Cat Show Terminology
Terms and definitions you'll need to know in the cat show ring
If you're considering showing your pedigreed cat or your household pet, these terms will get you familiar with terminology used in cat shows.
Learning these terms and definitions will help you find your way around the cat show arena. When picking out your show cat, you will also find “Feline Characteristics,” and “Cat Colors” very helpful.
A
- ACFA – American Cat Fancier’s Association
- Adult cat – A cat over the age of 8 months
- Alter – A cat show division that allows spayed and neutered cats to enter
B
- Benched – The area where kitties are kept while waiting to be judged
- Benching cage – The cage cats are kept in the benching area
- Best in Show – The cat with the most points and the winner of the championship
- Best of Breed – The cat judged to conform most to the breed standard
- Breed – Cats sharing common ancestry and characteristics
- Breed Council – Cat association members involved with a specific breed
- Breed ribbons – The award received for Best of Breed in each show ring
C
- Cat Association – An organization that registers and promotes cat breeds
- Cat Fancy – People who enjoy cats, breeding, shows, and clubs
- CCA – Canadian Cat Association
- CFA – Cat Fancier’s Association
- CFF – Cat Fancier’s Federation
- Champion – A title awarded to cats that have received a specific number of points in cat shows
- Champion Finals – The top 10 cats in each cat show
- Championship status – When cats of each breed become eligible to compete for the title of Champion
- Color Class – A cat association division for specific coat colors and patterns
- Condition – The cat’s well being – health, muscle tone, and grooming
- Conformation – The cat’s body structure and build
D
- Division – Signifies a subdivision of color classes
- Domestic – Non-pedigreed cats
E
- Exhibitor – The person who is showing the cat
G
- Grand Champion – Champions can continue to compete and earn points. Cats who receive enough points, defeat other champions, or receive enough ribbons and rosettes per association rules, are given the title of Grand Champion.
H
- HHP – Household pet
J
- Judging cage – Cages in the judging area
K
- Kitten – A cat up to 8 months old
P
- Pedigree – A document containing information regarding a cat’s ancestry
- Provisional – A cat division for cats who have not been accepted for championship status
R
- Registry – Cat associations that register cats, issue registration numbers, determine breed standards, license cat shows, and license cat show judges
S
- Show Hall – Where the cat show is held and cats are judged
- Standard – The ideal characteristics for each breed
T
- TICA – The International Cat Association
V
- Variety – A cat from registered, purebred parents that is not a recognized color or pattern or does not conform to standard
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The copyright of the article Cat Show Terminology in Cats is owned by Darlene Cheek. Permission to republish Cat Show Terminology must be granted by the author in writing.
