About Us

SusanHow it all began

In 1996 my husband, Tom, and I added the first Cavalier to our family and thus began our love affair with the breed. We became members of the CKCSC, USA and shortly thereafter I became interested in, and pursued, showing Cavaliers.  I applied to have “Briarcrest” as my registered affix in 1998 but took time to enjoy my own dogs and learn all I could from watching others, as well as reading about them and, most importantly from mentors, both here and abroad, with whom I was fortunate enough to develop relationships and glean knowledge before I began to breed in 2004.  I consider myself blessed to have produced Cavaliers of my breeding that I am now successfully showing.

Club involvement

We are proud to be  members of the CKCSC,USA. Additionally, I am also a member Cavaliers of The West (COTW), the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Southern California (CKCSCSC), and the English Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club (UK).  Our dogs are registered with both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of the United States (CKCSC,USA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Health testing

All dogs used in our breeding program are tested by board certified specialists for hearts and eyes annually, and OFFA certified for hips and patellas at two years of age (unless, specifically specified otherwise). Our goal in breeding is to produce healthy and beautiful Cavaliers that exemplify breed type in their aesthetics, conformation and temperament.  We are committed to the future health of the breed and do as much research as possible with regard to each breeding we undertake.

Our philosophy

Aside from showing and occasionally breeding, our Cavaliers are first and foremost members of our family and live with us in our home.  We strive for balance when it comes to breeding.  We know that relatively few of the dogs we breed will remain with us. That's why it is important to us that our dogs be healthy and long lived and possess typical Cavalier temperaments,  thereby helping to ensure they make good companions for their families. Thus overall health, longevity and proper temperament  are equally as important to our breeding program as beauty and  structure.

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