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Confused
- Thread starter Bet
- Start date
MARK MARSHALL
Well-known member
Interesting Mr. Marshall--- Very few of us in the world are saints (or destined for sainthood).
The more I read what you write, the more I can't accept where you are coming from.
I've raised two successful daughters-- didn't use any bashing, even when I disagreed with them. I found that leading by example and doing well to be the BEST way to get people to follow ones lead.
REALLY-- you are equating your supposed breeding guidelines for the definitive line between good breeders and bad breeders. Well, there is a commercial facility in Missouri that may change your mind.
I have permanent brick imprints on my forehead. icon_devil
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Sandy,
Why have you spoken about Sainthood ?
What exactly have I said that makes you feel that you can't accept where I am coming from ?
Raising children is not really the same as changing the views of the 'Bad guys'. Firstly, children learn form your examples and normally like to copy Mum and develop in her style.
The 'Bad guys' know what they should be doing but ignore, decline or refuse to acknowledge the need for change.
Those are the one's you need to be working on, not me ?
Regards Mark.
The more I read what you write, the more I can't accept where you are coming from.
I've raised two successful daughters-- didn't use any bashing, even when I disagreed with them. I found that leading by example and doing well to be the BEST way to get people to follow ones lead.
REALLY-- you are equating your supposed breeding guidelines for the definitive line between good breeders and bad breeders. Well, there is a commercial facility in Missouri that may change your mind.
I have permanent brick imprints on my forehead. icon_devil
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandy,
Why have you spoken about Sainthood ?
What exactly have I said that makes you feel that you can't accept where I am coming from ?
Raising children is not really the same as changing the views of the 'Bad guys'. Firstly, children learn form your examples and normally like to copy Mum and develop in her style.
The 'Bad guys' know what they should be doing but ignore, decline or refuse to acknowledge the need for change.
Those are the one's you need to be working on, not me ?
Regards Mark.
Sandy, there was much talk on both the UK and the US lists long before PDE that puppy sales were way down and in crisis -- more likely due to the economy. There was a discussion on the L-list at least once and also elsewhere and I know this was raised within the UK club at least 6 months before PDE was on. It is convenient now to claim a falloff was due to PDE but it had begun well before. But even so -- so what? BYBs always have a current reason why to buy from them (usually, price). If buyers are so undereducated to think they should buy from a BYB then surely it is the clubs' and collective breeders' job to educate, get better info on their (frankly, crappy and poorly organised) websites? For example, the national sites and many (sparse!) regional club sites are still using *frames* :sl*p: -- the worst possible approach to finding info for the visitor, getting onto Google and to help people get direct URLs. No wonder www.cavalierheath.org comes tops when people google health issues, not club websites. There's almost no helpful information or guidance for pet buyers on club sites, which generally look like someone's 17 year old geek son designed them for the most part. Get a proper designer to do those sites, folks!.
For my part: I've seen no fall off whatsoever in Ireland in demand for cavaliers and we got PDE twice -- from the BBC and then it ran again on Irish station TV3. I have no problem homing dogs of unknown breeding evn with a full briefing on health issues. I've never had a single person decline to take a rescue dog on the basis of learning of health issues. Maybe the clubs and more breeders need to take that approach -- being upfront and providing full information and background on health -- as a starting point?
And again -- the problem is the health of the breed, not PDE making more people aware of it! The basic breed health statistics remain shocking. I hardly know of a single cavalier that has lived beyond 11 -- I have owned and have friends who own large breeds that have long exceeded cavaliers in their lifespan.
As for the widespread influence of PDE -- as much as I would like to believe this is true, I still find it hard to find vets who are aware of SM or have read a single thing about it if they have heard of it, and many who dismiss it. My own excellent vets have, almost solely because of PDE, learned to be sensitive to it and spot possible symptoms and have, since PDE, referred many dogs to the vet school for positive diagnosis and care -- dogs that would have suffered years of being treated for allergies and nonexistent ear infections. That some dogs will suffer less, and that clubs and breeders are being pushed towards better breeding practice, is an obvious gain from the show.
For my part: I've seen no fall off whatsoever in Ireland in demand for cavaliers and we got PDE twice -- from the BBC and then it ran again on Irish station TV3. I have no problem homing dogs of unknown breeding evn with a full briefing on health issues. I've never had a single person decline to take a rescue dog on the basis of learning of health issues. Maybe the clubs and more breeders need to take that approach -- being upfront and providing full information and background on health -- as a starting point?
