I want a show kitten... but what breed should I get??

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Hi guys... I have been thinking, and I started making some plans for next year - provided that I get a job until then, and I know I will get it, here is what I want to do:
Move to a 2 bedroom place, so I can have an office/cat room for my babies. I plan to continue in my building, unless I take the plunge to buy myself a place, but that's another story.
Well, with that in mind, I want to get a show kitten, and join the show circuit. I don't have a chosen breed yet; just starting my research. I want a kitten that both fit my lifestyle and my kitties, but also does well in shows.
For what I have seen on TICA and CFA, Persians and Exotics do really well... But what other breeds stand out?
I can't have a Persian - too much grooming.
I do love the round face cats, like Exotic, British Short Hair, American Short Hair... I also like Abyssinians and Russian Blues... Of course I love Ragdolls, but I would like to have a different breed.
So, what do you guys see out there that stands out on the rings, usually perform well, have an out going personality... What should I look for?
Thanks!! This is going to be fun!
 

mews2much

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13,424
Purraise
27
Location
Central Valley,California
I have only seen one Russian Blue being shown.
They tend not to be nice at shows.
I would show my Russian Blue mix Sasha in HHP if she did not have the attitude of a typical RB.
There are a lot of Persians in CFA and a lot do not win because there are so many.
My sister that fake Rex wanted a Persian first.
Why dont you go to a show and see what breeds you like.
I did that before I decided on a sphynx.
Remember I had a long list.
The Abys are nice and seem to have a good temper.
I bench with a Aby breeder.
I see a lot of Exotics in CFA also.
The Somalis are nice but the fur is longer.
They seem to make finals.



 

missymotus

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
9,234
Purraise
254
Aby's and Russians are high energy, perhaps not a good fit with your Raggies.

There are cats in all breeds that are not cut out for showing, depends on the individual cat not the breed.
 

wellingtoncats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
36,207
Purraise
24
Location
Wellington City, NZ
I'd definitely reccomend an Exotic. They are a little bit less energetic then the SH breeds but a bit more outgoing than Ragdolls & Persians [IMO]. They are real show ponies too!

If you lived closer, I'd give you one.
Here are some pics to help make up your mind


Some of our show babies for 2009. The first one is a real "round" kitten, her head is stunning! The second and third pics are of our stud cat, who is so laid back at the shows.

Fourth is a kitten we bred (Nana & I) just sleeping during the show and fifth is another of our show kitten's this year
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Oh Sam - I just LOVE your exotics!!! They are definitely why the breed is in my list in the first place

I Love their round heads, and their big round eyes! I wish I could get one of them - that's for sure... I would trust you over any other exotic/persian breeder in the US
! Exotics seem to be quite popular on shows also... How are they health wise? When well bred, of course!
 

rockstarkitties

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
142
Purraise
1
Location
VA
After the beautiful pics of those exotics, this thread is no longer fair game,LOL
.....Good luck to you Carolina!!! I agree you must also consider the temperament of your Ragdolls and your new show addition
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
I'd attend a few shows first and look at what is being shown. The first step is to decide on the breed, then read all you can about grooming, care, etc. Then start contacting breeders.

I would give some thought on starting out with showing household pets (the ones you have now) to see if you really LIKE showing that much before you invest in a purebred show cat. Breeders are happy to find those that want to show their cats, but you have to be serious about things - not just show a few times and quit.

Breeders strive to produce show quality - not just pets. Unfortunately due to the lack of dedicated show people, most of the show quality cats wind up being sold as pets and that's a shame.

Take your time; showing is fun, but its not for all people.
 

northernglow

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
2,061
Purraise
34
Location
Finland
Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

How about a british shorthair. Not too many at the shows, the breed is under represented. The ones I have seen are always friendly happy cats.

Not difficult to get them prepped for a show either!
Agreed!

Very easy going breed, no need to groom for shows (I only wash mine because of the color), very wide range of colors to choose from, highly addicting and just plain adorable!

Mah shorthair boys



They have always gotten their certificates in shows!
(I've only been in FifÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] shows with them).

And the British Longhair is now a Championship breed in TICA (since May)!
Mah Longhair boy
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
They are gorgeous!!!!! Love their round faces and dense fur.... love love love! I adore Scottish folds also... They are the cutest thing.
Jacky - do you have Ginger's website? Can you PM me?
 

mews2much

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13,424
Purraise
27
Location
Central Valley,California
I will pm you later.
I wrote Ginger asking if she has a website because I have never seen one. She lives in Idaho but comes to the cat shows here.

