Calli wins Best of Breed over a special from the puppy class!

Zabava Ostrov Calypso (pointed) "Calli"

Calli was handled by her new owner Gordon Walter (Kuhinor Borzoi in Bakersfield, CA) to a Best of Breed win over a special from the puppy class.  Calli is a gorgeous and sweet girl and we are so excited for her owners!  Good job Gordon and Carol!

Pookie goes Reserve Best in Show at the International Show!

RBIS Int Ch Zabava Tundra of Tbilisi "Pookie"

Pookie went Reserve Best in Show at the International Show in Atlanta, Georgia.  We are thrilled for Jim, Joyce, and Stephanie!!!

Cognac is JCAC in Switzerland

Ostrov Zabava Cognac "Cognac"

Cognac went to Switzerland and came back with an "excellent" mark and a Junior CAC.  Way to go Franck and Cognac!

Merkusha's son "Camano"

Islehaven Camano at 4 months

A new litter of two boys was whelped at Islehaven Borzoi on Lopez Island, WA on October 20, 2009, sired by our MBISS Am Can Ch Zabava Mercury, JC.  The proud momma is BISS Ch Coburn Seabreeze at Islehaven.  One gold sable spotted male and one self gold sable with full black mask.  To see the puppies, check out their page here.

Tiramiska is a New Champion!!!

Ch Zabava Tiramisu

Tiramiska finished her championship at the BCNC Specialty weekend in Pleasanton, CA.  She was 3rd in Open at the BCNC Specialty, 2nd in Open the next day, and WB for her third major on the third day.  Tiramiska is a gorgeous girl and so sweet!

Masha is RWB at the BCNC Specialty

Zabava Tivoli (major pointed)

Masha was 1st in Bred By and RWB at the BCNC Specialty under judge Carol Spritzer.  Masha has a fabulous sidegait and great structure.

Mira is Best Opposite in Veteran Sweeps and AOM at the BCNC

Ch Zabava Mira

Mira went to the BCNC Specialty and was Best Opposite in Veteran Sweeps, as well as Best Brood Bitch (pictured with her son Ch Zabava Bering Strait and daughter Ch Zabava Barents Sea) and AOM under judge Carol Spritzer. 

Malysh is Best Op in Sweeps and Best in Sweeps in Pleasanton

Zabava Atlantis (major pointed)

Malysh was shown by his new owner Cynthia Jabour to Best Opposite in Sweepstakes at the BCNC Specialty and Best in Sweeps at the BCOA TSE under breeder judge Chris Swilley.  Malysh is a dashing young dog with a light, hard-to-find movement and soundness.  Excellent reach through the shoulder and powerful drive through the stifle --what a stunning mover he is!

Tutta is SBOS!

SBOS Am Can Ch Zabava Winter Berry, JC ROM-C

Tutta was awarded SBOS from the 10+ Veteran Class by judge Dale Simmons at the PSBC Specialty Show (2).  Barbara Solga of Dar Morev Borzoi was handling our special girl both days, and boy did they make a team!  Thank you Barb! 

SBOS Am Can Ch Zabava Winter Berry, JC ROM-C

Tutta being awarded an AOM at the PSBC Specialty (1) by breeder judge Ron Spritzer. 

Roosik is Best Stud Dog

Am Can Ch Zabava Winter Palace CGC

Roosik being awarded Best Stud Dog at the 2009 PSBC Specialty by judge Dale Simmons.  Roosik was shown at nearly 11 years old and loved it. He is pictured here with his sons from two different litters:  Ostrov Zabava Swarovski (x BISS Ch Zabava Monoceros) and Ch Zabava Bering Strait (x Am Can Ch Zabava Mira) Take a look at his page for more photos from that show.

  Tiramiska gets her second major at the TSE!

Zabava Tiramisu (major pointed)

Tiramiska was 2nd in Open at both PSBC specialties, and went on to win the Open Class and the major on the next day under judge Anne Fleming.  Our gorgeous girl is missing just four singles to finish.

Captain goes BOB at the TSE

Ch Zabava Bering Strait

Captain was Best of Breed at the TSE at Sammamish Kennel Club, the day after the PSBC specialties.  The judge was Mrs. Anne Fleming.  Captain went on to make a cut in a very competitive hound group.  Captain flies around the ring and is quite the showman.  Captain is owned, conditioned, and handled by Patricia Wiseman of Ostrov Borzoi.

Malysh goes Best Dog in Puppy Sweeps in Lompoc

Zabava Atlantis (major pointed)

Malysh was Best Dog in Puppy Sweeps at the BCOC Specialty in Lompoc, CA under breeder-judge Mary Childs (Wind n' Satin).  This eye-catching Borzoi with classic looks now lives in West Hollywood with Cynthia and Robert Jabour and his aunt Tyapa (Ch Zabava Barents Sea).  Malysh went WD/BOW his first time out with Cynthia at the Santa Barbara Kennel Club show.

