Showing HHP

I'm starting to get into breeding with an F3 bengal. Unfortunately she is a generation shy of showing but her kittens will be eligable. I have a wonderful torbie girl I'm thinking about showing in an upcoming TICA new years eve show. I thought it might be good experience since I heard it can be stressful the first time. The thing is I have no idea how she would do in a show hall, she is a little more on the shy side. It is a 3 day show, should I just try 1 day since I don't know what her temperment would be? How does HHP work?

Another random question - why does CFA not allow Bengals? Will this ever change? They are certainly more of an established breed nowadays.

Give it a try with your HHP. Who knows, she might end up liking it! I would try it for the whole weekend - it would be a shame if she was doing well and enjoying herself and you had to leave. If she doesn't like it, well you will have Bengal kittens to show soon

Showing HHPs in TICA is a lot of fun because they are eligible for titles, etc. TICA has more judging rings per day than CFA, usually 6-7 as opposed to 3-4. That is also the reason you will pay more for an entry - the club hosting the show has that many more judges to pay! Your cat will be assigned a number for the weekend (i.e. 427). When the announcer calls "Shorthaired Household Pets numbers 420-430 to ring 6", you will carry your cat to ring six and put her in the cage with 427 on it. The judge will examine all the cats and when the ring clerk puts your cat's number face down, you can come and get your cat from the ring and bring her back to your benching cage. Once all the HHPs are judged, the announcer will say "HHP final in ring 6 - please check your numbers". You will then go to ring six and see if number 427 is on any of the cages - if it is, it means your cat made the final! Get your cat and put her in the cage with her number on it - she will be awarded a rosette because the judge placed her as one of her top 10 HHPs in show!

Bengals aren't allowed to compete in CFA because CFA won't allow anything to compete that has "wild blood". Ocicats in CFA are sort of their "Bengals" (the whole spotted wildcat look). While CFA shows are loaded with Ocicats, you hardly ever see one in TICA.

Good luck!

I don't know TICA rules, but is there something about no bengel being shown in any class that is not a F4 generation? If so, then you can't show in the HHP class either.

As far as CFA, they are from the old school, and because the bengels still have "wild" cat blood in them, they will have a hard time convincing the board to allow them.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I don't know TICA rules, but is there something about no bengel being shown in any class that is not a F4 generation? If so, then you can't show in the HHP class either.

As far as CFA, they are from the old school, and because the bengels still have "wild" cat blood in them, they will have a hard time convincing the board to allow them.

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HHP isn't defined by breed. It's an acronym for household pet. A bengal shown in HHP division wouldn't be defined as a bengal, it would just be in the short hair division in the tabby color class and no one would be the wiser as to what generation it was. It would however be highly unlikely that any bengal would be shown in HHP.
I believe she is talking about showing a non-breed cat, which would show in HHP. But if she were to show a pet bengal, the most likely scenario would be to show in alter class. In this case the cat would need to be an SBT bengal, at least 4 gen's removed from the ALC.

I do know what HHP means - I was a licensed HHP judge in ACFA and originally showed HHP's in CFA, ACFA, and some TICA. But even if you put a bengel in a HHP class, the judge would KNOW its a bengel (maybe not the genereation).

All I'm saying is what generation of bengels are allowed to be shown in any class. You certainly would not want to show a 2nd generation one!

I did re-read her post about her showing a non-pedigree - am sorry for the confusion - thought she wanted to put a F3 in HHP class.

Thanks for the replies . Yes my F3 is not eligible. My torbie is a rescued barn kitty. She's very beautiful, with her bright green eyes as her best feature. I like the idea of doing the whole show but hear a lot about people being asked to leave when their cats didn't behave. Do you find the cats know whats going on after they start going a lot? I'm also a little worried about how vocal she would be! Shes got quite the voice when things are different in her life. I don't think shes the type ot claw though, just would act nervous and vocalize. But then again I have no clue!

GoldenKitty - what did you look for in HHP's?

Basically a HHP judge looks for (1) Cleanliness and Grooming - especially on a LH; I was very very picky on grooming longhairs!); (2) personality.

Personality and colors are judge's preference. Most judges will admit that the HHP is one of the hardest classes to judge because there is no written standard to eliminate a cat one from the other - each is his/her own standard.

I'm partial to calicos, red tabbies and more "oriental" type of cats. But I will not hesitate to place a beautiful and well groomed longhair over my "favorites".

