cavalier king charles spaniel Q&A WITH STEPHANIE ABRAHAM, CINDY HUGGINS, DR. JOHN V. IOIA, ERICA VENIER, AND LAMONT M. YODER
of dogs is seeing the world from the perspective of my eight- year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, and doing what I can to shape their lives. My first Cavalier was in 1989 and I was immediately smitten with the breed, within months getting a second and started showing. I have had many Toy and Sport- ing breeds. Looking back over the past 27 years in Cavaliers, I realize I focused more on the experience, learnings and rela- tionships with people than tracking the accomplishments that would have allowed me to judge many years ago. Life happens, but I have continued to learn so much and have no regrets with just beginning to judge in the last year. I was honored to have seven specialty invitations within weeks of being approved to judge and was appreciative of two recent short notice international invitations that, unfortunately, would not work out with my work schedule this time. I look forward to judging abroad in the future, as I’ve enjoyed show- ing and attending shows and specialties in eight countries over the past few decades.
at the withers. In this breed, temperament must be a consideration; Cavaliers are joyful companion dogs. Any tendency towards bad temper must be eliminated from consideration in the judge’s mind. Please remember, however, that the tail need not wag constantly while the dog is standing still! Our standard specifies a wagging tail “...when the dog is in action.” We all love to see a wagging tail but a serious show dog might be too intent on his handler to wag constantly while standing. LY: The Cavalier that makes a judge smile from across the ring is one presenting a well-balanced package that is moderate both in body, size and coat matched with the happy Cavalier temperament that is paramount. Yet, the true must have is breed type that comes from head shape and expression when the soulful dark eyes capture your attention by looking at you full of love and joy from a head with a melting expression formed by balance in proportions and shape of the head with correct eye size, color, shape and set that is framed from beautifully natu- ral and correctly set ears. Although head type and expres- sion are the “must haves” that separate the Cavalier from all other spaniels, anything less than the happy tempera- ment or any evidence of trimming or sculpting must not be considered anywhere in the ribbons. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? SA: Yes, too many ultra-short muzzles, too much emphasis on overdone coats. This should be a breed of moderation. CH: Absolutely. Our breed is becoming too exaggerated in size, coat and head shape. Also, although our breed is supposed to be gay and happy, I am now seeing many with hyper energy and OCD. None of these traits are the hallmark of our breed. EV: Pertinent question! As breeders we look for a sweet expression and pretty head. However, the recent trend “THE MOST NOTABLE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAVALIER IS ITS SOFT, MELTING EXPRESSION PRODUCED BY LARGE, DARK ROUND EYES WHICH ARE SET DIRECTLY ON THE FRONT OF THE FACE.”
1. Describe the breed in three words. SA: Gentle, happy and sporting. CH: Gentle, affectionate and playful. JI: Friendly, elegant and graceful. EV: Soft expression; happy. LY: Graceful, balanced and happy.
2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? SA: They must have an uncompromisingly sweet tempera- ment; gentle and melting expression; sound front and rear with balanced angulation; silky coat, not overdone. CH: The first and foremost trait must be their gay tempera- ment. They must also have large, round, dark eyes and moderate size. JI: My “must haves” for the Cavalier are fairly simple. If not for its beautiful head and expression coupled with a gay, active and friendly demeanor, the Cavalier would be a generic spaniel. The Cavalier standard makes this clear in stating that the tail shall be “in constant motion when the dog is in action.” This demonstrates the happy nature of our breed. When I approach a Cavalier I want to be met by a sweet, melting expression. This comes from large, dark brown, lustrous eyes set well apart and with good cushioning under those eyes. While the skull is slightly rounded, the ears when alert should appear to flatten the skull and fan the forward framing the face, adding to the expression. The muzzle completes the picture and should be broad but tapering slightly and the bite should be scissors or level. EV: The most notable characteristic of the Cavalier is its soft, melting expression produced by large, dark round eyes which are set directly on the front of the face. Cushion- ing under the eyes contributes to an angelic sweetness that should drink in the observer. Ears set high help frame the face and accentuate a seemingly level top skull. Profile is also extremely important; balance, shape and proportion both standing and moving must reflect the desired Cavalier shape: slightly longer than the height
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