the back, but not cocked up.

Faults.  Tail carried to one side, turned over the back, thick.

FAULTS    Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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