Cat Shows - showing non pedigreed cats?

I had no idea that you could show moggies at cat shows, is this common? I didn't realize people did this. What class are they shown in? I know nothing about cat shows and have never been to one, but I am growing interested.

How do they judge moggies? There isn't really a breed standard, so is it all about personality?

It's no exactly common but people do show moggies. They are in their own group, no standard (though your cat must be clean, groomed etc.) It's really just the judges personal choice.

Personality goes a long way in the Household Pet class. If they're pretty, with unique markings, or appealing patterns (like missymotus said, judge preferance), that's a plus. But most judges seem to really go for a good personality, hence why my little Stratus got 6th place out of 6 cats last show; he was hissing and spitting so much the judges were afraid to even handle him. =P

If you are from the US, I can give you the basics.

In all the associations (CFA, ACFA, TICA) you have a Household Pet Class for non-pedigree cats. These can be mixed breed or purebred without papers. If over the age of 8 months, they must be neutered or spayed to compete. CFA bans any declawed cat.

They are basically judged on grooming, health (muscle tone, etc.) and then on personality. HHP's are pretty competitive - just like the purebreds. ACFA and TICA register HHP's and give out year end awards to the top winning cats; same as if they were purebred. They can earn titles too equal to a champion or grand champion.

Most people start out with showing in the HHP class and then move on to purebreds. And most purebred showers have shown in the HHP at one time or another

Its a lot of fun and you learn a lot. The judges usually love judging this class cause there is no written standard

Thank you everyone for your information! I was browsing CFA's website last night instead of working on a paper like I should have been , and it just seems like so much fun. For future reference if and when I ever decide to do it, where does one buy show cages?

I wouldn't show Matilda (she's too grumpy, she has skin acne issues, and she would hate being in such a loud room. Well, that and the fact that her previous owner declawed her...), but Chloe would be fun. She has a pretty unique coloring (dilute tortie with white, although the smudges on her face are not well-defined) and a huge personality. I've taken her to PetSmart a few times (after vet visits) and she does well with people handling her and petting her (although she is a play biter, ack). I don't know, I don't care about how she places (although how can you not take that personally? lol) but I just think it would be fun. I would love to see all of the pedigreed cats too.

Originally Posted by Katzyn

Personality goes a long way in the Household Pet class. If they're pretty, with unique markings, or appealing patterns (like missymotus said, judge preferance), that's a plus. But most judges seem to really go for a good personality, hence why my little Stratus got 6th place out of 6 cats last show; he was hissing and spitting so much the judges were afraid to even handle him. =P

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Oh no! Chloe would probably try to bite their fingers off.

Clubs provide the show cages if you don't have your own. I would not invest in a portable cage of your own unless you are serious about showing. Not worth it

And if you want to show Cloe then get her used to being handled by different people. But I'd attend a show first so you get the idea of how the judges do things and how the cats are handled so you can go home and practice with her.