The Chausie Cat - Large
Head: Modified Wedge
Medium in Size
Square Muzzle
Round Whisker Pads
Cheek Bone high & strong
Nose is medium wide
Chin firm
Refined features
Ears: Large
Lynx tips
Wide placement
Wide at base tapering to point
Furnishings
Dark tips on lighter color cats
Eyes: Small - piercing
Almond Shaped
Slight angle toward lower edge of ear
Gold in color
Body: Rectangular shaped
Large
Heavy boning
Full broad chest
Strong musculature
Males heavier built than females with wide shoulders
Tail: 3/4 of a natural tail length
Extends just past the hock or heel of the hind leg. This is from
a recessive tail gene.
Lighter cats should have a barring and a darker tip
Legs: Moderately long
Moderate to heavy boning - finer in females
Substantial muscles
Coat: Short
Color: Black, black smoke to shade of silver, black with silver ticking.
Ticked golden to reddish fawn with darker markings on ears, legs and tail.
Body virtually free of markings.
General: The Chausie is a hybrid between a domestic cat
and a Jungle Cat (felis chaus), which are two different species of
felines. The jungle cat, also known as the swamp cat or reed
cat, is a feral cat that lives in Egypt and Southern Asia. Its natural
habitat is jungle scrubland, marshes and reed beds. Jungle cats
have large, mobile, tufted ears, long legs for leaping and
pouncing on prey through the swamp grass and can leap over 8 feet from
a standstill. The tail is naturally short, reaching to
about the hock. This is a well built with good size body cat.
Every effort will be made to make the CHAUSIE a replica of its
ancestor the JUNGLE CAT with a stable non challenging or threatening
temperament of the domestic....
Color & Markings:
The Chausie is accepted in Black, Silver-tipped Melanistic (black
with silver ticking) and Golden. The golden ranges to the
ruddy of an abyssinian to a light reddish fawn. There is a hint
of tabby markings on the face, ghost tabby markings on the body,
well defined bracelets and some ghost necklacing. There should
be 3 to 7 bands of ticking with mouse coat on a golden.
These three colors are the naturally occurring colors in the Jungle
Cat.
HEAD: The head of the Chausie is a refined, modified wedge.
It is medium in size, with a square muzzle and rounded whisker
pads. The cheek bones are high and strong, the nose is medium
in width and the chin is strong. The ears are large, wide set,
set on top of the head. They are wide at the base, tapering to
a point, fully furnished with heavy preference given to cats with
lynx tipping and thumb prints on the backs of a golden. The tips
on a golden should be black.
EYES: The eyes are almond shaped, set with a slight slant
towards the lower ear. They are small and piercing, accentuating
the wild look of the cat. They are yellow in color in the blacks and
silver-tipped melanistics, and golden in the goldens. Hazel
color is allowed, but yellow or gold is preferred.
BODY: The rectangular body is large, heavily boned
with a full, broad chest and strong musculature. Males have wider
shoulders and are built somewhat heavier than females.
LEGS & FEET: The legs are moderately long, well-muscled with
moderate to heavy boning. The hind legs are slightly longer
than the front as the cat is built for running and leaping. The
feet are proportionally small and round.
TAIL: The chausie has a 3/4 length tail that extends just
past the hock. This is the result of a recessive gene and NOT the
result of outcrossing to a cat with a foreshortened tail. Breeding
to a breed with a foreshortened tail gene (Manx, JBT, etc.) is
FORBIDDEN. The goldens should have a barred tail with a black
tip.
COAT: The coat of the Chausie is short and close-lying. Penalize any evidence of woolliness or plushness.
A M E R I C A N
B O B T A I L/A M E R I C A N B O B T A I L S H
OR T H A I R * (BB)
HEAD
20 points
EARS
5 points
EYES
5 points
BODY
20 points
LEGS AND FEET
5 points
COLOR AND PATTERN
5 points
COAT
15 points
CONDITION AND BALANCE 10 points
TAIL
15 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS: All Categories, all Divisions,
all colors.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The American Bobtail is a medium to large,
powerfully built, naturally-occurring short-tailed cat. Being
a product
of natural selection, it is a hearty breed, that has all the intelligence
and skill that nature demands of her creatures. The American
Bobtail
displays the look of an athletic animal, well-muscled and solid, with
the appearance of power. The tail is short, approximately 1-1/2
to 6 inches
in length and should stand erect when the cat is alert, half-way to
the
hock being the preferred length. A strong head, with an
oval to
almond-shaped eye set under a heavy brow, gives the cat a distinctive
hunting look. The temperament is that of a calm, intelligent,
and
completely manageable cat.
Conformation, balance and temperament should
be the most important factors of this breed. Males can be
proportionately larger than females, and should posses male
characteristics. Seasonal variations of the coat should be recognized
as this cat comes in both medium-shorthaired and medium- longhaired
versions. This is a slow maturing breed, taking 2 to 3 years
to reach
full adult type.
CONDITION AND BALANCE: Condition and balance are very important
to the
American Bobtail. The American Bobtail should feel powerful,
well-fleshed and muscular, without being fat.
PENALIZE: Tail too long or too short affecting the balance and
appearance of the cat. Tail knotted out of shape. Coat
that lies flat
on the body. Coat that is cottony. Too fine-boned or foreign
type.
Extremely short muzzle or nose break. White buttons or lockets.
ALLOWANCES: In all pointed cats, ghost markings are to be allowed.
ACCEPTABLE OUTCROSSES: The single registration of outcross cats
with a
natural bobtail is acceptable. Cats of this nature should adhere
to the
American Bobtail Standard. NOTE: As of May 1, 1998, NO Championship
Breeds or wild blood to be used in this breed.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS: No tail, full length tail, or docked tail.
Bad
hips. See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for rules governing
penalties/disqualifications applying to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad, modified wedge, without noticeable flat planes.
Size: In proportion to body.
Profile: Gentle concave curve between nose and brow, can have
rise to
a prominent brow, good length between brow and ears, with a slight
bump at
the end of the nose.
Chin: Firm and strong, in line with the nose.
Muzzle: Well-defined suggestion of squareness not fore-shortened.
Whisker pads: Noticeable, but not real prominent.
Cheekbones: High, somewhat prominent.
Nose: Wide, gently sloped. Medium in length.
Jaws: Strong.
Forehead: Gentle curve can have rise to a prominent brow.
EYES
Shape: Oval to large almond.
Size: Large, deep-set.
Aperture: Angled slightly upward towards the ears.
Placement: Medium-wide apart.
EARS
Shape: Wide at base, with slightly rounded tips.
Size: Medium to moderately large in proportion with the
head.
Placement: As much on top of the head as on the side.
Alert.
Lynx Tipping: Preferred.
Thumb Prints: Preferred.
Furnishings: Desirable.
NECK
Length: In proportion. May look short due to muscling.
Shape: Substantial. Well-muscled.
BODY
Shape: Brawny, moderately long and substantial not slim with
a
noticeable rectangular stance.
Back: Straight. Slightly higher in hips. Somewhat
prominent shoulder
blades.
Boning: Substantial.
Chest: Deep and broad.
Hips: Substantial, almost as wide as chest. Good
depth of flank.
Musculature: Substantial and firm. Males heavily
built, wide
shoulders, muscular appearance. Females are more feminine and
may be
smaller built than males.
