Standard

General

Glossary of technical terms

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A 

Agouti

The banding of the hairs, which is caused by the gene A (Agouti-gene). The bands are yellow,
in silver varieties the bands are silver-white .
In general each single hair has 3-5 bands.
AutosomalIndependent from the sex.
This term is used in genetics, when speaking of autosomal inheritance, i.e. sire and queen may inherit a trait.
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Belly spotA dark spot in the lower abdomen in cats with Siamese-points, which is coloured  in the colour of the points.
A belly spot is considered as a fault.
RingedSee rings.

Bicolour

See also Piebald.

Is a pattern with white patches, which is caused by gene S (Piebald Spotting).

In particular it denotes a specific pattern, where the amount of white is 1/3 (minimum) up to 1/2 (maximum),
the remaining coat is solid coloured or has a tabby pattern.
See the menu Standard-Colours-Distributionfor further description.

BlazeA white patch between the eyes, starting on the forehead and mostly extending down and besides the nose.
Bicoloured and Tricoloured cats often have a blaze.

Blotched

(classical tabby)

Denotes a specific tabby pattern.

The marking of a butterfly on the shoulder blades and the “bull’s eye” on the flancs are characteristic for this pattern.

Bobtail

Certain cat breeds are called Bobtail, whose tail is extremely shortened and mostly has curves and/or kinks,
due to a natural gene mutation. In some cat breeds the tail looks like a pompom.

Examples having a pompom:
Japanese Bobtail
Karelian Bobtail
Kurilian Bobtail
Examples without a pompom:
American Bobtail
Mekong Bobtail

BreakA very strong indentation between the forehead and the begin (base) of the nose, which is, compared to the Stop,
not rounded.
BrindlingThese are single white or lighter coloured hairs interspersed in  otherwise solid coloured areas of the coat.
For example in the dark mask of a seal Siamese, or lighter coloured hairs in a black tabby pattern.
Brindled hairsWhite, lighter or darker coloured hairs in Self (solid) cats or in the coloured areas of a coat pattern.
For example: white or light coloured, but also dark coloured hairs in red/cream cats, single white or light coloured
hairs in the coloured areas of bicoloured cats.

Brush

Don Sphinx

See also Velour.

This is a type of coat in the Don Sphynx and Peterbald.
Usually Don Sphynx and Peterbald are nacked. But there is a coat type which has wavy, quite stiff short hairs,
uneven and with bare patches on the head, the neck and the back. These cats are used for breeding, not for showing.
Butterfly (markings)In blotched tabby cats a marking in the shape of a butterfly with both wings, upper and lower wings, can be clearly
seen on the shoulder blades.
ButtonsThe spots on the belly in tabby varieties.
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Calico

See also Tricolour.

In some American organizations Tricolour is called Calico.
CameoIn some organizations red shaded and red shell is called Cameo.
CaramelIs a specific colour variety, which is caused genetically in blue, lilac and fawn cats and which causes the colour to
have a cold, metallic tone.
Caramel exists only in diluted colours.
This colour can be seen for example in the Australian Mist, but also in the Siamese.
CategorySee Hair category.

Cinnamon

Siehe auch Sorrel.

In Abyssinians and Somalis the colour cinnamon is called sorrel.
Cobbyshort, massive and stocky body type is called cobby.

Colourpoint

See also Himalayan.

Cats with Siamese-points are called Colourpoint. The best-known cats are the Colourpoint Persian, but also the
Colourpoint British Shorthair.
In the Siberian Cat colourpointed cats are called Neva Masquerade.
CryptorchidA male is called to be cryptorchid, if none of the testicles has descended into the scrotal sack.
CurlingHairs may be curled, as for example in the Rex cat.
The term is also used for ears, which are curved backwards, as for example in the American Curl.
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ChampagneThe colour chocolate is called champagne in some cat breeds.
Example:
Tonkinese
ChestnutThe colour chocolate is called chestnut in some cat breeds, and also in some organizations.
Example:
Havana (Brown)

Chinchilla

See also Shell.
See also Tipping.
A pattern in silver varieties.

