About Tassajara Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Tassajara is comprised of Ellen and Jamie Seidman, a mother and daughter team living in the Bay Area of California. Ellen and Jamie have been raising dogs most of their lives. They began their journey into dogs by rescuing  Labrador retrievers and Basset hounds until 1986, when Ellen purchased her first golden retriever. He was strictly a pet, but Ellen was hooked on goldens from that point on. Ellen was first introduced to the Cavalier in 1989, and decided she would purchase one as soon as she could afford it. She continued keeping retrievers as pets until 1999, when she purchased her first Cavalier. She trained and showed her Cavaliers exclusively in obedience until she got her third Cavalier, Ch. Crossbow American Idol ("Isaac"), as a puppy and was introduced to the conformation arena. The rest, as they say, is history.

Isaac's debut was at the Del Valle Kennel Club show in Pleasanton, California in October of 2003. Though Ellen and Jamie were slightly bewildered by the new routines of breed ring competition, they knew by the end of the three-day show that they were hooked. They have never looked back since. Jamie honed her handling skills  and began competing in Junior Showmanship as well as working for professional handlers, while Ellen got involved by grooming and training the dogs. Her dear friend Cindy Huggins taught her to groom, and now Ellen teaches others what she has learned.

At this time, they have raised two champion Cavaliers since 2003. Isaac was their first dog to become a champion. Ellen fell in love with Isaac the first time she saw him as a young puppy at the breeder's home. Isaac was always sweet, gentle, kind and had eyes that let you see right through to his heart. Isaac loved to show almost immediately, as he saw it a way to please Ellen. Now he enjoys showing so much that runs to handler Bruce Schultz whenever he suspects he will be shown! Ellen and Jamie are very lucky to have him as their first show dog. He has had an impressive career, being a champion in both the AKC and CKCSC-USA, as well as ranked among the top 25 Cavaliers two years running--feats accomplished by very few dogs! Isaac will retire from the show ring late fall and have his last hurrah at Westminster 2007.

Their second champion was Ch. Covington Hot Shot, "Monte." Monte came to live at Tassajara at one year old. When he was ready to transition from being Ellen's office buddy to a big-league show dog, Monte went to live with professional handlers Bruce Schultz and Tara Tuthill. Monte became very attached to Tara, and vice versa! Tara has done such a wonderful job of training Monte and their bond is so great that Ellen and Heidi Mohn (breeder and co-owner) gave co-ownership of Monte to Tara. Monte received his AKC championship in December of 2005 and is currently preparing to replace Isaac next year as a campaigned "special" in the AKC. Monte sired his first litter in July 2006, producing 6 puppies--3 girls and 3 boys. The puppies are now almost 3 weeks old. We are anxious to see Monte's progeny grow up to be successful show dogs.

Dogs are an integral part of the Seidmans' busy lives. Ellen works full-time as a loan consultant for Washington Mutual, and grooms the dogs and spends time with Jamie and her younger sister Matti when she gets off work. When Jamie is not showing dogs or working for professional handlers on the weekends, she enjoys swimming and singing for a top California school chamber choir. Kevin Glenn, the head male of the household, has embraced the family's love for Cavaliers and actively participates in cheering Jamie and Ellen on. He shows his support by heading up Cavalier transportation: chauffeuring the dogs to and from airports and making sure all their crates are in order for their journeys to dog shows.

Cavaliers are a very important part of Ellen and Jamie's lives! Their Cavalier's eyes, hips, and hearts are all health tested with the OFA, and the dogs are trained in conformation and obedience. All Cavalier "kids" sleep in bed with their human family.

At this time, Tassajara only raises males since initially they were only interested in showing in conformation, however they are now in the process of raising girls in order to breed their own champions. They hope to have puppies sometime late in 2007.

About Our Professional Handlers

Bruce Schultz handles Isaac and Monte. He is a member of the Professional Handlers Association (PHA) and is currently on the PHA's Board of Directors, as well as a zone representative for AKC handlers. Bruce has been handling dogs professionally over 30 years, and has won over 500 Best in Shows and six group wins at Westminster Kennel Club. He is world renown as a top handler, having been named top handler of the year 1998.

Tara Tuthill handles along with Bruce Schultz. Her skills are second to none. Tara grew up in the world of dogs and competed as a a Junior Handler at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Tara shows both class dogs and specials. She exclusively handles the # 3 Afghan Hound, "Ike," who is still only two years of age! Tara also raised and trained Ch. Covington Hot Shot, "Monte." Tara went to the University of Michigan and intended to practice as a veterinarian. Unfortunatley, her father died during her final year in school and Tara decided to return to her first love, dog handling.

Specializing in golden retrievers, Bruce handles a wide variety of breeds and types of dogs. Many of the dogs he has handled are top-ranked in both the breed and group system. Isaac is Bruce's first Cavalier, and he has thoroughly enjoyed the experience so much that he now handles all of Ellen and Jamie's champions as "specials."

One interesting piece of trivia about Bruce is related to the movie "Best in Show." Bruce was originally offered the role of the exhibitor with the bloodhound, later played in the film by Christopher Guest.
Bruce had obligations which precluded his involvement, however Chris's hair was dyed red to match Bruce, and the fishing cap he wore was something Bruce would wear often. Bruce allowed the movie to use his client's bloodhound in the film. Next time you watch this movie, think of Bruce Schultz!