Page 306 - ShowSight - November 2019

THE
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
1. Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs?
2. In popularity, Cavaliers currently rank #18 out of 192. Is this huge popularity good or bad? Is it difficult to find breeding stock? Placing puppies?
3. Small dogs can fit into about any situation. Is the Cavalier the ideal household companion?
4. The Cavalier’s attitude is, well, “cavalier.” What about him serves him well in the living room? In the show ring?
5. At what age do you start to see definite signs of show-worthi- ness (or lack thereof)?
6. Showing dogs is not for the faint of heart. What is it that makes it all worthwhile?
7. What is the most important thing about the breed for a novice to keep in mind when judging?
8. What is your ultimate goal for the breed?
9. What is your favorite dog show memory?
10. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
PAULA AYERS
Paula Ayers always enjoyed the companionship of dogs growing up, including several mixed breed dogs, a German Shepherd and a Toy Poodle. After marrying in 1979, she and her husband shared their household with a Cockapoo for 15 wonderful years. In 1992, a Boston Terrier was added to the family which was feisty as ever. We lost Hogan (the Boston Ter- rier) at the ripe old age of 16.
In 1994, Paula’s sister, Brenda Martz, was dogless after the loss
of her beloved elderly Keeshond. She attended a local fun match and there, also watching in the stands, was a couple with two ador- able dogs. After inquiring, Brenda discovered they were Cava- lier King Charles Spaniels and she knew she had found the dog for her! Paula became hooked as well when she joined in Brenda’s search for a breeder. In 1995, Brookhaven Cavaliers was born with the addition of “Luxxar Joyride”, a sweet tri-color female from Paula Campanozzi.
Joy became the foundation of Brookhaven Cavaliers. To date, as a breeder-owner, Paula has finished over 60 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the AKC, and has bred several Best in Show winning AKC and CKCSC, USA Champions. In 2015 it was a Dream Come True to gain an English Title on Eng, CKCSC USA CH and AKC GCH Brookhaven Believe It Or Not “Ripley”. Ripley has been the top Stud Dog in the UK for the past three years and the top Toy Stud dog for the past two years in the UK. In 2018 GCHG Brookhaven Here Comes Hogan checked another box by getting four all-breed best in shows (a very hard accomplishment for a Cavalier).
One of the highest honors to come to Brookhaven Cavaliers was achieving a Legion of Merit (LOM) on Ch Pascavale Enchanted,
LOM and Register of Merits (ROMs) on AKC and CKCSC, USA Ch Brookhaven Fairmont, ROM, AKC and CKCSC, USA Ch Brookhaven Dream Lover, ROM; AKC Ch Orchardhill Brookhav- en Bliss, ROM; Eng.; Ch Pascavale Pancho, ROM; CH Pascavale Stanley, ROM and Ch Pascavale Jamie, ROM. To see the dogs in your house that you believe in, produce the next generation of champions is what every breeder wants to accomplish.
Paula has been involved in many areas in the Clubs including Board member Conyers Kennel Club, and presently President of Cavaliers of Greater Atlanta.
I live in Madison, Georgia (60 miles east of Atlanta) and I work for Southern Company Services in IT.
Is the breed’s huge popularity good or bad? I think being popu- lar can be good and bad. Good because our pet puppies typically go to wonderful loving homes. Bad because being popular can make family’s buy the in thing for the wrong reasons.
It is not difficult to find breeding stock, I mostly breed to my own dogs occasionally going to other reputable breeders.
Puppies are not hard to place as I only have a few litters each year. I normally have people waiting.
Is the Cavalier the ideal household companion? Cavaliers are wonderful pets and do well in most living situations—they are hap- py sitting in your lap or going for a walk in the field.
What about the breed serves them well in the living room and in the show ring? Cavalier’s are very “Cavalier”—they love every- one and everything. In the living room they are great with old and young alike. They also do well with other pets. In the show ring they aim to please so with a little training they are a very happy fun to show dog.
At what age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? I make my first cut around three months. I keep most of my promis- ing puppies to between six months and one year. (Sometimes I still let the great one get away).
What is it that makes showing dogs all worthwhile? Showing dogs is my escape from reality. You do have to have thick skin because some people like to feel good by talking bad about others. What makes it worthwhile—I have to say because of a little small dog I have friends all over the world!
What is the most important thing about the breed for a nov- ice to keep in mind when judging? The Cavalier should be a small sound little dog—moving like a sporting breed and when you take the head in your hands you should feel “Ahh” or “WOW”. Every judge should strive to put up not only type but sound specimens of the breed.
What is my ultimate goal for the breed? For the Breed as a whole is for established breeders to continue to share knowledge about type, soundness and health. The hearts have improved so much over the past 25 years we don’t need to become complacent. My favorite dog show memory has to be when GCH Brookhaven Believe It Or Not was in the UK and I traveled over to see him show in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club Show to watch him win RBIS was truly a dream come true. To know you have bred a dog that can compete and in their country of origin.
304 • ShowSight Magazine, noveMber 2019