Cat Showing
Cat showing has been in existence for over 150 years, indeed Maine Coons were documented as being shown a local farm shows as long ago as 1861! In those days, Maine Coons were judged on their hunting prowess and condition. If you have already read our history section, you will be aware that eventually a breed standard (known as the Standard of Points) was drawn up and judges compared the competing cat with the "perfect written example", every feature from ears to tail had a description and a number of points allocated to it. The total number of points for a perfect cat was (and still is) 100.
Today, we still use the Standard of Points (SOP) system, it is used in all cat showing and registering associations a round the world. There are some differences within the SOP between the different organisations, some organisations allow colours or patterns which are not permitted in others, and there may be a slight differences in points allocated for each feature of the cat. However, all organisations work on the same basic system.
In the UK, there are several different cat showing organisations, our club belongs to GCCF, so our information is based on the GCCF's showing system and their events around the country.
Cat shows are competitions where a cat’s attributes and conformation are compared against the breed standard (SOP) for its breed, and is a fun and social hobby for cat owners. It is a chance for people with common interests to get together, make new friends and enjoy the world of cats and cat shows.
Cat shows take place all over the UK and there are GCCF cat shows almost every weekend of the year. Some shows are "All Breed" meaning that they have classes for every pedigree breed as well as Household Pet cats. Specialist "Breed Shows" cater for a specific breed or colour, such as the Maine Coon Cat Club Show - which is for Maine Coons, or the Tabby Cat Club - which caters for all tabby patterned cats of the different breeds. Both 'All Breed' and 'Specialist Breed' Shows cater for all non-pedigree and pedigree pets.
Household Pets have two sections - Non-Pedigrees and Pedigree Pets. Non-Pedigrees, as the name suggests, are cats with an unknown or non-pedigree background, in other words they are the traditional "moggies". Pedigree Pets resemble a pedigree cat and/or have one or both pedigree parents. Full pedigree cats, including Maine Coons, may be shown in the Pedigree Pet section and this might be an option if you would like to show your Maine Coon but it isn't quite top show quality to compete well in the Pedigree Section of the show. If you are looking for a pedigree cat, or just curious about cat shows, then click on our "Visiting A GCCF Cat Show" page for more information. Visiting a cat show is an ideal way of looking at the different breeds and talking to owners and breeders before you decide to get a pedigree cat.
Household Pets have two sections - Non-Pedigrees and Pedigree Pets. Non-Pedigrees, as the name suggests, are cats with an unknown or non-pedigree background, in other words they are the traditional "moggies". Pedigree Pets resemble a pedigree cat and/or have one or both pedigree parents. Full pedigree cats, including Maine Coons, may be shown in the Pedigree Pet section and this might be an option if you would like to show your Maine Coon but it isn't quite top show quality to compete well in the Pedigree Section of the show. If you are looking for a pedigree cat, or just curious about cat shows, then click on our "Visiting A GCCF Cat Show" page for more information. Visiting a cat show is an ideal way of looking at the different breeds and talking to owners and breeders before you decide to get a pedigree cat.
