Meow What cats teach Judges about judging

By Kerry J Fowler

Peek inside 'Meow What cats teach Judges about judging' and find referenced chapters about how and why judges assess cats at championship cat shows as well as a summary of the size and weight of early and current breeds. Learn about the role of the judge an

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kerry Fowler
• Release date: Dec 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9780648121169

Kerry J Fowler

Dr Kerry Fowler is an All Breeds Cat Judge who has been fortunate to have judged cats in all eight major States and Territories of Australia and the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Her scientific training and judging experience have equipped her to write educational articles and give presentations about feline genetics and the skills required for cat judging. Kerry is an active member of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Victoria Inc. and the Australian Cat Federation Judges Guild Inc., as well as an initiator and founding Trustee of the Feline Health Research Fund. Meow: A Genetic Concert for Cats,1st edition was her first book. E: [e-mail]

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Chapter 1

Introduction

Role of the cat judge

In the Australian cat fancy, it is often said that the judge is the keeper of the standard. This terminology reflects the quality control role of the cat judge, which is to use official breed standards, that are also known as standard of points in some feline organisations, to assess the merit of cats in a competitive show setting. Once the judge is satisfied that the cat has met the relevant requirements of his or her breed standard, the cat may then be compared to and ranked against other entrants in the show. The ultimate result of this process is that one cat is awarded Supreme in Show. During judging, eligible cats are considered for awards that contribute to championship titles. These titles are attached to the cat’s name and are displayed on pedigrees. As such the judge’s awards indicate not only how closely a cat resembles their written standard but also how the cat rates when compared to other cats competing at the show (see ‘Absolute versus relative judging’ in Chapter 2).(1); (2) (pp. 81-82)

In the judging process, judges provide independent, educated guidance for interpreting breed standards that describe the ideal or perfect cat for fanciers. Simultaneously, judges are signalling to breeders what unique characteristics to select for in a particular breed whilst avoiding faults or weaknesses that may be detrimental to the health, welfare or soundness of cats (see ‘Subjectivity of breed standards’ in this chapter).

Consequently, the decisions of the judge about the merit of individual cats can be far-reaching and have a strong influence on the breeding value of cats and kittens as well as the future of breeds. Indeed, judges, breeders and fanciers are duty-bound to bear in mind that, ‘the health and welfare (including rehoming) of cats and kittens must be the overriding consideration in any breeding programme’ (see ‘Ethics and responsibilities of judges’ in Chapter 4).(3, 4)

Thus, it is important for judges to ensure that they are able to independently assess whether new trends in cat breeds are too extreme or over-reaching and whether they are within the remit of the current breed standards. At the same time, organisation and club rules for feline temperament, presentation, registration and eligibility issues should be consulted. In addition, approved standards for the same breed may vary among organisations and not all breed registries recognise or accept every cat breed for registration. Furthermore, not all countries allow every breed or characteristic to be bred (for examples, see ‘Differences in breed standards’ and ’Concerns about head and face shape’ in this chapter).

Cat shows

First cat show as we know them

In 1892, Mr Harrison Weir wrote, ‘It is many years ago that, when thinking of the large number of cats kept in London alone, I conceived the idea that it would be well to hold Cat Shows, so that the different breeds, colours, markings, etc., might be more carefully attended to, and the domestic cat, sitting in front of the fire, would then possess a beauty and an attractiveness to its owner unobserved and unknown because uncultivated heretofore’.(5)

Although the earliest recorded cat show was held in England in the 16th century, the first show ‘as we know them’ occurred at Crystal Palace, London in 1871. Indeed, when planning this show, Mr Weir had not only worked out, ‘the schedule of prizes, the price of entry, the number of classes’, but he had also envisaged, ‘the points by which they [cats] would be judged, the number of prizes in each class, their amount, the different varieties of colour, form, size, and sex for which they were to be given’ (see ‘Early cat breed standards’ in this chapter).(5); (6) (p. 230)

