Q&a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel We are seeing muzzles way too short. And lack of con- sideration of balance and structure. Some breeders seem fixated on head type to the detriment of all else. 6. Has the breed changed from when you started judging? More bone now, more attention to correct temperament. More emphasis on correct movement. 7. Do you find differences in quality between the four color patterns? No difference in quality in the wholecolors and particol- ors. The markings on Blenheims and Tris are icing on the cake and should never be jarring to expression and cosmetics. But I would put up a blanket marked sound and typey Blenheim over a perfectly marked unsound one any day. 8. The breed has a wide weight range. Do you see more dogs at one end of it and what is your preference? Lots of big ones out there in the ring these days. A real pendulum swing from the days of tiny ones. We must never forget that this is a Toy spaniel and pay mind to the ideal height of 12"-13". 9. What do handlers do that you wish they would not? Handlers and some owners are trimming. This is a NO TRIM breed! Judges must pay attention to the very strict NO TRIMMING penalization in the Standard. If they did, this practice would stop. 10. What previously campaigned Cavaliers come close to your ideal? Please explain. Ch Elvenhome Keep Going ROM was a Top Ten Cavalier in the US, born in Australia in 1998 (Jeanie Montford, breeder) and imported to the US. Lovely breed type and temperament, correct size and a great dog to live with for 14 years. 11. How do Cavaliers in the US compare to those around the world?
The US has some of the best dogs the world around and I believe we can compete well anywhere. Breeders have really stepped up since the early days of Cavaliers in this country. 12. Do you have anything else to share? To their credit, Cavalier breeders the world around have embraced health research and testing. The ACKCSC Char- itable (Health) Trust is a model for all breeds. We are now able to make many more informed breeding decisions based on simple blood/cheek swab tests or MRIs. Many, many cavaliers live well into their teens. Our oldest was 16 when she left us.
MEREDITH JOHNSON- SNYDER Rattlebridge Cavaliers
1. Please tell us about your background with the Cavalier.
Ch elvenhome Keep going rom
My late husband and I discovered Cavaliers at the Wind- sor Dog Show in England in 1989 and instantly became besotted with the breed. We began to devote our lives to this most affectionate and loving of breeds. Breeding under the Rattlebridge affix, we have finished well over 100 champions both here and in Europe, bred and or/ owned multiple BIS/BISS number 1 Cavaliers, bred or owned 13 Register of Merit producers and many perfor- mance and therapy dogs as well as beloved family com- panions. I have judged specialties in England, Australia, New Zealand and the States where I have also judged the National. I have written many published articles and a book about the breed and done many judges’ seminars about the salient points of the breed standard. I have
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