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Editors/Publishers:
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Lena Svalling-Ekdahl

Independent, non-profit Magazine covering news
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Cavaliers & Charlies

Special Breeder Portrait - Ricksbury Cavaliers, United Kingdom

We proudly present our Special "Breeder Portrait", this time it's from Ricksbury Cavaliers,
the world famous breeder from United Kingdom. Please enjoy Kevan & Brian's story!

Kevan & Brian, Ricksbury Cavaliers

Ricksbury Cavaliers, United Kingdom

GBCh Ricksbury Royal Hero

GBCH Ricksbury Royal Addiction

Ricksbury Chronicles
Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels

Kevan and I bought our first Cavalier as a pet in 1972. We never bred from her, but did once try showing her, quickly realising although she was a beautiful pet, she was not a show speciman, so we started doing some research, going to shows, looking at dogs we liked and kennels with the breed type we liked, and we approached Susan Burgess (Crisdig) and ordered our foundation bitch. We had to wait for 2 years actually refusing the first one that was offered to us, a rare occurrence in those days.

Eventually we got Crisdig Saucy Sue who was sired by Ch. Crisdig Leading Seaman, Sue being the first litter he ever produced, and her dam was Crisdig Cornish Caper. All our Ricksbury lines stem from this bitch.

I feel we have bred some outstanding Cavaliers over the years. We have bred or owned 24 English Champions, 19 Cavaliers and 5 King Charles Spaniels. Winning over 230 C.C.’s many Groups, and in fact in Graham Fords Book on Breed Statistics, Ricksbury prefix is the successful in the history of the Breed. Something we are proud of, being a very small breeding Kennel

Brian Rix & Kevan Berry
Ricksbury Cavaliers

GBCH Ricksbury Royal Legend (the Breed Record Holder) & Ch Ricksbury Royal Temptress (Bitch Breed Record Holder)

GBCH Ricksbury Royal Mistic & GBCH Ricksbury Tommy

GBCh Ricksbury Royal Temption and GBCh Ricksbury Royal Hero

GBCH Ricksbury Royal Embrace and Ricksbury Its Chico Time (A young hopefull for 2006)

ENG, AKC & CKCSC CH. Ricksbury Royal Intrigue

1. What is the most important issue/aspect in your breeding program?
Breeding for true breed type, without breed type any breed would mean nothing. We also try to breed healthy, sound Cavaliers with good temperaments.

2. According to question 1, have you achieved this in your breeding program?
Yes, we have achieved this, but there is always room to improve.

3. What do you look for when picking a puppy in a litter?
We look for something that conforms to the Standard as near as possible, that has an appealing expression, and a friendly disposition. You are looking for characteristics that are typical of the breed in a small package.

4. In your opinion, which cavalier (present & past) has been the most significant for;
    a) UK (all breeders) Ch Homeranne Caption, in our opinion in the last 35 years has probably had the
                                  greatest influence on the breed.
    b) for your own breeding Bembridge Smooth and Sharp to Ricksbury. Without question the most outstanding dam in the history
                                        of the breed. From 4 litters she produced 10 Champions, including the litter mates Ch Ricksbury Royal
                                        Legend, and his litter sister Ch. Ricksbury Royal Temptress, both are the current breed Record Holders

5. Which cavalier has been the most significant/important that you;
    a) owned Ch Ricksbury Royal Legend, and Ricksbury Royal Temptress. (b) from your own breeding programme .
    b) from your own breeding program When mated to Ch. Ricksbury Tommy, Ch. Ricksbury Royal Temptress produced 2
                                                         Champion daughters in her first litter. One being Ch Ricksbury Royal Embrace, herself a
                                                         group winner, and the beautiful Ch. Ricksbury Royal Temptation. Her next litter produced 2
                                                         more Champions, and to date she has produced 5 Champions.

6. List down below, the best dogs and bitches in each colour?
     BRIAN'S CHOICE
    a) Blenheim dog Ch. Lymrey Royal Reflection of Ricksbury.
    b) Blenheim bitch Ch. Ricksbury Royal Temptress.
    c) Tricolor dog Ch. Salador Celtic Prince
    d) Tricolor bitch Ch. Amantra Bohemian Image
    e) Black/tan dog Lochbuie Gun Smith. 2 c.c.’s and Reserve C.C.’s
    f) Black/tan bitch Ch Harana Nina Simone
    g) Ruby dog Ch. Culverhill Pickpocket
    h) Ruby bitch Ch.Chamanic Lucasta

    KEVAN'S CHOICE
   a) Blenheim dog Ch. Homeranne Caption
    b) Blenheim bitch Ch.Ricksbury Royal Temptress
    c) Tricolor dog Ch. Amantra Roxy Music
    d) Tricolor bitch Ch. Homerbrent Captivation
    e) Black/tan dog Ch. Lochbuie Gunsmith
    f) Black/tan bitch Ch. Millstone Beechking Tansy
    g) Ruby dog Ch. Culverhill Pickpocket
    h) Ruby bitch Ch. Harana Good Golly Miss Molly

7. From the above mentioned Cavaliers – who is the best?
Both Brian and I agree that Ch. Ricksbury Royal Temptress is the best

8. Which moment/memory is your biggest regarding shows/dogs?
When Ch Ricksbury Royal Legend went Best in Show at an all Breeds Chanpionship Show, with over 14,000 entries..

9. Which moment/memory is your worst regarding shows/dogs?
Worst moment is when you loose dogs which are very dear to your heart.

10. What kind of a judge do you prefer showing for?
Judges that judge to a type, rather than Judges who share prizes out.

11. Is there anything that could be changed within the show/dog world?
I think that one area that could have been changed is venues. In many overseas countries, i.e. Australia and New Zealand, many Societies club together and purchase their own showgrounds and facilities, resulting in cheaper entry fees for exhibitors, and not having to find new venues to travel to, because all the venues are centrally located. It is a great shame that our English Kennel Club did not follow the path. Many years ago a famous Judge called Joe Braddon tried to get people to do this, but unfortunately people did not have the foresight to appreciate what could have been.

12. Describe the best puppy-buyer?
The best Puppy buyer is a person that would ask several questions regarding the dogs health, the history of the parents. Always asking you advice on what to feed, and after purchasing a puppy, keeping in regular contact.

13. Any advise to new breeders in Cavaliers?
My advice to any person coming into the Breed is not to go round buying up lots of dogs from different Breeders, and collecting lots of dogs, thinking this is going to be a short cut to success. My advice would be to go to Shows, look at dogs and study pedigrees of dogs that you like, and once you have established the blood lines you prefer try to get a good brood bitch, but be prepared to wait. Good Breeders cannot pull a good dog out of a hat.

14. Any advice to new exhibitors?
Always try to be sporting whether you win or lose.

15. Any other interest except for Cavaliers?
Kevan and I have a keen interest in Theatre, and a great love of wine. But over all of this we love entertaining and having dinner parties at home for our friends.

16. What makes you happy in the show/dog world?
It is always satisfying seeing new puppies enter the ring for the first time and knowing that you are pleased with your results.

17. What makes you pissed off (sorry for the language) and mad?
Ringside gossips with dangerous tongues, creating bad atmospheres round the show ring.

18. Why did you choose the breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
I chose the Breed Cavalier King Charles Spaniels because my family always had spaniels, but Cavaliers with their pretty expressions, wonderful temperaments and ideal size seemed to be the perfect choice for Kevan and I.