SHOWING YOUR BIRMAN

Maybe you first saw a Birman on visiting a Cat Show or have decided after bringing your Birman kitten home, that you would like to exhibit him/her in a cat show? This is quite often how new exhibitors enter the world of exhibiting with various degrees of success and enjoyment. If you think that you might like to exhibit your cat, it is wise to check back with the breeder. This is to make sure that your beloved pet meets the required Showing Breed Standard (see section below on 'Standard of the Birman Cat'). If you are to be successful, your cat's features needs to match the written standard for a show cat and the personality needs to be suited for public exhibition. In many instances, if your cat is not show quality you can still show in the Domestic or Companion Cat section and this can also be a great way to get started.

Check with the breeder that your cat is suitable for Exhibition, attend a few shows as an observer, join a Club and register the cat in your name - this will allow you to enter a show. Rather than give details of how to prepare your cat for exhibition and how to enter a show, the following links will take you to sites with this information. Here however, is a brief synopsis of the process:

Pre-Show Preparation

Your cat must be fit and well to go to a show. No fleas, no ear mites, no runny eyes, no bare or scabby patches of skin, no snuffles and sneezes and all vaccinations up to date. If in doubt, see your Vet. Do remember to clean ears and eyes and trim the sharp tips of the claws with proper clippers. Do not cut anything but the tip or you will damage the skin and make your cat bleed. 

If you decide to bath your cat - Bathing should be carried out well before the show in order to allow the natural oils to develop again - experiment at a time when there is no show pending and work out how many days it is after the bath that your cats coat looks its best - usually 4 to 5 days before the event. Make sure you brush the coat as it dries - lifting it away from the body and make sure you rinse VERY thoroughly. Do not use shampoos with silicone or conditioner as they will not allow the coat to sit nicely.

For the day of the show make sure that you have a good carry basket to take your cat to the show. You will also need curtains and a towel or mat for the show cage, a non tip water bowl, a small feeding bowl and litter tray – use paper litter as most of the venue halls have polished floors and grit will scratch it. The show pen/cage will have been erected and will have been sprayed with disinfectant and if you wish, you can wipe it over but DO NOT bring a spray with you.

Check that your cats vaccinations are up to date and the correct name is on the vaccination card – including cat's full name as well as its correct breed, colour, sex and age. If it has the breeder's name and address on it you should add your own name and address. You will need to show this certificate at vetting-in.

Show Day

When you arrive at the show hall you will need to join the vetting queue of exhibitors. Paperwork at shows varies but you will be given some form of vetting slip for the vet to sign, have this and your vaccination certificate ready to give to the vet. Provided your cat is healthy, the vet will sign your slip and you will be able to enter the hall. If your cat is refused entry to the show because it has a condition that worries the vet (eg. runny eyes or fleas), unfortunately you will have to take it home….so make sure that your cat is healthy and clean.

Once inside the hall, find your show cage. You will need to put up your show curtains. These can sometimes be purchased but you bring them with you to the show (some organisations allow coloured curtains, others only white). Get your cat settled in, judging normally starts at 10am, so you may offer a little food if your cat is hungry.

Once your cat is settled buy your catalogue and check that your cat is entered in the right class ….. according to age etc. With your first show someone will be happy to help you.

At some shows the judging is 'Closed' and the cats are judged with the hall empty of owners. At other Australian Shows they have what is called 'Open Bay Style Judging' and for this you may sit and watch your cat judged and listen to what the Judge says. You must not identify your cat to the Judge – this would cause disqualification.

If you are lucky your cat may win it’s class and even go on to win one of the Special Group awards. Sometimes your award will simply be a card, other times a ribbon or nice rosette. Whichever way it is exciting to watch your cat being judged and there is a sense of pride when your furry is well behaved. Whatever happens, be sure that you take home the 'Best In Show', at least in your eyes. Shows mostly end around 4pm and often the exhibitors help with pulling down the cages and packing up before the presentation of prizes are made.

Once you get home make sure your cat is comfortable, it will have been a hard day for you all. You can spend the next few days congratulating your pet whether it won or not!

It is possible to show a Birman cat that is not show marked or if it is not registered as an individual pedigreed cat - this cat can be shown as a 'Domestic' or 'Companion Cat' and you can have a lot of fun and gain experience this way.

Links to Articles on Showing Your Cat – Some Australian Sites

*RULES FOR SHOWING YOUR CAT*

*SHOWING A DOMESTIC CAT WITH ACF SHOWS*