You may be surprised at how much you can learn about cats at a cat show. Not only is it for the breeders to show their very best cats in their breeding program, but it is also an opportunity for anyone to view the many different cat breeds and to learn what makes each breed unique.
The primary focus is on purebred cats (those with a pedigree). These are ones that have proof via documentation of their ancestry line. The shows also allow for household cats (those without a pedigree) to compete.
A breeder will choose his/her most promising cats to compete for titles. They often do this to prove that their cats meet a certain standard that is desired for the breed. The trained judges look for breed-specific qualities and award any outstanding cats with ribbons showing their position in each competition. One exciting aspect of attending several shows is that different cats enter at each show, so you never know exactly what the competition will be like until you get there.
Most cat shows have different groups, divisions, and classes for entry. This article will focus on the CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) system. The competition does not cross over between groups.
Below are the different groups of cats
Kitten
This is for kittens aged four to eight months that are purebreds, either registered or able to be registered.
Championship
This is for intact adult cats (not neutered or spayed). They compete with other intact cats. They reach status of Champion after successfully showing in 6 rings.
There are three levels of titles in CFA in the Championship group.
Open, Champion, Grand Champion
Premiership
This is for spayed or neutered cats. Many cats who previously competed in the Championship class, but are no longer used for breeding, are entered into this class. They reach status of Premier after successfully showing in 6 rings.
There are three levels of titles in CFA in the Premiership group.
Open, Premier, Grand Premier
Household Pets
Not all cats have to have a pedigree in order to compete. Household cats are welcome and will be judged on appearance, grooming, health, and temperament.
SHOW HALL
Shows are held in locations that generally have one very large space, such as an agricultural center or a hotel which gets set up as a show hall.
REGISTRATION TABLE
Upon entering the show hall there will be a table or two set up to greet the entrants and hand out important information to each participant. This included a Show Catalog and a Ring Designation Page. The Show Catalog shows you which numbers your cats have been assigned and where you are benching. It also provides the list of all cats entered in the show and a breakdown on the numbers of cats who will be competing in each judging session. The Ring Page shows which judge will be in which ring (the rings are designated by number – usually 1-6) and whether they are ultimately judging allbreed or specialty breeds.
An allbreed judge is one who will judge and rank all breeds against each other. A specialty judge will have the cats separated into categories, such as longhair and shorthair and these will compete against cats in their category only for that ring.
SHOW CLERKS TABLE
Many people help to keep the cat shows running smoothly. The show clerks have the important task of keeping records on what the judges decide in each competition. They keep track of any changes in the number of competitors in each division or breed. They help breeders in making needed changes to their records such as when a cat might be erroneously entered as one color and needs to be changed to another color.
BENCHING AREA
In the show hall you will see many rows of tables, where cats wait in show cages for their turn to be shown. This is the benching area. The owners sit with their cats and groom them and prepare them for showing.
JUDGING RINGS
The show hall also has several “rings.” These are judging stations, where there is a table in the center for the judge to handle each cat he/she will be evaluating. Behind the judges table, and to the left and right of it, are cages at chest height arranged in a horseshoe shape so that the viewing audience and the judge can easily see all the cats in the current competition. In front of the table are several rows of chairs for spectators to sit and view the cats being judged in that ring.
AGILITY RING
Agility competition for cats is fairly new and began in 2005. The cats are in an enclosed area with an obstacle course. The trainer/owner of the cat encourages the cat to complete the agility course as fast as possible enticing the animal with a favorite toy. Each cat is timed and points and ribbons are awarded.
VENDOR TABLES
Most shows have an area where vendors of various cats supplies are there selling their goods. You will find almost anything you could possibly want for a cat. There are things such as food, supplements, grooming supplies, shampoos, toys, cat beds, cages, harnesses and leashes, collars, shirts and sweaters, climbing trees, cat scratching posts, …etc.
PHOTOGRAPHER’S CORNER
There is usually one professional photographer who specializes in cat photography. Oftentimes a breeder will get his/her cat photographed when it earns the title “Grand Champion.” There is no rule as to when you may want your cat photographed. It is available for any of the entrants for a fee set by the photographer.
JUDGING
Each judging ring is basically a separate show. Each cat will be seen by all of the judges in the show at different times in the day. So, several judges will view each cat and determine on his/her own which cat they choose as the best in that specific group: Kitten, Champion, Premier, or Household Pet. At times one judge will choose one cat for a specific ribbon, and another judge will select a different cat for that same ribbon.
Once a cat’s number is called, the owner brings the cat to the show ring they are called to compete in.
First, each cat will compete with other cats just in their breed, and in the same color class and of the same sex. The judge will award a first place ribbon to one female and one male. Second, third, and fourth place ribbons are awarded depending on the number of cats entered in that color group. Next, the judge will award one cat (male or female) of that color group “Best of Color Class,” and award one cat “2nd Best of Color Class.”
Once all cats in a color group has been evaluated, the judge will call back the “Best of Color Class” winners and choose one for the title, “Best of Breed” and another for “2nd Best of Breed.”
Within each of the four groups (except Kitten), there are two divisions: longhair and shorthair. Each breed falls into either the longhair or shorthair. Once the judge has finished awarding each breed ribbons, he/she will go on to select winners for the next level depending on whether they are judging in an Allbreed ring or a Specialty ring.
If it’s an Allbreed ring, the judge will select the “Best Longhair” and “Second Best Longhair,” “Best Shorthair” and “Second Best Shorthair,” and “Best Allbreed” and Second Best Allbreed.”
If it’s a Specialty ring, the judge will select and award only the “Best Longhair” and “Second Best Longhair,” “Best Shorthair” and “Second Best Shorthair.” They do not select best of all breeds.
Lastly, each judge will hold finals where the judge awards his/her top ten finals with rosette ribbons. The highest and most prized award of all at a show is the “Best in Show.”
Agility Competition
Agility competition for cats is fairly new and began in 2005. The cats are in an enclosed area with an obstacle course. The trainer/owner of the cat encourages the cat to complete the agility course as fast as possible enticing the animal with a favorite toy. Each cat is timed and points and ribbons are awarded.
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