Getting Started

A complaint often heard is how difficult it is to get started in Cavaliers. Nobody will sell a dog to a rank novice.....

There are reasons for this. Both from the seller's side and from the buyer's side.

A breeder invests a lot of work and time into their dogs and trying to produce something that is show quality for the ring. From their perspective selling to a rank novice to dogs can often be a waste of a dog for various reasons. Novices basically don't have a clue how to train, prepare and present a show dog. Their first dog is a learning experience and they rarely do well with their first dog in the show ring just from the presentation angle alone. Then quite frankly as much as many try to pretend it doesn't exist there is the politics. Professional handlers and well-known exhibitors will often get the "nod" over the lesser knowns. And a novice is usually very obvious. Many novices get bored with the whole show experience and give up.

The buyer is often looking for something they can breed and showing is usually a secondary consideration. Their expectations are high. They want something that if it is going into the show ring is going to be able to beat everything right from the start. (When you find that dog let me know because I'll be approaching your breeder as well!!)

If you are truly interested in getting involved in the world of Cavalier breeding and showing (not just to make some quick bucks) the best way to start is to attend dog shows and find out who the local breeders are in your area. Talk to them. Find out what they consider makes a good Cavalier. Look at Cavaliers at shows, in books, online. Try to decide what you like, as breeders often breed different "types" or looks. If a breeder has the "type" you like then approach them and try to develop a relationship with them. If they aren't able to sell you a dog then they will often be able to direct you to a breeder who can.

My suggestion to a novice is to ask for your first show dog to be a male. It is often easier to get a male for show from a breeder, if you are a novice, than a bitch. Most breeders tend to want to retain any good bitches for themselves or sell to other experienced breeders but males tend to be superfluous. A novice is more likely to get a good quality male than a bitch. (And in North America particularly in the US expect to have the dog on a co-ownership basis. It is common practice particularly if you are a novice and not intended to offend.) The male will give you the opportunity to "learn the ropes" in the show ring and decide if you like it. You can continue to study the breed and really understand what you are looking at and for in the breed. And it will get your face seen in the ring so that when you approach breeders for a good show quality foundation bitch you will be taken seriously.

Dog showing can be fun but never so much so as with your first dog when it is all fresh and winning that first place ribbon is a thrill. Even though your first dog may not be a world beater it is a starting point. So go out there and have fun!