LEGS AND FEET
Length: In proportion, no excessive length. Hind
legs slightly
longer than front.
Boning: Heavy.
Musculature: Substantial.
Foot Shape: Round.
Size: Large.
Toe Tufts: Desirable.
TAIL
Shape: May be straight, slightly curved, have bumps or
be slightly
knotted.
Length: Tail is short; 1-1/2 to 6 inches in length (in
repose), and
should be carried erect when alert. Must be long enough to be
clearly
visible above the back and should not be so long as to extend past
the
hock of the hind leg.
Miscellaneous: Must be articulate, not knotted to the
point that it
impairs the natural movement of the tail. Straighter tails being
preferred over knotted tails.
COAT SHORTHAIR
Length: Medium-shorthair.
Texture: Resilient, all-weather.
Density: Double coat, undercoat present.
COAT LONGHAIR
Length: Semi-longhair, shaggy. Tapering to slightly
longer hair on
ruff, britches, belly and tail.
Ruff: Slight, mutton chops desirable.
Texture: Non-matting, somewhat resilient, all-weather.
Density: Double coat. Undercoat present, not extremely
dense.
Miscellaneous: Seasonal variation should be recognized.
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD
10 points
EARS
10 points
EYES
5 points
NECK
5 points
BODY
10 points
LEGS
5 points
FEET
5 points
COAT
10 points
COLOR
10 points
PATTERN
30 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
Traditional Category, Tabby Division: Brown Spotted Tabby, Brown Marbled
Tabby only.
Sepia Category, Tabby Division: Seal Sepia Spotted Tabby, Seal Sepia
Marbled Tabby only.
Mink Category, Tabby Division: Seal Mink Spotted Tabby, Seal Mink Marbled
Tabby only.
Pointed Category, Tabby Division: Seal Lynx Point (spotted or marbled)
only.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The goal of the Bengal breeding program is to create a domestic cat
which was the physical features distinctive to the small
forest-dwelling wild cats, but with the loving dependable temperament
of the domestic cat. Keeping this goal in mind, judges
shall give special merit to those characteristics in the appearance
of the Bengal which are distinct from those found in other
domestic cat breeds.
CONFORMATION:
The conformation gives the Bengal cat a basic "feral" appearance. It
is medium to large, sleek, and very muscular with
hind-quarters slightly higher than shoulders. The head is a broad modified
wedge with rounded contours, longer than it is wide,
with a large nose and prominent whisker pads. The ears are medium set,medium
small, short with a wide base and rounded
tips.
PATTERNS:
The Spotted Pattern: Spots shall be random or aligned horizontally.
Rosettes formed by a part-circle of spots around a
distinctly redder center are prefereable to single spotting, but not
required. Contrast with ground color must be extreme, giving
distinct pattern and sharp edges. Strong, bold chin strap and mascara
markings desirable. Blotchy horizontal shoulder streaks
desirable. Belly must be spotted.
The Marbled Pattern: Markings, while derived from the classictabby gene,
shall be uniquely different with as little "bulls-eye"
similarity as possible. Pattern shall, instead, be random giving the
impression of marble, preferably with a horizontal flow when
the cat is stretched. Vertical striped mackerel influence is also undesirable.
Perference should be given to cats with three or
more shades; i.e., ground color, markings, and dark outlining of those
markings. Contrast must be extreme, with distinct shapes
and sharp edges. Belly must be spotted.
COLORS:
Brown Tabby: All variations are allowed; however a high degree of rufous
yielding a yellow, buff, tan, golden, or orange ground
color is preferred. Markings may be virtually black, brown, tan, or
various shades of chocolate or cinnamon. Light spectacles
encircling the eyes and a virtually white ground color on the whisker
pads, chin, chest, belly, and inner legs (in contrast to the
ground color of the flanks and back) is desirable. Rims of eyes, lips,
and nose should be outlines with black, and center of nose
should be brick red. Paw pads and tail tip must be black.
Seal Lynx Point: Ground color should be ivory to cream. Pattern can
vary in color from dark seal brown, light brown, tan, or
buff, with the light spectacles, whisker pads, and chin. There should
be little difference between color of body markings and
point color. Tail tip must be dark seal brown. Eye color: blue.
Seal SepiaTabby/Seal Mink Tabby: Ground color should be ivory, cream,
or light tan with pattern clearly visible. Pattern may
be various shades of sable brown to bitterchocolate. Ivory cream spectacles
encircling the eyes, and ivory cream whisker pads
and chin are desirable. There should be very little or no difference
between the colorof the body markings and the point color.
Paw pads should be dark brown with rosy undertones allowed. Tail tip
should be bitter chocolate (dark seal sepia/mink). Eyes
may be gold, to green, to blue green.
TEMPERAMENT:
Temperament must be unchallenging. Any sign of definite challenge shall
disqualify. Cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or
generally complain aloud, but may not threaten to harm. Bengals should
be confident, alert, curious, and friendly cats.
PENALIZE:
Spots on body running together vertically forming a mackereltabby pattern,
circular bulls-eye pattern on marbleds, substantially
darker point color (as compared to color of body markings) on Lynx
Points, Seal Sepia or Seal Mink. Any distinct locket on
the neck, chest, abdomen or any other area not provided for in the
standard. Do not penalize for mousey undercoat.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
Belly not spotted. Paw pads not consistent with their colorgroup description,
or paw pads not all the same color. See Show
Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying to all
cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad, modified wedge with rounded contours. Longer than it
is wide. Allowance to be made for jowls in adult males.
Size: Slightly small in proportion to body, but not to be taken to
extreme.
Profile: Gently curving forehead to bridge. Bridge of noseextends above
the eyes. Nose has a very slight concave curve.
Nose: Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather.
EARS:
Size: Medium small, basically short ears, with wide baseand rounded
tips.
Placement: Set as much on side as top of head, followingthe contour
of the face in the frontal view, and pointing forward in the
profile view.
Furnishings: Light horizontal furnishings acceptable, but lynx tipping
undesirable.
EYES:
Shape: Oval, may be slightly almond shaped.
Size: Large, but not bugged.
Placement: Set wide apart, back into face, and on slight bias toward
base of ear.
Color: Seal lynx point, blue. Seal sepia tabby or seal mink tabby,
aqua (blue-green).
NECK:
Size: Thick and muscular, large in proportion to head.
Length: Long, and in proportion to body.
BODY:
Shape: Long and substantial, but not oriental or foreign.
Size: Medium to large (but not quite as large as the largest domestic
breed).
Boning: Robust, never delicate.
Musculature: Very muscular, especially in the males, one of the most
distinguishing features.
LEGS:
Length: Medium, slightly longer in the back than in the front.
Boning: Large and substantial. Never delicate.
Musculature: Very muscular, like the body.
FEET:
Size: Large.
Shape: Round.
TAIL:
Shape: Thick, tapered at end with rounded tip.
Size: Medium large.
Length: Medium.
COAT:
Length: Short to medium. Allowance for slightly longer coatin kittens.
Texture: Thick, luxurious, and unusually soft to the touch.
