Pedigree cats at Champion shows
The Coventry & Leicester cat Club is a member club of the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy). Our club and shows are run under their licence. As an All Breed cat club, we warmly welcome all owners, breeders and admirers from all walks of life. Our door is always open with a standing invitation to come and join us, attend our AGMs and show/s and get involved in the club and issues we care about.
The GCCF recognises 40 + different breeds of cats. Details of the breeds, their attributes and where to find out more information about the cats, their characteristics, specialist clubs and breeders can be found here. https://www.gccfcats.org/Cat-Breeds
For showing purposes the Pedigree Cat Breeds are grouped together in six sections, aptly labelled 1 – 6. These groupings have been made according to both coat/hair length, origin and type.
The GCCF recognises 40 + different breeds of cats. Details of the breeds, their attributes and where to find out more information about the cats, their characteristics, specialist clubs and breeders can be found here. https://www.gccfcats.org/Cat-Breeds
For showing purposes the Pedigree Cat Breeds are grouped together in six sections, aptly labelled 1 – 6. These groupings have been made according to both coat/hair length, origin and type.
Section 1 – there are currently two groups in this section
Section 2 – there are currently three groups in this section
Section 3 – there is just one group in this section
Section 4 – there are currently three groups in this section
Section 5 – there are currently two groups in this section
Section 6 – there are currently two groups in this section
NB at the time of writing we understand that the Suffolk cats will be moving from Section 6 group 1 to Section 5 group 2 at the beginning of 2020.
Too late for our February 2020 show the Lykoi breed of cat will be joining Section 4, group 3 (as our schedule comes out in December 2019).
For all of the above sections, each of the breeds has their own Standards of Points under which the cats are shown. These Standards describe the appearance (coat length, coat colour, eye colour, pattern, size) and disposition of the cats. Those are the criteria under which they are judged as a cat show is a beauty contest.
All RECOGNISED colours and patterns as above are described by a series of letters and numbers called a GEMS code, which is a quick way to identify a cats breed, colour and pattern.
As an example a Silver Egyptian Mau would be known as MAU (Egyptian Mau) ns (black silver) 24 (spotted tabby pattern.
A list of the GCCF GEMS codes can be found here:
Cats can progress (or not) through the titles depending on how well they conform to their breeds standard. At each step of the way there are checks and balances. As the prestige of the title increases, so does the need for the cat to adhere to a higher standard. Multiple certificates need to be won, over a minimum of at least 2 shows for some of the tiles, and a great many more for others. Each certificate must also be awarded by a different judge, or the GCCF in the case of an additional certificate awarded for Best in Show.
Cats who are not able to compete in the pedigree section of a cat show due to a pattern/colour, eye colour ‘fault’ - meaning unrecognised – may compete in the Household Pet Section under Pedigree Pets.
The pathway to the titles at a championship all breed or breed show is as follows:
Challenge/Premier Certificates (CC or PC)
These may be awarded to the first prize winners of entire Adult Breed classes for full (championship) status breeds, both male and female.
Grand Challenge/Premier Certificates (GR CC or GR PC)
At a Championship shows, full Champions may compete in special Grand classes for Champions only. The winner of each Grand class is eligible to be awarded a Grand Challenge Certificate. The second placed cat is eligible for the Reserve Grand Challenge Certificate: this means that if the Grand Certificate winner is disqualified, the Reserve Certificate winner will be awarded the Grand Certificate, which will count towards a title. No further placings are made in these classes, even if the certificates are withheld.
Imperial Grand Challenge/Premier Certificates (IGCC or IGPC)
At a Championship shows, Grand Champions compete in Imperial Grand classes. The winner of each Imperial Grand class is eligible to be awarded an Imperial Grand Challenge Certificate. The second placed cat is eligible for a Reserve Imperial Grand Challenge Certificate: this means that if the Imperial Grand Certificate winner is disqualified, the Reserve Certificate winner will be awarded the Imperial Grand Certificate, which will count towards a title. No further placings are made in these classes, even if the certificates are withheld.
Olympian Bronze, Silver & Gold Certificates (OB, OS, OG)
Imperial winners can aim higher still and compete for an Olympian Certificate. These cats will compete against other Imperial Grand Champions or Imperial Grand Premiers with just 4 certificates offered per show, as males and females compete separately in each category. In pursuit of an Olympian title, bronze, silver and gold levels can be obtained. A cat must win 4 of the 5 certificates needed for each level at All Breed Shows, (one may be at a Breed Show) and all 5 of the certificates at each level must be awarded by different judges.
Additional Certificate Best In Show Win
Any Adult or Neuter cat who wins Best in Show will be awarded another certificate to the value of the title they are currently trying for, or the next progressive level up in the case of the cat being made up on show day. It is worth noting that this counts as a Breed Show but an ALL BREED certificate if gained at a ALL BREED show. Also to avoid the certificate coming from the same judge, this certificate will be supplied by the office.
