hi all, just looking for some advice, i have bought a puppy of relatively good breeding (my first kc reg' dog), and am hoping to show, all aspects of pup are going well, except the topline.... it should be level. She seems to be very strong and well built behind the waist and and regular build from waist up, obviously slimmer shoulders than bum. This isn't giving her a very pleasant outline at the moment. My query is, is this like a growing phase and the rest of her will catch up with her behind or is she going to be too long in the back legs for showing. Everything else, teeth, walk, coat etc., seems fine.

I have noticed that most breeds that have anormal level topline go through the bum high stage. My breed certainly do. You can only really judge by her prents and what her topline was like at 6 to 8 weeks.

My cavalier pup lewy, 5.5 months old, is going through this at the moment. He had a perfect topline up until about 15 weeks old, i've been told its a stage they go through, and his front legs will catch up soon! Lewy's first show is in 2 weeks time, so i'll be able to compare his shape to pups of a similar age to see if its a common thing. He's also going through an undershot stage, again perfect teeth till he was about 14 weeks then went slightly undershot but i've also been told that cav teeth can continue to change up till their 18 months to 2 years old, so hopefully they'll sort themselves out! Good luck with your showing!

Erin