WW2008 FILISITE BRASH VERONIKAÄgare: POPOVA V, RU-125475 MOSCOW, RYSSLANDUppfödare: POPOVA V, RU-125475 MOSCOW RUSSIA
From the Circus Arena to the Exhibition Ring or Problems of Breeding in Russia



Sokolnikova brought the first dog of Karandash Nicks from England in 1936. Later in 1939 A.Mazorev imported bitch Rauburs Nasha from Poland. From these two dogs the breeding of Scottish Terriers was started in Russia. During the post-war period their first children prolonged the circus career of Kliaksa. At the same time some “trophy” dogs were taken from Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Hungary to Moscow and Leningrad. All of them were very different but the breeders were full of enthusiasm though having no idea about the underwater streams that might break all their efforts.



The small amount of dogs and because of this caused the many years incest put the existence of the breed under danger. Lots of breeders realised the results of many years’ close relation breeding. Not only the exterior and the breed type was under danger but first of all its health and psyche condition. But they had no choice. Step by step the famous Scottie was turning into a small ugly devil with unstable psyche or into a coward and pitiable creation with the all time its tail between the legs what used to be its symbol of pride and independence. The reputation of the breed was blasted.



Nevertheless, a miracle happened. This might be called the result of a fight between the nature and a man, convention and dogmas of the Soviet Union breeding, which was isolated from the world and had no choice and means. The Scottish Terrier was not only preserved for Russia but was on the top of breeds during the 60-ies and in the middle of the 70-ies. For the first enthusiasts’ altruism, faith, endless love and devotion to the Scottish Terrier must be given the bow and honourable mention. It didn’t disappear, wasn’t lost in the midst of the new fashionable dogs’ crowd that appeared at the end of the 70-ies. It managed to escape the pitiful end of many rare dogs – period of full oblivion like this happened to the Skye Terrier. And now when the biggest troubles are behind and everybody might breathe freely, the indomitable character of real breeders make them go further because not all the victories are won, not all the dreams are fulfilled and we haven’t got a Scottish that will be ideal and nice in all senses.



After all the genetic fights had been forgotten the three main genetic lines were outlined in the breed. Their originators became Mitrofan (master Topchiev), Philca (m. Bessonov) and the imported Black Beauty of Hayhayt from England (m. Dubanosov). Trust in future was strengthened by the arrival of mate Steve from America (m. Kuriatnikov) and a little bit later in the midst of the 80-ies an active import of dogs from Czechoslovakia was started. Trying to escape incest, the bigger amount of dogs and the new blood caused the second rebirth of the breed. The two Czech bitches appeared to be very productive. Anna from Suchdola (m. Leonova) together with the Czech mate Clifford Target (m. Baranchikova, Brehovskij) gave birth to a daughter Marland Nina Richi (m. Leonova). This was the very first dog of the national breeding that received the title of Inter-champion.



The numerous imports of the Czech dogs made the breeding possible with various possibilities and they were used differently. This used to be a sort of exam for the professional preparation of various clubs and sections that emerged during the post-changeover period. The imported dogs were used as the new dresses – here to cut and there to add. The results were unexpected. But the task and dream to make the breed according to the international standards and achieve acknowledgement for the own breed in the foreign countries was still the distant future.



At the end of the 80-ies some information about the state of the breed in Europe was received in Russia. At last it became clear that the chosen way was correct but the way towards the aim wasn’t very easy and it was quite difficult to approach it with the speed of a turtle. Something what could change the settled viewpoint towards the breed was needed. And this had happened.



In 1986 people were able to see the Scotties of a very different type. It was so different from what the ones we used to see like the hedgehog from the porcupine. This was a black mate taken by G.Sushkevich from the Finnish kennel “Beg Pipe”. The son of the Champion of the Northern Countries and Finland – Ives San Lorraine and the Champion of Finland – Beg Pipe Lillian – Beg Pipe You Are The One made the effect of the explosion of a bomb. It totally changed the opinion about the nowadays type of the breed. There is no need to mention all its descendants. At the beginning of the 90-ies they made the basis of the Scottish Terriers. Up to nowadays its blood is used for breeding dogs in the whole country. It is a pity that the dog has gone so early but left a lot of descendants for breeding.





While looking backwards it seems that nowadays results are really unbelievable. How far away we could go if we had idea and were able to do what we know and can do now. All the possibilities given to us today by a favour of time and history now are used in the whole world.