And again -- the problem is the health of the breed, not PDE making more people aware of it! The basic breed health statistics remain shocking. I hardly know of a single cavalier that has lived beyond 11 -- I have owned and have friends who own large breeds that have long exceeded cavaliers in their lifespan.
As for the widespread influence of PDE -- as much as I would like to believe this is true, I still find it hard to find vets who are aware of SM or have read a single thing about it if they have heard of it, and many who dismiss it. My own excellent vets have, almost solely because of PDE, learned to be sensitive to it and spot possible symptoms and have, since PDE, referred many dogs to the vet school for positive diagnosis and care -- dogs that would have suffered years of being treated for allergies and nonexistent ear infections. That some dogs will suffer less, and that clubs and breeders are being pushed towards better breeding practice, is an obvious gain from the show.
WoodHaven
Well-known member
Have you really always followed the rules? All your dogs are from dogs that were 2.5 with sire and dam that were 5 and heart clear --- ALL of them?
You are coming off as very sanctimonious.
One of the reasons I will NEVER preach, is that my first cavalier came from a dam that was 5 and heart clear-- the sire was only 18 months old.
He was 9 and heart clear last year-- but the 'protocol' wasn't followed for my girls birth. My girls dam will be 15 next month (God willing) and her sires granddam turned 16 last spring. Long lived dogs are on both sides of her pedigree.
You are coming off as very sanctimonious.
One of the reasons I will NEVER preach, is that my first cavalier came from a dam that was 5 and heart clear-- the sire was only 18 months old.
He was 9 and heart clear last year-- but the 'protocol' wasn't followed for my girls birth. My girls dam will be 15 next month (God willing) and her sires granddam turned 16 last spring. Long lived dogs are on both sides of her pedigree.
WoodHaven
Well-known member
October, January and February are the slow months for puppy buyers here. I just got my fifth request for a puppy this month. Now, because I haven't had a litter her for almost two years, I've directed them to others (or accidentally erased their messages from my recorder).
I am not blaming the PDE program for a fall in puppy inquires, but when they use this as a reason to buy cheaper puppies -- it makes me nuts. I am not the breeder who got this distressing call.
If www.cavalierheath.org was around when I got my first cavalier, I wouldn't have gotten one. I am not a masochist. Why would I want a breed of dog that is so rife with syndromes and disease. I'd already lost a brittney to autoimmune (dead at 3) and got a cocker with juvenile cateracts and a cocker with EVERYTHING under the sun including epilepsy (dead at 2.5).
I am not blaming the PDE program for a fall in puppy inquires, but when they use this as a reason to buy cheaper puppies -- it makes me nuts. I am not the breeder who got this distressing call.
If www.cavalierheath.org was around when I got my first cavalier, I wouldn't have gotten one. I am not a masochist. Why would I want a breed of dog that is so rife with syndromes and disease. I'd already lost a brittney to autoimmune (dead at 3) and got a cocker with juvenile cateracts and a cocker with EVERYTHING under the sun including epilepsy (dead at 2.5).
WoodHaven
Well-known member
Oops take that back -- the ackcsc.org website finally got rid of that old frames design and ckcsc.org is also now giving direct urls and finally works with more than just Internet Explorer! Still horrible web design though.
I don't use Internet Explorer and I've never had issues. My computer was set up with ideas from my b-i-l who is in computer security. He gets paid to break through companies computer security protocols. I have issues downloading certain things and have to shut parts of the security down.
The ACKCSC just got a new webserver. Maybe they are in the middle of change.
Clairelou
Well-known member
My experience: 2004 my beautiful Rosie died in my arms of a heart attack, 10 months later my beautiful Sophie died in my arms, she had to be put to sleep due to MVD. Having owned cavaliers since the mid 80's I have met many Cavalier owners on our walks and word on the street is Cavalier health is in a mess! Yorkysue I personally think you got very lucky. FWIW I think PDE was a much needed kick up the backside to the dog breeding industry!
WoodHaven
Well-known member
You don't mention the age at which your dogs passed and I am sorry that you've had bad luck-- but my luck with cockers was bad (both were rescues) and my brittney was from hunting lines, not show lines. My first dog died in my arms of a heart attack-- she was almost 17.
IF and this is a big IF-- they would have shown the whole story, I might agree that the PDE was a much needed show. But it seemed like it was made for sensationalism, not realism. The national enquirer of news stories (in my opinion).
Word on the street?? I won't go there.
