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Dec 23 2021

Vigow of Romanoff – The History-Making Borzoi

Vigow was undefeated in breed competition, ultimately winning 63 groups and 21 BIS

By Amy Fernandez

Originally published at The Canine Chronical Digital Edition

On March 11, 1936 AKC crowned its first American-Bred dog of the year. Ironically, the honor went to a Borzoi, then known as the Russian Wolfhound, breeder/owner/handled by the French-born Louis Murr. His Romanoff Borzoi kennel in Spring Valley, New York produced decades of winners. But none equaled the fame of Ch. Vigow of Romanoff.

Offered annually until 1939, AKC’s American-Bred competition was initiated to showcase and encourage American breeders at a time when imports dominated the ring.

Finalists were selected on the basis of group wins and Vigow defeated some heavy hitters that year including Mrs. Cheever Porter’s Irish Setter, Ch. Milson O’Boy, Marie Leary’s Ch. Anthony of Cosalta, and one of the Bondy’s best Wires, Ch. Leading Lady of Wildoaks.

Vigow repeated this feat in 1937, and remained top-ranked until 1938, eclipsing the record of his equally famous sire Ch. Vigow O’Valley Farm. His career included 38 Group Firsts and eight BIS wins, accomplishments that seemed highly unlikely when Murr acquired him in 1929.

Then in deplorable condition, Murr purchased him solely for his dazzling pedigree, which melded perfectly with the breeding program he had been constructing since 1920. Bred to a third generation Romanoff bitch, Vigow justified Murr’s hunch. The litter yielded four champions including two BIS winners.

Murr’s Romanoff bloodline was founded on stock tracing directly to Borzoi imported by Joseph Thomas for his legendary Valley Farm kennel in nearby Connecticut. The undisputed superstar among them was Vigow’s grandsire, Ch. Bistri of Perchino, bred by Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaievich and imported to America in 1903.

Despite growing popularity since the first Borzoi arrived from England in 1899, quality and type were conspicuously scarce, nothing like the powerful, graceful coursing hounds Thomas envisioned. He knew what he wanted. Finding it was another story. After visiting kennels in America, Canada, and Europe he was equally disappointed by Russian Borzoi until he ventured thousands of miles to a kennel in the remote province of Tula. There he found over 300 Borzoi personifying the type he imagined with long beautiful heads, great bone and muscle, deep chests, excellent feet, and gorgeous coats.

They represented three decades of dedication for Grand Duke Nicholas, uncle of Russia’s last Czar. Once common, Russia’s grand hunt kennels disappeared in the wake of economic and social upheavals. Perchino was an anachronism, but creating it had required more than royal money and connections. For decades, Russian Borzoi were heavily crossbred to Greyhounds. Purebred specimens became extremely rare.

Thomas returned with stock from two remaining strongholds of working type, Perchino and Woronzova, including Bistri and Raskida, sire and dam of his superstar Ch. Rasboi O’Valley Farm, took BOB at Westminster four consecutive years. Within a year, Valley Farm Borzoi annihilated the competition. In little over a decade, Thomas achieved his ambition of reinstating genuine Borzoi type. His well-timed imports also ensured the perpetuation of crucial bloodlines after Imperial Russia’s demise. He was instrumental in founding the Russian Wolfhound Club of America and authored the breed’s first American standard. His meteoric rise was matched by his abrupt departure from the breed. “The Valley Farm Kennels produced hundreds of high-class borzoi; indeed, twenty-five years ago it would have been difficult to find from one end of the country to the other an American-bred borzoi that wasn’t chock-full of Valley Farm blood – a stream of lineage that had its direct source at the fountainhead of all that was good in Russia.” (AKC Gazette, Oct. 1931) Valley Farm stock seeded key bloodlines including Romanoff.

AKC Judge Mr. Louis Murr

Murr’s involvement with Borzoi commenced in 1914 and he registered his Romanoff prefix in 1922. In 1931 he relocated his growing kennel to ten acres in Spring Valley. He converted a hillside barn into the main kennel, built dozens of spacious pens and paddocks, but preferred allowing his dogs maximum freedom. Vigow was a living testament to his belief in premium food and unlimited exercise. Romanoff maintained 40 adults and bred about 75 puppies annually. Rarely kenneled, they generally lived in large groups. Famed for their rock hard condition, Murr also believed that this unrestricted, natural environment encouraged steadiness and minimized fighting.

