Is this the reason for less cavaliers being shown at ckcs shows?

In this week's DOG WORLD was an interesting comment by Cavalier Breed's Columnist, that " we are now Regularly getting only a Few more Dogs entered than Pugs and Paps ,and a very small Absentee Rate."


Could the reason for this be because the Cavalier Buying Public are now aware about the SM and MVD Health Problems Afflicting our Cavaliers and are just not buying so many Cavaliers now-a-days, and the Cavalier Breeders are being left with Surplus Cavaliers and as a result there are now fewer Cavaliers being Bred .

This could maybe be reason for the Dramatic fall in In Cavalier Registrations recently.

Bet

Show people are like everyone else Bet. Trying to cope with rising prices for food and clothing, fuel for their cars, increased entry fees and not knowing from one day to the next how long they are going to be in work.

[QUOTE=ByFloSin;394585]Show people are like everyone else Bet. Trying to cope with rising prices for food and clothing, fuel for their cars, increased entry fees and not knowing from one day to the next how long they are going to be in work.[/QUOTE


IS THIS THE REASON WHY LESS CAVALIERS BEING SHOWN AT CKCS SHOWS?

Still believe that the Cavalier Buying now know about the Serious Health Problems Afflicting our Cavaliers,the drop in the Registrations happened before the Recession was here .

Do you not think that the Cavalier Buying Public are more aware now than they ever were about SM and MVD?

Bet

Some of them are Bet, but not enough sadly - and even worse are the ones that know, but still purchase a puppy from a breeder who is not breeding according to protocols, and not able to show certificate of health testing - just because it's convenient, they want a puppy NOW, and they've fallen in love with a puppy BEFORE asking the important questions...


However I agree with Flo, many people just can't afford to show their dogs anymore - that isn't necessarily affected by a drop in puppy sales or registrations. How many of us are finding it hard to afford luxuries now? They were discussing this on the radio the other day, how people have had to make major changes in their lives due to just the cost of fuel. The fuel here has increased from about 84p litre 8 years ago, to around £1.44 litre now - it is severely limiting many people here. Living in a rural area, where everyone is dependant on their cars, it makes life very difficult.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bet

In this week's DOG WORLD was an interesting comment by Cavalier Breed's Columnist, that " we are now Regularly getting only a Few more Dogs entered than Pugs and Paps ,and a very small Absentee Rate."


Could the reason for this be because the Cavalier Buying Public are now aware about the SM and MVD Health Problems Afflicting our Cavaliers and are just not buying so many Cavaliers now-a-days, and the Cavalier Breeders are being left with Surplus Cavaliers and as a result there are now fewer Cavaliers being Bred .

This could maybe be reason for the Dramatic fall in In Cavalier Registrations recently.

Bet

---

In my humble opinion, I think it's Cavalier owners coming to their senses that showing dogs is vein and frivolous. I wouldn't "show" my children, why show my dog..both my cavaliers are akc registered and I could care less. They are happy being dogs and chasing squirrels.

Bet, I believe that showing less is probably due to rising prices as Flo and Nicki have already said - all hobbies tend to fall into the luxuries class, and breeders like every one else still need to pay for their living essentials. And good breeders may well be more cautious when choosing to breed anyway due to increased awareness of SM, etc - they don't all need the Cavalier buying public to either educate them or force them into good practice when they are quite capable of using their own eyes and ears and making their own breeding decisions. If less litters were coming from non-show breeders that would be a good sign as it would then suggest that the BYBs and puppy farmers were being impacted? Show breeders are just the tip of the iceberg after all...

So NO I definitely don't believe that it's anything to do with the Cavalier buying public as most of them will still buy cheap and quick: educated buyers like good breeders are still unfortunately in the minority. You can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink as the saying goes...

Rosemary

Rosemary said:

So NO I definitely don't believe that it's anything to do with the Cavalier buying public as most of them will still buy cheap and quick: educated buyers like good breeders are still unfortunately in the minority. You can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink as the saying goes...

