10/26/2026
From our beloved Kitt Kat's maternal line of extraordinary dogs...one of her phenomenal McMatt GrandSires!
I absolutely love, love, LOVE the McMatt bloodlines!!! ❤️🐾❤️
TBT: AKC-INT-ASCA CH McMatt’s EZ Going OA NAJ ROMX-II
"Cruiser"
Sire: AKC CH McMatt’s EZ Victor HOF
Dam: AKC-ASCA CH Castle’s Image of McMatt HOF
Breeders and Owners: Flo and Matt McDaniel
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If you have a son or daughter of Cruiser's sire, CH McMatt's EZ Victor HOF, I'd love to have those photos too.
Cruiser’s name was the perfect reflection of his smooth, easy-going movement. He moved correctly because he was built correctly. He had outstanding structure, including a phenomenal shoulder assembly and perfect rear. Cruiser had balanced angulation, excellent short hocks, beautiful tight feet, and a solid topline that was perfectly level when he gaited.
[ IMPORTANT NOTE: Would you like your dog's photo to be in my next book? Many of the photos and comments in this post will appear in Volume II of Unforgettable Aussies, which will be released this fall. Adding your photos to this post and writing comments means you agree that I can publish them in the book, on my website, and on social media. I'm not able to offer compensation for use of your material because there will be over 400 dogs in the book. But I do credit the photographers! ]
Along with exceptional soundness, Cruiser had strong bone and gorgeous breed type. He carried a handsome, masculine head with a strong underjaw. Although he only measured 20 ½” at the shoulder, Cruiser’s proud carriage and stocky build made him appear larger.
Cruiser was a prepotent sire who produced excellent offspring and was known for producing exceptional bi***es. He stamped his lovely front, topline and bone, and put pretty headpieces on his progeny. His litters often contained multiple puppies who became champions. Cruiser produced fifty-five AKC champions, ten who achieved Hall of Fame status, and twenty-five performance titled progeny.
Cruiser’s breeder and owner, Flo McDaniel, described him best:
“Cruiser was not a dog who would go with just anyone. He was very loyal to his family and particularly to me. We were inseparable. He was definitely ‘aloof’ with strangers until he got to know them well.
Cruiser would let you know when he was offended. He never liked the ‘down’ command when Becky worked with him in agility. He gave her a ‘look’ that made it clear he was not a fan. Even so, he earned his AKC Open Agility title as well as his Novice Jumpers with Weaves title.
Cruiser did not like being away from his home and was not truly happy in the show ring unless he was with my daughter, Becky. She could bring out the best in him.
He loved to play with Becky and she taught him silly pet tricks which eased his stress in the show ring. She taught him to spin, do grapevine weaves, retrieve, roll over, and other games to keep his mind stimulated during conformation showing.
I wanted to campaign Cruiser for a short while, which required sending him out with a handler. He was on the show circuit for about four months. During that time he garnered sixteen Group firsts.
After his campaign was over, I picked up Cruiser from the handler, and he was thrilled to come home. I went to visit the handler about a month later and she was excited to see Cruiser. We met up with her and when Cruiser saw her, he jumped back into the van, turned his back to her, and wouldn’t even look at her. He did not want to go on the show circuit again!”
Along with his Group wins, Cruiser’s accolades also included a spectacular trifecta at the 2005 USASA National Specialty where he won Best of Breed, an Award of Merit, and Best Veteran. He won First Place in the Stud Dog Class at the 2003, 2004 and 2005 USASA National Specialties, and was First Select in Futurity at the 1999 ASCA National Specialty.
Cruiser passed away September 6, 2012, just three months shy of his 16th birthday.
