Cat show

From ArticleWorld

Cat shows are very organized, highly competitive events. There are many different organizations that hold competitions and the rules differ for each of them. Cats are compared to a breed standard and those closest to that standard are awarded prizes. Some of the organizations award additional prizes, at the end of the year, to those with the highest total points from the various shows.

Judging methods

In the U.S., cat owners are allowed to be present during judging. The cat is assigned a number, and the owner is responsible for presenting the cat, in the ring, when called. One of the judges, each with their own ring of cages, removes the cat, inspects it, and returns it to the cage when finished.

In Europe, the cats are often required to be in an undecorated cage, in a hall with the other competing cats. The owners are required to leave the hall while the judges examine each one, and are only allowed to return when all the judging is complete. The results are then computed and prizes are awarded.

Categories

The standard categories for competition, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association, are as follows:

• Kitten competition is for pedigreed kittens ages four to eight months. • Championship competition is for unaltered, pedigreed cats over the age of eight months. • Premiership competition is for altered, pedigreed cats over the age of eight months. • Provisional competition is for breeds that have not yet achieved championship status. • Miscellaneous competition is for breeds not yet advanced to provisional status. • Veteran class is for cats over the age of seven years, assuming that it could also qualify for championship or premier status. • Household pet competition is for all non-pedigreed cats and pedigreed cats with a disqualifying trait.

Breed registries

• American Cat Fanciers Association • Australian Cat Federation • Canadian Cat Association • Cat Fanciers’ Association • Federation Internationale Feline • Governing Council of the Cat Fancy • The International Cat Association

Over the years, as breeders have continually worked to find the ideal of each breed, the characteristics of some breeds have changed. Some have been to change or improve the look and health of the breed, and some have worked to preserve the original appearance.