The very first thing what masters have done – they made contacts with the breeders abroad. The result of this friendship is the import of very interesting dogs from Finland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark and the invitation of experts to our exhibitions. For the very first time in 1994 Raja Jarvinen, the expert from Finland and the master of kennel “Raja” visited us. Her judgement made shock to our masters as well as she herself was in a shock from our dogs. But the shock soon vanished. After making clever decisions and redoubling efforts the experience was repeated in 1996. The President of Sweden Scottish Terriers’ Club and the owner of the kennel “Raglan” was invited Dan Ericsson. This time it was not a shock but a surprise. Where do we get so many Scottish Terriers of such good condition? Sometimes we are also surprised: when did we manage to do so many things? The result was that almost in all classes the dogs of national breed won the prises. The Best of the Breed was acknowledged Marlene Nina Richi (m. Leonova).



Again Raja. March 1997. The 1st Regional Exhibition of the Scottish Terriers. After successfully judging 97 dogs she gave prises with a pleasure for the winners. In the conditions of a difficult competition with the Polish dogs of Hanna Bakuniak (kennel “Koncept”), Inter-champion and the Champion of Poland Jerrimor Lancelot, the Junior Winner of the World’96 Charles Craft Koncept and the wonderful bitch Flower Power Koncept, the bitch of national breeding Adjaila Chibsten Plus Ultra (m. Popova, Pivovarenkova) won the prise.



Very strict requirements for the import of Scotties appeared. Not only perfect exterior was required but the perspective lineage as well. In 1994 from a non-known kennel “Hopper Hof” in Germany a black mate L Amour Von Hopper Hof (m. Popova) was taken. A lot of sceptic remarks were made for this dog. Though all the sceptics were not right. From the very beginning of the exhibition career Hoffman appeared to be a real show dog. Imposing exterior, good manners and gloss swept the judges along with it in Russia and Europe. 13 CACIB titles – this is the absolute record for the Scottish Terrier in our country. Inter-champion, Champion of Russia, Finland, Estonia, Byelorussia, Latvia – it will be mentioned in the annals like the most high-scoring Scottish Terrier in Russia.



The noble descendants are famous not only of their successful offspring but their famous masters as well. A lot of them had no idea to talk about the import of their Scotties to Russia. Thanks to fate that there is some place for exceptions. The biggest help was given by Raja Jarvinen who sent two wonderful dogs – a bitch Rajaj On E Carrousel ant a mate Rajaj West Side Story (m. Leonova) - representatives of the nowadays type of the Scottish Terriers.



In 1997 three Sweden dogs of which the two belonged to the kennel “Raglan” of Dan Ericsson were brought to Russia. This is Raglan River Side (m. Ocheretianaja), the son of the famous English sire Gaywyn Wenturesome, and Raglan Royal Artist (m. Popova), the son of the World Champion ‘ 96 Cantorn's JohnyWalker and Champion of the Northern Countries Raglan Royal Serenade. From a new kennel “Dandy” for us, the owner of which Christine Hutner agreed to collaborate with us, a mate Dandy Dorian Garden (m. Horunzhaya), who had the blood of the famous English kennel “Stuan” and the Champions of America and England from the American kennel “Sandgreg's” was taken to Russia. In the spring exhibition in Stockholm it managed to get the title of the Best Junior Dog of the exhibition and to win the prise of the Best in Show. Denmark didn’t stay aside as well. From the most prominent kennel “Danskots” the mate Danskots Duke (m. Kudriavcev) was taken. In the autumn of 1997 two bitches from the kennel “Downtown” were taken.



As the result of the active import the line of the best Scandinavian representatives concentrated in Moscow. The breeding of the Scottish Terriers in the Scandinavian countries is very popular in nowadays. Namely the dogs from Sweden, Denmark and Finland win the laurel in the biggest international competitions. The Scandinavian type is the mostly wanted type today. Because of the close collaboration with the best kennels of England, Scotland and America the Northern Countries became the dictating terms of the nowadays type of the Scottish Terrier in Europe.



The Russian origins Scottish Terriers now successfully compete with the most prominent kennels in Europe and in the World Championships. Already now a lot of foreign partners follow the development of the breed in Russia. Who knows maybe the unforgettable day is not so far away when our dogs will win the titles of the Best, will go to the final competition for the Best in Show and will win.



But for all the fans of the breed and for everybody the Scottish will stay the same as it used to be for hundred years – a charming small house guardian, a stranger and wiseacre, with a keen eye watching the heart of its master. Let us be worth of the society of the proud and independent Scottish Terriers, which know how to warm ones spirit not worse than the old good whiskey.



Yana Chorunzhaya,

Journalist, Scottish terrier and gold retrievers kennel „Sansibility“owner,

Magazine „Black & White” editor"