By Rob Harris
Birmingham: Australia’s top dog has made his mark at the world’s largest and, arguably, most well-respected canine show. Tears of joy from owner Kay Sneath flowed freely, as a 50-year dream was realised at its first attempt.
Kohl, a five-year-old borzoi named after the eyeliner because of his distinctive facial markings, topped his class in a rare international win at Crufts, Britain’s time-honoured dog show on Thursday.
Kay Sneath’s dog Kohl, a five-year-old Borzoi from Melbourne, has won best in breed at Cruft’s.
Already Australia’s No.1 show dog covering all breeds, the Canadian-bred hound now takes home the Crufts best in breed ribbon for borzois, as his reputation around the globe grows. But for co-owner Sneath, a lifelong borzoi owner, breeder and lover, her whirlwind trip to Birmingham from Melbourne with her now legendary dog left her pinching herself.
As a young girl, she’d spend her pocket money buying dog magazines at her local newsagent that were already months out of date by the time they arrived.
Kohl was named after the popular eyeliner cosmetics brand.
“They were from England and there were all these famous shows, but Crufts was the most famous of all of them,” Sneath says. “It was a dream of mine to come to Crufts one day and I did that 10 years ago as a spectator. But I also dared to dream that one day I may have one of my dogs shown here.”
Borzois, with their long nose, sleek body and lean, muscular frame, have captured the fascination of dog lovers since Ivan the Terrible in the 1500s. Originally known as the Russian Wolfhound, they were bred for their exceptional speed and stamina, specifically to hunt large game such as wolves and boars.
Russian aristocrats showcased their prized borzoi in grand hunts, where the dogs’ remarkable agility and endurance were put to the test. But the breed faced a sharp decline in the mid-1800s following the collapse of the Russian feudal system. They suffered even further during the Bolshevik revolution, as both the dogs and the nobility that cared for them were slain.
Borzoi first arrived in Australia from Russia in 1898 and were quarantined at Melbourne Zoo.
“My parents had them, so I grew up with them,” Sneath says. “I think that they’re the ultimate canine aristocrat. They know that they’re gorgeous. They just have that air about them.”
More than 24,000 dogs are entered at this year’s four-day extravaganza, where more than 200 pedigree breeds are judged according to stringent aesthetic standards in a series of knockout competitions until the best in show is announced on Sunday.
Kohl, the five-year-old Borzoi from Melbourne, won best in breed at the world famous Cruft’s dog show. He is pictured with handler Gerald Munro.Credit: BeatMedia / The Royal Kennel Club
Organised by The Kennel Club, the event has been running since 1891 and is still the ultimate showcase for pedigree breeds, talented crossbreeds and the strong bond between dogs and their owners.
On top of that, there are hundreds of events, including agility, flyball and obedience tasks and more than 600 trade stands spread over the convention centre in Birmingham. More than 155,000 visitors attend and 8.7 million viewers tune in on free-to-air television and online streaming from around the world.
Kohl, whose four co-owners are spread across three countries and several timezones, is one of 3952 international dogs at the show. France leads the way with 475 entrants, ahead of Germany (407), the Netherlands (376) and Italy (360). About five Australian dogs have made the trip this year, made all the harder because of strict quarantine conditions on the return leg.
Kohl arrived in Australia last September, having impressed at shows in his native Canada, in the United States and previously in Britain. He will make the trip home in the coming days to continue to show in his new home country.
Kohl lives on Melbourne’s outskirts with his handler, Gerald Munro, who helps Sneath run her Marakhoff Kennels.
“It’s a very expensive hobby, but a hobby nonetheless. Yeah, you do it because you’re passionate,” says Sleath, adding that Kohl is a “perfect”, “fabulous dog”.
Having swept the pool in recent events, Sneath says her dog is at the peak of his powers and will add strong genetics to the growing Australian population of about 5000.
“He’s not just a beautiful specimen of the breed; he has a fabulous temperament. You couldn’t imagine doing this trip all the way from Australia with a dog that was anything other than, you know, very laid-back and easygoing.”
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