Visiting a Cat Show
If you would like to see the various pedigree breeds in person, then visiting a cat show allows you to see lots of different cats and talk to many different owners and breeders all under one roof.
If the show is "All-Breed" then you will see examples of many of the different pedigree breeds, if it is a specialist breed show, such as The Maine Coon Cat Club Show, you will probably only see that particular breed and Household Pets - however, if you have already decided on the breed you are interested in, going to a specialist breed show which caters for that breed, usually has a lot more examples of the breed in competition - and a chance to talk to many more people who know about the breed.
If you are thinking about showing your cat, its a really good idea to visit a show first so you can see what happens and talk to other exhibitors about what is involved, how to enter a show and what to expect. Exhibitors are almost always happy to chat about their cats, the breed and cat shows in general.
GCCF Shows take place almost every week, in different places all over the UK. To see a list of cat shows taking place in the coming months, visit the GCCF Show List here.
GCCF cat shows are normally open to the public from 12.30 or 1pm until the show closes in the late afternoon. There will be a small admission fee, usually paid in cash on the door when you get there. You may wish to buy a catalogue at th same time, this includes details of all the cats, the classes they are entered in and the pen (cage) number where you will find them in the hall. If you don't buy a catalogue, an exhibitor who has one may help you to find what you are looking for, if you ask them.
All cats are penned in an indentical manner, to make them "all equal" with no identifying coloured blankets and no show drape curtains. Their pen should not be identifiable in any way so the blanket, litter tray, food and water bowls are all white. Toys are not allowed to be put in the pen until the afternoon.
Unlike other showing organisations in the UK, cats are judged at their pen (cage) by the judge so it enables you to watch how the cat is being judged. and see what they are looking at. In the afternoon, the cats which have won their section are taken to the Best in Show pens and the grande finale, Best in Show takes place. Its bascially a knock out competition and out of up to several hundred cats, only a handful reach this very exciting top stage of the event.
Judges are identifiable as they normally wear white coats and usually have a name badge on to state their name. They are helped by a steward, also in a white coat - the steward helps to handle the cat and also deals with the paperwork for the judge. The judge and steward move from pen to pen, getting one cat out at a time and judging them on a small trolley table. Until they have finished judging for the day, judges do not normally talk to exhibitors or visitors, but afterwards, they will be pleased to answer questions and help if they can.
The judge writes notes and the results into a special book, tear-off slips from this book are processed by a team of people and then posted on the results board for everyone to see. You can often spot the results board from across the show hall, its usually surrounded by exhibitors excitedly waiting for their cat's results.
The pens are in rows, one cat in each pen. At All-Breed shows they usually starting with the Persians in pen number 1 and ending with the Siamese. The Household Pets may be in after the Siameme or in a different part of the hall.
The Maine Coons can be found in Section 2 - Semi-Longhairs - and they come straight after the Persians. Maine Coons are usually entered at most shows, they are one of the most popular breeds within GCCF.
If you visit a cat show and then fancy entering your cat in a future show, either in the Pedigree or Household Pet Sections, visit our Showing Your Cat page.
You can find out even more about showing cats with the GCCF by visiting the GCCF Showing page on their website.
Showing With The GCCF
*Cat Showing
*Visiting a GCCF Cat Show*Showing Your Cat*The GCCF Standard of Points*Our Annual Show*Is Your Cat Show Quality?