Margaret,
I have thought a great deal about where we are right now as regards health testing for SM.
We have made terrific advances in bringing some of the 'Top Breeders' - as you refer to them - onboard.
In the beginning, when very few people had even considered MRI scanning, it was necessary to convince breeders of its importance, by every possible means.
Here I must commend you and others who led from the front so to do.
But,things are different now. Every breeder knows full well that they must MRI scan their stock, of their own volition, sooner rather than later, otherwise the matter will be taken out of their hands.
There are now large numbers of breeders who have MRI scanned and it is a fact that many of the Top Breeders are refusing to accept an unscanned bitch for mating.
This is real progress - thanks largely to yourself and others.
So, IMO, this would seem to be a good time to regroup and consider what new approach could be made to convince the remaining breeders to get onboard.
Perhaps a greater degree of sensitivity is called for? Perhaps leading by example ?
Perhaps just sitting down and talking about how scary the whole thing is?
I have certainly found each of these methods to be effective at different times.
One thing is for sure, IMO, the time for breeder-bashing is over. It has outlived its usefulness and is simply outmoded.
If breeder-bashing' has not worked so far, to convince the faltering breeders, then perhaps they will remain unconvinced. One has to accept that as a fact of life.
As they say: 'You can't win 'em all'.
My real worry about this constant 'picking on' breeders is the effect it surely must have on Cavalier Pet owners.
It must be very hard to come to terms with some of the posts decrying cavalier breeding practices when you have lately become a proud owner and welcomed one into your family.
New owners must be 'on tenterhooks' watching and waiting for something to go wrong.
That is surely not fair.
While it is almost a certainty that every cavalier will go to its grave with one or more of the 'issues' commonly seen on an MRI scan , these same dogs will differ greatly in their individual response to these issues as well as to the symptoms which accompany the disease.
Of course, every pet owner should be aware that symptoms can arise at any time, but it is extremely unusual for baby puppies to demonstrate such symptoms, and I find it distressing to read frantic posts from new owners worried sick about some perfectly normal puppy behaviour.
That is not fair either.
Breeding is a hard road nowadays. We still have much to learn and mistakes still to make, so, give us some 'slack'; allow us to regroup as well as yourselves, and we will all get there in the end................ it would be nice if we travelled together.
With best wishes
Elspeth
I have thought a great deal about where we are right now as regards health testing for SM.
We have made terrific advances in bringing some of the 'Top Breeders' - as you refer to them - onboard.
In the beginning, when very few people had even considered MRI scanning, it was necessary to convince breeders of its importance, by every possible means.
Here I must commend you and others who led from the front so to do.
But,things are different now. Every breeder knows full well that they must MRI scan their stock, of their own volition, sooner rather than later, otherwise the matter will be taken out of their hands.
There are now large numbers of breeders who have MRI scanned and it is a fact that many of the Top Breeders are refusing to accept an unscanned bitch for mating.
This is real progress - thanks largely to yourself and others.
So, IMO, this would seem to be a good time to regroup and consider what new approach could be made to convince the remaining breeders to get onboard.
Perhaps a greater degree of sensitivity is called for? Perhaps leading by example ?
Perhaps just sitting down and talking about how scary the whole thing is?
I have certainly found each of these methods to be effective at different times.
One thing is for sure, IMO, the time for breeder-bashing is over. It has outlived its usefulness and is simply outmoded.
If breeder-bashing' has not worked so far, to convince the faltering breeders, then perhaps they will remain unconvinced. One has to accept that as a fact of life.
As they say: 'You can't win 'em all'.
My real worry about this constant 'picking on' breeders is the effect it surely must have on Cavalier Pet owners.
It must be very hard to come to terms with some of the posts decrying cavalier breeding practices when you have lately become a proud owner and welcomed one into your family.
New owners must be 'on tenterhooks' watching and waiting for something to go wrong.
That is surely not fair.
While it is almost a certainty that every cavalier will go to its grave with one or more of the 'issues' commonly seen on an MRI scan , these same dogs will differ greatly in their individual response to these issues as well as to the symptoms which accompany the disease.
Of course, every pet owner should be aware that symptoms can arise at any time, but it is extremely unusual for baby puppies to demonstrate such symptoms, and I find it distressing to read frantic posts from new owners worried sick about some perfectly normal puppy behaviour.
That is not fair either.
Breeding is a hard road nowadays. We still have much to learn and mistakes still to make, so, give us some 'slack'; allow us to regroup as well as yourselves, and we will all get there in the end................ it would be nice if we travelled together.
