MSBIS Am Can Ch Zabava Mercury, JC ROM-C* “Merkusha”

Mariza Forever Glacial x SBOS Am Can Ch Zabava Winter Berry, JC* ROMX-C

July 11, 2002 — December 16, 2010

Bred and Owned by Irina Terra & Kristina Terra, Zabava Borzoi

Normal for Heart, Eyes, Thyroid & DM (N/N), CHIC

Merkusha was very active, friendly, care-free and confident–a true clown at Zabava.  He kept everyone smiling, and grinned himself quite a bit, too.  Merkusha was one of the smartest dogs we have owned.. He had gorgeous angles, great front assembly, long stallion neck, long straight tail, small high-set ears, and dark eyes and pigment.  He was a very functional, balanced, and structurally sound hound with great speed and agility at a gallop and effortless light-footed movement at a trot.  Merkusha started his stellar show career at the Borzoi Club of Northern California following the National Show, where he won the 9-12 Sweepstakes Class under the respected breeder judge Mr. Edd Ablett of Aristoff Borzoi.  Edd told us that Merkusha was going to grow into a “magnificent Borzoi”.  Merkusha has proven him right and has gotten many compliments from other breeders and judges present at that National and every specialty show he had attended since.  The list of Merkusha’s accomplishments is long indeed:  Best Opposite at the Borzoi Club of America National Specialty in 2005, 3 SBIS wins, 4 SBOS wins, 2 TSE BOB wins, 3 TSE AOMs.  In 2008, Merkusha was the #1 Breeder-Owner-Handled Borzoi in the United States, #2 Borzoi (Breed System), #5 Borzoi (All-Breed System) with very limited showing. Merkusha has sired 5 litters, two for Zabava (see F Litter and T Litter), one for Bunny Kelley of Kelcorov Borzoi, one for Phyllis Potter of Islehaven Borzoi, and one for Robin Riel of Aashtoria Borzoi.  Merkusha died after a tragic collision in the yard.   We miss him bouncing, grinning, running between our legs like a circus dog, watching TV, and most of all, we miss the twinkle in his eyes.  Merkusha was once-in-a lifetime Borzoi boy…

Some of Merkusha’s accomplishments include:

• SBOS at the 2005 Borzoi Club of America National Specialty, breed specialist Dr. Jim Sillers (Seabury Borzoi)

• #1 Borzoi (Owner-Handled), #2 Borzoi (Breed Points), #5 Borzoi (All Breed Points) in 2008

•SBIS at the 2008 BCNC Specialty, breeder judge Nadine Johnson (Rising Star Borzoi)

• SBIS at the 2008 BCOC Specialty, breeder judge Carol Spritzer

•  BISS at the 2008 PSBC Specialty, judge Diane McCormack

• AOM at the 2009 BCOC Specialty, breeder judge Barbara Ewing (Kirov Borzoi)

• AOM at the 2008 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Prudence Hlatky (Soyara Borzoi)

• Best Stud Dog, 2008 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Prudence Hlatky (Soyara Borzoi)

• AOM at the 2008 BCNC Specialty, breeder judge Karen Dumke (Nonsuch Borzoi)

• BOB at the 2009 Lompoc KC under judge Cathy Smith (Australia)

• BOB at the 2008 PSBC TSE, breeder judge Amy Sorbie (Kyrov Borzoi)

• BOB at the 2008 BCOC TSE, judge Seija Juutilainen (Finland)

• BOSS at the 2007 BCNC Specialty, breeder judge Amy Sorbie (Kyrov Borzoi)

• BOSS at the 2007 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Barbara Ewing (Kirov Borzoi)

• Best Stud Dog, 2007 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Barbara Ewing (Kirov Borzoi)

• BOSS, 2006 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Dr. Jim Sillers (Seabury Borzoi)

• AOM , 2006 BCOC Specialty, breeder judge Kalen Dumke (Nonsuch Borzoi)

• Best in Puppy Sweepstakes, 2003 BCOC Specialty, judge Ken Burton (Kifka Borzoi)

• WD 2003 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Kalen Dumke (Nonsuch Borzoi)

• BOW BCOA TSE in Pleasanton, CA, breeder judge Barbara Binder (Del Viento Borzoi)

• WD/AOM, 2003 PSBC Specialty, breeder judge Nadine Johnson (Rising Star Borzoi)

• Finished Canadian Championship with group placements

• #5 Borzoi in Canada in 2004, no campaigning

• Multiple group placements in the United States

• Group One, breeder judge Ms. Mary Ellen Companion, May 2006

• Group One, Mr. Eric Liebes, April 2008

Merkusha is from our M Litter, which also includes:

Am Can Ch Zabava Mars, JC* “Listik”

MRBIS Jp Am Can Ch Zabava Meteor* “Vassia”

2007 Top Ten Am Ch Zabava Milky Way, JC CGC “Philip”

BISS Am Ch Zabava Monoceros* ROM-C “Strelka”

SBOS Am Ch Zabava Mimosa, JC*  “Tochka”

Am Can Ch Zabava Mira* “Mira”

Merkusha’s Pedigree

Merkusha at younger ages: