Russian tracker

The Russian Tracker or Russian Retriever[1] is an extinct breed of domestic dog.[2] It is uncertain precisely when the breed ceased to exist; it could still be found in the late 1800s. The Tracker was of Asiatic Russian origin. It was used for hundreds of years to protect and herd the flocks of the Indo-Aryan people in the wind-beaten, snow-swept Caucasus Mountains.

Russian Tracker
Yellow Russian Retriever
Other namesRussian Retriever
Yellow Russian Retriever
OriginRussia
Breed statusExtinct. Not recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Dog (domestic dog)

The Tracker was a large dog, sometimes standing as high as 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder and weighing 100 pounds (45 kg) or more. Despite its seemingly cumbersome proportions, it was fast and flexible enough to chase off wolves and other such predators that threatened its sheep. It wore a thick, taffy-colored double-coat that protected it from both the harsh weather and the savage wildlife. Aside from its physical prowess, these dogs also had exceptional intellect. It was so wise and capable (legend says) that it could keep itself and its flock alive and well for months on end with no human help.

The breed is related to on some level, and may be synonymous with, the Yellow Russian Retriever, which measured 28 inches (71 cm) and 90 pounds (41 kg).[3][4][5] [upper-alpha 1] This breed was reputed to be used for tracking wounded deer.[3] The Tracker's closest surviving descendant is the Golden Retriever;[1][6] however, the Flat-Coated Retriever and a few of the setters are also believed to carry Tracker blood.[3][4][7][8]

Bibliography

Footnotes
  1. One source takes issue with Mason's inclusion of the breed in his work, and essentially suggests that the facts were mischaracterized or distorted. He claims that Russian mountain dogs are not part of the lineage of Golden Retrievers, although Russian circus dogs might have been. [4] Another source flatly states that the Russian circus dog/Golden Retriever connection is a "myth." [5]

References
  1. "golden retriever". Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. Wells, Reginald (February 14, 1955). "This Chart Shows The Family Tree Of 119 Different Breeds Of Dogs". Sports Illustrated. 2 (7). Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  3. Mason, Walter Esplin (1867- ) (1915). Dogs of All Nations. p. 88. Retrieved October 10, 2012. at Internet Archive
  4. retrieverman (May 1, 2010). "Yellow Retriever". The Retriever, Dog, & Wildlife Blog. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  5. "Golden Retrievers: History". K9web.com. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  6. But see Fox-Strangways, Walter Angelo, The Earl of Ilchester (July 25, 1952). "Origin of the Yellow Retriever". Country Life Magazine (England). Golden Retriever Cub of America. Retrieved October 13, 2012.
  7. Jones, Arthur Frederick (1950). Care and Training of Dogs. Pocket Books.
  8. Jones, Arthur Frederick; Rendel, John Jones; Chandoha, Walter, Photographs (1964). The Treasury of Dogs.

Further reading
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