My Journey to Becoming a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Owner
I have been a dog lover since I was four years old. It started when my parents brought home a little Border Collie mix puppy, her name was Penny. She was an amazing little girl. I had my own Lassie dog. She would walk me to the bus stop for school and meet me there when the bus returned. She let me dress her up in doll clothes and would stay in the stroller all day if I wanted her to. She was easy to train and had all the love in her heart to give. She was my companion all of my childhood and through my teens. That is what started my life long love for dogs.
Then I became interested in Rottweilers. I thought they were a beautiful dog, intelligent muscular, agile, and stubborn. I did some showing with them as well as obedience, tracking, and protection training. I became president of the Rottweiler Performance Club.
Although I loved the big dogs, I missed having a lap dog. Then my mom, who was a dog lover also, bought two beautiful long haired Chihuahuas. Just what I had been looking for, a little dog that I could keep with me all the time! So I purchased a puppy and started my adventure with Chihuahuas. It was so much fun breeding dogs alongside my mom. We searched for beautiful Chihuahuas with nice pedigrees and talked about dogs all day. Our Chihuahuas were all different colors, short hair and long. My Rottweiler friends couldn’t believe it!
Later I saw a beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Those soulful eyes reminded me of my first love, Penny, my little Border Collie mix puppy. Of course I had to have one. It took me some time, but I found my first Cavalier, there were not many at that time.
That is how my thirty year journey of breeding dogs has gotten me here to the Cavaliers. I have found the breed for me; it will be mine for the rest of my life.
an introduction to the gillcrest cavalier family
I have sought after well established Cavalier lines, known to be healthy, correct in temperament, type and beautiful. These lines consist of Grantilley, Turretbank, Pascavale, Maibee, Sheeba, Luxxar, and others.
I am a small hobby/show breeder with all my Cavaliers living with me as pets. I am always trying to produce my next show dog. For that reason, I only place my puppies in homes as companion pets, with a spay or neuter contract. Beware of puppies being offered as show quality. A responsible breeder would never let a puppy go that is truly show quality, unless you are a friend or agree to co-ownership.
I am also a member of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA and Cavaliers of the West, and I strictly follow the breeding code of ethics. I continue to further my education on breeding by attending seminars as often as I can.
I want to thank my husband and daughter for their support in this life long journey I have taken.
Please see Learn More About Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for more information on the Cavalier King Charles breed in general.