Tochka goes Best in Veteran Sweeps and AOM in Lompoc

SBOS Am Ch Zabava Mimosa, JC

Tochka went to Lompoc, where she started her show career with a Best Bitch in Puppy Sweeps win back in 2003.  She attained Best Veteran Bitch in Sweeps from breeder judge Mary Childs and an AOM under breeder judge Barbara Ewing.  Tochka had many compliments from judges and fellow exhibitors and her only son Malysh did pretty well, too (see above).  That's our girl!  She smiles, too!

Merkusha is BOB at Lompoc KC and AOM at the BCOC

MBISS Am Can Ch Zabava Mercury, JC

Merkusha gained an AOM from breeder-judge Barbara Ewing and a breed win at the Lompoc Kennel Club under Mrs. Cathy Smith (Australia).  What a beautiful boy, he looks and acts so young, it is hard to believe he is a veteran!

Dandy goes Best of Breed!

Zabava Fandango (major pointed)

Dandy went to a local show and came back with a Best of Breed over three top quality specials.  This sweet and funny boy is very special to our hearts.  This Borzoi is elegant and typey, and he moves, too!  Thank you to Phyllis Potter (Islehaven Borzoi) for showing Dandy in breed!!!  Dandy has a total of six points and now he should be coming out more.  He was always in the ribbons in Lompoc and gained a RWD to a major the day after the PSBC Specialty.

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Zabava Tupolev

Sweet Alexei, how you are missed...

Strelka has a litter of 9 puppies!!!

BISS Am Ch Zabava Monoceros delivered a litter of 9 puppies (2D/7B) on May 3, 2009. The sire is Am Ch Zabava Bering Strait.  This litter is co-bred with Patricia Wiseman, and was born and will be raised at Ostrov Borzoi on Lopez Island.  See more information on the Puppies Page.

Tiramiska receives a major

Zabava Tiramisu (major pointed) "Tiramiska"

Tiramiska is half way to her title!  We have shown her only at a handful of shows and specialties, but this girl sure catches the judges' and fellow exhibitors' eyes!  Thank you to everyone for the nice compliments on our special girl.  What a sweet and beautiful Borzoi, we are so happy with her!

Toby is a new champion

Am Ch Zabava Tabasco, JC "Toby"

Toby finished his championship title with a major at Seattle Kennel Club.  Toby was owner- handled to all of his wins and we are thrilled for Lisa and Rich and their first champion! Toby was Reserve Winners Dog at the Borzoi Club of California at just 2 years of age, he made the final cut of 5 in the very competitive Bred By Class at the National at under two years of age.  He is also a Best of Breed winner from the classes over specials. Toby is Merkusha's son.  This happy-go-lucky guy brings a smile to everyone's face! 

Masha gets a major at Seattle Kennel Club

Zabava Tivoli (major pointed) "Masha"

Masha has only been to three weekends of shows, and Seattle Kennel Club was her first indoor show.  She absolutely loved it--she is one of those dogs that wag their tails as they go around the ring and crowds around the van ready to go in the morning.  Masha was 1st in a tough Bred-By at the TSE show this summer under breeder judge Amy Sorbie, and 2nd in Open at the PSBC specialty.  Masha is Merkusha's daughter.

Malysh is major pointed from the 6-9 class

Zabava Atlantis (major pointed)

Malysh was WD at Rose City Classic in Portland, OR for a major from the 6-9 class.  He was reserve the other three days.  Malysh has 4 points so far.  Malysh has the proud pedigree of being the son of the #1 Borzoi in 2008 (MBISS Ch Po Dusham Royalist) and nephew of the #2 Borzoi in 2008 (MBISS Ch Zabava Mercury, JC).  Malysh's mom is Best Opposite in Specialty, Specialty AOM, and Specialty BOW winner (SBOS Ch Zabava Mimosa, JC).  Malysh was a singleton and is well worth his weight in gold!

Tyapa is a New Champion!!!

Am Ch Zabava Barents Sea

Tyapa finished on Saturday at the Palm Springs, California shows.  We are thrilled for this pretty girl and her wonderful owner and handler Cynthia Jabour, who put all Tyapa's points on her!!!  The human contingent celebrated with champagne!  Watch for this gorgeous, sound, and sweet girl in the specials ring!

Merkusha is the #2 Borzoi in the United States!

