Breeders go to cat shows for several reasons. First and foremost it allows us to meet other
breeders and insure that the health and welfare of the breed is being maintained. It gives us a
means to compare what we are breeding to what is the accepted breed standard. Every year,
people from the CFA and the SIAMESE BREED COUNCIL get together and discuss these
standards and make sure that they are up to date. We do not make money at shows. We do it
for the people and the cats.
A show is actually very simple. There are generally four classes. The first is the Kitten class,
which is any kitten between the ages of 4-8 months; The Champion(ship) class, which is for
whole cats over the age of 8 months; the Premier(ship) class, which is for altered cats over the
age of 8 months: and the Household Pet class, which is for any unregistered cat.
Requirements to show are very simple. You must enter and pay for the show on a CFA entry
form. You can get an entry from by visiting the CFA web site (there are complete instructions
available). Other requirements are (1) that your cat have intact, clipped nails; (2) that your cat be
healthy; (3) that you cat be fully vaccinated. You can get a complete copy of the CFA show
rules by clicking here.
When the entry clerk receives, your entry, he/she will enter your information in their system and
send you a confirmation notice. This notice will give you specific information about what time
to show up, the hotels in the area, and directions to the show hall. You should try to get to the
show hall early to set your area. When you enter a cat you are allot a single cage that measures
approx 21"X23"X21".
This is a half cage. Please note that if you have your own security cage and it measures more
than the above dimensions you must request and pay for a double cage. There are may different
ways to set up your area. Many people have very elaborate set-ups while other keep it very plan
and simple. If you are going to use the cages that are provided, there are several things that you
will need; The first is a disinfectant spray and paper towels. Before you set up you want to
make sure that the area in which you are placing you cat is clean and free of infections materials.
Using a bottle of 10-15% bleach water will kill almost every known infectious agent. Simple,
spray the table and the cage you will be using and then dry it completely with a paper towel.
Once you have cleaned the cage you will need something to cover the cage, This will give you
cat a sense of security and prevent the visualization of other cars. Show curtains are made to fit
the size of the cage and can be made of any type of material. If you do not want to buy curtains
(ranging from $30.00-$65.00/set) you can make them yourself or use other items such as
towels, sheets, etc. These work just as well but you must make sure that they are properly
fastened and cover your cage. Many people use the curtains to highlight their cat. A lilac
Siamese would look very good in a light blue curtain or a seal point may look better in a greenish
hue. Curtains should be made out of material that is study and washable. They will get dirty.
You will also need grooming supplies for your cat. If you talk to any breeder at a show they will
be glad to help you and tell you what you may need. Most of these items can be purchased at a
show. You should bring your own cat food, and a litter box. Cat litter is available at the shows.
A number of people also bring their own water to the show so that there is no change in the
animals diet.
The show will begin with the show manager announcing the Judges. Each judge is their own
show, and many put on quite a production!!!!!. A schedule is available of what order cats will
be judged in each ring. It is an alphabetical system, in which they stagger where the different
judges start. You will know that it is your turn when they call you cats Number . You will be
given a catalog with printing that looks like this:
YOUR CATS NAME 174. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
Registeration Number DOB Title
Your cats number is the bold print to the right of his/her name. The steward in that ring will call
your number and then put you number on a cage in the judges area. You should groom your cat
and then take it to that cage. The judge will take your cat and judge it compared to the accepted
CFA breed standard. The judge will determine how well your cat compares to the standard, and
then determine if the other cats in your class fair better or worse. At a show the judge will first
compare the males in the same color class against the males in the same color class in each
division; and then compare the females to the females using the same format.. Other than the
kitten classes, there are three divisions (the OPEN, the CHAMPION/PREMIER, and the
CHAMPIONSHIP/PREMIERSHIP division) In the space next to you cats name, you should
write the placing that he/she receives from that judge and any other component (Best Color, etc).
When the judge completes the judging of all the cats in the same color he/she will then select the
best of color and the second best of color. This will repeat until they have judged all the cats of
that particular breed. The judge will then select the best of the breed; the second best of the
breed; and the best champion/premier. It is important to realize that the judge is comparing the
cat to the accepted standards - not to each other.
All the cats in the breed may receive a first place ribbon (as they can be in different divisions) but
only one cat will received the best of breed, second best of breed, or best champion/premier. It
is sometimes possible to take these ribbons with you - just ask the clerk at that judges table and
he/she will assist you. A cat advances through divisions in the following order. OPEN to
CHAMPION or PREMIER by winning 6 winners ribbons. Champion to Championship by
collecting 200 points. Premier to Premiership by collecting 75 points. You obtain one point for
every 1 cat you place over in the same division.
When a judge has completed judging all the cats he/she will call a final. This consist of the cats
that the judge feels best conforms to the standards. This may be an all-bread (AB) final of all the
different types of cats or a specialty (SP) in which the judge only calls the 10 best shorthair cats
and then later the 10 best longhair cats. The judge will also name the best champions, 2nd best
champion and 3rd best champions of the show. The cats that make a final are awarded a Rosette
ribbon which will state their award. Because each judge is different the same cats may not
always receive the same award.
(The ribbons look like the ones on the left, with the blue being first; the red-second; the
yellow-third; the red/white/blue-winners; the black-best-of-color; the white-second best of color;
the brown-best of breed; the orange-second best of breed; the purple-best champion/premier; the
red/white-merit award for household pets)
For a list of cat shows in your area click here.
