Julie Wickwire | Creswick Clumber Spaniels

Interview with Julie Wickwire, Breeder of Creswick Clumber Spaniels

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My passion for Sporting dogs started as a Junior Handler showing my English Springer Spaniel. When I won Best Northwest Junior Handler with her, I was hooked! My husband, Bob, and I live in Oregon and fell in love with Clumber Spaniels for numerous reasons, especially that the breed was not split along field and show lines. Being passionate about preserving the breed’s original purpose and natural instincts, our first Clumber was owner-trained and handled by Bob and I to become the first Clumber to earn the Master Hunter title (2001). I have been an AKC Spaniel Hunt Test judge for over 20 years and love seeing the breed doing what they were bred to do. I am proud that our small and selective breeding program under the “Creswick” banner has produced numerous Conformation champions and Specialty winners that have also excelled in the field for more than 20 years. Our daughter, Lauren, has grown up in dogs and is now an active co-breeder with us and an accomplished handler. Most recently, our dogs have won the CSCA’s Top Ten Gala competitions in 2022 and 2023.

2. My process for selecting show puppies involves a continuous team approach. Myself, Bob, and Lauren evaluate puppies initially at the age of eight weeks, and then again around 12 weeks. We have developed an open process of discussion as we go over a litter and try to focus on what improvements we hoped to make and what gains we hoped to keep, while striving for that ideal “long, low, and substantial” specimen. We typically sort our top prospects and then keep those until the adult teeth come in. A scissors bite is preferred in the Breed Standard, but we do not show or keep dogs with poor bites. Puppy evaluation for performance centers on such qualities as biddability, willingness to retrieve, boldness to cover, and curiosity. Of course, the ultimate puppy for us will combine an exciting potential for success in both venues; the show ring and the field.

3. Yes, in my opinion, the breed is in good condition overall and has been steadily improving for the past 20 years. Clumbers in the US have not split along show and field lines, which was one of the original aspects of the breed that attracted me and is also important for many of the breed’s defenders. In recent years, more attention has been paid to OFA certification for elbows in the breed, which is a positive development.

4. Breeding and showing a low-entry breed such as the Clumber is truly a labor of love that takes passion and commitment. Clumber entries are typically low compared to other Sporting breeds, but I have generally found that most judges will take the time to recognize and reward good specimens. The upside of more shows is that they provide more opportunities to showcase Clumbers to the general public. Generally, Clumber owners are used to having to coordinate with others to build majors, and more shows provide more options for these opportunities.

Clumber entries are typically low compared to other Sporting breeds, but I have generally found that most judges will take the time to recognize and reward good specimens.

5. There are always individuals and groups that will misuse social media, but with a niche breed, such as the Clumber, it generally provides an opportunity for community and connection with other owners, breeders, and fanciers from around the world.

6. In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges facing the dog show community today as a whole is the aging population of our sport. We need to take the time to encourage and attract the younger generation to the dog world. I see the need for this in both the show ring and the field.

7. Building on the thought of trying to attract the younger generation to our sport, I have seen many positive changes in the area of Junior Showmanship, for example. Individuals such as Jody Davidson in Arizona have led the way with offering mentoring, training, and support for a large number of Juniors around the country, both in-person and virtually. I look around the shows that I attend today and see many of our daughter’s friends from the Juniors ring competing as successful owners, handlers, and breeders. I think that it’s important for clubs to continue to showcase and support Juniors with events such as limited competitions and opportunities to win scholarships. Junior Handlers are the future of our sport and need to be supported, encouraged, and cultivated!