| Solid Color Division WHITE: pure glistening white. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: deep blue or brilliant copper. Odd- eyed whites shall have one blue and one copper eye with equal color depth. BLUE: blue, lighter shade preferred, one level tone from nose to tip of tail. Sound to the roots. A sound darker shade is more acceptable than an unsound lighter shade. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Free from any tinge of rust on tips or smoke undercoat. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown. Eye color: brilliant copper. RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking. Lips and chin the same color as coat. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper. CREAM: one level shade of buff cream, without markings. Sound to the roots. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CHOCOLATE: rich, warm chocolate-brown, sound from roots to tip of fur. Nose leather: brown. Paw pads: cinnamon-pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. LILAC: rich, warm lavender with a pinkish tone, sound and even throughout. Nose leather: lavender. Paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. Silver and Golden Division Colors CHINCHILLA SILVER: undercoat pure white. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with black to give the characteristic sparkling silver appearance. Legs may be slightly shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, pure white. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber, or any color other than green or blue-green. SHADED SILVER: undercoat white with a mantle of black tipping shading down from sides, face, and tail from dark on the ridge to white on the chin, chest, stomach, and under the tail. Legs to be the same tone as the face. The general effect to be much darker than a chinchilla. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber, or any color other than green or blue-green. CHINCHILLA GOLDEN: undercoat pale honey to bright apricot. Coat on back, flanks, head, and tail sufficiently tipped with black to enhance a golden appearance. Legs and end of tail may be shaded with tipping. Chin, ear tufts, stomach, and chest, consistent dilute color, much lighter in tone than the undercoat color. The general effect is lighter than a shaded golden due to less tipping. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: rose. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue-green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber, or any color other than green or blue-green. SHADED GOLDEN: undercoat pale honey to bright apricot with a mantle of black tipping shading down from the sides, face, head and tail. Legs to be the same tone as the face. Ear tufts, chin, chest, stomach and underside of the tail, consistent dilute color, much lighter in tone than the undercoat. The general effect is darker than a chinchilla golden due to more tipping. Rims of eyes, lips, and nose outlined with black. Nose leather: rose. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green or blue- green. Disqualify for incorrect eye color, incorrect eye color being copper, yellow, gold, amber, or any color other than green or blue-green. Back to the Top Shaded and Smoke Division Colors SHELL CAMEO (Red Chinchilla): undercoat white, the coat on the back, flanks, head and tail to be lightly tipped with red. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white. Nose leather, rim of eyes and paw pads: rose pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHADED CAMEO (Red Shaded): undercoat white with a mantle of red shading down the sides, face and tail. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white. Face and legs may be a deeper shading. The general effect to be much redder than the shell cameo. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHELL CREAM (Cream Chinchilla): undercoat white, the coat on the back, flanks, head and tail to be lightly tipped with cream. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHADED CREAM (Cream Shaded): undercoat white with a mantle of cream shading down the sides, face and tail. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white. Face and legs may be a deeper shading. The general effect to be darker than a shell cream. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHELL TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with black and shades of red. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white to lightly tipped. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink to black, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHADED TORTOISESHELL: undercoat white. Mantle of black and red shading down the sides, face and tail. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white to lightly tipped. The general effect to be much darker than the shell tortoiseshell. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink to black, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHELL BLUE-CREAM: undercoat white. The coat on the back, flanks and tail to be lightly tipped with blue and cream. Face and legs may be lightly shaded with tipping. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white to lightly tipped. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink to blue, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. SHADED BLUE-CREAM: undercoat white. Mantle of blue and cream shading down the sides, face and tail. Frill, ear tufts, stomach and chest, white to lightly tipped. The general effect to be much darker than the shell blue- cream. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose pink to blue, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. NOTE: during seasonal coat color changes on both kittens and adults, the "reverse" color on the kitten or adult is to be considered a NORMAL coat color change. At the root it may appear that the primary smoke color turns white a short distance up the hair shaft and then reverts back to the primary color. The tipping during this coat color phase may consume most of the hair shaft with only minimal white color deep in the coat. BLACK SMOKE: undercoat white, deeply tipped with black. Cat in repose appears black. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, black with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: black. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLUE SMOKE: undercoat white, deeply tipped with blue. Cat in repose appears blue. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, blue with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: blue. Eye color: brilliant copper. CREAM SMOKE: undercoat white, deeply tipped with cream. Cat in repose appears cream. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, cream with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may be seen only when fur is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. RED SMOKE: undercoat white, deeply tipped with red. Cat in repose appears red. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, red with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may only be seen when hair is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather, rims of eyes and paw pads: rose. Eye color: brilliant copper. TORTOISESHELL SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with black, red and shades of red. Cat in repose appears tortoiseshell. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, tortoiseshell pattern with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may only be seen when hair is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: rose pink or black, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLUE-CREAM SMOKE: white undercoat, deeply tipped with blue and cream. Cat in repose appears blue-cream. In motion the white undercoat is clearly apparent. Face, legs and tail, blue-cream pattern with narrow band of white at base of hairs next to skin which may only be seen when hair is parted. White frill and ear tufts. Nose leather and paw pads: rose pink or blue, may be patched. Eye color: brilliant copper. Back to the Top Tabby Division Colors CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter "M." Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach. MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body. SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings dense black. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper. SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale silver. Markings of dense black. Patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black and/or brick red. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper. BLUE-SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale bluish silver. Markings sound blue. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: blue or old rose trimmed with blue. Paw pads: blue or old rose. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper. BLUE-SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale bluish silver. Markings sound blue. Patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: blue or old rose trimmed with blue and/or pink. Paw pads: blue or old rose and/or pink. Eye color: green, hazel or brilliant copper. RED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper. BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown. Eye color: brilliant copper. BROWN PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings of dense black. Patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black and/or brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color, including lips and chin, pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLUE PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale bluish ivory. Markings of very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Nose leather: old rose and/or pink. Paw pads: rose and/or pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale cream. Markings of buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast, but remaining within the dilute color range. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color off- white. Markings red. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye Color: brilliant copper. CREAM CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color off-white. Markings cream. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CHOCOLATE TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color milk chocolate. Tabby markings a deep, dark chocolate affording sufficient contrast with ground color. Lips and chin the same shade as rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brown and/or brick red. Paw pads: brick red to cinnamon-pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CHOCOLATE PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color milk chocolate. Tabby markings a deep, dark chocolate affording sufficient contrast with ground color with patches or softly intermingled areas of red. Lips and chin the same color as rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brown, brick red and/or cinnamon pink. Paw pads: brick red, cinnamon pink and/or coral. Eye color: brilliant copper. LILAC TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale frosty lavender with a pinkish patina. Tabby markings a darker lavender affording sufficient contrast with ground color. Lips and chin the same color as rings around the eyes. Nose leather: lavender. Paw pads: pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. LILAC PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel): ground color pale frosty lavender with a pinkish patina. Tabby markings a darker lavender affording sufficient contrast with ground color with patches or softly intermingled areas of cream. Lips and chin the same color as rings around the eyes. Nose leather: lavender and/or pink. Paw pads: lavender pink and or pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. Back to the Top Parti-Color Division Colors TORTOISESHELL: black with patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable. Nose leather and paw pads: black and/or brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper. BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: blue and/or pink. Eye color: brilliant copper. CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL: rich, warm chocolate brown with patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable. Nose leather: brown, brick red and/or pink. Paw pads: brick red, cinnamon pink and/or pink. Eye Color: brilliant copper. LILAC-CREAM: rich, warm pinkish toned lavender with patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Nose leather: lavender, lavender pink and/or pink. Paw pads: lavender pink and/or pink. Eye Color: brilliant coppe Back to the Top Calico and Bi-Color Division Colors EYE COLOR: brilliant copper, blue or odd-eyed, with noted exception. Odd-eyed bi-colors shall have one blue and one copper eye with equal color depth. EXCEPTION: silver tabby and white, silver patched tabby and white, blue silver tabby and white and blue silver patched tabby and white may also have green or hazel eye color. These colors in odd-eyed shall have one blue and one green, hazel or brilliant copper eye with equal color depth. CALICO: a tri-color cat of black, red and white. The red and the black should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. DILUTE CALICO: a tri-color cat of blue, cream and white. The cream and the blue should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. CHOCOLATE CALICO: a tri-color cat of chocolate, red and white. The red and the chocolate should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. LILAC CALICO: A tri-color cat of lilac, cream and white. The lilac and the cream should appear as clear, unbrindled patches. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. BI-COLOR: black and white, blue and white, red and white, cream and white, chocolate and white, or lilac and white. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest, and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. CALICO SMOKE: a tri-color cat of black, red and white. The black and the red should appear as clear, unbrindled patches with a white undercoat. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. DILUTE CALICO SMOKE: a tri-color cat of blue, cream and white. The blue and the cream should appear as clear, unbrindled patches with a white undercoat. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. CHOCOLATE CALICO SMOKE: a tri-color cat of chocolate, red and white. The chocolate and the red should appear as clear, unbrindled patches with a white undercoat. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. LILAC CALICO SMOKE: a tri-color cat of lilac, cream and white. The lilac and the cream should appear as clear, unbrindled patches with a white undercoat. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. SHELL CAMEO AND WHITE, SHELL CREAM AND WHITE, SHELL CALICO, SHELL DILUTE CALICO, SHELL CHOCOLATE CALICO, SHELL LILAC CALICO: a bi- colored or tri-colored cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the currently established shell color description. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. SHADED CAMEO AND WHITE, SHADED CREAM AND WHITE, SHADED CALICO, SHADED DILUTE CALICO, SHADED CHOCOLATE CALICO, SHADED LILAC CALICO: a bi-colored or tri-colored cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the currently established shaded color description. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. RED TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel): a cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions to conform to the currently established red tabby standard. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. BROWN TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel): a cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions to conform to the currently established brown tabby standard. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. PATCHED TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel): a cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions to conform to the currently established patched tabby color description. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. OTHER TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel): a cat of white and colored portions, the colored portions of the cat to conform to the currently established classic and mackerel color standards (with the exception of red, brown and patched tabby) color description. As a preferred minimum, the cat should have white feet, legs, undersides, chest and muzzle. Less white than this minimum should be penalized proportionately. Back to the Top Himalayan Division Colors HIMALAYAN (POINT) PATTERN: Body: clear color is preferred with subtle shading allowed. Allowance should be made for darker color in older cats but there must be a definite contrast between body color and point color. The points, consisting of ears, legs, feet, tail, and mask show the basic color of the cat. The ideal mask extends from above the eyes down through the chin and stretches beyond the eyes from side to side. CHOCOLATE POINT: body ivory. Points milk-chocolate color, warm in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. SEAL POINT: body even pale fawn to cream, warm in tone, shading gradually into lighter color on the stomach and chest. Points deep seal brown. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue. LILAC POINT: body glacial white. Points frosty grey with pinkish tone. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. BLUE POINT: body bluish white, cold in tone. Points blue. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue. FLAME (Red) POINT: body creamy white. Points deep orange flame to deep red. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. CREAM POINT: body creamy white. Points buff cream. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. TORTIE POINT: body creamy white or pale fawn. Points seal with unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. BLUE-CREAM POINT: body bluish white or creamy white. Points blue with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: slate blue and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. CHOCOLATE-TORTIE POINT: body ivory. Points chocolate with unbrindled patches of red and/or cream. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. LILAC-CREAM POINT: body glacial white. Points lilac with patches of cream. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. HIMALAYAN LYNX (POINT) PATTERN: Mask must be clearly lined with dark stripes, vertical and forming the classic "M" on the forehead; horizontal on the cheeks. The mask contains light rings around the eyes and dark spots on light whisker pads, clearly outlined in dark color edges. Inner ear light with ticking on outer ear. Markings dense, clearly defined and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets. Tail barred with lighter underside. No striping or mottling on body. SEAL LYNX POINT: points beige-brown ticked with darker brown tabby markings. Body color pale cream to fawn, warm in tone. Nose leather: seal brown or brick red. Paw pads: seal brown. Eye color: deep vivid blue. BLUE LYNX POINT: points light, silvery blue, ticked with darker blue tabby markings. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather: blue or old rose. Paw pads: blue. Eye color: deep vivid blue. FLAME (RED) LYNX POINT: points deep orange flame ticked with deep red tabby markings. Body color creamy white. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. CREAM LYNX POINT: points pale cream ticked with dark cream tabby markings. Body color creamy white, significantly lighter in tone than the points. Nose leather and paw pads: flesh to coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. TORTIE LYNX POINT: points beige-brown with dark brown tabby markings and patches of red. Body color creamy white or pale fawn. Nose leather and paw pads: seal brown, brick red and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. BLUE-CREAM LYNX POINT: points blue with darker blue tabby markings and patches of cream. Body color bluish white, cold in tone. Nose leather and paw pads: blue, old rose and/or pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. CHOCOLATE LYNX POINT: points milk-chocolate ticked with darker chocolate tabby markings. Body color ivory. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. LILAC LYNX POINT: points pale frosty grey with pinkish tone ticked with darker lilac tabby markings. Body color glacial white. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. CHOCOLATE-TORTIE LYNX POINT: points milk- chocolate ticked with darker chocolate tabby markings and patches of red. Body color ivory. Nose leather and paw pads: cinnamon pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. LILAC-CREAM LYNX POINT: points pale frosty grey with pinkish tone ticked with darker lilac tabby markings and patches of cream. Body color glacial white. Nose leather and paw pads: lavender pink and/or coral pink. Eye color: deep vivid blue. Back to the Top GENERAL: The ideal Persian should present an impression of a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. The large round eyes set wide apart in a large round head contribute to the overall look and expression. The long thick coat softens the lines of the cat and accentuates the roundness in appearance. HEAD: round and massive, with great breadth of skull. Round face with round underlying bone structure. Well set on a short, thick neck. Skull structure to be smooth and round to the touch and not unduly exaggerated from where the forehead begins at the top of the break to the back of the head, as well as across the breadth between the ears. NOSE: short, snub, and broad, with "break" centered between the eyes. CHEEKS: full. Muzzle not overly pronounced, smoothing nicely into the cheeks. JAWS: broad and powerful. CHIN: full, well-developed, and firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite. EARS: small, round tipped, tilted forward, and not unduly open at the base. Set far apart, and low on the head, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head. EYES: brilliant in color, large, round, and full. Set level and far apart, giving a sweet expression to the face. BODY: of cobby type, low on the legs, broad and deep through the chest, equally massive across the shoulders and rump, with a well-rounded mid-section and level back. Good muscle tone with no evidence of obesity. Large or medium in size. Quality the determining consideration rather than size. LEGS: short, thick, and strong. Forelegs straight. Hind legs are straight when viewed from behind. PAWS: large, round, and firm. Toes carried close, five in front and four behind . TAIL: short, but in proportion to body length. Carried without a curve and at an angle lower than the back. COAT: long and thick, standing off from the body. Of fine texture, glossy and full of life. Long all over the body, including the shoulders. The ruff immense and continuing in a deep frill between the front legs. Ear and toe tufts long. Brush very full. DISQUALIFY: locket or button. Kinked or abnormal tail. Incorrect number of toes. Any apparent weakness in the hind quarters. Any apparent deformity of the spine. Deformity of the skull resulting in an asymmetrical face and/or head. Crossed eyes. For pointed cats, also disqualify for white toes, eye color other than blue.* *The above listed disqualifications apply to all Persian cats. Additional disqualifications are listed under "Colors." Back to the Top General Breeding Information Excerp from: Breeding Purebred Cats by Anne S. Moore Man’s idea of aesthetic perfection in the “using” animals grew out of his performance requirements. In the horse, for example, straight pastern and a long back are considered faults not because they are unsightly but because the first is accompanied by stiff gaits and the second by weakness under weight. In standards created for aesthetic reasons there can be no such criteria and requirements of conformation and color because wholly arbitrary. There is, therefore, nothing sacrosanct about breed standards. They’re created by individuals around a mutually agreed upon image of the ideal. If the standards are slow to change, it’s for good reason. Animal breeding is a slow process. Change the goals too soon and breeders will throw up their hands in despair. On the other hand, breed standards should not be regarded as immutable; in fact, they must change as the goals and visions of breeders evolve. There is no “Perfect Cat” towards which all breeders slowly progress, for hardly have we defined that perfection than we look beyond it. Likewise, breeders who prefer the old-fashioned type of their breed should not be despised, for today’s type is “better” only because a majority of breeders and judges have agreed to make it so. Who knows? In another fifty years we might come full circle, and that old-fashioned type might become the new look. However, a breeder should depart from current standards only after thorough study of the breed and the most careful consideration. The novice breeder should decide at the outset to breed only those cats that are currently competitive in the show ring, for reasons I’ll explain later. If you see a cat of your chosen breed that you consider quite ugly, and yet it is winning at all the shows, don’t be discouraged. Bear in mind that a great variety of looks is possible within any breed. Study the photos of twenty grand champions of any breed and you’ll discover some surprising differences. The breed standards are general enough that they can admit a wide range of interpretation by both breeder and judge. Gradually, a certain look or type will come more into favor, and this will in turn lead to new variations. The most successful breeders are those who are always looking ahead, who are able to predict what the future will demand in their particular breed. Or, they are breeders who breed for a look that they like, and once they’ve produced it, happily discover that the judges like it too. Back to the Top |
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