In 1938, the AKC Blue Book of Dogs called Romanoff Borzoi Kennel, “one of the largest on this continent, if not the largest; one of the best, if not the best.” Murr routinely piled six to eight Borzoi into his car for, undoubtedly lively, drives to shows. Shown 72 times, Vigow was undefeated in breed competition, ultimately winning 63 groups and 21 BIS. This total might have gone higher. Unfortunately his career abruptly ended at age five when he was killed by a kennelmate.

Murr went on to produce other notable winners, taking two of them to Westminster group wins in 1942 and 1943. He is best remembered as a popular all breed judge. He judged 19 Westminster assignments between 1925 and 1971 including his 1969 BIS award to Ch. Glamoor Good News, owner/handled by Walter Goodman. Numerous important American bloodlines like Tamboer and Majenkir have been founded on Romanoff stock.

Posted by admin on Jul 19 2013. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

I would like to share the above article about Vigow of Romanoff  and Louis Murr,   Vigow  was the most famous borzoi our country ever knew up until 2018 when the borzoi bitch “Lucy” broke all of his records, “Lucy” , the same borzoi bitch who is the grand-daughter of Blyss Kennel’s “Mikhailya”, through her son, “Magnus”, or “Max”, as some people refer to him.   I also want to share Vigow of Romanoff’s story with you by posting this article and photograph on my website.

There is another reason I would like to post this article on my website.  Luis Murr was the mentor of my mentor, Karen Staudt-Cartabona, and on more than one occasion she has quoted him in discussions of borzoi when club members and friends were gathered at shows or club meetings or a dinner.  My husband, Bob, and I were greatly privileged to have Karen as a mentor and friend, especially since she was a student of Louis Murr,.   Karen greatly revered him and instilled the same reverence of him in us all.  She got the idea for the design of her kennel from him, and it accommodated a very large number of borzoi, ideal for breeding a line of a large breed of dog.  But, I always remembered a brief remark she made in passing over dinner one night, in talking about a visit to O’Valley Farms and speaking with Louis Murr, and commenting about what she liked when she saw a particular borzoi.   She related that he rebuked her saying it is not important what you like, but what is correct, to the standard.  Through Karen Staudt-Cartabona,, my mentor, to whom I owe so much, my kennel goes back to Louis Murr.  It is ironic that a bitch of our line defeated Vigow’s long held and respected record.  It goes without being said, we used Karen’s stud dog for “Mikhailya’s” breeding. 

Although my husband is gone, and I no longer have borzoi, my passion for the breed is undiminished.  I am grateful to the clubs and friendships I am blessed to have because of twenty years of owning borzoi and being loved by them.

May I add the following words, because in life there is always change and often with change comes loss.


A million words won’t bring you back, I know because I tried;

Neither would a million tears, I know because I cried.

Written by admin · Categorized: Borzoi, Dogs

Jun 23 2013

Mikhailya’s Biography

Blyss Kennels

Home to Beautiful Borzois in the Watchung Mountains

CH. Majenkir My Ksar Mikhailovna

“Mikhailya”

CH. Majenkir My Way x CH. Ksar Majenkir Gifted


After having the privilege of knowing Karen Staudt-Cartabona for two years
through membership in our local breed club, one day she said to Bob and me, “I
would like you to come to see me.” We were quite taken aback by those words,
since we know there are people all over the world who live for such an
invitation, or who wish they could see Majenkir, or meet Karen just once in their
lives. Here we are so fortunate by chance to know Karen, and as if that is not
enough, to have an invitation to visit her at her home and kennel, Majenkir. I
acknowledged a simple “Thank you”, and left it at that. Some time later, she
repeated the invitation. I felt not to accept would be rude, so we set a date and
planned the visit. We had heard so much about Majenkir and Karen’s home,
what was truth and what was myth, we could not imagine how to sort it out.
Immediately upon arriving at Majenkir, I understood that I was entering a
special world: a world immersed in borzoi. Although it was both enchanting and
beautiful, it was also gravely serious. Everything I saw was for and about the
borzoi, but most of all, loving them. There, I had the privilege to see the famous
Majenkir borzoi for which Karen is famous, especially those 100 foot long runs,
like the great Russian borzoi kennels had before the Revolution! They were
everywhere, set up side by side. For the borzoi’s protection from outsiders and
predators, Karen keeps guard dogs. She has a German Shepherd and another
majestic dog I had never seen before, a Leonberger.