For titles and certificates awarded at the GCCF Supreme show, please go to https://www.gccfcats.org/Show-Information/Certificates-Titles
- Group 1: for PERSIAN CATS
- Group 2: for EXOTIC SHORTHAIRS
Section 2 – there are currently three groups in this section
- Group 1: for BIRMAN, RAGAMUFFIN, RAGDOLL
- Group 2: for NEBELUNG, NORWEGIEN FOREST, SOMALI LH/SH, TURKISH VAN, VANKEDISI
- Group 3: MAINE COON, SIBERIAN
Section 3 – there is just one group in this section
- BRITISH SH, CHARTREUX, MANX, SELKIRK REX
Section 4 – there are currently three groups in this section
- Group 1: ABYSSINIAN, RUSSIAN, KORAT, SINGAPURA, SNOWSHOE, THAI
- Group 2: CORNISH REX, DEVON REX, LAPERM, SPHYNX
- Group 3: AZTEC, BENGAL, EGYPTIAN MAU, OCICAT, SOKOKE, TOYGER
Section 5 – there are currently two groups in this section
- Group 1: BURMESE
- Group 2 AUSTRALIAN MIST, ASIAN, TONKINESE
Section 6 – there are currently two groups in this section
- Group 1: ORIENTAL, SUFFOLK
- Group 2: BALINESE, SIAMESE
NB at the time of writing we understand that the Suffolk cats will be moving from Section 6 group 1 to Section 5 group 2 at the beginning of 2020.
Too late for our February 2020 show the Lykoi breed of cat will be joining Section 4, group 3 (as our schedule comes out in December 2019).
For all of the above sections, each of the breeds has their own Standards of Points under which the cats are shown. These Standards describe the appearance (coat length, coat colour, eye colour, pattern, size) and disposition of the cats. Those are the criteria under which they are judged as a cat show is a beauty contest.
All RECOGNISED colours and patterns as above are described by a series of letters and numbers called a GEMS code, which is a quick way to identify a cats breed, colour and pattern.
As an example a Silver Egyptian Mau would be known as MAU (Egyptian Mau) ns (black silver) 24 (spotted tabby pattern.
A list of the GCCF GEMS codes can be found here:
Cats can progress (or not) through the titles depending on how well they conform to their breeds standard. At each step of the way there are checks and balances. As the prestige of the title increases, so does the need for the cat to adhere to a higher standard. Multiple certificates need to be won, over a minimum of at least 2 shows for some of the tiles, and a great many more for others. Each certificate must also be awarded by a different judge, or the GCCF in the case of an additional certificate awarded for Best in Show.
Cats who are not able to compete in the pedigree section of a cat show due to a pattern/colour, eye colour ‘fault’ - meaning unrecognised – may compete in the Household Pet Section under Pedigree Pets.
The pathway to the titles at a championship all breed or breed show is as follows:
Challenge/Premier Certificates (CC or PC)
These may be awarded to the first prize winners of entire Adult Breed classes for full (championship) status breeds, both male and female.
- THREE Challenge Certificates awarded by three different judges make the cat a Champion/Premier.
Grand Challenge/Premier Certificates (GR CC or GR PC)
At a Championship shows, full Champions may compete in special Grand classes for Champions only. The winner of each Grand class is eligible to be awarded a Grand Challenge Certificate. The second placed cat is eligible for the Reserve Grand Challenge Certificate: this means that if the Grand Certificate winner is disqualified, the Reserve Certificate winner will be awarded the Grand Certificate, which will count towards a title. No further placings are made in these classes, even if the certificates are withheld.
- THREE Grand Challenge Certificates awarded by three different judges make the cat a Grand Ch/Pr.
Imperial Grand Challenge/Premier Certificates (IGCC or IGPC)
At a Championship shows, Grand Champions compete in Imperial Grand classes. The winner of each Imperial Grand class is eligible to be awarded an Imperial Grand Challenge Certificate. The second placed cat is eligible for a Reserve Imperial Grand Challenge Certificate: this means that if the Imperial Grand Certificate winner is disqualified, the Reserve Certificate winner will be awarded the Imperial Grand Certificate, which will count towards a title. No further placings are made in these classes, even if the certificates are withheld.
- FIVE Imperial Grand Challenge Certificates awarded by five different judges make the cat an Imperial Gr Ch/Pr.
Olympian Bronze, Silver & Gold Certificates (OB, OS, OG)
Imperial winners can aim higher still and compete for an Olympian Certificate. These cats will compete against other Imperial Grand Champions or Imperial Grand Premiers with just 4 certificates offered per show, as males and females compete separately in each category. In pursuit of an Olympian title, bronze, silver and gold levels can be obtained. A cat must win 4 of the 5 certificates needed for each level at All Breed Shows, (one may be at a Breed Show) and all 5 of the certificates at each level must be awarded by different judges.
- The first FIVE Olympian Certificates awarded by five different judges make the cat an Olympian Bronze, the next FIVE certificates by five different judges at this level an Olympian Silver, with the remaining FIVE certificates by five different judges at this level an Olympian Gold. (a certificate may be awarded by the same judge from the level below but at each level it must be 5 judges)
Additional Certificate Best In Show Win
Any Adult or Neuter cat who wins Best in Show will be awarded another certificate to the value of the title they are currently trying for, or the next progressive level up in the case of the cat being made up on show day. It is worth noting that this counts as a Breed Show but an ALL BREED certificate if gained at a ALL BREED show. Also to avoid the certificate coming from the same judge, this certificate will be supplied by the office.
For titles and certificates awarded at the GCCF Supreme show, please go to https://www.gccfcats.org/Show-Information/Certificates-Titles