It was a lovely spring day (yes, I am excited that it is officially spring) and so we took some photos in the green garden.
These little cavalier pups are heading to their first opthlamologist appointment this week to have an eye check – then they will see a cardiologist too. This is standard procedure for all Kazuri cavalier puppies so we have all the information we need before they set off to their forever homes.
These pups have the most amazing families waiting to bring these sweet little pups home.
Anyone who follows me knows how much I love the blue chair as it makes every puppy’s color pop – I just love photos taken on it.
Manny is 9 weeks now and Mistletoe and Holly are 8 weeks. It felt like a good time to take their photos.
In the coming weeks, they will have their opthamologist and cardiologist appointments (Standard go home protocol for my ckcs puppies) and start learning how to crate train. I am amazed at how fast these weeks start to go as we enjoy them so much.
Manny, Holly and Mistletoe are growing so fast. They are learning new skills like teetering on uneven surfaces, navigating stairs, following when we call, and eating on their own (yes this is a skill they have to learn).
The weather is mild this week so they have been able to play outside without their little jackets on – they are SO happy! They run around and chew on each other’s ears and tails – more than anything, it is delightful to see their happy little bounces as they enjoy the fresh air.
All three are social and happy. Their little personalities are starting to emerge. I cant wait to see the results of their Volhard tests and see how right I am about their baseline.
We have one ruby cavalier girl available to the right home. She is more reserved in nature – friendly, but likes to watch rather than initiate. I think she would do amazing in a home where she is the 2nd dog, to follow, or with a more quiet home that wants a snuggle bug.
We do not have a “Kennel” – our dogs are our home pets and part of our family. So, our puppies are raised as much as we can with our family. As the puppies get old enough, they start to meet the older dogs, have time inside playing with toys and outside when it’s not too cold. They have even been watching Nick during his treadmill sessions to keep fit – I like to think of them as his little cheerleaders.
Enjoy the photos of them integrating into life at Kazuri
Pipers little Manny is 6 weeks old and Ruby’s girls Mistletoe and Holly are 5 weeks old. They are enjoying three meals a day and are getting very good at using their potty box, so their play area is staying nice and clean.
It is fun to see their little personalities starting to emerge. Manny is very outgoing – he has started to growl which sounds like a little trill from a chipmonk. He thinks he is very tough, but melts when you pick him up.
Mistletoe and Holly have started to play too, but are much more laid back than their “brother”. I think Holly is the most laid back right now, but that can easily change as they are exposed to new experiences coming up.
We play movies for them through the day – Jurassic park, Transformers, Saving Private Ryan – anything with loud, strange sounds so they think those noises are normal and not scary.
I am so pleased with these sweet babies – I am so thankful they are healthy and happy little ones.
I have been a little busy and so haven’t had the chance to document the cavalier babies with my proper camera. So, today I thought it would be good to do that.
The cavalier babies are starting to get up on their feet – I have put them in the same area and they now sleep together. I think it is especially good for Piper’s boy, affectionately known as “Manny” (Short for Emanuel). Ruby’s girls are “Holly” (with less white spots) and “Mistletoe” (with the white lines).
Piper and Ruby’s cavalier puppies are growing so well – both moms are calm and settled, and take very good care of their charges. I have to smile that both girls made a little version of themselves despite the fact that I bred them both to dogs that were different colors to them 🙂
Ruby went into labor on the day we expected – New Years Eve. Her signs were not obvious – she didn’t want to leave my side (or knee) and kept licking her lips. I put her in a crate beside me with a camera on her that I could discreetly watch from my bed 2 feet away.
Around 11:30pm, with no digging or grunting, she let out one big noise – I knew a baby had surprised her. And I was right. A big beautiful baby girl with little white markings. She was a lovely 5.9oz
She went to work caring for her daughter.
About an hour and a half later, she snorted and there was a wet sound – a tiny little angel Blenheim boy arrived – he never took a breath – he was barely bigger than my thumb and 1.8oz. I was so sad but I also know that there is usually a reason why they don’t make it, so I was thankful to lose him then and not in a week or month.
An hour after that again, Ruby started to push again, and another beautiful ruby girl arrived. 5.1oz of precious-ness.
Ruby has settled into motherhood quickly and loves her two girls so very much. The girls are healthy and strong and are already nursing.
Every year I am amazed at the things I achieved in my breeding program and 2025 is no exception. I will say, it’s not just me – it takes a village and I am grateful for the people who have put their trust in me and my breeding program as we partner and work towards bettering the breed for these incredible dogs.
This is how our year went 🙂
NICK – MBIS MBISS GCHP Kazuri’s All I Want For Christmas CGCU ATT FDC BCAT – Nick came to live with me (Sarah) late 2024. There are not many shows in the early part of the year, and so I focused on bonding with him. We started in March and since then have obtained countess OH group placements, OH BIS and OHRBIS. We finished the 2024-25 NOHS year in #2 position, and the 2025-26 spot we are in 1st place for now. He ended the year as the #7 15 inch beagle. Nick and I garnered 45 BOVs, 1 RBIS and 4 Hound Group 1s, 2 Hound group 3’s and 3 Hound group 4’s. We needed 315 points for his GCH Double Platinum, and now need around 70 points to complete that goal. What a year! He is bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner
Murphy – BIS BISS GCHS Kazuri’s Everything’s Gonna Be Alright has mostly been shown by Randy Benns and they have become quite a team together. This year they finished in the #2 13 inch beagle spot and have achieved 57 BOV, 1 BIS, 6 Hound group 1s, 20 Hound Group placements. Murphy has just turned 3, so I think the best is coming yet. He was bred by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner and is owned by Sarah Smith-Falkner, Sarah Sweetman and Ruth Sampson.
