Ringside & Charlie Showing Anecdotes.
These are some of members experiences of what has happened to them when showing Charlies. They are often confused with the Cavaliers and this can be very frustrating to a Charlie owner.
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This is an exhibitor's experience in Darwin. 1989A judge was flown in from XXXXland & as most all breeds judges, he was not young.
When group one was called up, there were two male & one female Charlie entries. (No Cavaliers, as they have not been shown in Darwin for some time.)
First Charlie in Puppy Class was a Blenheim. He (judge) gave it a very strange look, frowned, looked at the mouth & uttered, "OH, DEAR," very loudly. The puppy was left unplaced & the holder was asked to wait, while he inspected the next exhibit.
I was next up with my B/T junior. He looked at my dog's head & asked if I had read my standard. I replied 'YES". His next utterings were: "Then you must know why I can't possibly give a challenge to either dog." He continued: "look at the head, the mouth is overshot, the head has a dome & there is no nose!"
The older bitch was then tabled another outcry: "Not another one! I have been judging CAVALIERS FOR TWENTY YEARS IN XXXLAND & NEVER HAVE I COME ACROSS SUCH BAD STOCK."
Thinking that he was confused, I explained that the dogs were KING CHARLES SPANIELS not Cavaliers. With deep thought, the Judge then started from one dog to the other.
I loudly protested this confusion & left the ring. The rather red-faced judge then went on to judge the rest of the group. I later lodged a full complaint with the Show Manager & the N.A.C.A. costing me $25.00. I later had my money refunded with little satisfaction.
The same judge put up my "fawn" Doberman Best Puppy in Show, then said it was the best "WIEMARANER" he'd seen?
It wasn't a good day.***************************************
Interesting Incident
This happened at a local NZ Ribbon Parade (Members Day).An interesting situation at the local All Breeds Ribbon Parade, King Charles were judged first & there was only one. A Junior dog, then came the Cavaliers & there were only bitches. After judging classes to the Best Bitch (which should have been Best of Breed), the judge asked the steward (a novice) to bring the dog back for Best of Breed. The owner/handler of the King Charles said no! She was Best of Breed & didn't have to go back into the ring just yet. The judge then went to the ring entrance & asked for the dog to come back for Best of Breed. So, in went the handler & dog, that's where she pointed out that her dog was a CHARLIE & the two were different breeds,
The now embarrassed Judge realised his mistake & apologised to both handlers.
It is recommended of all owners of Charlies TO POINT OUT THE DIFFERENCE between the two breeds, it's amazing how many people think Charlies are Cavaliers with an ultra short nose.
Another amusing judging incident:
These are amusing & somewhat odd things that been said to a Charlie exhibitor by judges from time to time.
The first instance happened at an All Breeds Champ Show in SA. The judge said, "I would expect to a lot more of him in 14mths." My husband handling the dog was taken aback, "Could you please explain," he said. "Well there is just not enough oh him." Poor hubby taken aback left the ring, the dog was 12x12 & 14lbs & had coat.
Another Champ Judge pointed to me that my 3 Charlies had different length tails! One instance I could not help finding amusing was at an Open Parade, my dog having won Minor in Group was in for the General Specials & of course first to be examined, with somewhat of a confused look on her face after looking long at the little Charlies head full on, then side on, just to be sure full on again, plus checking his bite said, "How old?" "Eight months," I replied. "Oh, yes it often take 12 months or more with breed Hmmm." I looked stunned, surely she doesn't think he's a Cavalier, that did it. "Madam this is a King Charles Spaniel," I said, "The mouth is supposed to be undershot." AND she was a licensed Judge with two groups. (I caught up with the lady at another show & offered her a copy of my Charlie lecture notes.)
Once, again it is important for Charlie Owners/Breeders to speak up about the negative & ignorance judges of our breed. EDUCATE the public, the Judges, everyone. Charlies are a worthwhile little dog, so stand up & let them be COUNTED as one of the winning breeds.
The future of the KING CHARLES SPANIEL is in our hands……..
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"Charlie Tails"
One could almost forgive our Aussie judges looking a little bewildered at the line up of Charlies all with different lengths of tails, "Why aren't they a uniform length, or just left long?"
