Breed Standard - Part 1: The Head

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeder/judge explains the Breed Standard in a series of videos. Part 1 focuses on the various elements of the head.

[@francescrocker3878]

Tag was truly perfect in every way. She reminds me of my sweet Annie who passed July 14 2023. Brings tears to my eyes when looking at Tag; I could weep forever but feel blessed by her enduring love.

[@babsgrigg3552]

Beautiful dog!!! Love her🐶

[@dogie1070]

Tag is so sweet in every way. She’s a poster dog for the CKC spaniel 💕🐶💕

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Tag has a real talent for napping. She does it beautifully, and she's fully relaxed. No anxiety is visible.

[@patbee2270]

Tag is one beautiful cavalier lady. A great ambassador for the breed. I'm sure she keeps her beautiful looks and sweet disposition by getting lots of rest, and of course playing with the younger ones too. Thanks for demonstrating the info on cavalier breed standard.

[@beverlyfrazier4370]

Thank you for teaching us all about the cavilier breed standard. I've been thinking about enrolling Chester in some competitions.

[@chaskat35]

I'm working on another series of videos on how to get involved in showing. Watch out for it.

[@jscook54]

This was a terrific explanation of part of the breed standard. And no wonder she is a Champion and her sister Boo a Grand Champion. What a litter that was!

[@julievanderleest]

Your channel is so fascinating. Before I came across your channel, I knew nothing about what judges look for in dog shows. I thought that it was all about looking well groomed and walking nicely. I have a whole new appreciation for the dog shows and I wish they would show more shows with just the breed instead of all the different breeds. I learn so much more about the dogs individually and see how they each are different, even though they are the same breed. Kinda like people from the same nationality. We may come from the same country but we are all different and unique.☺️

[@chaskat35]

I agree. When big shows like Westminster come along, don't focus so much on the TV coverage, which is just the group competition. You can view the full breed competition on their website. If you're lucky enough to be in the area, you can be ringside for it! Of course, COVID has changed all of that, but I hope to be back at ringside within another year or two. There's nothing like seeing 30 or 40 of the best Cavaliers in the country in one ring. If you want a good laugh, you can watch a short video of me showing Derby (Boo and Tag's mother) in the Westminster breed competition: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoKpZIttgdCtp5o

[@LisaLovesBags]

Aloha, I am so glad that I ran across your channel, we are #10 on a waiting list for our first puppy. I am super excited and am bingeing your videos. Tag, Apple, and Snapchat are my favorites so far.

[@kaddyd1815]

Very informative….thank you! And thank you Tag, go take your nap…

[@iceberrypink4350]

Lovely Tag, what a beautiful cavalier.

[@katrienwatelle4499]

Very interesting video! Thanks to you and Tag!

[@marytheresa5621]

I often wondered how to interpret some of the breed standard definitions. Thanks Charlie! Tag is the perfect model!

[@Grannyblack]

Excellent presentation!! Thank you!🐶

[@sabrinafair6112]

Tag, you are a champion in every way!

[@nicolarivett569]

Love your videos thank you for all this information that you are sharing

[@acavalierdiary]

I’m so excited for these videos!! Thank you!

[@chaskat35]

I owe you one for the ideas!

[@lelialar]

Love! Thank you so much for this series! Always wanted to know. Also what’s going on during the actual shows!

[@aaareis12]

Great video! There's not much information about this theme.

[@maureenbrooks6171]

Such a pretty girl.

[@rosemaryrussell1871]

Hi Charlie thanks for a great explanation of head shape. Wondering if it is possible then to discuss how this translates to puppies?

[@carmaarmstrong9743]

Tag is so beautiful. Just curious…How many shows has she been in and how many blue ribbons? Thanks Charlie!!!

[@chaskat35]

I'd have to go digging through records to give you an accurate answer. She is an AKC Champion, and she won her class (blue ribbon) many times. After winning her class, she went on to take top honors under at least 10 different judges. In the Cavalier Club, she never achieved a Championship, but again she won her class numerous times. Just before COVID hit, she was still very competitive at 7 years of age, and she made the final cut a number of times. Had it not been for the disrluption caused by the pandemic, she might have had a chance to take top honors at one of those big specialty shows.

[@carmaarmstrong9743]

@@chaskat35thank you! She is a true champion!!!!

[@johnedwards5575]

I took a moment to compare Tag to my little 8 month cavalier, Cedar. Tag’s fur appears quite light in comparison to my Blenheim, and she has some white for the eyebrow area. Is that… age related? My guy unfortunately isn’t a Brad Pitt of the cavalier world. He was born with an expressive black heart like a Care Bear on his nose that transitioned to a mushroom, to now a distinct pink slash between two dark spots that will be frowned upon, but he’s so good with me, people and other dogs, and he’s one of a kind.

[@chaskat35]

They do tend to lighten when they are senior citizens, and Tag has lost some of her pigment. Actually, the dark chesnut shade of tan is prized in a Blenheim. The flesh marks on the nose are frowned upon for a show dog, but they certainly don't do any harm.

[@cathypearson1889]

Sweet Tag, such a good girl 🥰

[@michelleomahony9748]

Very nice video, but before a dog is given any award do you check them for the 2 main health issues in this breed? Syringomyelia and mitral valve disease specifically. I thinks its unethical to breed any cavalier unless the dog has been checked by a vet for both. Interested to hear your thoughts? Thanks

[@chaskat35]

Good breeders always get full health clearances before breeding a dog. However, not all show dogs are bred, and there is no mention of clearance from diseases in the Breed Standard. As a result, there is no requirement for health testing before a show dog is given an award. There is one semi-exception to that rule. In the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club USA, which has its own specialty shows and awards its own Champioships, we have a special class called Health and Conformation. In order to enter a Cavalier in this class, the owner has to provide proof that the dog was cleared within a year of heart disease, eye problems, hip dysplasia, and luxating patella. A dog that wins that class is both healthy and good in conformation.

[@michelleomahony9748]

@@chaskat35 thank you for your reply. That is very interesting to learn about the health and confirmation class, I didnt understand how the dogs are judged but I understand better now. I had a cavalier that unfortunately had lots of health problems so I guess i would like to see all dogs health checked before breeding. I hope some day the health check is necessary for all classes. But thank you for the information. I live in Ireland so its great to learn how it works in different countries 😃 You have some lovely dogs they make me miss my dog when I see them

[@grazynak.7927]

🥰🐕

[@Pmjs]

Skye&Prince were 100% Cavalier yet Skye's face looked similar to the English Toy Spaniel.

[@cutejapanesecatsandanimals5338]

Dogs are very cautious animals, so it is not common for them to show their belly, which is a vital part of their body. However, if your dog shows his belly when he is lying on his back, it means that he is at ease or not alarmed. If your dog seems to be comfortable when you gently pet him when he shows his belly, he is expressing his affection for you.🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@chareefabiano8173]

Tag is so beautiful. I just love her expressions.

[@jh2419]

Never mind that these standards that are causing syringomyelia an excruciatingly painful disease due to breed standard meaning a brain too big for the skull. Anyone who loves this gorgeous breed could never support such cruelty. Introduce a wider gene look to breed out the health problems. A healthy dog is a beautiful dog.

[@chaskat35]

There is nothing in the Breed Standard that would encourage breeding more dogs with SM. Good breeders who are careful about the Cavaliers they use for breeding have done much to reduce the incidence of this and other diseases. If you want to do more to eliminate SM and MVD, let's address the puppy mill problem.

[@luttuts6731]

what a nice beautifull girl