In reviewing various Breed Standards printed in Yearbooks (ie ACKCSC Club Inc, CKCSC-USA Inc., Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club -UK), I was unable to come up with any direct reference to how a cavalier should be presented; other than to say terms such as shown naturally, free action, etc.
Our Canadian National Club publishes an Interpretation of the Breed Standard along with our Breed Standard. This Interpretation clearly states that "on the move, a Cavalier should never be "strung up" on a tight lead, nor should exhibitors run them around the ring at full tilt.... being a sporting dog, the Cavalier should not be shown at a slow pace as, for example, with a Pekingese..... Standing in the ring, still on a loose lead, a Cavalier should be alert, animated and appear handled by "remote control". There is absolutely no excuse for the exhibitor to be down on his knees, with a hand at each end, "topping and tailing". This practice should be greatly discouraged. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Canada encourages its members to exhibit their dogs naturally, as called for in the standard, and asks you, our judges, to help us. The future of our lovely breed is in your hands, because what you award top honours today will be what breeders produce tomorrow. Please help us in our efforts to keep this an unspoiled, natural breed." This Interpretation spells out all aspects of what we mean when we say "shown naturally". However, because it is only an Interpretation, it can only be hoped that the respective judges' interpretation of the Breed Standard will be the same as our printed Interpretation. Such interpretation may vary depending on ring circumstances. I know that the UK Club has a booklet of their Interpretation of the Breed Standard (I believe ours was based on it). Perhaps other clubs could follow our Canadian National Club's example and print these Interpretations along with their Breed Standards, in their Yearbooks, to show the close association. Pat Barrington - Barrington Cavaliers (Southern Ontario-Canada) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
