Statement about show qualifications
This information is applicable to the BCF.
At a cat show, cats are looking for titles and prizes.
It’s not difficult as a novice exhibitor to get lost in this.
Judging of cats is done according to an internationally recognized standard which describes the characteristics for the breed, along with the assessment criteria. The domestic cats are judged on their appearance, condition and care. The inspection report is the only official proof of the qualification awarded to the cat by the judge.
The judge can assign the following qualifications :
Good (G)
The cat is unsuitable for show and breeding.
Very Good (VG)
The cat is not suitable for show, but with a good partner may be suitable for breeding.
Excellent (E)
Exhibition cat and suitable for breeding.
"Excellent" is the highest qualification that can be achieved in all classes. Depending on the number of competitors, this can be subdivided into E1, E2, E3... If more cats are presented in a certain class and are found to be excellent, then they will be awarded a qualification of E. If the cat is older than 9 months is and achieves "E1" he or she can obtain a title.
Should your cat be really unmanageable at the show, then it may be disqualified. And if the judge establishes attempts at cheating (covering up marks with paint for example), the cat may be disqualified.
Cats can be registered in various classes. The cat must of course be registered in the correct class.
The judge can assign the following qualifications :
Good (G)
The cat is unsuitable for show and breeding.
Very Good (VG)
The cat is not suitable for show, but with a good partner may be suitable for breeding.
Excellent (E)
Exhibition cat and suitable for breeding.
"Excellent" is the highest qualification that can be achieved in all classes. Depending on the number of competitors, this can be subdivided into E1, E2, E3... If more cats are presented in a certain class and are found to be excellent, then they will be awarded a qualification of E. If the cat is older than 9 months is and achieves "E1" he or she can obtain a title.
Should your cat be really unmanageable at the show, then it may be disqualified. And if the judge establishes attempts at cheating (covering up marks with paint for example), the cat may be disqualified.
Cats can be registered in various classes. The cat must of course be registered in the correct class.
Kittens entered in this class are allowed in the exhibition space, but will not inspected (and as such will not take part in titles and prizes). Should you have a kitten that is available, but not suitable for show, or a cat, not suitable for show or that is unmanageable on the selection table, but you’d rather not leave it at home, it can enter this class.
BCF also has a class in which domestic cats belong. If your kitten does not have a pedigree, but is a textbook example of how a well-kept domestic cat should look, she will be permitted in the domestic cat class. The domestic cats do not have a breed standard, and they are judged on appearance, how well they are cared for and character.
one of the first classes where kittens can be entered is the Litter class. A litter comprises of at least 3 kittens aged between 10 to 14 weeks.
All litters in the same coat class (Shorthair, Medium hair, Long hair and possibly Exotic Shorthair) are compared. The best litter is awarded the qualification "Excellent 1" and possibly the corresponding prize "Best Litter". The mother of the litter may go with the litter free of charge (assuming she doesn’t need inspecting). This is not a bad idea, since the kittens could do with the support at the show. Is there an exceptionally beautiful specimen in the litter or do you have a kitten aged between 10 weeks and 3 months? If so it can participate in the Baby class. Rankings of "Excellent 1", "Excellent 2" are awarded here too per coat class. The baby awarded Excellent 1 could possibly achieve "Best Baby Shorthair, Medium hair or LongHair" "Best Baby Over All", is selected out of all the best babies.Youth class 3 - 6 months:
All litters in the same coat class (Shorthair, Medium hair, Long hair and possibly Exotic Shorthair) are compared. The best litter is awarded the qualification "Excellent 1" and possibly the corresponding prize "Best Litter". The mother of the litter may go with the litter free of charge (assuming she doesn’t need inspecting). This is not a bad idea, since the kittens could do with the support at the show. Is there an exceptionally beautiful specimen in the litter or do you have a kitten aged between 10 weeks and 3 months? If so it can participate in the Baby class. Rankings of "Excellent 1", "Excellent 2" are awarded here too per coat class. The baby awarded Excellent 1 could possibly achieve "Best Baby Shorthair, Medium hair or LongHair" "Best Baby Over All", is selected out of all the best babies.Youth class 3 - 6 months:
Youth class 6 - 9 months: The kittens go into the Youth Class from the age of 6 to 9 months. Neutered cats aged between 6 and 9 months will also go into this class. Here too, the best kitten per breed, coat colour and sex can achieve Excellent 1 and compete for Special Prizes.
The cats that achieve Excellent 1 (U1) in the following classes can receive a certificate for obtaining the title and compete for the Special Prizes.
Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat (Premior)
The hard work begins here for our cats. They can register in the open class and try to win their first title. The open class starts for all cats from the age of 9 months. 3 x CAC, or in the case of neutered cats 3 x CAP, from different judges means entitlement to this title (Ch. or Pr.)
The hard work begins here for our cats. They can register in the open class and try to win their first title. The open class starts for all cats from the age of 9 months. 3 x CAC, or in the case of neutered cats 3 x CAP, from different judges means entitlement to this title (Ch. or Pr.)
Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat (Premior) International de Beauté
If our cat has achieved its title of Champion or Premior, we can register here. 3 x CACIB or CAPIB in two different countries with different judges means entitlement to this title (Int. Ch. or Int. Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CACIB or CAPIB from at least three different judges also means entitlement to the title (Int. Ch. or Int. Pr.), without the requirement to show abroad.
If our cat has achieved its title of Champion or Premior, we can register here. 3 x CACIB or CAPIB in two different countries with different judges means entitlement to this title (Int. Ch. or Int. Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CACIB or CAPIB from at least three different judges also means entitlement to the title (Int. Ch. or Int. Pr.), without the requirement to show abroad.
