The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [13]
Most cat shows feature judging rings for seven different classes. Like dogs, cats are judged not against each other but against a written breed standard of perfection. Rather than trotting around the ring all at once, cats are brought to a particular area to be handled and inspected individually by the judge for each class. The seven main classes are listed below.
KITTEN. Unaltered or altered kittens too young for Championship classes
CHAMPIONSHIP. Unaltered, registered cats over eight months of age
PREMIERSHIP. Neutered or spayed, registered cats over eight months of age
VETERAN. Registered cats seven years or older
PROVISIONAL. Registered breeds with provisional standards established by CFA but not yet accepted for Championship competition
MISCELLANEOUS. Registered breeds not accepted for Provisional Breed competition
HOUSEHOLD PET. Any domestic kitten or altered cat not otherwise eligible
There are many ways to snag a ribbon at a cat show. Categories include best of color, best champion within a breed, and best of breed. There is even a separate competition called Junior Showmanship. This is a program to evaluate young participants’ knowledge of cat care, breed history, and standards in an effort to encourage family involvement in cat show competitions.
As for being a spectator, there is a certain etiquette required of attendees. Some of the inside tips I can share are on the following page.
Never touch a cat without the owner’s permission. Not all cats like being handled by large numbers of strangers. Also, you don’t want to risk passing germs from one cat to another or detracting from the cat’s well-groomed appearance that took hours to achieve. Exhibitors will usually ask visitors to spray disinfectant/odor neutralizer on their hands before petting their cat.
Time your photo-taking opportunities. Ask permission before snapping away at a captivating cat being groomed or in the judging ring.
Don’t engage in extended small talk with the cat show exhibitors. They are busy listening for their cats’ numbers to be called to a judging ring and keeping their cats calm and well coiffed. Ask if they have time to answer a question or two, but let them initiate any lengthy conversation about their cats and their particular breed characteristics. Most do enjoy talking about cats when the time is right. Look for exhibitors wearing “Ask Me” buttons as these people are in the CFA Ambassador Program and they are always willing to answer questions or just “talk cats.”
Leave your feline friend at home. These shows are limited to cats competing for honors. And of course, no dogs are allowed!
What I like best about cat shows is that they are not limited to pedigreed cats. Most shows sponsor a Household Pet competition that is open to random bred cats at least four months old. The winners are judged for their overall coat and body condition, reflecting good health and cleanliness, as well as for their unique appearance and appealing personality. The agility competition is also open to all cats, pedigreed or random bred.
If you are interested in exhibiting your cat, you might be surprised to know that many cats, once exposed to the busy cat show environment, enjoy the process. Household Pet cats must be entered before the show; the club sponsoring the show will have information necessary to prepare your future star and make this a good experience.
I am also impressed that many cat show organizers work with local shelters and rescue groups to promote adoptions for cats in need of homes.
THE FABULOUS FELINE FIVE
What do America’s 90.5 million cats look like? A great many are “just cats” — tabbies, tigers, tortoiseshells, and tuxedos, both short- and longhaired. Of the 41 pedigreed breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, keepers of the world’s largest cat registry, these are the most popular breeds.