Someone has drawn my attention to another breed that should perhaps be included in the project - the Bolognese. They are very similar in temperament to the Cavalier in the sense of being natural, responsive companion dogs, little shadows of their owners and very affectionate. Biddable, sweet tempered, and lovely. They are more shy with strangers than the Cavalier (which breed isn't, to be fair!), but so is the King Charles spaniel that the Cavalier was recreated from in the 1930's, and it didn't take too long to get to the current Cavalier temperament then.
Introducing this breed would mean the lovely square muzzle would be easier to keep from the Cocker, though there would be an intermediate generation with non-shedding Bolognese coats before we got back to the medium length feathered coat (the Bolognese coat is I believe a dominant gene).
Well Chloe has been growing up, and her affectionate nature is showing itself. She loves to snuggle up on our laps just like Zack, and in the morning wakes up OH by licking his nose then burrows down under the covers for another 10 minutes doze cuddled up safe. All good news for getting the cavalier temperament!
Well I know I haven't written in ages, but I've been more than a little busy! My foster dog went to her new home, which is always a bitter-sweet moment, but the universe contrived to keep me busy and sent me a great cocker spaniel breeder who could see the value of the Project and was willing to let me have a bitch pup. Out of concern for her reputation amongst the political world of dog breeding/showing, I am keeping her kennel name out of the public domain, but rest assured the pup is everything one of the foundation bitches for the Project needs to be. Both parents were health tested, and on meeting the mother it was clear she had a lovely friendly solid temperament, and apparently the sire is the same. The pup we have named Chloe, and she is a dark blue roan.