Certificat d'Aptitude au Grand Championnat (Premior) International
Another step up. Your cat can start here if it has... 3 x CAGCI (or CAGPI) in two different countries with different judges means entitlement to this title (Gr.Int.Ch. or Gr.Int.Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CAGCI (or CAGPI) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Gr.Int.Ch. or Gr.Int.Pr.)
Another step up. Your cat can start here if it has... 3 x CAGCI (or CAGPI) in two different countries with different judges means entitlement to this title (Gr.Int.Ch. or Gr.Int.Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CAGCI (or CAGPI) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Gr.Int.Ch. or Gr.Int.Pr.)
Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat (Premior) Europëen
Your cat can compete here if it has obtained its Grand International Champion title, or for Neutered cats that have achieved the Grand International Premior title. 3 x CACE or CAPE in three different countries with three different judges means entitlement to this title. (Eur.Ch. or Eur. Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CACE (or CAPE) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Eur.Ch. or Eur. Pr.)
Your cat can compete here if it has obtained its Grand International Champion title, or for Neutered cats that have achieved the Grand International Premior title. 3 x CACE or CAPE in three different countries with three different judges means entitlement to this title. (Eur.Ch. or Eur. Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
4 x CACE (or CAPE) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Eur.Ch. or Eur. Pr.)
Certificat d'Aptitude au Grand Championnat (Premior) Europëen
If your cat is a European Champion you can register here. This also applies to our neuters that are European Premior. 4 x CAGCE, or CAGPE in 4 different countries with 4 different judges means entitlement to this title. (Gr. Eur.Ch. or Gr.Eur.Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
5 x CAGCE (or CAGPE) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Gr. Eur.Ch. or Gr.Eur.Pr.)
If your cat is a European Champion you can register here. This also applies to our neuters that are European Premior. 4 x CAGCE, or CAGPE in 4 different countries with 4 different judges means entitlement to this title. (Gr. Eur.Ch. or Gr.Eur.Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
5 x CAGCE (or CAGPE) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (Gr. Eur.Ch. or Gr.Eur.Pr.)
Certificat d'Aptitude au Championnat (Premior) du Monde
The final step. If you’ve been a Grand European Champion or Grand European Premior you register here. 3 x CACM, or CAPM in 3 different countries, of which one in a different continent by 3 different judges means entitlement to this title. (World Ch. or World Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
5 x CACM (of CAPM) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (World Ch. or World Pr.)
The final step. If you’ve been a Grand European Champion or Grand European Premior you register here. 3 x CACM, or CAPM in 3 different countries, of which one in a different continent by 3 different judges means entitlement to this title. (World Ch. or World Pr.)
Our Parallel system:
5 x CACM (of CAPM) from different judges also means entitlement to this title. (World Ch. or World Pr.)
Once the cat has achieved the title European Champion, it can be registered in the Honours class. The highest listing is E1, with possibly prize for the Best Honours Class Shorthair, Medium hair or Longhair. (f there are enough cats per series, see show regulations).
Special Prizes can be awarded to kittens, depending on the class in which they compete:
In the Litter class, the best litter (per coat class) can achieve the prize Best Litter Shorthair, Medium hair or Long Hair. Litters do not participate in other prizes.
The same applies to the Baby Class where a Best Baby prize can be achieved per coat class (short, Medium and longhair) and/or a Best Baby Over All (Best Baby of the Best Baby Shorthair, Medium hair and longhair). Neither do they compete for other prizes.
The same applies to the Honours Class where a Best Honours Class can be obtained per coat class (short-and-long and long-haired). Neither do they compete for other prizes.
From the Domestic cats the kitten with the listing E1 can be awarded the prize Best Domestic Cat.
For the cats in the other classes (except non-competitive) the following prizes are provided
In the Litter class, the best litter (per coat class) can achieve the prize Best Litter Shorthair, Medium hair or Long Hair. Litters do not participate in other prizes.
The same applies to the Baby Class where a Best Baby prize can be achieved per coat class (short, Medium and longhair) and/or a Best Baby Over All (Best Baby of the Best Baby Shorthair, Medium hair and longhair). Neither do they compete for other prizes.
The same applies to the Honours Class where a Best Honours Class can be obtained per coat class (short-and-long and long-haired). Neither do they compete for other prizes.
From the Domestic cats the kitten with the listing E1 can be awarded the prize Best Domestic Cat.
For the cats in the other classes (except non-competitive) the following prizes are provided
Best in Variety, this prize can be awarded to 1 cat of the same breed and the same coat colour, provided that there at least 3 specimens present. Exhibitors sometime provide a cup for a certain type of cat (for the Best Black Pers for example). Depending on the judges assessment, this prize will also be awarded on the podium. Where there are not enough specimens of a cat present to achieve Best in Variety but are so exceptional that it would be a shame for them to leave without a prize, they will be awarded a Special Prize.
B.I.S.:
B.O.B.:
Register:
At show
Beware! We do not accept double inspections in 1 day.
If your cat is spayed or neutered halfway through obtaining titles, he or she will need to start again from the Neutered class. For example, a cat that is European Champion and being helped,will not go to the European Premior class (CAGPE) but rather the Neutered Class (CAP).
Different judges mean that each point achieved in the same class will be marked by a different judge or signed by a different judge. If different, the number of different judges will be stated.
If your cat is spayed or neutered halfway through obtaining titles, he or she will need to start again from the Neutered class. For example, a cat that is European Champion and being helped,will not go to the European Premior class (CAGPE) but rather the Neutered Class (CAP).
Different judges mean that each point achieved in the same class will be marked by a different judge or signed by a different judge. If different, the number of different judges will be stated.