Is a coat pattern in agouti cats with an extremely high amount of silver: 7/8 of the entire length of the hair
shaft is silver-white, only the tip of the hair is coloured.
The colouring of only the hair tips is called Tipping (tipped).

There exist (Silver) Chinchilla and Golden Chinchilla.

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Diluted

Dilution

non-diluted coloursdiluted colours
black, sealblue
chocolatelilac
cinnamonfawn
redcream
Dominant inheritanceIf only one gene in a gene pair for a specific trait is sufficient to see this trait also in the external
appearance of the cat.
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EbonyBlack Oriental Shorthair are called Ebony. They have green eyes.
EntropionWhen the eye lids are rolled inwards.
Extremities

Extremities are:

  • the legs
  • the tail
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FCKFlat Chest Kitten syndrome
The chest in kittens is flattened or depressed.
Flame pointIn some organizations Red point is called Flame point.
FlammeA cream or red patch between the eyes in tortie varieties, which starts at the forehead and mostly extends over
the nose.
FlockedSee Velour.
Foreign White

Completely white Siamese (without points) are called Foreign White. The eyes are deep blue.

Please note that in some organizations also the white Oriental is called Foreign White. The eye colour can be: blue,
gold, green, odd-eyed.

Frost
Frost point		In some organizations the colour lilac is called Frost in some breeds.
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Gauntlets

The white marking on the back side of the hind paws, which ends in a point, is called gauntlets.

The best-known breed, which must have gauntlets, is the Birman cat.

GenotypeThe genetic constitution of a cat, which can be seen in the external appearance of the cat, or not.
Ghost markingsAre tabby markings in non-agouti varieties, which are mostly weaker and have less contrast, and which are undesired.
Examples:
red cats
smoke cats
Gloves

The white markings on all 4 paws are called gloves. The white colour is absolutely pure white, and it may end at the
roots of the toes or at the joint.

In Birmans the gloves are defined very clearly, how far they are permitted to extend.

Ground colour

Is the basic colour of the coat, on which the pattern is imposed.
Examples:

  • black tabby: ground colour is golden-brown, the pattern is black
  • blue golden shaded: ground colour is oat-meal coloured, colour of the pattern (tipping) is blue
  • sorrel: ground colour is apricot, the ticking is red-brown
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Hair category

These are the four categories, into which the breeds are grouped in the WCF:

  • Longhair – LH
  • Semi-Longhair – SLH
  • Shorthair – SH
  • Siamese-Oriental Shorthair – SOSH
Harlequin

Is a pattern, which is caused by the gene S (Piebald Spotting), and where the amount of white is 5/6.
There are coloured patches (3-5 patches) on the head and the body, the belly is white.

There exist Bicolour and Tricolour Harlequins.

Havana (Brown)In some organizations the chocolate Oriental Shorthair is called Havana Brown.
In some organizations the Havana is its own breed, whose standard differs somehow from that of the Oriental.
HeterozygousIf both genes in a gene pair for a specific trait are different from each other, the cat is called to be heterozygote
for this trait.

Himalayan

See also Colourpoint.

In some organizations the Persian Colourpoint is called Himalayan.
In some organizations the Himalayan is its own breed.
Hot creamCream, which is too reddish in tone.

Hybrid

A cat resulting from a cross breeding between different breeds.
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Inbreeding
Inbreeding coefficient		Inbreeding is a method of reproduction, where 2 more or less closely related individuals are mated, i.e. at least they
have one common ancestor.
The inbreeding coefficient is the probability that two alleles, which are located at the same locus for this individual,
will be identical in its ancestry (i.e. inheritance of the same allele because of common ancestors).
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LavenderThe colour lilac is called sometimes lavender in some cat breeds.
Examples:
Ôcicat
Oriental lilac, is called Oriental lavender in some organizations.
Lethal
Lethal-factor		An allele is said to be lethal, if homozygous kittens already die as foetus or shortly after they are born.
Example:
Gene M, homozygous Manx/Cymric would die before their birth, therefore Manx and Cymric are always heterozygous
for the gene M.
LongieManx/Cymric with normal tail length are called Longie.