Manx (MX)
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD AND EARS
25 points
EYES
10 points
BODY
30 points
LEGS AND FEET
15 points
COAT
15 points
COLOR AND MARKINGS
5 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
All Categories, all Divisions, all Colors.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The overall appearance should be that of a medium sized, compact, muscular
cat. The Manx has a round head with a firm
muzzle and prominent cheeks, short front legs, height of hindquarters,
great depth of flank, and a short back which forms a
smooth continuous arch from the shoulders to the round rump.
Manx are slow in maturing and allowance should be made for young cats in judging depth of flank, etc.
The Manx cat should appear tailless. There is no penalty for a rise
of bone or cartilage which does not stop the judges hand
when the palm is stroked down the back and over the rump. The rump
of the Manx is felt with the palm of the hand only. The
flank should have greater depth than any other breed, adding much to
the short, cobby appearance.
The coat should have a soft, well-padded quality due to the longer open
outer coat and thick close undercoat. Seasonal
variations in the coat will be recognized.
ALLOWANCES:
White buttons or lockets are permitted and are not penalized.
PENALIZE:
Eyes set straight across in head; rangy body; level back; short hind
legs, fine bone, bowed or cowhocked (knock-kneed) hind
legs.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
Any congenital deformity. Weak hindquarters causing inability to stand
or walk properly.
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying
to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Round, slightly longer than broad.
Size: Medium.
Profile: Gentle nose dip.
Forehead: Moderately rounded.
Muzzle: Slightly longer than broad.
Muzzle Break: Definite.
Whisker Pads: Large, round.
Chin: Strong.
Cheeks: Prominent.
EARS:
Shape: Rather wide at base, tapering to rounded tip.
Size: Medium.
Placement: Set wide apart, when viewed from behind, they resemble the
rocker of a cradle.
Hair: May be tufted.
Furnishings: Sparse.
EYES:
Shape: Round.
Size: Large.
Aperture: Slight angle.
Color: Conform to coat color, but should only be considered if all
other points are equal.
NECK:
Length: Short.
Size: Thick.
BODY:
Shape: Cobby.
Size: Medium.
Boning: Sturdy.
Musculature: Well-muscled.
LEGS:
Length: Forelegs shorter than hind legs.
Boning: Sturdy.
Musculature: Well-muscled.
HINDQUARTERS:
Rump: Higher than shoulders; round.
Hind legs: Substantial bone and should be straight when viewed from
behind.
TAIL:
Appears tailless. No penalty for a rise of bone or cartilage which
does not stop the judge's hand when the palm is stroked
down the back and over the rump.
FEET:
Shape: Round.
Size: Medium.
COAT:
Length: Short.
Texture: Soft.
COLOR:
White buttons or lockets are permitted and are not penalized.
ABYSSINIAN (AB)
ABBREVIATION: AB
REVISION: 01/01/93
BREED GROUP: Abyssinian/Somali Breed Group
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD
30 points
Profile
30 points
Muzzle
5 points
Skull
5 points
Ears
5 points
Eye Shape
5 points
Neck
5 points
COAT & TEXTURE
10 points BODY
35 points
Torso
10 points
Legs and Feet
10 points
Tail
5 points
Boning
5 points
Muscle Tone
5 points
COLOR & PATTERN
25 points
Color
10
Ticking
10
Eye Color
5
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
Traditional Category. Tabby Division, limited to the eumelantistic
colors and agouti pattern only.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The overall impression of the ideal Abyssinian is a medium cat, regal
in appearance. The Abyssinian is foreign shorthair intype.
Males proportionately larger than females, the female being finer boned
and usually more active than the male. The Abyssinian
shows firm muscular development and is lithe and panther-like in activity
showing a lively interest in all surroundings. The coat
of the Abyssinian has an iridescent quality reflecting warmth of color
giving the impression of a colorful cat. Coat pattern is
genetically a form of agouti ticking with even, dark-colored ticking
contrasted with lighter bands giving a translucent effect. The
Abyssinian is of sound health and vigor, well-balanced physically and
temperamentally gentle and amenable to handling.
HEAD:
Modified wedge with rounded contours as viewed from the front.In profile
without flat planes showing gently curved transition
between brow, nose, and muzzle. A rise fromt the bridge of the nose
to the forehead without evidence of a sharp break. The
head should be of ample length in general balance with the rest of
the cat and gently curved from the forehead over the skull
flowing into an arched neck.
MUZZLE:
The muzzle shall follow gentle contours in conformity with the head
as viewed from the front and in profile. Chin shall be full and
neither protruding nor receding, having a rounded appearance. Allowance
to be made for jowls in adult males. The muzzle shall
not be sharply pointed and there shall be no evidence of snippiness,
foxy appearance or whisker pinch.
EARS:
Large, alert, and moderately pointed, broad and cupped at base and
arched forward, set as though listening. Hair on ears short
and close-lying, preferably tipped in conformity with the color requirements.
A "thumb-print" marking is desirable on the back
of the ear.
EYES:
Almond shaped, large, brilliant and expressive. Skull aperture follows
almond shape of eyes, being neither round nor oriental.
Eyes accentuated by darker lid skin, encircled by a light colored area.
Above each eye appears a short vertical darker pencil
stroke amidst the light area. At the sides of each eye appears a curved
darker pencil line as if a continuation of the upper eyelid.
BODY:
Medium long, lithe and graceful, showing well-developed muscular strength
without coarseness and is solid to the feel. The rib
cage is rounded with no evidence of flat sides. The back is slightly
arched giving the appearance of a cat about to spring. The
flank shall be reasonably level without tuck-up. Proportion and general
balance to be desired more than mere size.
LEGS:
Proportionately slim, long and well-muscled. The Abyssinian stands
well off the ground.
FEET:
Oval and compact. When standing, giving the impression of being on
tip-toe.
TAIL:
Long and tapering.
COAT & TEXTURE:
Coat resiliant to the touch, with a lustrous sheen, fine in texture.
Medium length, long enough to accomodate four out of six
alternating light and dark colored bands. The coat lies fairly close
to the body; however, the undercoat should be adequate
enough to avoid any evidence of slickness. Woolliness undesirable.
Coat is longest at the spine, gradually shortening over the
saddle, flank, legs and head.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
White locket or white anywhere on the body other than around nostril,
chin and upper throat areas. Unbroken necklace.
Reversed ticking (outermost tip of hair light instead of dark).
PENALIZE:
Color faults: Cold, gray or sandy tone to coat color in ruddies or
sorrels or gray hair next to skin with absence of correct
undercoat color. Broken necklaces, leg bars, mottling or speckling
in unticked area (underside of body, chest, and inside legs),
tabby stripes or bars. Slick coat or excessive plushiness.
Wrong color or patching in pads.
Ticking & Pattern Faults: Unevenness of ticking over body, lack of desired markings on head and tail.
Condition: Flabbiness of body, lack of coat lustre, eye color, evidence
of illness, emaciation and lack of muscle tone are faults
and points shall be deducted.
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying to all cats.
COLORS:
RUDDY:
Orange-brown (burnt sienna), ticked with two or three bands of either
black or dark brown, the extreme outer tip to be
darkest with orange-brown to the skin. Outer parts of the body covered
by
shorter hair shall have not less than one band of
ticking. Darker shadings along spine allowed if fully ticked. The underside
of the body, chest and inside of legs to be an even
orange-brown without ticking, barring, necklaces or belly marks. Color
varies from warm apricot to deeper burnt sienna,
deeper tones preferred. White or off-white to be confined only to the
upper throat area, lips and around nostrils.
