Small interview with Cavalier King Charles spaniel Judge and breeder Katie Sloan!
Hello Katie, we know that you are in love with Cavaliers from 1979!
1. Please, tell us about your first Cavalier, was it girl or boy and what color? How did you get your first Cavalier and what were your feelings when the dream came true?
A. I actually waited 20years for my first cavalier as I saw photographs of Blenheim’s and tricolors when I was a very young school girl!! I purchased a Blenheim female bred by a local breeder who was very involved with the Scottish Cavalier KCS Club and our four year old son named her „Barky.". Bought as a companion puppy, I had no intention of breeding but when I contacted the breeder to discuss spaying her, she encouraged me to breed!
2. How did you choose the second Cavalier in your life, did you have already an idea that you would become a breeder?
A. My second cavalier was another Blenheim female of two years old who was a Homaranne Caption daughter and had already attended shows. She was extremely pretty but her front movement was not her fortune!! She was my introduction to the show ring and after winning my first red rosette I was very keen to improve and a very kind breeder offered me pick of her litter. I chose another Blenheim female who „ticked all the boxes " and was consistently placed at both Open and Championship shows.
3. We know that you are breeder of all 4 colour Cavaliers. What is your opinion of the dogs’ disposition regarding the colours?
A. It is difficult to categories the colors...like people, they are individuals ....but my husband would say that "most” black/ tans are „full of nonsense” and I would tend to agree with him!! I would prefer to differentiate between males and females. In my opinion my boys are much more loyal companions who love you „unconditionally."
4. More and more people use Cavaliers as therapy, freestyle, and agility dogs. What do you think about these hobbies?
A. I think that therapy and agility dog activities are an excellent hobby ....everyone benefits from these pursuits and I admire the people involved and the dogs. When I return to France in the autumn, I plan to register one of my dogs to enable us to visit the elderly in the nearby hospital.
5. Which of your bred dogs have most of your pride and why?
A. AKC CH, CKCS USA CH Turretbank Magic Spell is the most recent „star”..... His co-owner is doing a great job showing him all over USA. His latest accolade was Best of Winners at the AKC CKCS Nationals 2014... a wonderful achievement.
BIS Turretbank Samson ROM is the only cavalier to date to win a Best in Show award at an AKC All Breeds show in the USA which was extremely thrilling. He was so well respected by so many exhibitors in USA and received a standing ovation on many occasions.
Now couple questions about judging!
1. When did you start judging the Cavaliers? What was your first show as a judge, what were your feelings?
A. I started judging cavaliers in 1988 and my first assignment was an open show held in the north west of England. Naturally it is very exciting when you receive your first invitation to judge.... one wonders who will wish your opinion of their dogs and will you find your " ideal exhibit."
2. How many shows you judged the Cavaliers? And which of them was the biggest?
A. I cannot relate exactly how many shows / dogs I have judges as all my records are kept in France. There have been numerous shows and in different countries ....from New Zealand to Canada, from USA to Finland. It is most interesting to be invited to judge in foreign countries ..evaluating the cavaliers and comparing the breed types. All shows are important but the largest show which I have judged was undoubtedly the AKC CKCS Nationals 2012. I judged for three days...the first was bitches, the second was dogs and the third was the specials...the climax was selecting Best Of Breed. It was an experience I will never forget...
3. Do you have some rituals, or talismans that are helping you in the show ring?
A. When judging, I have no " rituals " ....only hoping for many quality cavaliers to enjoy and to date, I have not been disappointed. Regarding "showing rituals " ....well that extends to having a " lucky " lead, wearing a " lucky " outfit, never taking a knot out of a show lead and do not wash the luck from a "show lead " ....." lucky " numbers which add to 13......I could go on :-))
4. What would you like to advise to the young handlers who are nervous in the show ring? Is there anything what you would like to see the handlers not to do in the show ring?
A. My advice to nervous young handlers ...be confident and believe you have the best dog. Nervousness is transmitted down the lead and therefore your dog becomes nervous too. Remember ...every owner takes the " best dog " home !! Never use your foot to encourage your dog to stand. Never walk or stand too close to the dog / exhibitor in front of you. Never run with your dog in the ring but walk smartly....cavaliers are not a sporting breed. Many handlers will run with their dogs ...attempting to hide their dog`s fault /s....It may look " flashy " but in my opinion, it is not correct.
Thank you Katie for small review of your life with Cavaliers, we hope to meet you soon and get more information about your option and experience with this lovely breed.
