Main Westminster Photo gallery
Westminster Dog Show 2008 - Spotlight. As part of the veterinary medicine coverage of the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club show, dogs and handlers that have a "veterinary story" to tell will be featured on this site. This spotlight is on Emme, a 4 year old female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is owned and handled by Cathrine Darr DVM, a veterinarian from Ohio.
Here is Emme's story, in Cathrine's own words. Don't miss Emme's Photo gallery. All photos featured in this article and the gallery are © Cathrine Darr DVM.
Some facts about Emme:
Official name: Flying Colors Marquis
Color: Blenheim
Born: 8/30/04
Breeder: Cathy Gish of Flying Colors Cavalier Kennels in Henderson, Kentucky
Emme was the first show quality Cavalier that I have owned - also owning 2 other pet quality Cavaliers previously. Emme qualified for the Westminster by winning Best of Breed in Montgomery, Alabama and Canton, Ohio as well as Best of Opposite at St. Clairsville, Delaware, Tallmadge and Canfield, Ohio and Champaign, Illinois.
Emme is a very loving and devoted dog who would spend all day sleeping on my lap, if possible. She always will jump in the truck to go back and forth to work with me. She runs through the clinic looking everywhere for me. When she comes in from outside, she is happy to see me as if we have been separated for years. She loves to chase butterflies and is also known to have chase a deer and rabbits as she lives in the middle of a 50 acre hayfield.
Some facts about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed, from Cathrine Darr DVM:
- The largest of the toy dog group
- Breed standard is 12-18 pounds: small, well balanced, active, and graceful with a gentle expression - known as a "head breed" because of their beautiful face, eye expression and ear set
- Friendly and non-aggressive with no tendency toward nervousness
- Sporting and love to chase butterflies and birds
- Favored dog of King Charles and aristocrats in England in the late 1600's and thus roamed Blenheim Palace
- They were called "comforters" because they are not only laps dogs, but also helped keep their owners warm by sleeping with them
- Four accepted colors - Blenheim (most common), Tri-Color, Ruby, and Black and Tan
Thank you, Cathrine, for this peek at Emme pre-show! Best wishes for Westminster 2008!