Tail to be tipped with black, without rings or gray tones. Paw pads:
black or dark brown with black between toes and
extending slightly beyond paws.
Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richess and depth
of color the better.
Nose leather: Brick tile red.
SORREL (CINNAMON):
A dilution of the ruddy, being a warm sorrel red ticked with chocolate
brown. Tail tipped with chocolate brown. Preference
given to deeper shades of sorrel and good even ticking.
Paw pads: Pink with chocolate brown between toes, extending slightly
beyond paws.
Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richess and depth
of color the better.
Nose leather: Rosy pink.
BLUE:
A warm soft blue-gray ticked with deeper blue. Base hair and undersides
of the body, chest, and inside of the legs to be a pale
cream color. Spine shading to be a darker shade of body color. Tail
tipped with a deep shade of blue. Preference to be given
to good even ticking.
Paw pads: Blue-mauve with a deep shade of blue between the toes extending
slightly beyond paws.
Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richness and depth
of color the better.
Nose leather: Dark pink.
FAWN:
A warm pinkish buff with powdered effect ticked with a deeper shade
of pinkish buff. Base hair, undersides of the body, chest
and inside legs to be a pale oatmeal. Spine shading to be a darker
shade of body color. Tail tipped with a deep shade of
pinkish buff. Preference to be given to good even ticking.
Paw pads: Pink-mauve with a deep pinkish buff between the toes extending
slightly beyond paws.
Eye color: Gold, copper, green or hazel, the more richness and depth
of color the better.
Nose leather: Pink-mauve.
EGYPTIAN MAU
ABBREVIATION: EM
REVISION: 05/01/88
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD
10 points
Muzzle
5 points
Skull
5 points
EARS
5 points
EYES
10 points
BODY
15 points
Torso
10 points
Tail
5 points
LEGS AND FEET
10 points
COLOR
15 points
PATTERN
25 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
Traditional Category, Tabby Division, Silver and/or Smoke Division;
spotted pattern only, eumelanistic colors only; Silver, Bronze,
Black Smoke only.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Egyptian Mau is the only natural domestic breed of spotted cat.
The head is a modified, slightly rounded wedge without flat planes:
the brow, cheek and profile all show a gentle contour. There
is a slight rise from the bridge of the nose to the forehead, which
flows into the arched neck without a break. Allow for broad
head and jowls in mature males.
The body is graceful, showing well-developed muscular strength. Striking
a balance between the heftiness of the cobby and
sveltness of the oriental types, it is an alert, active, strong, colorful
cat of medium size. The shoulder blades are high, loose and
angulated. There is a loose skin flap (belly flap) extending from the
flank to the back knee. The hind legs are longer than the
front, giving the appearance of being on tiptoe, but carried flexed
so the back is level. Allow for very muscular necks and
shoulders in mature males. It should be well-balanced physically and
temperamentally. General balance is more to be desired
than size alone.
PATTERN:
There is good contrast between pale ground color and deeper markings.
The forehead has characteristic tabby "M" and frown
lines which run between the ears and down the back of the neck, becoming
elongated spots along the spine. On the haunches
the spine lines meld into a dorsal stripe which continues to the tip
of the tail. The tail is banded with the tip dark.
The cheeks have mascara lines, from the corner of the eye along the
contour of the cheek, with the second line starting at the
center of the cheek and curving upward, almost meeting the first line
below the ear. There are one or more necklaces, broken
in the center.
The shoulder markings are a transition between stripes and spots. The
upper legs are heavily barred but do not necessarily
match. The spots on the belly are random, with variance in size and
shape. The pattern on the sides of the body may be
unmatched, but spots should not form a broken mackerel pattern. The
haunches and thighs have stripes which break into
elongated spots on the lower leg. Vest buttons should have good contrast
against pale ground color.
COLORS:
Silver:
Pale silver ground color ticked with black. Undersides fade to brilliant
pale silver. Markings are charcoal with good contrast.
Back of ears grayish-pink tipped with black. Nose, lips and eyes outlined
in black. Upper throat, chin and nostrils silver,
appearing white. Nose leather brick red. Paw pads black with black
between toes and up back of hind legs.
Bronze:
Warm bronze ground color ticked with dark brown with gray undercoat
close to skin. Color darkest on saddle, fading to
tawny buff on sides and creamy ivory on undersides. All markings dark
brown with good contrast, back of ears tawny pink
tipped in dark brown. Nose, lips and eyes outlined in dark brown, bridge
of nose ocherous. Upper throat, chin and nostrils
pale, creamy white. Nose leather brick red. Paw pads black or dark
brown with same color between toes and up back of hind
legs.
Black Smoke:
Charcoal gray with silver undercolor with no ticking. All markings
jet black with enough contrast to make pattern plainly visible.
Nose, lips and eyes outlined in jet black. Upper throat, chin and nostrils
silver. Nose leather black. Paw pads black with black
between toes and up back of hind legs.
PENALIZE:
Short or round head; pointed muzzle; full cheeks, small ears;small,
round or oriental eyes; cobby or oriental body, short or
whippy tail; spots on body which run together; unbroken necklaces;
poor condition.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
Lack of spots; wrong eye color; white locket or spots; lack of ticking
in Silver or Bronze; ticking in Smoke; red coloring in
Bronze. Lack of gray undercoat in Bronze.
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying
to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Slightly modified wedge without flat planes.
Cheeks are not full.
Size: Medium length.
Profile: Gentle rise from bridge of nose to forehead which then flows
into arched neck without a break.
Muzzle: Medium rounded, neiter short nor pointed, rounded planes blending
with overall head shape. Allow for jowls in mature
males.
NOSE:
Even in width throughout length.
EARS:
Shape: Moderately pointed, broad at base.
Size: Medium to medium large.
Placement: Upstanding with ample width between ears, set well-back
on head, cupped forward, alert.
Hair: Short, close-lying, may have lynx tips.
EYES:
Shape: Rounded almond.
Size: Large.
Aperture: Level in head with slight upward slant to lower lid. Neither
round nor oriental.
Color: Gooseberry green (light green) preferred. Allow for slow development.
Amber cast acceptable in kittens and young
adults up to 18 months of age.
BODY:
Shape: Balance between cobby and foreign types; high, angulatedshoulder
blades.
Size: Medium.
Length: Medium long.
Boning: Medium.
Musculature: Well-developed.
Neck: Arched.
TAIL:
Shape: Medium at base, with slight taper.
Length: Medium.
LEGS:
Length: Medium, with hind legs proportionately longer.
Boning: Medium.
Musculature: Well-developed.
FEET:
Shape: Slightly oval, almost round.
Size: Small, with very long toes on back feet.
COAT:
Length: Medium, long enough to carry two bands of ticking.
Texture: Fine, silky, resilient.
Density: Close-lying.