Lynx-point

See also Tabby point.

Tabby point.
The points are striped.
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Mackerel

Denotes a specific tabby pattern.
The vertical stripes running from the back down to the belly are characteristic for this pattern.
Marbled

A specific tabby pattern, which is derived from the classic tabby pattern, but where the pattern is broken up.
Lighter centers, coloured in the ground colour, are encircled by the dark colour of the pattern.

The best-known breed, which may be marbled, is the Bengal.

Mascara

The rims around the eyes, which are coloured in the darker colour of the pattern:

  • in the silver varieties shaded and shell, silver tabby
  • and in tabby varieties.
MaskIs a part of the points in (Colour)pointed cats, which has the shape of a rhombus and covers the face, including
the whisker pads and the chin. The mask is connected to the colour of the ears by traces of the colour.
Mask-factorMostly the gene for Siamese points is called mask-factor.
MedallionIs a white patch on the throat, which is mostly considered to be a fault.
This white patch is not caused by the Piebald Spotting gene!
Metacarpus
Metacarpal-pads

The 5 bones of the front paws between the toes and the arch.

The small pad, located in the middle of the back side of the front paw and located above the third joint, is called
metacarpal pad.

Mi-KeMi-ke is the traditional colour tortie with white (tricolour) in the Japanese Bobtail.
MinkThe colours of Tonkinese-points are called Mink.
MittedCats having the pattern mitted have white gloves on all four feet.
In certain breeds (Ragdoll, Snowshoe) a certain pattern is described as mitted in the standard.
MonorchidA male, which has only one testicle descended into the scrotal sack, is called to be monorchid.
Morphology

The overall shape and build of the body is called morphology.
There are different body types according to the morphologic system:

  • cobby
  • semi-cobby
  • foreign
  • semi-foreign
  • long and powerful/athletic oriental
MutationA mutation is a distinct change of a gene, which results in a new allele.
Examples:
Gene hr in the Sphinx causes the hairlessness.
Gene re in the Devon Rex causes the curled coat.
Gene Cu in the American Curl causes the ears to be curved backwards.
Gene Se in the Selkirk Rex causes the curled coat.
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Nanismdwarfism
Natural minkSynonym for the colour seal mink.
NecklaceThe stripes (rings) on the throat in tabby varieties.
Nictitating membraneThe third eye lid in the inner angle of the eye, which may spread diagonally over the eye ball to protect the eye.
When cats are sick, one can see the third eye lid quite often, which is called prolaps.
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Odd-eyedBoth eyes have a different colour, where one eye is blue, the other is yellow/green/orange.
White or bicoloured cats may be odd-eyed.
OligodactylThe cat has too few toes.
Over shotWhen the upper jaws extend beyond the lower jaws.
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Parti-colourThis term has two different meanings – which is confusing:
In some American organizations the tortie colours are called parti-colour.
In other organizations the colours with white (bicoloured) are called parti-colour.
Patched tabbyIn some organizations tortie tabby (frequently tortie blotched and tortie mackerel together) is called patched tabby.
Peke faceMostly these are red and red tabby Persians/Exotic Shorthairs with an extremely short nose, recognized in some
American organizations.
The term is derived from the Pekinese.
PewterA silver shaded/shell cat with orange eyes is called a Pewter.
PhenotypeThe external appearance of the cat.
Piebald SpottingThe patching with white colour, caused by gene S, is called Piebald Spotting.
PinchIs a clearly visible indentation at the base of the muzzle to the cheek bones.
PlantarThe back side of the paws is called to be plantar.
Plantar patchIs a patch, coloured in the colour of the pattern, on the back side of the paws.
PlatinumThe colour lilac is called platinum in some cat breeds.
Example:
Tonkinese
PointsAll pointed cats – cats with the gene-combination cs cs, cb cb or cb cs – have points. The colour is restricted
to the face (mask), the ears, the legs and the tail.
Siamese-points – gene-combination cs cs; these points can be seen in Siamese, but also in Colourpoint.
The body is not coloured, it is mostly off-white.
The eye colour is deep blue.
Burmese-points – gene-combination cb cb; Burmese are cats with points, but the contrast to the body colour
is very weak.
Tonkinese-points – gene-combination cb cs.
The body is coloured with the colour of the points, but the points are clearly visible, because they are darker.
The eye colour is aquamarin.
PolydactylThe cats has too many toes.
PrognatismIs the protruding of one jaw over the other, either the protrusion of the upper jaw over the lower jaw,
or vice-versa.
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Recessive inheritanceIf both genes of a gene pair for a specific trait must be equal that this trait can be seen in the external
appearance of the cat.
Ringed
Rings		A tail is said to have rings, if it shows distinct, “darker” coloured rings.
Rosettes

