Page 214 - ShowSight - February 2020

Toy Group Q & A
“CAVALIER ENTHUSIASTS ARE INTERESTED AND INFORMED
ABOUT THE BREED THE WORLD OVER. WE HAVE STRONG
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
AMONG BREEDERS. I THINK THIS HAS HELPED US IMPROVE
BREED TYPE AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE US WELL.”
Erica Venier & Rachel Venier continued
National Specialty winners including the 2019 National Specialty winner, USA/AKC GChS Orchard Hill Inclusive.
Orchard Hill is quite literally located on a southern facing hill outside of Reading, Pennsylvania. For the last forty-five years we have been fortunate to be able to use our ten-acre property as a home base for all of our dog and horse activities.
Although we no longer keep horses the lessons learned from them have been an invaluable help in the development of ourselves as breeders and, as importantly, as educated stock men. “Outside” of dogs Rachel works as an attorney for the United States Govern- ment. I was an art major and I am still interested in the fine arts but almost every moment of my time is spent working with the dogs.
A brief overview of our experience as a breeder:
EV: I began breeding and showing Shelties on a limited basis in 1974. I was fortunate enough to have bought a very well-made Sheltie bitch who was perhaps not as gorgeous as some of her com- petitors; her blaze was distracting and her head of an older style. But her shape, balance and way of going were impressive; she won a major by winning the Working Group and taught me what floating movement looks and feels like. I brought that knowledge with me when buying our first Cavalier, an eventual Toy Group winner who became the basis of our breeding program and is behind every dog we own today.
RV: Growing up, Mom taught me the fundamentals of type, structure and movement. Watching the Shelties play, Mom would candidly evaluate each dog for me. Even if I was too young to fully- absorb the lessons when they began, they lasted through my life- time. I focused on campaigning show hunters through my child- hood, but came back to dogs in my last year of college.
Our breed described in three words:
EV: Innocent, joyful and sporting.
RV: Gay, moderate and natural.
How does our breed rank in popularity among other Toy breeds? EV: Unfortunately Cavaliers have become wildly popular in this
country over the last twenty-five years. As we all know, with enor- mous popularity comes great responsibility for serious breeders. At Orchard Hill we attempt to protect our dogs as much as possible by placing the majority of them in pet homes to be neutered. We are careful to share our best dogs with trusted friends whom we feel will be as responsible to the breed as we have always been.
Does our breed get its fair share of attention in the Group?
EV: This is a dangerous question! At the risk of stepping out of line, I firmly believe the enormous popularity of the breed has meant that many Cavaliers are shown which may not be up to the challenge of placing in the Group. This is not meant as a stinging criticism but rather as a pragmatic way of looking at our current situation. Cavaliers have improved enormously over the last twen- ty-five years; as more talented breeders try to compete in the Toy Group one hopes that they will continue to recognize the impor- tance of breeding for the overall animal, rather than concentrating merely on the head. With hard work and painful self-reflection the breed can continue to improve. And as that process unfolds more Cavaliers will be recognized in the Group.
RV: We breed to the objective Standard, recognizing that everyone subjectively interprets it. Our interpretation of the Stan- dard is a structurally sound dog of quintessential Cavalier type.
We consider soundness to be a part of proper breed type. Every breed has a defined structure and movement that is correct for that individual breed. A dog with proper breed structure will have the correct breed outline standing and on the move. Well-set shoulders and a properly angulated rear will give a Cavalier reach and drive, but will also contribute to the proper Cavalier outline both baiting and moving. When we view a Cavalier across the ring we want to see the outline of a Cavalier, not an American Cocker or English Toy Spaniel.
Focusing on correct make and shape has meant that we occa- sionally place beautiful dogs in pet homes because of a structural fault that we do not want to present in the ring or introduce into our breeding program. But we hope that we are coming closer to producing the ideal Cavalier (that we hold in our mind’s eye) by focusing on breeding dogs that are correctly made as well as pretty. And hopefully sound, pretty dogs will be recognized in the Group.
What is the largest health concern facing our breed today?
EV: Although, of course, Mitral Valve Disease is always on the minds of responsible Cavalier breeders, I believe the most serious health concern facing our breed today is rampant popularity. Think about it: any breed which becomes wildly popular will suffer from indiscriminate breeding practices among those people looking for instant gratification. To their great credit most serious breeders appear to be diligent about health testing and, when possible, elimi- nating effected dogs from the gene pool. Cavalier breeders need to put the interest of the Breed ahead of their own self-interest. And happily, many of us do just that.
Any trends we see in our breed that we believe need to continue or like to see stopped?
EV: This is an important question for Cavaliers currently. The outgoing temperament of a Cavalier must remain a benchmark of the breed. No excuses. Timidity or aggression may be well-hidden by skilled handlers but equally clever judges can easily spot these serious flaws. Judges, when you suspect a dog has a less than ideal temperament please do not ignore your suspicion. As judges we do the breed a great disservice when we reward poor temperament, regardless of who owns or handles the dog.
RV: A positive trend: Cavalier enthusiasts are interested and informed about the breed the world over. We have strong interna- tional communication and collaboration among breeders. I think this has helped us improve breed type and should continue to serve us well. And a note of caution: the hallmark of a Cavalier is his joy- ful temperament. His ears are up, his tail is in motion when on the move, his body language “smiles.” He must never be sharp or shy. The responsibility to preserve correct temperament begins with the breeders. We must be honest with ourselves and not breed from any dog exhibiting fearfulness or aggression. Temperament breeds on.
To whom do we owe the most?
EV: My artist parents; Ernesto Lara, Peter Green and Beth Sweigart.
RV: My mother has, of course, been and continues to be my primary mentor. She sees dogs with an artist’s eye while at the same time seeing every detail of structure soundness and type. She is a perfectionist. It keeps me sharp and helps me stay brutally honest with myself when evaluating our own dogs.
212 • ShowSight Magazine, February 2020