We have all had the experience of spectators oohing and aahing when a beautiful cat is on the judging stand. And we as exhibitors have done the same thing, though perhaps more internally. On the other hand (more often from the exhibitors’ point of view), blank expressions, tongue clicks, or subtle head-shaking might signasl just the opposite when a poorly presented cat is on the table. What is it about that cat or kitten that elicits such responses? Judges have the added opportunity to handle these cats. Oh, the stories their hands and eyes can tell!
Showing cats is a commitment on many fronts, not the least of which is caring for our kittens and cats and giving them their best possible lives. That commitment is not something that begins the week before a show – it is months in the making. A highquality diet, exercise, and conditioning keep the body in shape, but what about appearance? That too requires attention – often on a daily basis – and is dependent on the breed and coat type.
A few months ago, a request was sent to the CFA Judges’ List asking for input on their experiences from show to show. There were several private responses, and it should come as a surprise to many of us that this list is as long as it is!
• Claws not trimmed (CFA Show Rules, Article X, BENCHING/ CHECK-IN, 10.06: All claws of each entry must be clipped prior to benching. Failure to do so will subject the entry to disqualification.)
• Staining on face and other areas of body
• Crusty, dirty eyes (especially on Persians and Exotics)
• Dirty ears and nostrils
• Dirty toes/claws (especially on Rexcoated and Sphynx breeds)
• Anal area not clean on breeds where this is obvious (as above)
• Coats that look and feel greasy/oily
• Grooming on top, but not the undersides of longhair and semilonghair breeds – knots!
• Feces on hind ends of longhair and semi-longhair breeds
• Grooming aids:
Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Cat Talk.
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Denne historien er fra August 2024-utgaven av Cat Talk.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Checklist For What to Look For in Your Club's Next Show Venue
Show Manager To Ring One, Please
Tonkinese
When You're Well and Truly Tonked
AVOIDING The Kitten Fear Period
Young kittens seem fearless.4 As soon as those eyes open and they can get their legs under them, they are off to see the world if their mama and humans let them.
No Milk For You!
Milk Issues and Kittens
Fostering Kittens
When asked if I would be interested in fostering a queen and her eight newborn kittens, I volunteered without question.
Do You present ? Polish! OR DO YOU
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS!
No Kitten! Cats Are Part of the Military!
Felines have graced the decks of boats and ships back nearly to the beginning of time, roaming freely on passenger ships, war vessels, and merchant schooners, keeping vermin at bay.
Feline Summer Movie Fun!
School is almost OUT! Huzzah! But raindrops are plunking against the window, the amusement and water parks haven’t opened yet, camping is out, and roasted hot dogs and S’mores are another month away.
Kittens Are Special...
...and so are some of the show rules for them:
Genetic Pleiotropy and the Risks in Breeding Recessive Mutations
Nearly everyone loves what’s rare and unique. A slight defect in the minting process of a coin can create a demand and a value well beyond the face value of the coin. The coin is functionally no different than its perfectly minted counterpart, but its scarcity and uniqueness alone make it more desirable than the rest.
