- Joined
- Jan 31, 2014
- Messages
- 3
- Purraise
- 1
Hi all!
I'm getting ready to look for my first cat (as an adult - my family had lots of cats when I was a kid). I've done a bit of conformation showing with my dog and spectated (but not shown) at a couple of cat shows, and I'd really like to try some TICA shows. I'm thinking of spending some time at the local cat rescues and shelters, and looking for a cat that might do well in the HHP class. I live in a major city, so there are LOTS of rescue cats from which to choose! I know that, in general, I should look for a beautiful cat that is outgoing, friendly, and playful; that I should avoid shy cats or ones that tend to bite or are hard to handle. However, is there anything anyone would add to that? I know that the judging of HHP is very subjective and will definitely vary from judge to judge; that said, are there types or colors that tend to do better (or worse) in the HHP class? Finer oriental type vs. a stockier "American" type vs. the more moderate "moggie" type? I'm a sucker for classic tabby markings, so I may look for a classic tabby bicolor or mitted. I know I want shorthair (my dog is an English Cocker, with long hair and a breed-specific trim - I don't want to deal with intensive grooming for two animals if I can help it!) Other than petting the cat, picking it up, and bringing a few toys for it to play with, are there any sorts of "temperament tests" that one might do if you were looking for a potential HHP cat?
The alternative is to get a show neuter from a good breeder. Right now I'm leaning towards finding a good HHP-potential cat from a rescue; it's much more affordable, it will allow me to give a home to a cat that really needs it, and I don't run the risk of letting a breeder down if I do a couple of shows and decide it's not something I want to continue. However, it does mean that I'm getting more of an unknown in terms of temperament (my family fostered rescue dogs before, so I know that a five-minute meeting with an animal can be a bit deceptive; temperaments may shift when the animal settles in to a new living area). I also won't be getting the built-in mentor relationship that would come from getting a show neuter from a good breeder. Does anyone think I should change my mind and go for a show neuter instead?
Thanks very much!!
Kaitlin Snider
I'm getting ready to look for my first cat (as an adult - my family had lots of cats when I was a kid). I've done a bit of conformation showing with my dog and spectated (but not shown) at a couple of cat shows, and I'd really like to try some TICA shows. I'm thinking of spending some time at the local cat rescues and shelters, and looking for a cat that might do well in the HHP class. I live in a major city, so there are LOTS of rescue cats from which to choose! I know that, in general, I should look for a beautiful cat that is outgoing, friendly, and playful; that I should avoid shy cats or ones that tend to bite or are hard to handle. However, is there anything anyone would add to that? I know that the judging of HHP is very subjective and will definitely vary from judge to judge; that said, are there types or colors that tend to do better (or worse) in the HHP class? Finer oriental type vs. a stockier "American" type vs. the more moderate "moggie" type? I'm a sucker for classic tabby markings, so I may look for a classic tabby bicolor or mitted. I know I want shorthair (my dog is an English Cocker, with long hair and a breed-specific trim - I don't want to deal with intensive grooming for two animals if I can help it!) Other than petting the cat, picking it up, and bringing a few toys for it to play with, are there any sorts of "temperament tests" that one might do if you were looking for a potential HHP cat?
The alternative is to get a show neuter from a good breeder. Right now I'm leaning towards finding a good HHP-potential cat from a rescue; it's much more affordable, it will allow me to give a home to a cat that really needs it, and I don't run the risk of letting a breeder down if I do a couple of shows and decide it's not something I want to continue. However, it does mean that I'm getting more of an unknown in terms of temperament (my family fostered rescue dogs before, so I know that a five-minute meeting with an animal can be a bit deceptive; temperaments may shift when the animal settles in to a new living area). I also won't be getting the built-in mentor relationship that would come from getting a show neuter from a good breeder. Does anyone think I should change my mind and go for a show neuter instead?
Thanks very much!!
Kaitlin Snider