Savannah – GCHB Kazuri’s Gonna Be Peachy – Vannah Voo finished the NOHS year in the #4 spot qualifying her to compete in the prestigious Orlando NOHS spot. I am so proud of Malia and Vannah and the hard work they put in week after week. They also ended the year in the top 20 for 13 inch beagles! Savannah was bred by Sarah Sweetman and is owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman
Lucy – GCHB Wilderness You Can’t Take My Sass finished her Bronze GCH with limited showing this year. We are very proud of this sassy little miss who also garnered some lovely OH Group placements in her limited showing. She was bred by Diane Cazier & Cheyenne Wohlschlegel and is owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman
And now for the New Champion list – make yourself a cup of tea – it’s long 🙂
DeeJay (13 inch) – CH Kazuri’s Do You Get DeJa Vu – DeeJay finished under breeder judge Oleg Voloshin for her 4th major – including a Group 3 from the Bred By classes. She was bred and is owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner
Vada (or Potato) (13 inch) – CH Kazuri N Joyful Noise Sunshine On A Cloudy Day – Vada won several Bpup Hound groups before making her debut as a 7 month old at the INBC beagle specialty. Unfortunately, I had entered her as a 15 inch, and she was clearly a 13 so no points that day, Howver, she did win 15 inch Bred By and then Best Bred by in show that day under judge Dana Cline. Since then, she garnered her CH title in 13s quickly including several Group placements and BOV wins over specials. She was bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and is owned by Kayla Bonnin & Sarah Sweetman. She is littermate to Lyric and Beacon below
Lyric (13 inch) – CH Joyful Noise N Kazuri Sound Of Sunshine- Lyric quickly finished her CH title as a 7 month old at the INBC beagle specialty winning BOS to her brother over specials. She garnered her CH title in 13s in a couple of weekends including a lovely 5 point major by getting a group 2 as a 6 month old! She was bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and is owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. She is littermate to Potato and Beacon below
Beacan (13 inch) CH Kazuri N Joyful Noise Sunshine Of Your Love – Beacon got his AKC CH title on his 8 month birthday. His most notable win was BOV was from the Bred By Puppy class at the INBC beagle specialty, beating his dad Murphy. He was bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns. He is littermate to Lyric and Potato
Mac (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Lettuce Turnip The Beef – Mac finished his CH title with some wonderful WD wins. Mac was bred by Sarah Sweetman and is owned by Chelsea T
Mac’s littermate sister Pickles (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Gonna Be A Big Dill won WB the same day allowing both a 5 point major and finishing their titles together. It was a very fun day! Pickles is bred by Sarah Sweetman and owned by Sarah Smith-Falkner and Sarah Sweetman
Gypsy (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise N Kazuri Just Lace and Paper Flowers – Gypsy finished her CH title with 4 majors. Gyp is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Sarah Sweetman Gypsy’s littermates also finished – Ozzy and Whimsy
Whimsy (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise N Kazuri Just Glitter In The Wind – Whim finished from the BBE class and is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. Her littermates also finished – Ozzy and Gypsy
Ozzy (15 inch) CH Kazuri N JoyfulNoise Just Over The Rainbow – is 4 singles away from his GCH also after 2 weekends as a special. Ozzy is bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns and owned by Tesla Sabatier, Dolly Stearns & Sarah Sweetman
Reese (15 inch) CH Belamie’s Everything Goes With Pink at Kazuri – Reese arrived to us in WA in October 2025, and became a new champion in Nov 2025 and 3 weekends in the ring. She is the daughter of Kazuri’s homebred CH Shelby, sister of Callie and Murphy. Bred by Pat Plana & Harmoni Plana and owned by Sarah Sweetman. She also finished her CH the same weekend as her littermate sister Bliss, that Pat kept for herself – so fun.
Malibu (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Blue Skies Over Malibu – Blu-berry was shown sporadically and finished in just a few weekends. He was bred by Sarah Sweetman and owned by Malia Throop & Sarah Sweetman
Basil (15 inch) CH JoyfulNoise It Takes A Lot More Than Fancy Flying – bred by Sarah Sweetman & Dolly Stearns, owned by Dolly Stearns & Ruthie Tesky. Finished in style by John Stearns
Chase (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s Chasing The Dream. Finished with 3 majors. He was bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman, Mike and Karen Kurtzner
Elphaba (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s No Trouble Defying Gravity – finished with e Best Puppy in Show at the CWBC beagle specialty and 3 majors. Bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman
Walker (15 inch) CH Kazuri’s It’s A Cake Walk. Walker finished with 3 majors. Bred and owned by Sarah Sweetman and now retired and loved by Chelsea T
Honorable mention for miss Olvia Newton John who competed in BPUP (4-6 class) 7 times and walked away with 7 Hound Group wins, and 5 Best In Shows against some lovely puppy competition. 🙂 She will debut in the regular classes in 2026. She was also “borrowed” for puppy cuddles by photography Tyler Crady who did a photoshoot of her.
I was so thrilled that after 2 years of not having any cavalier puppies, we had 2 mommies-to-be. Piper was due on the 30th Dec, but of course with cavaliers, we expect them to give birth around day 60 which was the 27th.
Christmas Eve, we noticed a strange discharge color. I called my vet and asked if we could do an evaluation. She agreed and we jumped in the car, so thankful especially considering the evening.
Piper was taken back for an immediate C-section. To our great disappointment, we had lost 4 out of the 5 puppies. The one remaining puppy was 3oz – tiny with no hair on his legs, muzzle or tail. All signs that he was premature.
Miss Piper came through surgery just fine and was quickly in love with her baby. This baby will need a lot of support if he is going to make it.