Are spots, which are broken up and which have a lighter coloured centre, which is encircled by the darker
colour of the pattern (in different colour shades of the pattern).

The best-known breed, which should have rosettes, is the spotted Bengal

RuddyBlack ticked tabby in the Abyssinian and Somali.

Ruff

Also called frill.

The distinctly more and longer hairs around the neck are called ruff.

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SableThe colour black = brown is called sable in the Burmese.
SealThe colour black in cats with Siamese-points is called seal.
Examples:
sealpoint
seal tortiepoint

Self

See also Solid.

Coloured with one colour.
SepiaThe colours, based on the Burmese-gene, are called Sepia.
Shaded

Denotes a pattern in agouti cats with a high amount of silver or golden (about 2/3 of the entire hair length),
1/3 at the tips of the hairs is coloured.

There exist Silver shaded and Golden Shaded.

A special colour in GCCF are Asian shaded Standard (shaded without silver), that means 2/3 of the hair
shaft are paler coloured, the tips of the hairs are dark coloured.

Shell

See also Chinchilla.

Denotes a pattern in agouti cats with an extremely high amount of silver or golden (about 7/8 of the entire hair length).
Only the hair tips are coloured.

There exist Silver shell and Golden shell

Silver

The Inhibitor-gene I causes that the undercoat is silver-white and that the colour is restricted to the upper part of the
hair shaft of the upper coat.
In agouti cats the yellow bands become silver-white.
Silver tabby pointWhen the agouti points (tabby point) have a silver-white basis.
Smoke pointWhen the non-agouti points have a silver-white basis.

Solid

See also Self.

Coloured with one colour.
SorrelThe term for the colour cinnamon ticked tabby in the Abyssinian and Somali.
Spine line

A darker line (in the colour of the pattern) in tabby cats, which runs from the shoulders along the spine up to the tail tip.

Spotted

Denotes a tabby pattern with spots.
The spots may be round or oval and cover the entire body and the legs.

A special shape of spots are Rosettes.

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SternumBreast bone.
A long, flat bone in the centre of the chest to which the ribs are connected.
StopA distinct indentation between the forehead and the base of the nose, which is rounded.
StrabismSquint.
StraightMostly used to indicate straight ears.
Example:
Scottish Straight (Scottish Fold with upright, straight ears)
But also used in the American Curl, when the ears are not curled backwards and are straight.
The term is also used in breeds with curled hairs, when the hairs are straight.
Example:
Selkirk Rex straight
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Tabby

Tabby cats are agouti cats which display tabby markings. Cream/red cats are an exception from the rule,
they may display a distinct tabby pattern without having agouti

There exist the following tabby patterns:

  • Blotched (classical tabby)
  • Mackerel
  • Spotted A special form are Rosettes.
  • Marbled
  • Ticked
Tabby pointThe points have stripes. These cats also have Agouti.
Tail defect

The following deformations in the tail:

  • kink The kink must not be only at the end of the tail!
  • knot at the tip of the tail
  • nervous knot at the tip of the tail
  • greasy lump
  • thickening of the tail tip due to a surplus of Calcium
  • stiff end of the tail
  • any malformation of the tail
TextureThe consistency of the coat.
For example:
smooth coat, silky coat, soft coat, firm coat, plushy coat, elastic coat, coarse coat

Ticking

ticked

The bands of colour, which appears on each single hair, are called Ticking.
For example: Abyssinian, Somali have Ticking, Ticked Tabby Oriental.