MAINE COON
ABBREVIATION: MC
REVISION: 05/01/91
POINT DISTRIBUTION
HEAD
20 points
Size and Shape
10 points
Muzzle and Chin
5 points
Profile
3 points
Cheekbones
2 points
EYES
5 points
Size and Size
3 points
Placement
2 points
EARS
10 points
Size and Shape
5 points
Placement
3 points
Furnishings and Lynx Tips
2 points
BODY
20 points
Size and Shape
10 points
Boning
5 points
Musculature
3 points
Neck
2 points
LEGS AND FEET
10 points
TAIL
10 points
COAT
20 points
Length
10 points
Texture
8 points
Density
2 points
COLOR
5 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
Traditional Category, all Divisions, all Colors.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Maine Coon is America's native longhaired cat. The breed, with
it essentially amiable disposition, developed through a
natural selection process where only the fittest survived. It should
always be remembered that the Maine Coon developed
basically as a "working cat" able to fend for itself in rough, woody
terrain and under extreme climatic conditions.
Maine Coons are a large breed with big ears, broad chest, substantial
boning, a long, hard muscled, rectangular body and a
long flowing tail. Good muscle tone and density give the cat the appearance
of power. Important note: Females are
proportionally smaller than males and can weigh 4 to 5 pounds less.
Allowance must be made for this significant size difference.
Mature males can have larger, broader heads than the females.
The coat is shorter over the shoulders, becoming gradually longer down
the back and sides, with long, full shaggy britches and
belly fur. A full ruff is not expected; however, there should be frontal
ruff beginning at the base of the ears. The tail is long, at
least as long as the body, and has long, full, flowing fur. A slight
undercoat is carried, but the texture should not be cottony or
wooly.
COLOR:
White trim around eyes, lips, and chin allowed except in solid colors.
PENALIZE:
Pronounced whisker pads. Undershot chin. Nose break or severe bump
at end. Lack of slight undercoat. Buttons, lockets, or
spots. Straight nose profile. Wide-set, flared ears. Long, stilty legs.
Slanted, almond-shaped eyes. Flat tops on eye openings.
Lack of belly shag. Short tail. Rounded head. Overall even coat. Short
cobby body. Fine, light boning. Overall small cat.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying
to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad, modified wedge.
Size: Medium.
Profile: Gentle concave slope. Allow for a slight bump at the end.
Forehead: Gentle curve.
Cheekbones: High, prominent. Distinct stop can be felt under cheekbones.
Muzzle: Square.
Chin: Firm, in line with nose and upper lip.
EARS:
Shape: Wide at base. Lower base set just slightly further back than
upper base. Moderately pointed.
Size: Large, tall.
Placement: Set high on head with a very slight outward tilt.
Bases no more than an ear's width apart.
Lynx Tips: Extend vertically from the top back of the ear.
Furnishings: Extend horizontally beyond the outer edge of the ear.
EYES:
Shape: Slightly oval, appear round when wide open.
Size: Large.
Placement: Wide-set.
Aperture: Slightly oblique; toward outer base of ear.
Color: Any shade of green and/or gold, blue and odd-eyes accepted in
whites. No relationship between coat and eye colors.
NECK:
Length: Medium-long.
Musculature: Sturdy.
BODY:
Shape: Long, rectangular, but not slender.
Size: Large.
Boning: Substantial.
Musculature: Substantial and powerful.
TAIL:
Shape: Wide at base and tapering to tip with full, flowing hair.
Length: At least as long as the body from shoulders to base of tail.
LEGS:
Length: Medium to form a rectangle with the body.
Boning: Substantial.
Musculature: Substantial.
FEET:
Shape: Round.
Size: Large.
Toe Tufts: Well-tufted.
COAT:
Length: Uneven; shorter on shoulders, gradually lengthening. Frontal
ruff, long shaggy britches and belly fur.
Texture: All-weather coat. Coat has distinct body, falling smoothly
along body.
Density: Slight undercoat.
OCICAT
ABBREVIATION: OC
REVISION: 05/01/88
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD
20 points
Skull
5 points
Muzzle
5 points
Eyes
5 points
Ears
5 points
BODY
30 points
Size
10 points
Torso
10 points
Legs and Feet
10 points
COAT AND
COLOR
20 points
Texture
5 points
Coat Color
5 points
Contrast
10 points
PATTERN
25 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
Traditional Category, Tabby and Silver Divisions, spotted pattern only,
eumelanistic colors only.
EYE COLOR:
All eye colors except blue are allowed. There is no correspondence
between eye color and coat color. Depth of color is
preferred.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Ocicat is a large, well-spotted cat of moderate type. It displays
the look of an athletic animal, well-muscled and solid,
graceful and lithe, yet with a fullness of body and chest.It is alert
to its surroundings and shows great vitality. The Ocicat is bred
in many colors. Each hair, except on the tip of the tail, has several
bands of color. Where these bands fall together a thumbprint
spot is formed, darker spots on a lighter background. Within the markings,
hairs are tipped with a darker color, while hairs in
the ground color are tipped with a lighter color. All colors should
be clear. The color is usually lighter around the eyes, on the
chin and lower jaw; with the darkest color on the tip of the tail.
Contrast is scored separately. Distinctive markings should be
clearly seen from any angle. Those on the face, legs and tail may be
darker than those on the torso. Ground color may be
darker on the saddle and lighter on the underside, chin, and lower
jaw.
This powerful, althetic-yet-graceful spotted cat is particularly noted
for its "wild" appearance. Preference is to be given tothe
athletic, powerful, and lithe.
PATTERN:
There is an intricate tabby "M" on the forehead, with markings extending
up over the head between the ears, breaking into small
spots on the lower neck and shoulders. Mascara markings are found around
the eyes and on cheeks. Rows of round spots run
along the spine from shoulder blades to tail. The tail has horizontal
brush strokes down the top, ideally alternating with spots,
and a dark tip. Spots are scattered across the shoulders and hindquarters,
extending as far as possible down the legs. There are
broken bracelets on the lower legs and broken necklaces at the throat,
the more broken the better. Large well-scattered,
thumbprint-shaped spots appear on the sides of the torso, with a subtle
suggestion of a classic tabby pattern; a spot circled by
spots in place of the bull's eye. The belly is also well-spotted. The
eyes are rimmed with the darkest coat color and surrounded
by the lightest color.
ALLOWANCES:
Stud jowls in adult males. Pale colors will show less contrast than
darker ones.
COLORS:
Brown:
Black or dark brown spotting on a ruddy or bronze agouti ground. Brick
red nose leather rimmed with black. Black or seal
paw pads.
Chocolate:
Chocolate spotting on a warm ivory agouti ground. Pink nose leather
rimmed with chocolate. Chocolate-pink pads.
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon spotting on a warm ivory agouti ground. Pink nose leather
rimmed with cinnamon. Pink or rose paw pads.
Blue:
Blue spotting on a pale blue or buff agouti ground. Blue nose leather
rimmed with dark blue. Blue paw pads.
Lilac:
Lilac spotting on a pale buff or ivory agouti ground. Pink nose leather
rimmed with dark lilac and lilac-pink paw pads.
Fawn:
Fawn spotting on a pale ivory agouti ground. Nose leather pink rimmed
in fawn. Paw pads pink.
Silver:
Black spotting on a pale silver agouti ground. Nose leather brick red
rimmed in black. Paw pads black.
Blue Silver:
Blue spotting on a silver agouti ground. Nose leather blue rimmed with
darker blue. Paw pads blue.
Chocolate Silver:
Chocolate spotting on a white agouti ground. Nose leather pink rimmed
with chocolate. Paw pads chocolate-pink.