MBISS Am Can Ch Zabava Mercury, JC, Borzoi National Specialty BOSS

Our homebred Merkusha has had an incredible show record in 2008:

 Number 2 Borzoi in the United States, Breed Points

 Number 5 Borzoi in the United States, All Breed Points

Number 1 Owner/Breeder Handled Borzoi in the United States

Best in Specialty Winner at 3 U.S. Specialties in 2008

 Merkusha won three specialties on the West Coast in 2008:  Borzoi Club of California--Lompoc, CA (breeder-judge Carol Spritzer), Puget Sound Borzoi Club--Redmond, WA (judge Diane McCormack), and Borzoi Club of Northern California--Pleasanton, CA (breeder-judge Nadine Johnson).  Merkusha also won two large Trophy Supported Entry shows--under breeder-judges Amy Sorbie and Saija Juutilainen (Finland).   He is a multiple Hound Group Winner and placer.   Merkusha was Best of Opposite Sex to BOB at the 2005 Borzoi Club of America National Specialty under breeder judge Jim Sillers at the young age of 2.5 years.  This year, Merkusha has only been shown either at some of the local shows or specialty weekends.  Many things prevented us from attending more shows with him--business trips, Kristina's scheduled heart valve repair surgery in September, travel to the Borzoi Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia and the World Show in Sweden, as well as Merkusha's scary escape in September and his month-long recovery afterwards.  Wow!  What an exciting year for us and this fabulous hound!  We thank everyone on both sides of the Atlantic for supporting and complimenting our Merkusha.  Merkusha is at stud to approved bitches.  Frozen semen available.

Here're some picture of our handsome guy with mom!

Merkusha with mom

Merkusha, the Stud Dog

Merkusha is pictured in the middle with judge Prudence Hlatky at the 2008 PSBC specialty (1) with some of his kids (from the left) Zabava Tabasco (4th in Open), Zabava Tivoli (2nd in Open), Zabava Flamenco (1st in Open and RWD), and Zabava Tiramisu (4th in Open).  A huge thanks to Suzanne Degli for helping us out in Stud dog and Best of Breed with Mira!

Captain is a New Champion and Specialty Winner!

Am Ch Zabava Bering Strait "Captain"

Captain was WD/BOW at the BCNC Specialty in Pleasanton for his final points.  Captain's owner and our friend Patricia Wiseman always does such a fantastic job showing him.  Captain is an enthusiastic show dog and in Pleasanton he had a great weekend:  finishing at the specialty and receiving an AOM at the TSE show.

Tutta gets an AOM and Best Brood Bitch

Am Can Ch Zabava Winter Berry, JC ROM-C "Tutta"

Tutta came out to attend the 2008 PSBC Specialty, just weeks shy of her 10th birthday.  Judge Diane McCormack gave Tutta an Award of Merit and Best Brood Bitch. Tutta demanded to attend the club dinner held outside afterwards, where Her Majesty found many fans.  A huge thanks to Toby Brandtman for handling Tutta in Best of Breed!!!

Tutta (3rd from the left) pictured above with some of her kids (from the left) Zabava Tiramisu (4th in Open), Zabava Tivoli (2nd in Open), Ch Zabava Mars, JC (made the final cut), MBISS Ch Zabava Mercury, JC (BISS), Ch Zabava Mira (made the final cut), and Zabava Tabasco (4th in Open).  Thank you judge Diane McCormack!!!

Busya aka Boo is a New Champion and Specialty Winner!!!

Am Ch Zabava Black Sea "Busya"

Busya was WB at the Puget Sound Borzoi Club Specialty under judge Diane McCormack.  We are so proud of our new specialty-winning champion, who is a personality plus!  Boo also got a JC leg this summer and will be coming out to complete the title.

Bizet is RWD at the PSBC Specialty!!!

Zabava Flamenco "Bizet" (major pointed)

Bizet came up north with his owners and attended the PSBC specialty weekend.  He was 2nd in Open under judge Prudence Hlatky, 1st in Open and RWD under judge Diane McCormack and 1st in Open under judge Amy Sorbie.  This truly stunning Borzoi just needs a 3 point major to finish.  Bizet was shown to all his points by his owner Marilyn Laudenslager.  Bizet excels in soundness, balanced movement, type, and coat. Straight tail, scissors bite, full dentition, dark eyes and pigment and small high-set ears complete the picture.  We are so proud of Bizet and Marilyn!!! Bizet is Merkusha's son.

Tiramisu is RWB at the TSE Show

Zabava Tiramisu (pointed) "Tiramiska"

Tiramiska came out to play at the PSBC specialty weekend.  She was 2nd in Open under Prudence Hlatky, 4th in Open under Diane McCormack, and 2nd in Open and RWB under Amy Sorbie.  We think this BOB winner has a bright future ahead of her!  Tiramiska is Merkusha's daughter.