With best wishes
Elspeth
WoodHaven
Well-known member
The problem with that one definition of Ethical, is that it changes with the times. True ethical and moral behavior really transcends a group of peoples ideals. IF not, the buying and selling (raping) of humans was ethical (totally conforming to accepted standards).
I now co-own a boy I bred (champion boy)-- he has passed all his tests-- actually has OFA Excellent hips/excellent mri, good heart, good eyes. The co-owner asks how she should let him be used. I still say 'judicially'. He was last used on an MRI'd bitch with OFA excellent hips-- I can't wait to see how the genes play out. (both my boy and this bitch have littermates that have also had very good health certs including MRI's)-- so I am looking beyond linearly.
Tania
Well-known member
I might agree that the PDE was a much needed show. But it seemed like it was made for sensationalism, not realism. The national enquirer of news stories (in my opinion).
Word on the street?? I won't go there.[/QUOTE]
I am only a pet owner, until 2.5 years ago I had never owned a dog let alone a Cavalier. We do not have children and we chose this breed purely because of the temperament and companionship we hoped they would give us.
I spent a long time researching this breed. I became aware of MVD and Eye problems. I bought two puppies from two completely different breeders. Later we found out one of the breeders didn't have such a great reputation but the other did! In our ignorance we thought providing they were KC registered that was some kind of guarantee they would be fine!
Molly started to yelp with pain at approximately 12-15 weeks. She also had Dysplasia and Knee problems. She became very lame in her front legs and behaved liked a very slow old dog.
When we watched PDE, I couldn't sleep for days, I thought we could never be this unlucky. Because of this programme, I had both Dogs scanned, Molly was diagnosed with sm and we were told she wouldn't make her 2nd birthday. Dougall was diagonosed with cm and we are still currently trying to deal with his health issues.
I changed the specialist to Clare Rusbridge who immediately treated Molly and her life has finally been given quality, for how long we don't know.
I contacted both breeders with a reasonable approach, I e mailed the Good Breeder with the approach "Dougall is lovely and is everything you said he would be". I then asked her if she would mind giving me some information about his parents regarding health issues. When I contacted the second breeder I had already learned about her and my approach wasn't as good. I have not had a response from either breeder!
A large number Cavalier owners I have met have told me their dogs are affected, including a lady who had 3 and all of them were affected. Some cavalier owners have health issues and are still not aware of sm.
I don't pretend to understand everything that is going on, I am glad PDE was shown, if it hadn't, Molly would not be here now. I feel angry that these lovely dogs have been subject to such abuse. We are too scared to leave these poor litlle souls for even a night, just in case something goes wrong.
So the idea PDE is sensationalism and not realism is total bunkem!
Word on the street?? I won't go there.[/QUOTE]
I am only a pet owner, until 2.5 years ago I had never owned a dog let alone a Cavalier. We do not have children and we chose this breed purely because of the temperament and companionship we hoped they would give us.
I spent a long time researching this breed. I became aware of MVD and Eye problems. I bought two puppies from two completely different breeders. Later we found out one of the breeders didn't have such a great reputation but the other did! In our ignorance we thought providing they were KC registered that was some kind of guarantee they would be fine!
Molly started to yelp with pain at approximately 12-15 weeks. She also had Dysplasia and Knee problems. She became very lame in her front legs and behaved liked a very slow old dog.
When we watched PDE, I couldn't sleep for days, I thought we could never be this unlucky. Because of this programme, I had both Dogs scanned, Molly was diagnosed with sm and we were told she wouldn't make her 2nd birthday. Dougall was diagonosed with cm and we are still currently trying to deal with his health issues.
I changed the specialist to Clare Rusbridge who immediately treated Molly and her life has finally been given quality, for how long we don't know.
I contacted both breeders with a reasonable approach, I e mailed the Good Breeder with the approach "Dougall is lovely and is everything you said he would be". I then asked her if she would mind giving me some information about his parents regarding health issues. When I contacted the second breeder I had already learned about her and my approach wasn't as good. I have not had a response from either breeder!
A large number Cavalier owners I have met have told me their dogs are affected, including a lady who had 3 and all of them were affected. Some cavalier owners have health issues and are still not aware of sm.
I don't pretend to understand everything that is going on, I am glad PDE was shown, if it hadn't, Molly would not be here now. I feel angry that these lovely dogs have been subject to such abuse. We are too scared to leave these poor litlle souls for even a night, just in case something goes wrong.
