Page 33 - ShowSight Presents The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
P. 33
A JUDGE’S
Point of View
by marilyn mayfield, aKC/CKCS, USa JUdge/CKCS Breeder
Iam a judge for both the Ameri- can Kennel Club and the origi- nal Cavalier King Charles Span- iel Club USA, known as the
“Old Club.” I have judged Cavaliers all over the world for many years.
I have been a breeder of Cavaliers for 20 years. I am the breeder/handler of the current #1 Cavalier in Ameri- can Kennel Club and finished over 100 Champions, 26 from the BBE class. However, for this article I am removing my breeder/exhibitor hat and will don my judge hat. I will touch on issues that hopefully exhibitors and judges of Cav- aliers will seriously take to heart.
The numbers of CKCS are increas- ing in this county at an alarming rate, as was predicted by both the National Parent Club and the “Old Club” when the breed was removed from the Miscel- laneous Class and admitted to the Toy Group. Cavalier rescue, which had very little work before AKC recognition, is now bursting at the seams because this charming and loving little breed, once a well kept secret in this coun- try, has now been discovered and are being bred in alarming numbers, by many puppy mills and uneducated back yard breeders.
Entries of 2-5 were normal when Cavaliers were first admitted to the Toy Group. The numbers have climbed considerably, with an average of 25 per show, and many of these entries in the BOB class.
The judges predict quite often, by the winning ribbons they hand out, who will be used for breeding. For this reason it is extremely important the Parent Club continues to educate them, something the Parent Club has fallen down on. I know this because I judge, and NEVER receive reminder letters (like I do from other breeds I judge) on what is expected of judges
regarding how CKCS should be shown and moved, and addressing reminders on trimming, something out of control in this country.
Just being approved to judge Cava- liers does not make that person a good judge of the breed. In the beginning Cavaliers were a “filler” breed and needed for judges to advance through a group: today Cavaliers are a principal big numbers breed, quite often the larg- est Toy entry at a show. Many judges that judge this breed truly have no clue as to what makes a quality Cavalier. Many think they should be dripping in coat, NOT TRUE. Coat is moderate! In fact, the dripping coat is often for hiding faults!
With this in mind, I feel there are some important issues relating to judg- ing (and showing) the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and I will attempt to touch upon a few.
A common judging mistake is allowing exhibitors to race Cavaliers around the ring, with the handler lop- ing like an antelope, and further allow-
ing any han-
dler to be on
the ground
hand stack-
ing. This,
according to
the Parent
Club is not
how the Cav-
alier is to be
shown and at one time years ago, sent letters to the judges stating this. The Cavalier is a natural breed and does not need to be stacked like a statue. I find it interesting that at the Old Club monthly shows, each with the numbers of entries of an AKC Specialty, and pro- fessional handlers only allowed to show dogs they own or co-own, NO ONE runs or gets on the ground. If a judge or prospective judge really wants to learn and cannot go to a National Specialty or at least a specialty, then attend an Old Club show. Mentors are available at all and the quality is high.
I hear judges discussing dogs during lunch or at the Group rings. They say
"the JUdgeS PrediCt qUite often, By the winning riBBonS they hand oUt,
WHO WILL BE USED
FOR BREEDING.
for thiS reaSon it iS extremely imPortant the Parent ClUB ContinUeS to edUCate them, Something the Parent ClUB haS fallen down on."
