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ANCESTRY OF RUSSIAN WOLFHOUND The marked family resemblance of the longcoated greyhounds of eastern Russia Persia and that sec ¬ tion of Europe and Asia demonstrates clearly that there has been for many years a defined type of greyhound or racing hound which we have known for some thirty years as the Russian wolfhound wolfhoundThey They were introduced into this country and quite a discussion as to the correct name raged among fanciers Some insisted on calling them tins bor ¬ zoi and others simply the Russian dog when the late James Watson came to the rescue and sug ¬ gested the name of Russian wolfhound and they have been known by that name ever since sinceOne One of the first Russian wolfhounds that was im ¬ ported into this country was a black and tan hound named Argus He w is a thoroughly typical hound but certainly was in marked contrast to the hand ¬ some lemon and white and brindle and white hounds that he competed against at that time Argus possessed wonderful conformation and it took a good dog judge to place him over his hand ¬ some rivals rivalsOne One of the first men vho went directly to Russia and brought Russian wolfhounds out was the late Stedman Hanks of Boston llr Hanks did more than anyone else to popularize them along in the early eighties of the last century The next man to do his bit for the Russian wolfhound was Joseph B Thomas Jr who while a student at Yale es ¬ tablished with some classmates the Valley Farm Kennels situated at Simsbury Conn Mr Thomas went direct to Russia himself after his graduation from Yale and brought over the most wonderful lot of wolfhounds that was ever collected But alas dog politics and the powers that are in the American dog world so contrived it that the man who had given up his time and money in fact a small fortune to popularize the Russian wolfhound was cast aside and naturally lost all interest in the breed breedThe The Russian wolfhound was used in its native land to hunt the wolves that are still so plentiful in some sections of that great country For this purpose they were kept in a more or less wild state But the dogs in this country by careful handling and judicious breeding have become so domesticated that they are perfectly eligible as family pets and make splendid companions No handsomer dog walks down the avenue than the stately dlgniflea Russian wolfhound on the end of a leash in the hand of a fashionably gowned woman