For Karen, this is her life and her life’s work. Seeing her at home, at Majenkir –
one and the same – one better understands her unique success. I had never seen a
kennel with so much available space to keep, raise and train dogs in such a
spectacular setting. It is worthy of mention that the grounds of Majenkir
themselves are expansive, endowed with many trees and a wide expanses of
lawn like an arboretum, and just as beautiful. Tucked away as it is in a north-
western corner of New Jersey, her front yard and house overlook Swartswood
Lake. The vista creates a tableau like a scene from an old French master
painting, in the style of the latter career of Jean Baptiste-Camille Corot in its
color and gray tones, and how it captures light. Moreover, I had believed there
were no longer places like this left in New Jersey, that it was a way of life that
had gone away long ago. I was enchanted to see one such place still remained.

This was just one of the unexpected gifts I received that day from visiting
Majenkir.


We were reluctant to enter the property through a gate that would have brought
us to the back door of the house because it was well guarded by a German
Shepherd Dog. Instead, we found the gate to the front lawn. From there, we
found the front door to the great house built all of field-stone, and we rang the
bell to announce our arrival. Karen herself opened the door and graciously
welcomed us. It was the same inside as outdoors: there, too, was a life immersed
with borzoi. Karen shared her home intimately with them. They were either
lying on beds throughout the house, too comfortable to acknowledge our arrival,
or graciously rising to greet us and be petted, their sublimely beautiful faces
sweetly gazing up to ours. Borzoi porcelains, framed artwork, large rosettes, and
trophies she had won over the years, adorned the house wherever the eye rested.
I was mesmerized and overwhelmed by all that I saw Karen was very lovely and told us she had a particular dog in mind for us. She was a young bitch and a ”Michael” daughter. We were somewhat overwhelmed and did not know what a “Michael” daughter meant. Besides, we thought we wanted a puppy. Karen thought otherwise. This was a disagreement, and that would not be a good thing. Then, Karen tactfully asked if we would like to see all of the dogs available, and then we could make a decision. Still thinking we wanted a puppy, we agreed this would be a good idea. Off we went together.
It was nothing short of a study of dog husbandry to see Karen’s kennel. Karen’s
dogs are kept outdoors in large, long, spacious runs with a shelter within them.
The dogs are kept out in nature as much as possible. Majenkir is known for this
method of keeping dogs. It does require having a great deal of space, more space
than most people in New Jersey have.


The first run we stopped at was the run with the bitch Karen had in mind for us.
There were three of four bitches together, all big, white bitches, wildly leaping
high in the air as we approached. Karen said, “Oh, these are the wild ones! This
one is Mikhailya”. She managed to put a leash on Mikhailya and brought her
outside of the run but she continued to leap wildly into the air. Karen disciplined
her a bit. I think it may have been the first time Mikhailya had a leash on her.
She was quite a handful! Then, Karen put Mikhailya back in the run and we
walked on.


Meanwhile, the most handsome borzoi, “Michael”, Majenkir My Way, appeared
and began following us around. This was Mikhailya’s sire. I had never seen a
borzoi so big, strong and handsome, with such a striking coat and head, and a
sweet temperament. He represents a truly outstanding example of Majenkir type.
This was one of Karen’s famous stud dogs and a great champion. On that day, he
was acting like a puppy, nudging my hands, wanting to be petted and being very
sweet. I remember telling Karen that I just adored him. She agreed he was
something rather special.


By the end of the tour, we were back inside. Karen served us tea, and then asked what we thought. She asked us which of the dogs we thought we wanted. I laughed and said, “Michael of course!”. Well, he was not for sale, so then I said, my second choice was a daughter of Michael, having long forgotten that
“Mikhailya”, the first bitch that Karen had shown us, and her pick for us, was a
Michael daughter! With that, Karen’s face beamed into a smile, and she said,
“Oh, you mean, Mikhailya!” I could not believe I had picked that unruly, wild
bitch! Oh, well, that’s what I get for not paying attention.
After we finished our tea, we went out to see Mikhailya again. Karen went over
her with us, showing us all of her fine qualities, and I got to see how pretty she
was. I could not imagine that Karen was selling us such a fine quality bitch. She
looked better than most Champion Dogs I knew. She was truly outstanding.
Karen said she wanted us to have her because she knew we would get her out to
the shows and finish her. We knew this was a supreme complement. We lived up
to Karen’s expectation. It did not happen that year though. Mikhailya needed to
put on some weight and to put another winter under her. When that time passed,
in the Spring of 2005, she was ready.


