> What do you look for when trying to select a puppy with show potential.
I look for a good head, good type (good bone with cobby body), excellent
structure and movement. Assuming both have good type, I will always pick a
nice head with excellent structure and movement over a great head with less
than excellent structure and movement. I cannot abide by poor structure and
movement no matter how great the head or type is. I see so many today with
stiff rear movement--possibly due to a steeper croup than is proper. Still
see lots of cowhocks, straight angulation, and looseness--sometimes all 3 in
the same dog! And lots of WIDE fronts sometimes with severe paddling
action. I will always put the *feelings* of the dog above all else. And
structural problems may very well impair a dog's ability to feel well,
especially as he or she ages--same as poor health.
For me, markings come last as they are purely the icing on the cake--an
aesthetic *look* that we made up (understanding that what looks *good* in
other breeds is often the exact opposite of what WE have decided looks
*good* on a Cavalier).
Unfortunately markings seem to play a bigger part in the show ring than I
believe is correct. There are dogs that are winning a lot simply because of
great markings as often it is obvious they have very little else to offer.
Laura Trunk
Roycroft Cavaliers
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