Well, judges are not the only people who ask this question, the person that wants a Charlie Companion is confused as well. I remember a very nice lady ringing to make a date & time to pick up her new baby Charlie & was upset to find it's tail had been docked. "I wanted a tail on him," she burst, "Well the tail had a dreadful bend in it & we only cut off the offending bit, I added. Mrs X was not pleased at all, so down to the kennel & I bought up Monty. Monty had a tail to end all tails, it was bent in three places & a funny little twist on the end, to top the whole thing off there was no hair on any of the bends. The dear lady looked in horror at the tail, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't think, I just thought the tails were docked at whim", she said.
"No", I replied, "We breeders love long tails but mother nature does not always oblige, she is the whimsical one here, sometimes they are long, above the hocks, just below the hocks, curly, knobbly & even no tail at all."
Mrs X took her "baby" & I didn't hear from her again for some time, when she rang to let me know Mandy has a beautiful long tail, of course it's all hair, but never the less a long tail.
A LITTLE TALE ABOUT A TAIL WITH A HAPPY ENDING….
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When I first started showing Charlies no one seemed to know anything about them here. Even the Vets I go to knew nothing about the breed.
Sarah and I were at a Ribbon Parade one Sunday. The Charlies were the last breed in the Toy Group that day. We were standing out side the ring with Hudson and Getti waiting for our turn. The Ring Steward said to the Judge 'You have two King Charles Spaniels'. The Judge looked at the dogs and said 'I have already judged the Cavaliers at the beginning of this group'. The Ring Steward explained the difference between the two breeds. We may as well have not gone in the ring at all, I kept an eye on the Judge while the Charlies were in the ring and he was looking else where.
Today if that happened to me I would not enter the ring.************************************
Judging in Darwin some time ago.
The judge refused both challenges and as the exhibitor walked from the ring the judge was overheard telling the steward that they were the worst Cavaliers he had ever seen.
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1) Upon standing at the ring entrance waiting to enter the class, I heard the Judge say to the Steward that they had 'already done the Cavaliers'.
2) Even though my show entry stated clearly King Charles Spaniel, when I received my class numbers back, my Charlie had been placed in with the Cavaliers. Upon calling the nominated Club secretary, she was unaware of a breed called the King Charles Spaniel and actually debated with me that my dog was a Cavalier!
3)When putting my dog on the table for the Judge to go over, they commented 'Ohhh they have a flat face, not like the Cavaliers'.*************************************
*Judges Comments: " I have never seen one of these - are they like the Cavaliers?"
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*Note: This Judge insisted on attempting to try and pry open my Charlies mouth, whilst he was on the table and requested it AGAIN after we had completed the triangle. My attempt to explain the Charlie & mouths while he was on the table was disregarded. When she requested it again, I politely informed her that she could refuse my challenge if she wished, but my dog was not going to be subjected to that again - and I picked Dash up at this stage in my arms. She did choose to award him 'as he is a beautiful dog'. (Her statement). Spectators on the sideline of the ring supported me and commented to me on her treatment of my dog as I left the ring. I shall be submitting a complaint to the TCA in regards to this Judge and her handling of my Charlie.
In my opinion, she would be a Judge that I would recommend that people do NOT exhibit a Charlie under!***************************************
Scenario: All Breeds Championship Show
Only 3 dogs entered in the Toy Group:
1 x Cavalier (Macca)
1 x Charlie (Me)
1 x Pug
M. went in and the Ring Steward announced: "1 Cavalier King Charlies Spaniel going for Open Dog, Challenge and Best of Breed".
M. got all of that stuff.
Then it was my turn.
The ring Steward said:"1 King Charlies Spaniel going for Junior Bitch, Challenge and Best of Breed". I ran into the ring and Mum lifted me onto the table. The judge lady opened my mouth (right open if you don't mind, and I HATE THAT), but Mum explained later that she used to be a German Shepherd person and they just do that, so that's OK.
Then I did an "out and back". Then I did a triangle,. Then I did an "around the ring in 30 degree heat if you don't mind", and THEN I got put back on the table for some reason.
Then the Judge Lady did the mouth thing again. I'm not real used to that twice in one day to be perfectly honest.
Then there was a great big discussion:
Judge Lady: I really can't in all conscience give your girl challenge with that undershot bite.
Mum: Yes she is undershot, that's correct.
Judge Lady: The mouth is too undershot and it makes her bottom jaw stick out and gives the illusion that her nose is attached to her forehead.
Mum: Yes that's correct.
Judge Lady: Her mouth is very undershot - I can't give her a Challenge on this occasion.
Mum: I don't understand the definition of 'undershot" compared to "very undershot".
