Showing

Articles on how to be a better and more successful exhibitor

Titles marked with a red asterisk * are for ShowCatsOnline.com members only.



  • AOV - Any Other Variety
    AOV, or Any Other Variety, refers to a cat that is a breed or color or has a characteristic that makes it unacceptable for show competition, while it is allowable for registration and breeding purposes.
    January 2008

  • * Benching Area - Tidy or Chaotic?
    Your benching area at the cat show should be clean and reasonably tidy and organized at all times.
    August 2018

  • Bring Your Own Cage
    Asking exhibitors to supply their own benching cage is an innovative concept that could change the landscape of the typical cat show.
    June 2007

  • Brush: Loose Cat, Lost Cat
    Loose in the show hall... an open door allows a frightened cat to escape.
    December 2002

  • * Calculating Grand Points in CFA
    Learn how to calculate the grand points your cat earns at a show in CFA.
    February 2002

  • Cat Out!
    Do you know what you should do if your hear the call "Cat out!" in the show hall? Let's review...
    February 2022

  • * Cat Show Titles
    Most cat registries have different titles, or similar titles but with different qualifications. This article includes a handy chart listing the various registries, their titles, and the sequence or qualification necessary before a cat is awarded the title.
    January 2022

  • Children At The Cat Show
    Learn some tips on how to give a child visitor to the cat show a good impression of the cat fancy and breeders . . .
    September 2015

  • * Cosmetic Surgery in Cats
    Cosmetic surgery is now available for cats. When is it acceptable? When is it unethical?
    March 2019

  • * Disqualified Or Withholding An Award
    Do you understand the difference between a cat being disqualified and having an award withheld? Do you know the reason why a cat can be disqualified? Or why an award may be withheld?
    December 2010

  • DMs Receive Complimentary Inclusion in The Photo Gallery!
    Photos of cats who have earned the title of DM will be honored with free inclusion in the PandEcats Photo Gallery
    July 2005

  • Don`t Litter
    Is your benching area clean and tidy? Or are you a litter-bug at the show?
    August 2019

  • Driving To The International
    So what is it REALLY like to drive to the International? Here is one exhibitor`s story...
    December 2005

  • * E-mails and Show Brags
    There are two basic `styles` of show brag... there is the individual type and there is the more involved show report style. Choose the one that will work best for you and learn how to write it well.
    March 2001

  • * Easy Grand
    Granding your show cat can be easy... or it can be more of a challenge.
    October 2001

  • * Entry Clerk
    Entry clerks may be one of the most under-appreciated pa/members of the cat fancy. Learn more about their many responsibilities.
    September 2005

  • * Exhibitors Responsibilities
    Do you know what YOU are responsible for when you enter a cat show? Check out the CFA show rules for Exhibitors.
    June 2001

  • Family Affair
    This is the story of a new breeder, a first grand, the birth of a baby and how cat showing can be a family affair...
    May 2005

  • First Cat, Second Cat
    One of the first challenges for newbies entering the cat fancy is finding their first cat. Share one breeder`s positive experience about how she found her first show baby... and her second... and...
    June 2002

  • * Granding A Cat: How Fast Is Fast Enough?
    Is how many shows a cat takes to Grand directly related to the cat's actual quality? How much emphasis should we place on how quickly a cat earns it Grand Champion title?
    October 2015

  • Hands Off
    Have you ever sat at ringside at a cat show and decided how you would place the cats on display. Most of us have -- but can you really judge a cat without actually handling it?
    March 2016

  • * Happy Ring Clerk
    Have you ever thought about what it takes to be a ring clerk at a cat show? Maybe you even thought about being a ring clerk? Perhaps you have been guilty of complaining about a ring clerk at one time or another? Learn what it takes to be a clerk — and how you can help make their job easier.
    August 2016

  • * Happy Tail
    Learn what is meant when a cat has a "happy tail" and how it could affect its success in the show ring....
    August 2009

  • * Hot Torties & Reverse Calicos
    Do you know what is meant by the term "hot" Tortie. Or how about a "reverse" Calico? Learn the meanings of these color descriptions and enjoy a series of photos of cats illustrating the color patterns ...
    July 2016

  • I Love Ring Stewards Who...
    The Ring Steward is an important, although mainly unsung, individual who contributes to the smooth running of the judging ring.
    January 2016

  • Kitten Missing From The Hotel Room!
    An exhibitor shares her experience at finding her Ocicat kitten missing from her show hotel room....
    August 2022

  • * Making Cat Show Cage Curtains
    Basic Instructions on how to sew (or glue!) your own unique set of cat show cage curtains.
    January 2002

  • * Marking Your Catalogue at the Cat Show
    There really is NO right or wrong way to mark your show catalogue... but learn how the ring clerk does it.
    June 2002

  • The Meaning of the Ribbons at the Cat Show
    What each ribbon is for and how your cat earns them.
    March 2003

  • Name Change
    Sometimes when a breeder buys a new kitten it already has been named and registered. What do you do if you just don`t like its name? Or its name is too long for you to add your cattery name to the end? Well, you can change it... sometimes...
    February 2004

  • * Not In My Region
    Placing restrictions on where a cat can be sold or shown is becoming commonplace in the cat fancy.
    September 2016

  • * One Show Grand
    Cat exhibitors love to be able to say that their cat was a "One Show Grand". It is a legitimate accomplishment in the show ring. But what does it really mean? Are all great cats one show grands? Is there something better than being a one show grand? Is it different from one cat registry to another?
    January 2013

