AMERICAN CKCS CLUB NATIONAL SPECIALTY -06
 

2006 is turning out to be quite a year so far.
How often do you get the opportunity to judge your breed at Crufts and the 11th American Cavalier Club National Specialty both in the one year. The thought of doing the two shows gave me goosebumps and
I was looking forward to both occasions with great anticipation, wondering how the dogs at each
event would compare. It is true that I was left disappointed in the quality in numbers of the male dogs at Crufts. Something that saddened me, as I firmly and proudly believe that British Cavaliers are the best in the world and that is an opinion that I hope I carry with me for the rest of my life.

But I think more breeders in the UK have to raise the bar and keep the quality high. Perhaps the dogs who
have left our shores to come to the States were America's gain and Britian's loss. But this report is about your dogs and my feelings on the progress or deterioration of the Cavalier in North America. It has been several years since I attended a show in the
US where Cavaliers were being exhibited and was
fully expecting to find the places dominated by the imports. Whilst the majority of the top awards today were filled by Cavaliers bred outside of the States I did see, for the first time, more promising class bitches of a good type who were homebred and I truly hope they will come up through the ranks and contribute to the good of the Cavalier in the USA.

So I think we are seeing a change. But please don't get complacent and never settle for anything that is second rate. A poem by your own Henry Wadsworth Longfellow sums it up. "When she was good, she was very, very good. But when she was bad she was horrid". The good dogs were some of the best I have seen anywhere in the world but the worst ones also hold the distinction of being some of the worst. But the important thing was the bad ones were in the minority. Be choosy in what you keep for showing
and breeding and what you ultimately present to
the judge. There is still a lot of work to do but from what I saw some breeders are doing a good job.

I hope this is a trend that will continue. Some concerns. Too many bad mouths, fine bone, pointed muzzles with little fill, some untypical heads. Some credits. Good coats, more correct tail sets than I have seen of late (there are still gay tails but fewer low set ones) and a welcome abundance of good
type on show. Some that just need fine tuning to
go from being ok to admirable. The "Specials" were
a sight for sore eyes. What a feast and so hard to whittle them down to the final few. I was impressed.

I was seeking a dog that on sight would make my heart skip a beat. I was hoping it would be the right size, well made, happy and have that indefineable look of quality. It would fill my eye and and most importantly would wear that invisable cloak of
Cavalier essence that makes our breed so special.

I found it in CH TIMSAR MISS CHIEF. We have a history. I first set eyes on her in the Summer of 2001 at the 3 Counties championship show in England and she so captivated me that at the tender age of 10 months I found her unbeatable and awarded her the CC. She went on to gain her title easily. It was by chance that our paths crossed again in 2002 when I replaced Michael Boothroyd who was ill and I took over and judged his entry at the Welsh Kennel Club show. On that day she disappointed, lacked bloom and did not sparkle. She paid the penalty and the
top awards went to more deserving bitches. So it
was quite a gamble for her owners to show her again 4 years later.

It paid off. She is an ideal size with good bone. Her head is very correct with flat skull, proper length of nose and super dark eyes like saucers.Good neck leads into well placed shoulders and well set tail. Presentation was splendid. Her lavish coat was in great condition and and she sparkled.She sailed around the ring. Has true blue cavalier traits. In her 6th year she looked simply stunning and I was delighted to award her BOB in a hotly contested competition. America obviously agrees with her!

BOS - CH GRANTILLEY GALLIANO - Ideal match
for "Miss Chief". Handsome blenheim boy that appealed enormously. Has great ring presence and stands four square showing off his lovely outline.
Well laid shoulders leading into a firm topline and
well turned stifles finished off by good tail. Loved
his head that was sweet yet distinctly masculine. Wide eyed and lots of cushioning. A real pin up with lots of blenheim coat nicely marked. Strode round
the ring as if he owned it. A great asset for
the breed in North America.