A little later, Mr Weir presented this scheme to his ‘friend Mr Wilkinson, the then manager of the Crystal Palace’ along with ‘a drawing of the head of a cat to be printed in black on yellow paper for a posting bill’. ‘Mr F Wilson, the Company’s naturalist and show manager, then took the matter in charge, worked hard, got a goodly number of cats together, among which was my [Mr Weir’s] blue tabby.‘ Mr Weir, his brother John Jenner Weir and Rev J Macdona acted as judges at the show.(5)

The Crystal Palace cat show ‘was a success far beyond our most sanguine expectations so much so that I [Mr Weir] having made it a labour of love of the feline race, and acting without fee, gratuity, or reward, the Crystal Palace Company generously presented me [Mr Weir] with a large silver tankard in token of their high approval of my [Mr Weir’s] exertions on behalf of the Company and Cats’. Following on from this show, a National Cat Club was formed and shows became more numerous with and increasing number of entries, leading Mr Weir to conclude that, ‘there is every reason to expect a permanent benefit in every way to one of the most intelligent of (though often much abused) animals’.(5)

Aim of cat shows

In the ensuing decades, exhibiting cats also became popular in the United States (US), ‘after a show was held at Madison Square Gardens (sic), New York, in 1895. The idea later spread to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, most countries on the European continent and even to Japan, until there are today, world-wide, many 100s of cat shows each year’. The primary aims of displaying beautiful, docile, well-cared-for, pampered cats at cat shows were to increase the profile of the cat and to award ‘those judged to be the best of their kind’.(6) (p. 230)

In addition, ‘shows acted as a shop window for new or unfamiliar breeds’. As a result, it was concluded that, ‘success at cat shows (or lack of it) and judges’ comments provide breeders with the opportunity to gauge and compare their progress towards producing the ideal cat of their breed. Success also increases their status in the cat fancy and the prices their cats can fetch. But cat shows can be fun for the less dedicated, too, providing social contact with fellow enthusiasts, a chance to see the top cats of all breeds and a competitive edge to their hobby’ (see ‘Mentoring exhibitors’ in Chapter 4).(6) (p. 230; p. 243)

Modern-day cat shows

Over time, cat shows have evolved into two broad categories: traditional and ring shows. The so-called traditional shows are held by members, for example, clubs of large international cat federations or associations such as Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe; International Feline Federation) and World Cat Federation eV (WCF), as well as, sizeable national federations or organisations called Livre Officiel des Origines Félines (LOOF; Federation for the management of the Official Feline Origins Studbook or Official Book of Feline Origins) in France and The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in the United Kingdom (UK).(7-10)

In traditional style shows each cat is evaluated by a single judge in the presence or absence of the cat’s exhibitor, that is, an owner or agent, who is given a written judge’s report about his or her cat. Some traditional shows, such as GCCF club shows are closed to exhibitors. In other words, the exhibitors must leave the show venue while anonymously-owned cats are judged. In this type of closed show the cats are benched in show cages that are placed in rows. The cats are removed from their cage and are judged on a trolley that is moved from one cage to the next.

Ring style shows, by contrast, are held by member clubs of international associations such as The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA). In these shows, cats compete in multiple rings, each of which is under a different judge. In other words, a number of simultaneous shows are run, in the same show venue, on the same day. A judging table is placed within a semi-circular ring of show cages for judges to use when examining cats. Each cat is assigned a number for the show. The exhibitor places his or her cat in an empty show cage, designated by number, before taking a seat in the audience to view the judging. Needless to say this type of show is also known as an open show. The judge removes each cat from his or her assigned cage, places him or her on a table for judging, and after judging, puts him or her back in the assigned cage. After the judge has finished judging, the exhibitors remove their cats and returns them to the cat’s own cages in another area in the show venue.(11, 12) For reviews about how different types of cat shows are organised in Europe, the UK and the US, see (13, 14).

Style of cat shows in Australia

Over the past decades, cat shows in Australia have evolved from a type of closed row-style show to a form of open multiple ring show. In 1993 the Australian Cat Federation