Cat lovers unfamiliar with the cat show hobby may be excused for expecting a cat show to feature many of the world’s cat breeds, including little known breeds, new breeds not yet accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) or even exotic hybrids between domestic cats and small wild cats. But the cat lover will be sadly disappointed with the usual cat show because only four breeds will dominate. You will see more female variety in a random back alley or from your local animal rescue.
Persian
Expect about half of the feline entrants to be Persians. These include those cats with Siamese color patters that before 1984 were a separate breed called Himalayans. Since the only difference between Himalayans and Persians was that of color, many national cat show associations, including the CFA, consider them one breed, usually referred to as Persian but sometimes as Himalayan Persian.
These cats were bred to be pets and to win at cat shows. They cannot hunt well, cannot survive in the wild have faces so flat that they cannot even groom themselves properly. Persian breeders and showers tend to go whole-hog into the hobby and not only have cats for showing but litters of kittens for sale.
Siamese
This will be the most popular short haired cat breed at many cat shows. They come in more color patterns than when they were popularized in the Disney movie “Lady and the Tramp” (1955.) But Siamese cats will often have light bodies and colored points. “Points” is a bit of cat breeder jargon to encompass a cat’s tail, face, ears and legs.
Siamese cats are considered the most talkative of purebred cat breeds. Arguably, they have the most annoying of meows, but that’s in the ear of the beholder. Siamese voices can range from a grating croak to an almost crow-like squawk with many variations in between. Siamese can be prone to heart problems.
Once rarely seen in cat show rings about the 1970s, they have exploded in popularity to be the second most registered purebred cat breed in the United States by 2006 and again in 2007. Maine Coons vary in size, body color, coat patterns, eye color, voice and paw size. But show Maine Coons tend to be larger than pet quality Maine Coons and have magnificent full, long tails. They also have tufts of fur between their toes and coming out of their ears.
The average Maine Coon weighs 10 to 12 pounds and, with luck, lives up to 20 years. Although the breed used to be infamous for its mousing abilities, most modern Main Coons aren’t quite sure what to make of a mouse. Maine Coons are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a disease of the heart muscles which sometimes can be successfully treated with medication.
Sphynx
Also known as the Canadian Sphynx, this is a hairless or mostly hairless cat with the long, lean look of a Siamese. Although a newly recognized breed, they are taking the cat show world by storm. They are unusual enough in appearance to become magnets for spectators. Sphynx are often not completely bald, but may have some fuzz or a velvet-like covering over their bodies.
They are often very playful and highly intelligent, although they do have more health needs than cats with a full coat of hair. They still produce the same amount of body oil that a hirsute cat does. However, since they lack the oil-absorbing fur, they get very greasy and need to be bathed once a week. These cats cannot survive for long outdoors or as strays.
References:
“ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats.” James. R. Richards, DVM. Chronicle Books; 1999.
“The Standard of Perfection: Show Cats.” (2006.)
Pet Place. “Cat Breeds By Popularity.” http://www.petplace.com/cats/cat-breeds-by-popularity/page1.aspx
Personal experience