So the idea PDE is sensationalism and not realism is total bunkem!
WoodHaven
Well-known member
So the idea PDE is sensationalism and not realism is total bunkem!
*******************************************
I am sorry that you were caught off guard with SM. It has been around (and discussed) for as long as I've had cavaliers-- which is going on 10 years. It is one of the first things-- after MVD and before shedding that I talk to people looking for cavaliers.
My point was, it was not a balanced show. Even some of the people interviewed were shocked at what was edited out of the interview.
I hate when people state they are only pet owners-- truly, I am a pet owner with more bills--/showing expenses/health testing/OFA reporting, than the 'average pet owner'. I attend seminars, both health and breeding to better the breed. I am a 'pet owner' whose vet asks her opinion on the way her dogs are treated. I am a 'pet owner' that doesn't hesitate to KNOW or call experts to handle her dogs health issues. I consider good breeders to be "proactive pet owners''.
*******************************************
I am sorry that you were caught off guard with SM. It has been around (and discussed) for as long as I've had cavaliers-- which is going on 10 years. It is one of the first things-- after MVD and before shedding that I talk to people looking for cavaliers.
My point was, it was not a balanced show. Even some of the people interviewed were shocked at what was edited out of the interview.
I hate when people state they are only pet owners-- truly, I am a pet owner with more bills--/showing expenses/health testing/OFA reporting, than the 'average pet owner'. I attend seminars, both health and breeding to better the breed. I am a 'pet owner' whose vet asks her opinion on the way her dogs are treated. I am a 'pet owner' that doesn't hesitate to KNOW or call experts to handle her dogs health issues. I consider good breeders to be "proactive pet owners''.
Tania
Well-known member
With respect, SM and Syringomyelia is not going to register to a layman who is simply looking for a pet dog. Heart and eye is obvious and will ring alarm bells, maybe I am not very bright and I don't speak the lingo but then that will also apply to thousands of other Cavalier owners that have been caught out and shocked for the first time.
Karen and Ruby
Well-known member
I have to agree with Tania here. Syringomyelia isnt something that registers with people
"oh, the brain thing?" is what I hear more often than not or "oh whats that then?" is the other!!
Even cavalier owners we some across still havent heard of it which is more worrying.
I think the average person looking for a pup on the quick couldnt care less where they come from, they just want a pup now!
I do think though that the government need to step in where dog ownership and breeding is concerned, not just for the sake of Cavvies but for all dogs. Its too easy to 1) get a dog and 2) get rid of it
Something needs to change with the laws around dog ownership and care and maybe then we could stamp out PF's and BYBs for good.
I think thats the only way we stand half a chance.
I also havent met a cavvie owner who has had a dog over the age of 10 and for a small breed this is a terrible life expectancy and its something we have become too used to. I often think to myself that id be pleased if my dogs live to 7 or 8!
Now thats a sad story
Karen
"oh, the brain thing?" is what I hear more often than not or "oh whats that then?" is the other!!
Even cavalier owners we some across still havent heard of it which is more worrying.
I think the average person looking for a pup on the quick couldnt care less where they come from, they just want a pup now!
I do think though that the government need to step in where dog ownership and breeding is concerned, not just for the sake of Cavvies but for all dogs. Its too easy to 1) get a dog and 2) get rid of it
Something needs to change with the laws around dog ownership and care and maybe then we could stamp out PF's and BYBs for good.
I think thats the only way we stand half a chance.
I also havent met a cavvie owner who has had a dog over the age of 10 and for a small breed this is a terrible life expectancy and its something we have become too used to. I often think to myself that id be pleased if my dogs live to 7 or 8!
Now thats a sad story
Karen
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WoodHaven
Well-known member
A cavalier isn't easy to get here. Hence the byb are selling them for 1000-1500.00 USD
About 15%-20% of all dogs are purchased from show breeders. The rest are byb and commercial breeders.
When you talk about cavaliers dying early or suffering from MVD--I haven't experienced that. (knock wood)
I cried when I heard my boys sire died early-- by early I mean just before his 12th birthday.
About 15%-20% of all dogs are purchased from show breeders. The rest are byb and commercial breeders.
When you talk about cavaliers dying early or suffering from MVD--I haven't experienced that. (knock wood)
I cried when I heard my boys sire died early-- by early I mean just before his 12th birthday.