I have so often despaired of the puppy buying public. I took Joe out to one of the largest parks in the area yesterday. Of course many stopped to admire him and one man said that his family want a Cavalier and will start to look for a pup when they come back off their holidays. He asked if I breed, then if I know where he can get a pup like Joe. I checked that he has a computer, then wrote down links to the websites for the UK Club and the Midland. The man said they are a very busy family and won't have time for all that. Said he will have a look at the Birmingham Mail because they have lots of pups in there and 'A Cavalier pup is a Cavalier pup, when all's said and done'. Then they walked on.

That encounter is typical of many I have in this area, week on week, sometimes more than one a day.

Goda - I show my dogs now and then sometimes to raise money for charity at Companion Shows and just as often at Open and Championship Shows because I think my dogs are beautiful and I enjoy competition, win or loose and I do lots of both. I also love the atmosphere of show and the company of like minded people and their dogs. The shopping is usually great too. As with most other show people, my dogs are pets first and show dogs second.

I don't feel that showing cavaliers is vain and frivolous at all.
I think that any breeder who is serious about breeding dogs of any breed should show.To be honest,let's admit that it's the way a cavalier looks that we've all fallen in love with,the size,shape,expression and temperament.
Showing your dog is helpful to get an experienced opinion from a judge about the construction of your dog.
Also if you observe other people's dogs,you can compare your own with theirs.If you don't actually know what a top quality cavalier looks like,how can you aspire to breed ones that give your customer the maximum enjoyment of their pet.
It's also a way to display your best dogs,an advertising window for your stud dogs if they win well.People can then see a dog live in the flesh and see if they'd suit their bitch.
Luckily cavaliers are not a breed prone to exaggeration and even though I don't show very much,I enjoyed bringing out a new puppy over the weekend to her second and third shows.
But the biggest thrill is seeing the other cavaliers in full coat,sailing around the ring looking sensational.
I couldn't think of a more enjoyable way to spend a Sunday morning.
But it is expensive.
Unless you're a top winning exhibitor,competing for top honours,most people will have to reduce the number of shows they do because of the economy and the financial restraints.
An average breakdown of costs:
Petrol €85
Entry fees: €25
parking/catalogue..€10
snacks........€10
With two children and three cavaliers to look after,it's sensible that I choose shows that are closest to me,shows that my friends will be at so we can have a good chat.We have all breed championship shows here,so you'd meet the people you started ringcraft and showing with,so there's a good social aspect.
Some people like to go to a rock concert,eat out at a nice restaurant,but I'm quite happy to go to a few shows over the summer....wander around the rings and look at dogs,meet people from all walks of life.
I've done a lot more frivolous and pointless things in my time and spent money far more foolishly over the years.I can appreciate that not everyone would feel the same but that's ok too.
Sins

Some cavalier owners may not understand or want to go to a specialty show and thats fine. I was like that before Ella was diagnosed with SM. It actually was because of meeting people online, breeders and owners, that I wanted to see them in person. What Sins said about seeing friends and explaining the weekend is said in a way I can't. You can read things online or in books, but what better way to learn than being around others.

I will say, I will never consider buying a Cavalier from a breeder that does not show or involved in showing in someway, either confirmation, agility, obedience, etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by goda

In my humble opinion, I think it's Cavalier owners coming to their senses that showing dogs is vein and frivolous. I wouldn't "show" my children, why show my dog..both my cavaliers are akc registered and I could care less. They are happy being dogs and chasing squirrels.

---

Wow- this is quite a statement. I show my Cavaliers and really enjoy it-- as do my dogs. They are definitely my pets first and show dogs second, and get ample time chasing squirrels and being dogs, but they also enjoy going to the training classes and having their brains exercised and stimulated as they learn what to do in the show ring. The dog I am showing currently is heart and eye clear. We make a good team in the ring- he is a Dual Champion but more importantly, we have fun in the ring. He barks at me occasionally if he is stacking particularly well and he feels he deserves some bait. ;-)

A good friend of mine loves to paint and does gorgeous artwork-- not to sell, just because she enjoys it. Should this be considered vein and frivolous? I was just laughing with her the other day because I said that I have absolutely zero interest in painting and arts and crafts and she has zero interest in Cavaliers and/ or showing-- dogs in general, really. But, that is what makes the world go 'round. Do you have a hobby?

And, yes-- showing is very expensive and time consuming.