Come on, admit it. You would love to win a little more often at cat shows.
You already know there is far more to showing than who walks away with Best in Show. The friendships, the day out, the cats themselves – that is what keeps most of us coming back. But still … you would quite like to try one of those big fancy rosettes for size, wouldn’t you? And once you have had a taste of it, you might just be hooked.
There is only one thing standing in your way. You need a cat capable of taking you to those dizzy heights. A cat that, on its day, is simply unbeatable. The kind of cat you might call your dream show cat.
So what does it actually take? Having spent years on both sides of the judging table, I can tell you it is rare to find a cat that has the whole package. I can think of only one or two in all my time that have come truly close. But if you are searching for that cat, let me talk you through the five ingredients I look for.
1. Show Type
For me, first and foremost, any cat that deserves the label ‘dream show cat’ has to have excellent type. Meeting the breed standard is the baseline for any show cat – but a genuine show stopper takes it up a notch.
You are looking for a cat whose type is, frankly, breathtaking. The sort of cat that forces you to stop, stare and then smile every single time you look at it. Its type so closely matches the breed standard that it can only be described as an ambassador for the breed. Read your breed’s Standard of Points carefully, compare it honestly against the cat in front of you, and be ruthless. No matter how good looking a cat is, though, good manners matter just as much.
2. Temperament
A show winner is comfortable and relaxed at a show. It loves the attention, has no problem spending the day in its pen, and positively enjoys being handled and assessed – showing itself off as if to say ‘look at me, I am gorgeous’. That is the attitude every cat at a show should ideally have, from the high-flyers to the cats who never quite make the top of the class.
But here is the honest truth: if your cat decides it does not like showing, there is not a great deal you can do about it. My advice is to try them at a couple of shows and watch carefully. You will recognise the signs if a cat hates it – and you owe it to them to listen. If they do not enjoy the day, neither will you, and their welfare comes first every time.
3. Colour and Pattern
So which matters more in a show winner: type, or colour and pattern? Some swear by type, others by colour and pattern. The honest answer is that they are equally important.
Whatever a cat’s colour or pattern – self, non-self, tabby or pointed – there is one requirement a show winner must meet: their colour and pattern has to be excellent, not merely good. A cat with superb type but a poor coat colour or weak pattern will often still do well in its class. But will it be a true Best in Show cat? In my experience, no. The very best cats get both halves of the equation right.
4. Presentation
This one should be obvious, and yet through long experience I can tell you that some people just do not seem to grasp it. A cat show is, at heart, a beauty contest for cats.
Turning your cat out without grooming it is a recipe for disaster. The same goes for tatty, dirty show equipment. If you fail at the basics, you are doing your cat a disservice. Bath and groom in good time, present a clean white blanket and bowls, and let your cat shine to its full potential. Get the basics right and you give your cat every chance on the table. Get them wrong and you let both of you down before the judge has even opened the pen.
5. A Little Something Extra
All things being equal, there is one thing that truly separates a top-quality show cat from all the rest. It is very difficult to put into words, but I will try. If your cat has it, it sits in the rare elite of show cats – and that ingredient is what we call ‘show presence’.
Some cats just have ‘the look’. If you have ever seen it, you know exactly what I mean. A cat with show presence stands out. It might not be your favourite colour. It may not even be your favourite breed. But your eye keeps drifting back to it, and it becomes almost impossible to look at any other cat in the hall.
You will not be able to say quite why. All you know is that its presence dominates your attention. It oozes style, gives off an aura, and stops people in their tracks. There is something in the way it looks at you that says, ‘I am a winner.’ When I judge a cat like that, I rarely disagree.
Remember What to Look For
So there you have it. You are looking for a cat with excellent type, excellent colour and pattern, natural show presence and a temperament to die for. Find that cat, groom it well, turn up on the day – and the top awards become almost a formality.
This is the cat that builds lasting memories, the kind of rare moments that are never forgotten. Except, for you, those moments will not be rare at all. Because your cat is a special kind of cat. An absolute show stopper. A Best in Show cat. The cat of your dreams. All you have to do now is find him. If you ever come across such a cat, do me one small favour and let me know – because I want his brother.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pedigree cat to enter a GCCF show?
No. Pedigree cats are shown in breed classes, but GCCF shows also welcome Household Pets – non-pedigrees and neutered pedigree pets – as well as kittens and neuters. If your cat is friendly, clean and in good health, it can be shown. Many exhibitors are simply pet owners who love their cats.
How do I actually get started?
Register your cat with the GCCF in your own name, find a show near you on the GCCF show calendar, and enter online or by post. You will need white show equipment – a litter tray, food and water bowls, and a blanket. The show manager is always happy to help a first-timer through the process.
What is ‘show presence’ and can it be trained?
Show presence is that hard-to-define quality that makes a cat command attention on the table. It is largely something a cat is born with rather than something you can teach. What you can do is build a relaxed, confident, well-socialised cat that is comfortable being handled, which lets whatever natural presence it has come through.
What if my cat hates showing?
Then listen to it. Try a couple of shows, watch its body language, and if it genuinely dislikes the experience, do not force it. A stressed, unhappy cat will not show well and, more importantly, its wellbeing matters far more than any rosette.
Thinking of showing your cat?
Everything you need to know about getting started, what to expect on the day, and how the classes work.
If you are new to the world of showing, the GCCF’s own Show Your Cat With GCCF pages are a friendly, reliable place to begin. From there, take a look at our cat shows section, our Siamese breed profile to understand show type, and our breeding pages if you hope to produce your own show winners one day.
Written by Ross, a Siamese breeder, exhibitor and GCCF judge. Find out more about me and this site here.
Presenting a white or pale-coated cat on the day? Our GCCF show whites range covers the grooming kit and show accessories you’ll need.
