Introduction - Tortoise-shell - Black - Red or Sandy - White - Cream - Black and White - Blue - The Tabby (Red, Brown, Spotted, Silver) - Dutch-marked.

Introduction

General conformation of the short-haired cat: All cats, no matter whether short-haired or long-haired, must conform to a certain general type; and this conformation, modified in accordance with the distinctive features of the various breeds, will be found applicable throughout.

First of all, there are slight differences between the he and the she cat, such being mostly observable in connection with the skull and facial expression, which in the she-cat lacks the massiveness and masculine appearance that characterize the Toms. Moreover, the muscular development in the latter is much more pronounced, and the virile nature is more distinguishable, even under ordinary conditions, but particularly evident in the presence of the

Queens - the soft and pleasing expression of the she-cat, when compared with that of the male, being readily discernible.

The Coat, in both male and female, of a well-bred cat should be soft, and dense - and, in the long-haired varieties, abundant.

The Skull ought to be round, especially in the dome, and its transverse diameter great, any tendency towards narrowness being decidedly faulty - a feature so commonly observable in cats of inferior breeding.

Eyes to be set well apart, large and lustrous.

Ears small, thin in texture, covered with soft hair, and carried slightly forward. The skin covering the skull, likewise over other portions of the body, should be fine, a coarse skin being indicative of inferior breeding.

The nose ought to be broad, muzzle broad, any signs of "snipiness" being faulty.

Fore-limbs: the fore-arms must be big in the bone, and judges pay particular attention to this, a big-boned, clean-muscled limb being requisite.

Legs neither too long nor too short, but proportionate, ending below with well-rounded, compact, padded feet.

Neck medium length, well-rounded and muscular, any sign of weediness in this region being a defect.

Shoulders muscular and deep.

Chest of considerable width.

Ribs ought to be deep, and well sprung, a flat side being a somewhat common fault. When you pick the cat up behind the shoulders, you ought to be impressed with the capacity of the chest, as so many animals are faulty in this respect.

Flanks should be full, and the belly well-rounded, not tucked up as seen in so many inferior-bred cats.

Back and loins strong, ending in a bushy gracefully carried tail, with an abundance of soft hair upon it.

Hind quarters should be indicative of great power, and the muscles firm to the touch.

The general build of a typical cat's body should be one of compactness, any tendency towards lankiness or slackness of build being objectionable, and such will most assuredly be noticed under judicial ken, although probably the ordinary observer might overlook defects patent to the connoisseur. The temperament of a cat should be sweet, but, unfortunately, many of the cross-bred cats are far from the ideal in this respect, though it must be admitted that environment has a marked influence in the determining of the temperament.

The Red Or Sandy

Both these colours, which in reality are but shades of one and the same colour, are less frequently met with than the black, and are not as durable as the latter for a town cat. The deep rich red is preferable to the light or sandy, though many are mealy - that is, light-coloured. The eyes should be deep yellow, corresponding to the colour of the body.

White

White cats, for town houses, are unsuitable, but in country places they are extremely nice, and have the happy knack of keeping their fur clean.

The iris should be a deep rich blue.

Purity of colour is an essential feature, and the coat should be soft and abundant.

Albino specimens have pink eyes, and this of course is a defect. Another common fault is that of having odd eyes, i. e. one eye may be the correct blue and the other yellow.

Needless to add, the presence of any coloured hair is a serious blemish, destroying a cat's chances of success at an exhibition.

Cream

The body colour is really a light fawn, whilst the eyes should be either hazel or green. In other respects, the points are practically identical with the last-named.

Piebald. (Black And White.)

Black and White cats are very common, and these hybrid cats are the progeny of two whole-coloured parents - the black and the white; but the black colour usually predominates, the white usually being upon the face, breast, and feet. They are very suitable as town cats. Black stripes upon a white body are the tabby markings.

Blue

There is a blue variety of short-haired cats, which seems to be really a Blue Tabby, destitute of the markings or spots characteristic of the latter, excepting when young, when tabby markings may be present. The shade varies from a light silver to a light blue. There is no lustre on the coat - the colour being subdued.