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Karen and Ruby
Well-known member
A cavalier isn't easy to get here. Hence the byb are selling them for 1000-1500.00 USD
About 15%-20% of all dogs are purchased from show breeders. The rest are byb and commercial breeders. QUOTE
Sandy
They're numerous in the UK- the pet shop opposite me has 5 cav pups for sale at the momment for £350 each.
I get a lump in my throat every time I have to walk place that place- sickening really!
Karen:swear:
About 15%-20% of all dogs are purchased from show breeders. The rest are byb and commercial breeders. QUOTE
Sandy
They're numerous in the UK- the pet shop opposite me has 5 cav pups for sale at the momment for £350 each.
I get a lump in my throat every time I have to walk place that place- sickening really!
Karen:swear:
WoodHaven
Well-known member
The petland (grimace) near us has cavaliers every once in a while. Ten years ago they were selling them for 1995.00USD. It is where I saw and held my first -- I ran home and did hours of research. I get people calling me when they see them and they demand that I go rescue the cavalier in the petstore. It is very hard to convince some people to LEAVE it alone. That buying that pup will make the store buy another to replace it.
WoodHaven
Well-known member
This is what "only a pet owner" can do::
http://vet.osu.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/cavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
Dr. Cole is an amazing doctor and cavalier lover. We are privileged to have her on our side.
http://vet.osu.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/cavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
Dr. Cole is an amazing doctor and cavalier lover. We are privileged to have her on our side.
From the link posted:
"When selecting a Cavalier, as with any purebred dog, potential owners should visit a reputable breeder and check the medical history of several previous generations.”
What if the reputable breeders that you have contact with, and that show their dogs, and health test, only sometimes follow protocol, and because you live in North America they tell you MRIs are too expensive?
What if you find a breeder who shows and socializes the puppies, and health tests, and sometimes follows protocol, but you also know they have put a fairly recent litter, or maybe two or three, on the ground with something like a sire aged just barely two, a grandsire just three, a great grandsire just four and a great-great grandsire just five?
Too often, looking at breeders, this is what I find, still even, and I tell you it is leaving me wondering about the future of this breed and hoping that more breeders are going to start leading by example every time they breed.
And I don't want to just hope. I know that as a pet owner looking for a Cavalier I have had many "reputable" breeders avoid my questions about MRIs and about protocol. I know that even four years ago it was almost impossible to find open information about how serious a problem SM was in this breed on club websites. That needs to change.
I am glad for advocates getting the word out and openly questionning, like Carol Fowler and Bolshie Bet, and breeders like Mark Marshall and Margaret Carter and I'm sure some others who are willing to admit they would do things differently now that they know more, or that they are just beginning, but that they are trying to now do their best to let pet owners know about MVD and SM and about what questions to ask. I am glad for the pressure they are applying.
I am glad for Rod's Cavalier Health website and PDE as they have reached farther than internet lists ever could, and farther, it seems, than clubs wanted them to. I just don't understand why breeders who have Cavaliers best interests at heart would not want more pet owners to know.
"When selecting a Cavalier, as with any purebred dog, potential owners should visit a reputable breeder and check the medical history of several previous generations.”
What if the reputable breeders that you have contact with, and that show their dogs, and health test, only sometimes follow protocol, and because you live in North America they tell you MRIs are too expensive?
What if you find a breeder who shows and socializes the puppies, and health tests, and sometimes follows protocol, but you also know they have put a fairly recent litter, or maybe two or three, on the ground with something like a sire aged just barely two, a grandsire just three, a great grandsire just four and a great-great grandsire just five?
Too often, looking at breeders, this is what I find, still even, and I tell you it is leaving me wondering about the future of this breed and hoping that more breeders are going to start leading by example every time they breed.
And I don't want to just hope. I know that as a pet owner looking for a Cavalier I have had many "reputable" breeders avoid my questions about MRIs and about protocol. I know that even four years ago it was almost impossible to find open information about how serious a problem SM was in this breed on club websites. That needs to change.
I am glad for advocates getting the word out and openly questionning, like Carol Fowler and Bolshie Bet, and breeders like Mark Marshall and Margaret Carter and I'm sure some others who are willing to admit they would do things differently now that they know more, or that they are just beginning, but that they are trying to now do their best to let pet owners know about MVD and SM and about what questions to ask. I am glad for the pressure they are applying.
I am glad for Rod's Cavalier Health website and PDE as they have reached farther than internet lists ever could, and farther, it seems, than clubs wanted them to. I just don't understand why breeders who have Cavaliers best interests at heart would not want more pet owners to know.
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