Cinnamon Silver:
Cinnamon spotting on a white agouti ground. Nose leather pink rimmed
with cinnamon. Paw pads pink or rose.
Lilac Silver:
Lilac spotting on a silver agouti ground. Nose leather pink rimmed
with dark lilac. Paw pads lilac-pink.
Fawn Silver:
Fawn spotting on a silver agouti ground. Pink nose leather pink rimmed
in fawn. Paw pads pink.
PENALIZE:
Elongated spots following a mackerel pattern.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
White locket or spotting, or white anywhere other than around eyes,
nostrils, chin, and upper throat. Any cat displaying
phaeomelanistic color.
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying
to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Modified wedge.
Size: Pleasing proportion to body.
Profile: Visible but gentle rise from bridge of nose to brow.
Muzzle: Well-defined, suggestion of sqareness; in profile shows good
length, no suggestion of snippiness. Jaws firm with proper
bite.
Chin: Strong.
Skull: Slight curve from muzzle to cheek.
EARS:
Size: Moderately large.
Placement: Set so as to corner the head.
Lynx Tips: When present, are a bonus.
EYES:
Shape: Almond.
Size: Large.
Aperture: Angled slightly upward toward the ears.
Placement: More than the length of an eye apart.
Color: All colors except blue allowed. No relationship between coat
and eye color.
NECK:
Arched.
BODY:
Shape: Semi-foreign.
Size: Large.
Length: Semi-foreign.
Boning: Substantial.
Musculature: Substantial, yet with athletic appearance.
Chest: Some depth, with ribs slightly sprung.
Back: Level to slightly higher in rear.
Flank: Reasonably level.
TAIL:
Shape: Slight taper.
Size: Medium slim.
Length: Fairly long.
Color: Dark tip.
LEGS:
Length: Medium long, in good proportion to body.
Boning: Good substance.
Musculature: Well-muscled.
FEET:
Shape: Oval. Compact.
Size: In proportion to legs.
COAT:
Length: Long enough to carry several bands of ticking.
Texture: Fine.
Density: Thick, tight, close-lying.
AMERICAN BOBTAIL SHORTHAIR (New Breed Status)
ABBREVIATION: BB BH
REVISION: 05/01/95
BREED GROUP: American Bobtail Longhair/American Bobtail Shorthair
POINT DISTRIBUTION:
HEAD
25 points
EARS
5 points
EYES
5 points
BODY
25 points
LEGS AND FEET
5 points
COLOR/PATTERN
5 points
COAT
15 points
CONDITION AND BALANCE
10 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS:
All Categories, all Divisions, all Colors.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The ideal American Bobtail is a naturally occurring short-tailed cat.
Being a product of natural selection, it is a heartybreed, with
all the intelligence and skill that nature demands of her creatures.
It is a brawny cat, of medium to large size, with a shaggy,
semi-longhair coat. It should be well-fleshed and muscular, without
being overly fat. The tail is short, reaching halfway to the
hock, and should stand erect when the cat is alert. A strong head,
with an oval to almond eye set under a heavy brow, gives the
cat a distinctive hunting look. The look belies a tractable temperament,
though the cat may be initially reserved with strangers.
Males can be proportionately larger than females, and have male characteristics.
Seasonalvariations of the coat should be
recognized. This is a slow maturing breed, taking 2 to 3 years to reach
full adult type. Conformation and balance should be the
most important factors of the breed.
CONDITION AND BALANCE:
Condition and balance are very important to the American Bobtail, as
in all cats. The American Bobtail should feel powerful,
stocky, well-fleshed and muscular, without being fat. This cat should
be a cat with a wild look, not a wild temperament.
PENALIZE:
Tail too long or too short affecting the balance and appearanceof the
cat. Tail knotted out of shape. Coat tha lies flat on the
body. Coat that is cottony. To fine-boned or foreign type. Extremely
short muzzle or nose break. White buttons or lockets.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS:
No tail or full length tail. Bad hips.
See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying
to all cats.
HEAD:
Shape: Broad, modified wedge, without noticeable flat planes.
Size: In proportion to body. Slightly longer than wide.
Profile: Concave curve between nose and brow; can have a rise to a
prominent brow. Good length between brow and ears.
Slightly curved contours.
Chin: In line with nose.
Muzzle: Broad, never pinched, medium length, not foreshortened.
Makes head look rectangular, almost square.
Whisker pads: Noticeable, but not real prominent.
Cheekbones: Somewhat prominent.
Nose: Wide. Gently sloped. Medium length.
Jaws: Full, strong. Jowls in studs.
Brow: Heavy.
EYES:
Shape: Oval to large almond.
Size: In proportion to head.
Aperture: Angled to base of ear.
Placement: Medium-wide apart and set deep.
Miscellaneous: Eye look almost straight across top because of heavy
brow.
EARS:
Shape: Wide at base, with slightly rounded tips.
Size: Medium.
Placement: As much on top of the head as on the side. Alert.
Furnishings: Desirable.
Lynx Tipping: Preferred.
BODY:
Shape: Moderately long and substantial. Semi-cobby. Stocky.
Cat has a noticeable rectangular stance.
Back: Straight. Higher at rear end. Somewhat prominent shoulder blades.
Boning: Substantial.
Chest: Full and broad.
Hips: Substantial. Almost as wide as chest.
Musculature: Substantial. Males heavily built, wide shoulders, muscular
appearance. Females are more feminine and may be
smaller built than males.
NECK:
Length: In proportion. May look short due to ruff and muscles.
Shape: Rounded. Well-muscled.
LEGS AND FEET:
Length: In proportion, no excessive length. Hind legs longer than front.
Boning: Heavy.
Musculature: Substantial.
Foot Shape: Round.
Size: Large.
Toe Tufts: Desirable.
TAIL:
Shape: May be straight, slightly curved, have bumps or beslightly knotted.
Length: Tail is short, halfway to hock (in repose), should becarried
erect. Must be long enough to be clearly visible above the
back and should not be so long as to extend past the hock of the hind
leg.
Miscellaneous: Must be articulate, not knotted to the point that it
impairs the natural movement of the tail. Straighter tailsbeing
preferred over knotted tails.
COAT:
Length: Medium-shorthair.
Texture: Resilient, all-weather.
Density: Double coat. Undercoat present.
P I X I E B O B* (PB)
HEAD
10 points
EARS
10 points
EYES
10 points
NOSE
10 points
CHIN
10 points
BODY
20 points
LEGS AND FEET
10 points
COLOR AND PATTERN
10 points
TAIL
10 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/DIVISIONS/COLORS: Traditional Category, Tabby
Division, Brown Spotted Tabby with or without
rosettes.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The goal of the Pixiebob breeding program is to
create a domestic cat with a visual similarity to that of
the North American Bobcat. The Pixiebob comes in the shorthair and
longhair varieties. The wild look is the result of the
inverted pear-shaped head; prominent brows, created by heavy boning
and brushy hair above the eyes; medium deep-set eyes;
a broad and long muzzle with a very large, fleshy and fuzzy chin. As
the wild appearance to the head is responsible for 50
points, it is important that the head shape and facial features meet
the standard well. This wild look does not reflect the true
nature of the cat, which is loving, trustworthy and tractable. The
Pixiebob is a medium to large cat in size, of substantial, tall and
rangy type, but with great depth to the body. The shoulders and hip
bones are very prominent producing a rolling gait. The legs
are long and heavy-boned, with large feet (fleshy toes). A polydactyl
with five to seven toes is accepted for Championship
exhibition. The shorthair coat is light brown spotted tabby, with heavy
ticking and rufus coloring (warm tones), soft, wooly, and
resilient to the touch (having loft). The semi-longhair variety is
a medium length coat, silky in texture, but with less loft than that
of the shorthair Pixiebob. The cat has a naturally short tail, no shorter
in length than that of the (estimated) measurement from
the prominent hip bone to the base of the tail. The tail may extend
only to the hock and may be flexible, knotted or kinked.
