Prudence Hlatky - Soyara Borzoi

Breeder Interview By Allan Reznik

Where did you grow up?

The world. My father worked for the United Nations. Growing up, we had extensive assignments in eight countries, then short-term assignments in another 15 countries. We’d go from one side of the world to the other. At one time, I spoke six languages. Now I speak English with an accent.

Do you come from a doggie family? And, if not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?

Somewhat. My grandparent in New Zealand raised Whippets, and my mother and uncle continued with them. She stopped when we started traveling. Although we traveled extensively, we were a household that always had animals. Frequently, a dog or two traveled with us. Growing up in a British household, I also spent a lot of time riding. I’m a typical story of my generation. My love of animals led me to wanting to become a vet. My parents’ response was: “You are not going to go to college, you’re going to get married.” I put myself through college. I got into dogs and now pay vets lots of money. For my very first Borzoi, I traded the breeder an Indian sitar for a young female. She became my first champion.

Who were your mentors in the sport? Please elaborate on their influence.

I was very fortunate with my earliest mentors as they were the backbone of Borzoi breeding in the 1940s through the ‘70s. Dr. Charles and Grace Conally of Vala Rama Borzoi were my first mentors. Doc was a Hound Group judge who mentored me in the finer points of breed type, movement, and being very objective in evaluating my dogs. Grace mentored me on handling and the importance of a stellar presentation of your dog. I still remember her saying about a dog, “I don’t need to show something like that.” Meaning, only show your best. This still holds true, when a respected Hound judge stated the dog I had shown him was not what he expected from me. Russ and Cleoh Everhart of Trezor Borzoi strongly influenced me in understanding breed type with function. James Barr of Sunbarr Borzoi imported Borzoi from around the world that had a lasting impact on the breed. I’m truly indebted to him for his wisdom and breeding guidance. I followed his advice to “look outside your backyard” for what best enhances the positive qualities of your females. Then I was very fortunate to be invited to sit at the feet of numerous top breeders at the benched Detroit Specialty, with Borzoi entries of 200 to 300-plus dogs. This gallery of experts evaluated almost every Borzoi shown, with the positives being highlighted. From them I learned to find five positives before listing a negative.

All these mentors were also very active in the breed and in local dog clubs. Being in dogs meant being active in clubs. I’m currently on the Borzoi Club of America board as the club’s AKC Delegate.

The Soyara Borzoi are well known and highly successful. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Only breed the best that you have to the best male that you can find. I don’t breed a lot. My past practice had to keep my female line strong and breed to quality outside males. Does the male strengthen the female’s best points? Will they improve the areas that need improving? Know the dogs behind the dog that you are breeding to. Study the pedigrees for consistency of breed type and features. Are what you’re looking for consistently coming through in their offspring? First is temperament, second health, then breed type and function. Function is integral to breed type.

Just breeding pedigrees without knowing this is no better than stapling two pieces of paper together.

I was asked which litter was my best? There wasn’t a single litter. What I’m proud of is when a ROM then produces multiple generations of ROMs, with multiple No. 1 Borzoi, National Specialty BOB winners, and BIS/SBIS winners.

I’ve had Specialty-winning bitches not be bred because they were not the best in my kennel at that time. I only breed a litter every three to five years and they never got a turn.

I’ve refused sales and frequently have refused stud services. Until recently, I hadn’t let my dogs go, but I have realized I was concentrating on my current pick and letting other quality dogs sit at home when they could have had a positive impact on the breed if they had been shared.

How many dogs do you typically house? Tell us about your current facilities and how the dogs are maintained.

I’ve tried to keep it within the range of 10 to 15, occasionally going higher. I’m very fortunate that I have the resources both financially and physically to keep what I’ve bred. I have both house dogs and kennel dogs. We live on acreage south of Houston, Texas. Our kennel building has six large indoor/outdoor pens, each capable of holding multiple Borzoi. Several indoor pens open into each other and all the outside runs can be opened up to one large run. The outdoor runs have enough room for the dogs to reach a double-suspension gallop. Weather permitting, they get to run the acreage. The kennel has a Jog-a-Dog to maintain the dogs in condition when the heat and humidity of Houston limits outside running time. It also has a washing and grooming area. I’d hate to tell you what the electricity bill is for running multiple air conditioners, ceiling and floor fans.

Please comment positively on the present condition of your breed, and what trends might bear watching.

There are some excellent Borzoi out there. Unfortunately, you usually only see them at the National and Regional Specialties, and major shows. The typical show usually has average- to poor-quality Borzoi, in my opinion. The shrinking of the breed’s numbers has allowed these dogs to become more prevalent. When the Breed entries were larger, these dogs just didn’t make it in competition. Breeders, be very objective about your dogs. Talk to other breeders and get their objective opinions.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began as an exhibitor and breeder. What are your thoughts on the current state of the fancy and the declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?

I’ve been showing Borzoi for about 55 years. I go against the grain when I state that not every Borzoi in your kennel must be bred. Go for quality. The best to the best. Hopefully your best conformation and performance Borzoi are one and the same. Share your good dogs. Be a mentor, welcome newcomers, say hello, be objective but kind. If their dog isn’t something that should be bred, introduce them to other activities they can enjoy with their dog. I have friends going back 30 years who started with a companion Borzoi from me.

Use the knowledge of older breeders. Some of us might have seen or judged every dog in your five-generation pedigree. I’ll look at a litter and think, “Why did they do that breeding?” Develop mentors outside your immediate dog family. Before you breed, talk to others who have used one of the parents. What was good, and what needed to be improved?

Be objective. Frequently, Breed judging is videotaped. How did your dog look and move? Were you an asset or were you lacking? I’ll look at photos of a lineup, and see that toplines are going every which way, and handling is sloppy. Dog shows cost a lot; make sure you bring your A dog and your A game.

Health no longer permits me to handle my own dogs. In my prime, my male, Dutch, won the very first Eukanuba NOHS Hound Group in Florida. My last homebred special, Delilah, is a GCH-P and a NOHS-P, the only Borzoi to achieve these two titles together.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?

I make a lifetime commitment to be there for any dog I’ve bred or provided stud service for. I’m at an age when I have to say that, if I breed now, I may not be able to fulfill this pledge. I currently have several younger girls that, unfortunately, will not be bred because of my age.

Finally, tell us a little about Prudence outside of dogs… your occupation, your hobbies.

My occupation is retired, and traveling around the country showing my latest special, Varus. I traveled all my younger years, getting uprooted every couple of years. So, I really wanted to have a stable home life. Now I’m ready to start traveling again. Otherwise, I love to garden, raising plants that are bird, bee, and butterfly friendly. I used to love collecting antiques and Borzoi artifacts. I’m now downsizing and sharing them with others.