Come to the show and meet Katie Sloan more info Here! Or write to email: cavalierlatvia@gmail.com
Hello Katie, we know that you are in love with Cavaliers from 1979!
1. Please, tell us about your first Cavalier, was it girl or boy and what color? How did you get your first Cavalier and what were your feelings when the dream came true?
A. I actually waited 20years for my first cavalier as I saw photographs of Blenheim’s and tricolors when I was a very young school girl!! I purchased a Blenheim female bred by a local breeder who was very involved with the Scottish Cavalier KCS Club and our four year old son named her „Barky.". Bought as a companion puppy, I had no intention of breeding but when I contacted the breeder to discuss spaying her, she encouraged me to breed!
2. How did you choose the second Cavalier in your life, did you have already an idea that you would become a breeder?
A. My second cavalier was another Blenheim female of two years old who was a Homaranne Caption daughter and had already attended shows. She was extremely pretty but her front movement was not her fortune!! She was my introduction to the show ring and after winning my first red rosette I was very keen to improve and a very kind breeder offered me pick of her litter. I chose another Blenheim female who „ticked all the boxes " and was consistently placed at both Open and Championship shows.
3. We know that you are breeder of all 4 colour Cavaliers. What is your opinion of the dogs’ disposition regarding the colours?
A. It is difficult to categories the colors...like people, they are individuals ....but my husband would say that "most” black/ tans are „full of nonsense” and I would tend to agree with him!! I would prefer to differentiate between males and females. In my opinion my boys are much more loyal companions who love you „unconditionally."
4. More and more people use Cavaliers as therapy, freestyle, and agility dogs. What do you think about these hobbies?
A. I think that therapy and agility dog activities are an excellent hobby ....everyone benefits from these pursuits and I admire the people involved and the dogs. When I return to France in the autumn, I plan to register one of my dogs to enable us to visit the elderly in the nearby hospital.
5. Which of your bred dogs have most of your pride and why?
A. AKC CH, CKCS USA CH Turretbank Magic Spell is the most recent „star”..... His co-owner is doing a great job showing him all over USA. His latest accolade was Best of Winners at the AKC CKCS Nationals 2014... a wonderful achievement.
BIS Turretbank Samson ROM is the only cavalier to date to win a Best in Show award at an AKC All Breeds show in the USA which was extremely thrilling. He was so well respected by so many exhibitors in USA and received a standing ovation on many occasions.
Now couple questions about judging!
1. When did you start judging the Cavaliers? What was your first show as a judge, what were your feelings?
A. I started judging cavaliers in 1988 and my first assignment was an open show held in the north west of England. Naturally it is very exciting when you receive your first invitation to judge.... one wonders who will wish your opinion of their dogs and will you find your " ideal exhibit."
2. How many shows you judged the Cavaliers? And which of them was the biggest?
A. I cannot relate exactly how many shows / dogs I have judges as all my records are kept in France. There have been numerous shows and in different countries ....from New Zealand to Canada, from USA to Finland. It is most interesting to be invited to judge in foreign countries ..evaluating the cavaliers and comparing the breed types. All shows are important but the largest show which I have judged was undoubtedly the AKC CKCS Nationals 2012. I judged for three days...the first was bitches, the second was dogs and the third was the specials...the climax was selecting Best Of Breed. It was an experience I will never forget...
3. Do you have some rituals, or talismans that are helping you in the show ring?
A. When judging, I have no " rituals " ....only hoping for many quality cavaliers to enjoy and to date, I have not been disappointed. Regarding "showing rituals " ....well that extends to having a " lucky " lead, wearing a " lucky " outfit, never taking a knot out of a show lead and do not wash the luck from a "show lead " ....." lucky " numbers which add to 13......I could go on :-))
4. What would you like to advise to the young handlers who are nervous in the show ring? Is there anything what you would like to see the handlers not to do in the show ring?
A. My advice to nervous young handlers ...be confident and believe you have the best dog. Nervousness is transmitted down the lead and therefore your dog becomes nervous too. Remember ...every owner takes the " best dog " home !! Never use your foot to encourage your dog to stand. Never walk or stand too close to the dog / exhibitor in front of you. Never run with your dog in the ring but walk smartly....cavaliers are not a sporting breed. Many handlers will run with their dogs ...attempting to hide their dog`s fault /s....It may look " flashy " but in my opinion, it is not correct.
Thank you Katie for small review of your life with Cavaliers, we hope to meet you soon and get more information about your option and experience with this lovely breed.
Come to the show and meet Katie Sloan more info Here! Or write to email: cavalierlatvia@gmail.com