Allowances must be made for females, who are one-third smaller than
males on average.
COAT COLOR: Lighter shades of brown tabby. Wild mouse color (dark gray)
base coat is necessary. Warm tones only for the
ground color. Heavy ticking overall is mandatory, muting much of the
spotting. White or cream color must encircle the eyes.
Mascara markings must accent the face from the outside corner of the
eye downward through the side cheeks. Chin to belly to
inner legs should be silvery white or cream. Paw pads to the hocks
must be black. End of tail tip should be black with white
underneath. Coat color is secondary to type.
PATTERN: Small spots with or without rosettes, greatly muted by heavy
ticking. Random (muted) spotting preferred; broken
mackerel (muted) spotting accepted. Lighter colored belly is heavily
spotted. Pattern is more heavily muted in winter due to the
heavier ticking in cold weather and more clearly seen in summer due
to the lack of ticking in warm weather. Pattern is
secondary to type.
COAT: The shorthair coat must stand up off the body, being soft and
wooly and having "loft", so it is resilient to the touch and
quite water proof. Along the top of the back will be found some black,
coarse guard hair. The agouti hairs must have many
bands adding four colors to the coat: dark mouse gray at the base,
lighter shades of rufussing (warm tones) for ground color,
black or brown bands for the spotting and white ticking on the end
of each hair. It is to be expected that during the summer
months (or in areas with hotter weather) that the coat may be less
dense and lie somewhat closer on the body. Belly hair is
always longer than the rest of the coat. Facial hair is full and the
direction of hair growth on the face must be downward.
TEMPERAMENT: The temperament reflects that of a domestic in reliability, and dog-like attentiveness and affection.
ALLOWANCES: Polydactyl in Championship exhibition. Five to seven toes only.
PENALIZE: Coat that is too dark; belly hair too dark; a close-lying
coat; head too flat; muzzle too short; head too round; round
eyes; a tail not meeting the standard; white lockets.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS: No tail; a deficient chin or brow; a fine-boned
cat; a classic tabby or torbie; a true mackerel tabby;
lack of ticking; a slick, shiny coat; any hint of a ruff around the
neck; any sign of challenge; any similarity to any recognized
breed; feet that turn inward or outward when "stacked".
See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying to all cats.
HEAD
Shape: Inverted wide pear.
Size: Medium to large
Profile: Slightly rounded forehead to eye ridge; slight concave curve
from eye ridge to bridge of nose.
Nose: Wide, slightly convex. Large nose leather, brick in color.
Muzzle: Broad and long. The distance between the nose break and the
nose leather should be equal to or greater than the
distance between the prominent brow and the nose break.
Muzzle Break: Definite but not vertical.
Whisker Pads: Prominent, fleshy, with dark markings.
Skull: Rounded contours.
Forehead: Slightly rounded.
Cheeks: Well-developed with full facial hair. Growth of hair is downward,
never slicked back on the face.
Chin: Large, rounded and fleshy; hair on chin is coarse, with longer
hairs protruding. Appearance of chin is fuzzy, never smooth.
In profile, the chin should be closely in line with the nose. (Despite
the appearance of prominence to the chin, the jawbone itself
is never extended beyond the muzzle.)
EARS
Shape: Large at base, slightly rounded.
Size: Large.
Placement: Must be set rather low and back on the head, quarter turned,
so as to add to the wild appearance.
Furnishings: Medium.
Lynx Tipping: Desirable, however, not all Bobcats have tipping.
Thumb Prints: Light coloring on back of ears.
EYES
Brow: Prominent, heavy boning and brushy hair above the eyes, creating
a hooded appearance.
Shape: Flat on top, bottom lid angled slightly upward toward outside
of eye, making a soft triangle.
Size: Medium.
Placement: Deep set, one eye-width apart.
Aperture: Straight across. Corner of the eye must meet the base of
the ear with a horizontal line.
Eye color: Gold to brown preferred, wild gooseberry green accepted.
No domestic copper or blue.
Eye Makeup: There must be a band of cream or white directly surrounding
the eye. Mascara must follow the corner of the eye
downwards to the cheeks.
Expression: It is common for the Pixiebob to appear to be half-asleep,
gazing through partially-closed eyes. This deceptive
apparent lack of alertness is common to many feral animals. Eyes should
respond instantly to stimulation, i.e., toys, sounds, etc.
NECK
Length: Of average length, in proportion to body.
Shape: Thick, well-muscled, (especially in males). May appear short
due to incredible thickness of the males’ neck.
BODY
Shape: Substantial and rangey but with great depth.
Size: Medium to large.
Shoulders: Prominent shoulder blades producing a rolling gait.
Back: Not level; dip behind shoulder; inclines slightly toward hips.
Hips: Prominent, slightly higher than shoulder; long sloping croup.
Angulation: Hip and shoulder angles are straighter than that of other
breeds.
Flank: Deep and powerful.
Chest: Broad, well-developed.
Boning: Heavy, dense, rounded bone.
Musculature: Muscular with firm muscle tone, not flabby or soft.
Skin: Exceptionally thick and loose, especially behind forearm. Some
sign of a primordial pouch; belly must never be
"tucked-up".
Males: One-third larger than females. More muscular.
TAIL:
Shape: Naturally short articulated tail is desirable, however, kinks
and knots are acceptable.
Length: The length of the tail should be no shorter than the estimated
measurement from the prominent hip bone to the base of
the tail. Tail should not extend beyond the hock. A minimum of 9/10
of the tail must have bone.
Miscellaneous: When relaxed, tail should follow curve of back and be
carried low. When back is stroked, tail should may
become erect, showing adequate length.
LEGS:
Length: Long and heavy boned.
Forelegs: Length from top of shoulder blade to elbow should be equal
to the length between the elbow and the foot. Slightly
shorter than hind legs.
Hind Legs: Great length from hip to knee, knee to hock and hock to
foot. Slightly longer than forelegs.
FEET:
Shape: Long and wide being almost round.
Size: Large, having big knuckles and fleshy toes.
Miscellaneous: Polydactyl acceptable in Championship class, only five
to seven toes being acceptable.
Exception: Cats with feet that turn inward or outward, when "stacked"
are to be disqualified.
COAT:
Length: Short, but must stand up off the body, having loft. Belly hair is longer than the rest of the coat. Facial hair is full.