Nothing was more joyful than bringing Mikhailya home. Not only did we have
the honor of bringing home a fine Majenkir bitch, she bonded to us immediately,
a tribute to the great Majenkir temperament. What good is beauty and perfect
conformation without an excellent temperament? Further, Mikhailya is a
wonderful ambassador for her breed. There is never a time when we are out at a
show or walking in a park when she does not willingly let people who admire
her come up to her and pet her, children and adults alike. She is a happy, gentle,
sweet and affectionate borzoi bitch.


Mikhailya completed her Championship Title in stunning style in just four
months with five majors, impressively finishing at the Delaware Water Gap
Kennel Club Dog Show on May 9, 2005. With her exceptional beauty and
smooth, flowing gait, Mikhailya flew around the ring in championship style
again and again. Although we are ecstatic with pride for Mikhailya’s outstanding
accomplishment, we wish to acknowledge the support of our friends without
whom this exceptional championship win would not have been possible. First, to
our friends, Roni and Jennifer Zucker, for their assistance and mentoring, and
especially for Jennifer for her expert handling of Mikhahilya to her early wins.
Also, to the respected judges who acknowledged Mikhailya’s qualities in the
ring. And finally, to Karen Staudt-Cartabona of Majenkir, for her kindness and
generosity in letting Mikhailya come to live with us at Blyss Kennels.
We have been truly blessed to have Mikhailya at Blyss Kennels. We are
currently competing with her as a Special and introducing her to obedience.
Karen plans to breed her at Majenkir during the second half of 2007. We wait in great anticipation for Mikhailya’s puppies.

Written by admin · Categorized: Borzoi, Dogs, Friendship, Mikhailya · Tagged: Borzoi, Dogs, Mikhailya

Jun 12 2013

Lorene’s Tribute to Mikhailya

I am writing to announce that Mikhailya passed away on Wednesday night, June 12, 2013. The cause
was a combination of old age afflictions and neurological events….. She was ten years old, and ten
years is considered old for a large dog, and she had reached that milestone in March. Her biography is
located here. Her complete obituary is located at Blyss Blog for that date.


Mikhailya was a well known show bitch of international stature for her illustrious pedigree in the
Majenkir line, being a daughter of one of the greatest stud dogs her breeder, the inimical Karen Staudt-
Cartabona, ever bred, (CH Majenkir My Way, “Michael”), a pre-potent sire, making her recognizable
on sight without having to look up the parentage as a “Michael daughter” by any judge at any dog show
at any place in the world.


Mikhailya has received many accolades throughout her life on her own merit, not the least of which is
that she is the dam of one of the world’s current top winning borzoi, currently living in Japan,
“Magnus”, or “Max” as he is known there. Karen Staudt-Cartabona and I expect him to be in the States
next year, 2014s. She was also the litter-mate of a great bitch, CH Majenkir My Ksar My Fair Lady,
“Gwenivere”, who had Best In Show wins.


Mikhailya had an overall good life as a home dog, a house dog, a heart dog. She enjoyed a longer life
than her litter mates, although not long enough. She lived a healthy life; a happy life; and a life with
great accomplishments. She leaves a notable legacy in the breed in two ways: 1) through her
illustrious and accomplished “Magnus”/”Max”, a recognized, international champion with multiple
best in shows in Japan and Europe, and a sire of a best in show “ puppy bitch; 2) through the many
notable get of “Magnus”/”Max”, some of which have successful show career, including Best-In-Show;
and 3) by allowing the great Majenkir line she carried of her sire, CH Majenkir My Way, “Michael” to
endure through the genes she bestowed to “Magnus” and his get.


In addition, I allowed her to participate in two research studies when there was a call for borzoi
subjects. One was the Speed Study by Dr. Ann Midgarden, and the other was for a research study by
the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine by a team of researchers studying
newborn puppies.


Finally, Mikhailya was her best being an ambassador of her breed. Mikhailya attended the AKC Meet
the Breeds in New York City two years in a row. People fell in love with her on sight and she
returned their love in full measure and more.

Written by admin · Categorized: Borzoi, Dogs, Grief, Mikhailya, Writing · Tagged: Blyss Kennels, Borzoi, Death, Dogs, Mikhailya

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