Judge Lady: If you would like to go back and get your boy (that's my Cavvy mate M', now in the trolley in the marshalling area) I'll put them both on the table and show you the difference - your "boy's" mouth is correct."
Mum: I'm sorry Ma'am but I can't see what value we are adding by comparing the bite of 2 different breeds.
Well, then all hell broke loose , Ring Steward, and Chief Steward people came to visit me (just because I'm a Charlie and I'm special!) and it turned out that Judge lady apparently thought I was a Cavalier Person thing, not a Charlie (even though she'd awarded the Best of Breed Cav Ribbon to the previous exhibit) I was so embarrassed. Fancy being compared to something that has a flat head and long nose and acts like a yobbo.
So I got my 6 points, and eventually went Junior in Show but Mum's pretty concerned about something similar happening to any new Exhibitor.
I heard her telling Dad today that if if was a new exhibitor that had experienced this, they would have left the ring after the "mouth isn't correct" statement, and not having the experience (Dad actually said our Mum was probably shown in the Terrier Group in a previous life) then they would have just accepted this and left the ring.
So I guess it goes to show - all you Charlie kids out there - make sure your folks ( Mum or Dad ) knows exactly what we're supposed to be and gives us all the chance to be judged on our own merits and not those of those Cavvy dog things.
Lesson Learned: Stand up for the KINGS - If it comes to a confrontation, then I guess it's back to the old English thing - the ROUNDHEADS versus the CAVALIERS.
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Picture this, two young Charlies waiting to go in the ring, Mum (me) hears nature calling, puts Charlies in the trolley plus handbag etc and goes..
Returning some minutes later (relieved), lifts the lid of the trolley to retrieve one Charlie for grooming, when, a little upturned face looking very pleased with herself in Dust Pink lipstick voiced her opinion. The second Charlie decided to sort the rest of my handbag. Five minutes to judging and the lippy has to go. I have invented a new use for 'Diamond Eye' and found a bag with a zipper. Haven't worked out yet what else is missing, but we didn't miss our call phew!!!!
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MY, some people are insensitive, and in the earshot of my Charlies too. I know, they are MONSTERS at times, BUT, to liken them to an Octopus with spring fever is a bit much ...Half a dozen pirouettes a belly glide and a permanent sit when we should be standing is all in a days work.... when you're a youngster and want to pass on the show dog bit!
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You can Dress Him Up But You Can't Take Him Out
Alex came along on an outing with his young pal Rosie to a Sanction Match yesterday. He had a very good time and caused a lot of the bystanders to snicker behind there hands.
Alex hasn’t had a chance to hit the show ring since last fall so I guess he figured he’d make the most of it. At ring side he managed to crawl from his dad’s knee along the row of chairs(which meant over six or so laps) before he decided where he really wanted to be – next to a young girl making eyes at a her Cavalier. His dad got him under control – but not before he had sidled back over the line of laps, licked a few faces and knocked over a cup of coffee on the way. There were a few comments kind of like "isn’t this breed supposed to be reserved and placid?". Thank goodness nobody was wearing their "Sunday best" and that the coffee was cold.
Alex is a pretty funny guy. When we play outside I sing him a chorus of "Yahoo-oo Alex, let’s go-o-o" He gets excited, goes a little crazy, dances eight to ten steps on his back legs, then settles down to work. After waiting impatiently on a lap for close to an hour I guess the "Yahoo Alex" chorus gave him permission to let loose with all his pent up yearling energy. On the down and back I swear he managed at least fifteen steps in succession on his rear legs while wearing that goofy Alex smile on his face. It took several tries to get an acceptable approximation of a straight back and forth with four on the floor. At the end of this performance his wildly wagging tail shook his whole body and he gave the judge his endearing grin. She cracked up - nobody in their right mind could take him seriously.
Rosie performed with perfect decorum and ( I must add ) just a modicum of panache – she is her daddy’s girl after all. Barrie brought his sweet boy back into the ring – Alex garnered strength, pulled the lead out of Barrie’s hand, flew up onto the examining table, slid to the end, levitated in mid air and ended up in the arms of the judge. I don’t think she quite knew what to do with him – so she simply handed him back and muttered something that contained the word " manners".
My husband has made it very clear that his short lived show handling career has definitely come to an end… and as he delights in pointing out to everyone … he hasn’t even made it out of Junior Handling. I sure glad he has sense of humour.