JUDGING THE CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
“THE BREED IS FREE-MOVING AND ELEGANT IN ACTION, EXHIBITING GOOD REACH AND DRIVE, COVERING GROUND WHILE MAINTAINING A LEVEL TOPLINE.”
free-stacked. Handlers should be remind- ed not to get down and pose their dog— and this includes juniors. The Cavalier should be moved on a loose lead and at a medium trot. The breed is free-moving and elegant in action, exhibiting good reach and drive, covering ground while maintaining a level topline. Cavaliers do not single track at the trot, although there is some tendency to con- verge as speed increases. Coming at you, the front legs should also be straight and true; they should not be out at the elbows or exhibit paddling. In profile, the balance of the dog should be obvious, making an elegant picture from nose to end of tail, in one flowing movement, with proud head carriage and good arch of neck, good reach, and making good use of the hind- quarters. Remember, the tail is to be in constant motion. Enjoy the experience of this Royal Spaniel.
males, in particular, will posture and flag when excited, but will drop the tail back naturally when relaxed. Cavaliers come in four lovely flavors: Blenheim, with rich chestnut markings on a clear pearly white ground; Tricolor, with jet-black marking on a field of pearly white and rich tan marking over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, and under the tail; Black and Tan; and Ruby, a whole-colored, rich red. There is no color preference, but heavy ticking on the broken colors is a fault as are white spots on Rubies and Black and Tans. Please keep in mind that the Cavalier is meant to be shown naturally, free-stacked, and the only trimming that is permitted is the hair growing between the pads of the underside of the foot. The Standard states that a trimmed dog is to be so severely penalized as to virtually eliminate it from competition. Judges are expected to respect and enforce this sec- tion of the Standard. Exhibits should be
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. John Ioia and his wife, Barbara, have been involved in purebred dogs since 1971, first with Shih Tzu and now with Cavaliers, breeding and showing in conformation, obedience, and rally. John is licensed for all Toy Breeds, about half of the Terriers and Non-Sporting, Best in Show, and Juniors. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from SUNY Downstate Medical Center and his MD from Albany Medical College. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon, practicing in New York’s Hudson Valley.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2021 | 305
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