Desert Lynx Standard (REFR)
HEAD......................................................20 points
EARS......................................................10 points
EYES........................................................5 points
BODY......................................................20 points
LEGS AND FEET.......................................10 points
TAIL.......................................................10 points
COLOR/PATTERN....................................15 points
COAT.....................................................10 points
RECOGNIZED CATEGORIES/ DIVISIONS / COLORS:
Leopard (spotted), tawny (ticked), and marble tabby patterns in tabby
and
shaded divisions, including sepia, mink, and snow (colorpoint)
subdivisions, in eumelanistic colors only.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The goal of the Desert Lynx breeding program
is to
create a feral/domestic breed which has unique characteristics of the
feral
Bobcat, lynx rufus, and the Manx, while maintaining the affectionate
disposition of the domestic cat.
The Desert Lynx is recognized in short hair and long hair. In
the
shorthairs, a suggestion of a ruff and ear tufts is preferred.
In the
longhairs, the coat is medium in length, and it should not be so long
over
the body as to obscure the coat pattern. The conformation gives
the Desert
Lynx a feral appearance. It is a large, very muscular cat with
a
rectangular body and long legs, with the hindquarters slightly higher
than
the shoulders. It stands well off the ground.
The head is a modified wedge with a squared muzzle. The nose is
medium
long and wide. Cheek bones are high, and the chin is firm.
The ears are
large, wide at the base, and moderately pointed. They are wide
set on the
head. Furnishings are desirable and lynx tipping is preferred.
The eyes
are almond-shaped and placed at a slight angle.
The tail may be the bobcat tail or the Manx tail, or anything in between.
The tail may be nonexistent, as in the Manx, or the tail may extend
half
way to the ground., as in the bobcat.
TEMPERMENT: Temperment must be unchallenging. Any sign of
definite
challenge shall disqualify. Cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee,
or
generally complain aloud, but may not threaten to harm.
PATTERN: Three patterns permitted-leopard, tawny, and marble.
The leopard pattern is a spotted tabby pattern. It is marked by
spots of
the darker color, most prominent on the sides of the body. The
spots may
vary in size and shape, but should be evenly distributed. Preference
is
given to rosette spots which are formed by a part-circle of spots around
a
distinctly lighter center. Contrast with ground color must be
good, giving
a distinct pattern. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the body
to the tip
of the tail. The stripe is ideally composed of spots. The
markings on the
face and forehead shall be typical tabby markings, with the underside
of
the body having distinct spots. Legs and tail are barred.
In the sepia,
mink, and snow subdivisions, it is highly desirable for ghost leopard
spots
to appear on the bodies.
The tawny pattern is a ticked tabby pattern marked by ticking of the
body
hair with various shades of the marking color and ground color, with
the
outer tipping being the darkest and the undercoat being the ground
color.
The body may exhibit a barely perceptible spotted pattern. The
tail, legs,
and face will have tabby pencillings. Necklace tracings are also
frequently seen.
The marble pattern, while derived from feral modifications to the classic
tabby gene, shall be uniquely different, with as little bull's-eye
similarity as possible. The pattern shall give the impression
of marble,
preferably with a horizontal flow. Vertical stripes are undesirable.
Contrast should be good, with distinct shapes and sharp edges.
Belly must
be spotted.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS: White lockets or buttons; mackerel bars or
classic
blotches; tail
too long: threatening disposition.
HEAD
Shape: Modified wedge.
Size: Medium to large.
Muzzle: Squared.
Whiskers: Coming down from the jowls
to well below the head.
Cheeks: High cheek bones.
Nose: Medium long, wide.
Chin: Firm.
EARS
Size: Large.
Shape: Wide at base, moderately pointed.
Placement: Wide set.
Furnishings: Desirable.
Lynx Tipping: Preferred.
EYES
Shape: Almond.
Size: Large.
Aperture: Slight angle toward lower edge
of ear.
Color: No relation between eye and coat
color.
BODY
Shape: Rectangular.
Size: Large.
Back: Curve from the withers to base of tail.
Boning: Heavy.
Chest: Full and broad.
Musculature: Substantial. Strong.
Males: Heavily built, wide shoulders, muscular appearance.
Females: May be slightly smaller than males.
TAIL
Length: The tail may be nonexistent, but it may
extend no further than
half way to the ground. Tail may or may not be flexible.
LEGS
Length: Medium.
Hind legs: Longer than front legs.
Boning: Heavy.
Musculature: Substantial.
FEET
Shape: Round.
Size: Large.
Toe Tufts: Desirable.
COAT
Length: SH-Short
LH-Medium
Texture: SH-Dense
LH-Fine, silky
COLOR
Leopard (spotted), tawny (ticked), and marble eumelanistic
colors in
Tabby Division, including silvers and all subdivisions.
________________________________
Desert Lynx Standard - O1/01/94
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The ideal Serengeti Cat is a
large,
strong cat with long legs. This breed should move in a
very upright
posture. Large size, clear yellow or cold grey
ground
color with high contrast spotted coat pattern, long legs
and large
ears, which are placed on top of the head,
distinguish
this breed from other spotted domestic breeds.
They have
a gentle, outgoing and alert temperament.
COAT COLOR
Tabby Division Black or dark brown spots
on a clear
or unticked tan to yellow body or black spots on a
clear
cold grey body. Preference given to random spot
pattern
with some short horizontal bars on the shoulders and
black
rings around the tail. Light to white underbelly, chin and
front
of muzzle. Back of ears with eye spot. Glitter
acceptable.
Solid Division Black solid, ghost spots may be
visible
.
ALLOWANCES Green or amber eye color permitted.
PENALTIES
Spots tending toward bars on side of body;
heavy
ticking; small ears; short legs
WITHHOLD
ALL AWARDS Dilute colors.
Miniaturization.
Blue eyes. Threatening to harm people.
HEAD
Shape:
Modified wedge, starts at nose and flares out in
straight
lines to base of ears forming a triangle with a slight
break
at the whiskers. Longer than it is wide. Length:
Medium.
Size: Very small for size of body. Profile: Long,
straight
line from the top of the head to the bridge of the eyes,
then turning
down approximately 30 and continuing in a
straight
line to the tip of the nose. Very slight eye brow ridge.
Muzzle:
Fine but strong. Slight muzzle break. Wedge-shaped
with broad,
prominent whisker pads. Cheeks: Not
prominent.
Chin: Medium size. Strong. Tip of chin lines up
with tip
of nose in the same vertical plane. Neither receding
nor excessively
massive.
EARS
Shape:
Conical with rounded tips. Wide at base. Size:
Strikingly
large, equal to the length of the head. Placement:
Set upright
and close together on the top of the head.
EYES
Shape:
Round Size: Large. Neither protruding nor recessed.
Placement:
Separated by a broad nose. Much more than an
eye width
apart. Aperture: Color: Gold preferred, any shade
of yellow
through copper. Green and amber permitted.
NECK
Length:
Long in proportion to body. Shape: Thick with very
little
taper into back of head. Musculature: Strong.
BODY
Torso:
Tubular and solid. Shape: Oriental. Moderately long
and svelte.
Size: Large. Males may be somewhat larger than
females
Length: Medium. Boning: Strong. Musculature:
Powerful,
long muscles Back: Level Posture: Very upright
TAIL
Shape:
Thick with a blunt tip. Length: Short, ideally short of
shoulder
when laid along torso. Hair: Close lying.
LEGS
Length:
Excessively long Hind legs: Not higher than front
legs.
Boning: Strong Musculature: Substantial
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