  • Ouch
    Pity the kitty whose head is bumped on the opening of the judging cage as the judge or exhibitor removes it.
    January 2020

  • Point Charts & E-Points
    Essential Tools for Your Campaign or just granding your cat.
    June 2003

  • Second Time Around
    An exhibitor shares her story of granding her cat... twice!
    November 2016

  • Setting Up Cage Curtains
    Pamela Martin of CastlePaws Designs answers the question, `How do I set up my new show cage curtains?`?
    July 2004

  • * Setting Up Your Cage at the Cat Show
    Basic Instructions on how to wrestle your curtains onto the cat show cage.
    February 2002

  • Should Judges Campaign Cats?
    Increasingly, the average exhibitor in CFA is questioning the fairness of competing against cats owned and campaigned by judges
    June 2006

  • Show Count Announcements
    Why should cat clubs be required to announce their show counts?
    June 2006

  • * Show Kit
    What do you need to include in your show kit? Indeed, what do you need to pack to go to your show?
    November 2012

  • * Show Report
    Learn how the experienced exhibitor gives a show report with easily understood details.
    November 2003

  • * Showing A Female In Season
    If your female cat is entered in a show, when she comes into season, you can still show her if you take a few precautions.
    June 2022

  • * Showing A Male Cat That Sprays
    Having your male show cat begin to spray in the judging ring can feel like the end of his show career - but there are things you can do to make it easier on everyone and still keep showing...
    October 2021

  • * Showing More Than One Cat In The Same Class
    Depending on circumstances, the exhibitor may choose to show two (or more) cats in the same class at the same time. Learn the reasons why and how best to handle the challenge of showing more than one cat in the same class!
    October 2009

  • Sh-Sh-Shush!
    Do you know when you can talk to a judge in the show ring? And when you shouldn't? If a person is a non-officiating judge that is visiting or exhibiting at a show, have you ever shown them your new kitten and asked for their opinion? Is that allowed?
    November 2013

  • * Shy Show Kitty
    What can you do when your beautiful show cat is afraid or intimidated in the judging cage?
    August 2002

  • Spectators At The Cat Show
    Part of being a good ambassador for the cat fancy and cat breeders in particular is learning how best to deal with spectators in a way that makes everyone happy.
    November 2016

  • * Spraying In The Judging Cage
    When a cat begins to spray in the judging cage, it can be a trial for all involved: the exhibitor, the ring clerk, the judge and the cats in the next cage. Learn a few tricks on how best to deal with this awkward situation.
    March 2008

  • Standards From A Judge`s Viewpoint
    TICA judge, Beth Hicks, gives pointers on how to best to write breed standards from a judge`s point of view.
    January 2017

  • Stuffing - Let`s Stop It!
    The time has come when the leadership of CFA must accept the challenge to end stuffing or risk having the determination of their national winners deteriorate into a contest of who stuff shows the best...
    May 2006

  • Stuffing - What Is it?
    Stuffing is a tactic used by national campaigners to artificially enhance the count of cat shows - in effect `buying` extra points for their cats.
    May 2006

  • Tale of Faults
    Can over-zealous handling of a cat`s tail during judging actually cause a tail fault? You be the judge...
    July 2020

  • Think Backwards
    Retired TICA judge, Beth Hicks, shares a tip for making your cat`s experience in the judging ring more enjoyable.
    December 2007

  • * Tongue Tipping
    It can be most frustrating to have your beautiful show kitten begin to tip its tongue...
    July 2019

  • Traditional Style Persians Accepted By The World Cat Federation
    Traditional Longhair Silver and Golden, Shaded and Tipped Persians have been accepted by the World Cat Federation as a new international cat breed!
    September 2010

  • Turkish Angora Breed Winners in CFA
    This well researched listing of Turkish Angora Breed Winners honors the first Breed Winner in CFA, CH, BW Tai Phoo Halis Kan of Zebulon
    July 2007

  • Turkish Angora National Winners
    The winningest Turkish Angoras in CFA History
    May 2005

  • Turkish Van Breed Winners in CFA
    This is a record of each year's top Turkish Van in CFA that has earnedthe title of Breed Winner....
    July 2009

  • * Twenty-One Day Rule
    Do you know what the 21 Day Rule is? It is a rule made by cat regstration associations to protect the health of cats at the cat shows.
    December 2003

  • * Unhappy Show Cat
    What do you do when your beautiful kitten is unhappy going to the shows? Is it afraid? Shy? Or intimidated in the judging cage? This article provides tips for helping your kitty enjoy being at the shows.
    October 2017

  • Using Your Point Charts Wisely
    Point charts are not only used to calculate the points your cat earns - Learn how they are used to help you choose the best show to enter in the first place!
    November 2003

  • * Viruses in the Showhall
    Learn how you can prevent your cat from catching a virus at the cat show . . . Viruses in cats (and humans) are often most infectious right before symptoms appear. This can mean that a healthy-appearing cat at a cat show may be harboring a virus that it can pass on to your kitty.
    August 2016

  • * What Should You Wear To The Cat Show?
    Have you ever stopped to think about the fashions you see at the cat show? How do you dress? What is appropriate for a cat show?
    May 2019

  • Winners Ribbons
    When you kitten graduates to adult classes, the first step towards adding a title to its name is the quest for winners ribbons.
    September 2003

 


 

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