WB & BOW - BENTWOOD HIGH CLASS - .
Luxuriously coated blenheim with lots of glamour.
Felt and looked good on the table and equally impressed on the floor when she went through her paces. Pretty head with cushioned muzzle and soft expression. Even had the lozenge. Loved her clarity. Sensible temperament and showed happily, gently wafting her tail. At the top end of the scales for
a bitch but she is very feminine. First class presentation and a lesson in handling. A credit
to her breeding. .

I regret that an AOM was not given to this exhibit. She should have had one. I was advised that BOB, BOS and BOW did not require one and that winning BOW was a higher award than an AOM. I now
know this is not the case. Although an overseas
judge relies heavily on the steward for guidance the responsibilty lay on my shoulders.
My apologies for this blunder.

BPIS - RATTLEBRIDGE FROM DUSK 'TIL DAWN Exciting blenheim puppy who won despite his
owner's attempts at sabotaging his chances!
Could not deny his excellence. Conceived in the UK and the combination has borne fruit. Classically marked head with flat skull, good filling and balanced muzzle. Eyes fit the standard. Loved his size
and substance. Short well ribbed body with complimentary angles front and rear and topped
by a super tail carriage. Lovely outgoing temperament. At 9 months must be a prospect.

BEST VETERAN - CH PAMEDNA SIR EDWARD Handsome headed tri boy put forward by Dianne Tyssen. Readily agreed his qualities deserved him
Best Veteran and he also "made the cut". 8 years
old who went around the ring with an easy action presenting a clean outline. Handy size with neck, shoulders and topline pleasing. Nicely angulated
rear. Amiable temperament and willing showman presented in sparkling condition.

STUD DOG As well as all the accolades the brick bats also fall on the stud dog. But here was a quartet of successful show dogs who were capably passing on their many attributes to their progeny. The handsome winning blenheim CH HURLEAZE BIRTHDAY BOY stood proudly beside his children who had taken
Best of Winners and an Award of Merit.

BROOD BITCH The strength in our breed lies firmly
on the shoulders of the brood bitches. The winning blenheim EMJO ARRIERE was accompanied by her talented offspring who had aquitted themselves
well over each day of showing. Mother of BPIS

BRACE For the two that looked most like peas in a
pod I opted for Baillie's rubies, both sired by Campanards Mr Sweden At Vesta

The following 6 dogs all carried the breed
essentials that I felt put them closest to the Standard and ahead of the rest of the field.
Their heads held the look of quality that appears when all the correct features figure. Their personalities shone. Their condition was first rate. They were well made.

AOM - CH CASTLEKEEP BARNSTORMER
AOM - CH HURLEAZE BRISTOL BLUE
AOM - CH MILETREE MCNAB .
AOM - KUNRAD VH LAMSLAG
AOM - JENDA PAYDAY
AOM - CH GRANTILLEY NORTHERN FLAME

It gave me no pleasure to excuse all 9 of the Black/Tan bitch class and I know this created
quite a stir. This course of action was not taken lightly but after much deliberation I made the
hard decision to withold the ribbons as in my
opinion the class lacked quality. I found a conglomeration of light eyes, undershot mouths, foreign expressions, pointed muzzles, sooty tan colourings, gay tails, chicken bone and poor construction.

Of course not every dog carried all these faults
but in an Open class the quality should have been higher than what was on show and I found none
that pleased me enough to place. I regret any embarrassment felt but hope my actions will be
taken as constructive criticism. An honest assessment is what should be expected from
any judge and it is a sad day when they will feel reluctant to give their frank feelings because of
any repercussions. Cavaliers have been my life for
a very long time. I owe them so much and I would
be doing our breed an injustice if I veered from what
I consider the best course to allow them to flourish.

The whole week was truly an extravaganza. An International event with breeders from all over
the world descending on Callaway Gardens in
Pine Mountain, Georgia. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and Southern Ireland were all represented. Everyone seemed to be having a
great time and I am sure we all overdosed on Cavaliers. But what a wonderful spectacle.

It was a huge success and I hope that future Specialties will be just as good. It is something not
to be missed. It was a great show and I was
proud to be part of it.