Judges understand that most HHP's are not shown often or not used to a lot of other cats and they will make allowences. Don't feel bad if the judge asks you to help - they would rather the cat have a familar voice/face then to risk the cat freaking out.

Some cats are natural hams and nothing bothers them - they usually win more on disposition but as long as your cat is clean and realitively friendly to handling you shouldn't have a problem. The cats that talk alot will certainly get the judge's attention! You'll know if your cat likes showing in a show or two - I'd not push more then 4 rings in a day for a first timer.

My youngest kitten (5 months old) will probably be shown in the spring - she's got personality.

i have a question regarding HHP showing and didnt want to start a new thread since this one is already going... feel free to move it if needed mods.

Can a cat with Softpaws nail covers be shown in HHP? or only natural claws or declawed or what? Id love to put my Peanut Butter in a show HHP but he is still wearing his softpaws on a regular basis again.

Yes

I don't see why not (the Softpaws) - just make sure they are not brightly colored. It would be like wearing a collar - which no cat in show is allowed to wear a collar when being shown.

As far as declawed - CFA bans it completely. The other associations will allow them but none of them encourage the practice. Declawing is a last resort and some people have adopted already declawed cats. Also many declawed cats are more biters or neurotic then normal cats with claws. So its not encouraged in any association to do as a routine thing.

Can we see pics of your f3? I love to see bengal pics!!

Sure!

http://public.fotki.com/hurricanejed...ng_up_kitties/

The brown spotted girl is our future queen. In these pics she is 6-7 months.

Ugh I just read in CFA rules that claw covers aren't allowed. No distinguishing marker of any kind. I don't know about TICA but this is what I saw in CFA:

11.11.01 Cats or kittens will not be judged with ribbons on their necks or with other identifying marks other than an optional tattoo (see paragraph 11.12) or, in the case of Household Pets, devices applied to the claws which inhibit the ability of a cat to scratch, i.e. claw covers. (See 4.10.01 & 28.10.)

Huh to me this looks poorly worded. Why would it only pertain to HHP, I'm sure people with purebreeds also do this... CFA seems to be very strict when it comes to the claws.

I strongly doubt people with show pedigrees would because 99% of pedigree showers have 'been there, done that' so they know that claw covers aren't allowed and you just wouldn't put them on a show cat.

A word about HHP showing...
Yes, HHP's are one of the hardest to judge because other than being clean, healthy and groomed, it pretty much is up to us. I am a stickler for cleanliness, especially ears. But I have to say that when I first started showing, it was HHP class and I had so much fun.

Most associations have rules regarding nails being clipped, as it can be very unsafe to have a miffed feline with daggers take a swipe at you while you're trying to judge it. I think the deal with the "Soft Claws" is that the owner need not think they have to clip the nails, and they have been known to come off at the most inappropriate times.
Another thing you have to remember is that while your cat may like showing, showing in a 3-day show with 20 rings total (only an example) may be a bit stressfull for a first show.

I just found out there is a weekend CFA show after Thanksgiving. I might do that. Also I will never get to show in the CFA with my bengals so it will be my chance to experience the CFA .

The most rings we ever have at a one show (two days is the longest) is six rings. I would never enter my cat in more then that. How stressful.

I am also a "HHP" judge - or "Domestic & Companion Cat" judge and the #1 thing in my books is a VERY clean cat. Even if you do live in the country, give it a bath and get rid of that dandruff! (Just using it as an example )

I also don't like overweight cats. Of course all Domestic judges have their preferences, I love a friendly cat - preferably red or tortie! YUM!

I too have judged in the HHP class and I cannot understand (I have to be honest here) why one would want to use soft paws. There is no standard per se in HHP but you do look for properly clipped claws, a well groomed cat (as Wellington Cat says - one that clean and clearly well cared for and groomed), (and many cat show vets have little tricks to keeping their cats super cleans and freah for a show - not always easy to do if you have been travelling to get there!). I also look for unusual markings or patterns - and I mean unusual and a great disposition. A cat's personality adds much here I think - and you can tell if the kitty is enjoying the process which often reflects the psychological well being of the cat, just as a clean shiny coat and good grooming reflect on the physical health.

To be fair to all contestants, no extras are allowed - at least in those shows I have particpated in. They are only distractions.

To be honest, I never gave it a thought on cats being shown with Soft Claws. That was something new when I was showing and no one ever used them - HHP's included. We also just clipped nails without a problem - still do.

IMO I don't see the real purpose of them as I trim the nails (or check them) at least once a week.