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The
Bulgarian Pzardshik By
K.D. Spurling (1999) (A
breed section extracted from the upcoming "Complete Encyclopedia Of
Tumbling & Highflying Races" due out Winter 2001.)
(Bulgarian: "Porzarek" or "Pazardsinski bemkalija"
or "Plovdivski beli"). Synonims:
Pasardshik, Porzarek, Plovdivski or Bulgarian Dewlap. Origin:
Bulgaria, City Of Plovdiv. The
Pzardshik is a breed of Bulgarian origin which is still largely an unknown
to the Western World. The breed may have originated in the city of Plovdiv,
as one of its Bulgarian names,"Plovdivski beli" (trans. "whites
from Plovdiv") attempts to indicate. It is theorized, and likely that
this breed's ancestors were introduced to Bulgaria by the Ottomann
Turks centuries ago. Christian
Reichenbach is attributed with the breed's introduction to Germany. At
this writing, roughly a half dozen lofts are found in Germany, where the
breed has taken on the name of "Bulgarian
Dewlap".
Description: The
Pzardshik is a large breed for a flying tumbler, being roughly the size of
a small Racing Homer. The head is round with a full frontal and a bit
long. Some bloodlines have a well pronounced gullet, hence the name "Bulgarian
Dewlap". The eyes are always bull, and the beak long. The body is
strong, well developed and carried horizontal with a wide tail. The wings
are in proportion to the body and rest upon the tail. The feet are free of
feathers. Typically,
the birds are white with the tail retrices laced in black, although some
specimens feature red lacing. Self whites also exist, but are not held in
high regard on the grounds that such pigeons are far more difficult to see
at higher altitudes. It
is interesting to note, that like other Bulgarian breeds, the Pzardshiks
dislike being handled and
react to their keepers with extreme distaste and nervousness. As well, as
in other Bulgarian breeds, their voice is peculiar, with their coo
sounding like "o-o-o-o-o" opposed to the normal voice of other
more traditional breeds.
North American Development: The
Pzardshik is one of the true unknowns of the Tumbler world and has likely
never been introduced, let
alone known to North America.
In The Air: The
Pzardshiks are rolling performers of approximately 30 to 50 feet in depth
and are flown in large kits. However, there is a wide variation of performances and flying abilities in the breed due to some bloodlines being cultivated to meet different ends. It is said that the first birds which Reichenbach introduced to Germany, were primarily highfliers, where as others were genuine roller performers. Duration of the rolling strains is generally about two hours, where as the highflying bloodlines have recorded durations at up to five hours.
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