Edit I talked To Ginger and she will have a few more litters then she is getting out of breeding.
She gave me the phone number of another breeder also.
I will pm you now.
 

wellingtoncats

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
36,207
Purraise
24
Location
Wellington City, NZ
Originally Posted by carolinalima

Oh Sam - I just LOVE your exotics!!! They are definitely why the breed is in my list in the first place

I Love their round heads, and their big round eyes! I wish I could get one of them - that's for sure... I would trust you over any other exotic/persian breeder in the US
! Exotics seem to be quite popular on shows also... How are they health wise? When well bred, of course!
Health wise - they are fine. They are a breed you really must do your research on with breeders etc. Too many people (and you see them on TCS all the time) fall into the trap of unethical breeders. They can have breathing problems, be anti-social etc but that's like any breed under the control of a bad breeder.


Thank you!
I really wish I was closer and could share the love of my cuddly babies with TCS members!

I'd definitely reccomend a British Shorthair too - they have all the features of an exotic without the short nose but I love their coat textures so much! Like Exotics you must ensure they have been well socialised, as the BSH in NZ here can get quite snotty at shows but in the hands of a good breeder, they're love bugs.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
OMG OMG OMG!!!! I chose British shorthair!!!!! Not only that, I wrote to a GREAT breeder, and she agreed to sell me a show kitten!!!! Her cattery holds the most amount of CFA grand Champions!!!
Thanks for the referral Jacky!!!!
I am so EXCITED!!!!!

The only thing is that I will need to wait almost a year for the kitten, as she is planning to breed her cats in 4-6 months. That works perfectly for me actually, as I can save $$ for the kitten now, and start attending as many shows as I can... I am also going to do my best to move to a bigger place, so the kitties can be more comfortable...
I need to run an errant now, but wanted to let you guys know.... I am THRILLED!!!!!!
 

mews2much

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13,424
Purraise
27
Location
Central Valley,California
Wow that was fast.
I am happy to help you find a great show cat!!!!
Ginger is also the
Regional Director of CFA Northwest Region and the Regional Show Scheduler.
I bet you can not wait for a kitten.
Ginger shows at some of the same shows as I do.

 

missymotus

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
9,234
Purraise
254
Congratulations


Brits are cute, not quite active or brainy enough for me though
I think the oldest we have on the bench is 8 and she's still winning top awards.

Good luck with the wait, I'm sure it will be well worth it
Do you know what colour you want? I love the colour points, especially blue or lilac. Also black silver classic tabby is beautiful
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
Originally Posted by mews2much

Wow that was fast.
I am happy to help you find a great show cat!!!!
Ginger is also the
Regional Director of CFA Northwest Region and the Regional Show Scheduler.
I bet you can not wait for a kitten.
Ginger shows at some of the same shows as I do.

I know!! I wrote to her yesterday, and the response was waiting for me when I woke up!
She sounds very nice too - I am VERY excited!!!
Thank you so much Jacky
And yes, I can't wait!!! But... I think the wait, the reseach, and all the preps will be great fun too!
Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

Great choice! Congratulations!
Thanks!
Originally Posted by missymotus

Congratulations


Brits are cute, not quite active or brainy enough for me though
I think the oldest we have on the bench is 8 and she's still winning top awards.
You need to remember: I have two ragdolls.... they would go nuts with a high energy cat...


Originally Posted by missymotus

Good luck with the wait, I'm sure it will be well worth it
Do you know what colour you want? I love the colour points, especially blue or lilac. Also black silver classic tabby is beautiful
I am discussing the color and the gender with Ginger - can you experts help me with the possibilities here, she is considering breeding:
girl to be bred is a blue cream and she would be bred to a blue male or a cream male.
For what I can see, the blues do best on show rings.... She also asked me about the gender... I also see males doing better... What do you guys think?
Since I am getting this kitten to show, I want to get one with great chances of doing well
 

missymotus

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
9,234
Purraise
254
CPâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s and tabbies do well here, which is why I mentioned them before. We only have a couple of Blues, I have a friend who has a white girl to show next season. Sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s a retired girl and did very well with her breeder in the shows she went to Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]ve only seen photos of her but sheâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s stunning.

Girls do well against boys too, often it's hard to tell the difference in neuters.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

carolina

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
14,759
Purraise
215
Location
Corinth, TX
The most beautiful british I have seen so far is Northerglow's Kuura
Just stunning!
 
Top