Tipping

tipped

The darker colour, which is restricted only to the hair tips, is called Tipping (tipped). The remaining hair shaft
is lighter coloured.

Smoke, Shaded and Shell have Tipping.

TorbieSchildpatt gestromt.
TorbieTortie tabby.
Tortie(shell)The colour is patched with red/cream patches.

Tricolour

See also Piebald.
See also Bicolour.

Denotes a specific bicolor pattern where the amount of white is 1/3 (minimum) to 1/2 (maximum), the remaining
coat is tortie or tortie tabby.

See the menu >Standard-Colours-Distribution for further description.

In American organizations Tricolour is also called Calico and Dilute(d) Calico.

Type
  • The overall appearance of the cat, which must be harmonious and well proportioned in all breeds.
  • Torso
  • Legs and paws
  • Tail
  • Neck, if not listed separately.

See also the menu Standard-Certificates-Definitions.

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Thumb printThe light patch on the back side of the ears in all agouti varieties.
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Umbilical hernia

A lump on the belly where the navel cord was attached (navel), which is caused by a weakness of the

abdominal wall, which allows the intestines to protrude.

Under shotWhen the lower jaws extend beyond the upper jaws.
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Velour (flocked)

See also Brush.

This is a type of coat in the Don Sphynx and Peterbald.
Usually Don Sphynx and Peterbald are naked. But there is a coat type which has a fine, soft and short down,
which can be felt – one feels a certain resistance when stroking with the hand over the skin.
VibrissaeTactile hairs or whiskers.
Vibrissae can be found above the eye brows, as whiskers and on the backside of the front legs.
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White spotting

Siehe auch Piebald.

The white patches, caused by the Piebald Spotting gene, are called white spotting.

See Bicolour, Tricolour, Piebald.

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XiphisternumThe lowest and smallest part of the three divisions of the breast bone (sternum).
This part is called so, because the bone is shaped like a sword.

General faults in all breeds

 
Withhold the certificate for all cats in case
of the following faults
Disqualification in case of the following faults
Body
  • stiffness in the spine (including the tail)
  • knot or kink in the tail
  • deformation of the sternum
  • dwarfism (nanism)
  • poly- or oligodactyly
  • monorchid or cryptorchid males in the open class
  • umbilical hernia
  • pregnant or nursing queen
Head
  • depression / protrusion of the cranium
  • deformity of the skull
 
Eyes
  • protrusion of the nictitating membrane
  • pigmented spots in the eye
  • strongly weeping and/or inflamed eyes
  • clouded eyes
  • blindness
  • squint
  • anomaly of the eye lids (entropion)
Bite – Jaws
  • undershot or overshot of more than 2 mm
  • missing or cut teeth in the open class
 
Coat – Skin
  • shaved or otherwise bare patches*)
  • scabby areas in the skin
  • dyed coat
  • white spots not requested or not permitted in the standard
Grooming
  • badly groomed, dirty cats
  • bad physical condition (undernourished cats)
  • cats with parasites
  • amputated claws
Behaviour

 

  • aggression
  • obviously doped cats
 *) Except: Cats shaved because of medical tests
(for example blood test or PKD-test proved by a certificate)

Definitions in the Standard

The following terms are used both in the parts of the standard and in the scale of points:
Term
Includes
Body / Type
  • general appearance of the cat, which should be harmonious and well proportioned in all breeds
  • torso
  • legs and paws
  • tail
  • neck, if not mentioned separately.
Head
  • shape
  • forehead
  • cheeks/ cheek bones
  • nose
  • profile
  • muzzle
  • jaws and bite
  • chin
  • eyes, if not mentioned separately
  • ears, if not mentioned separately
  • the breed specific expression
Ears
  • shape of ears
  • size of ears
  • placement of ears
Eyes
  • eye shape
  • size
  • placement of eyes
  • colour, if not mentioned separately
Coat
  • length
  • texture
  • colour und pattern, if not mentioned separately
Condition
  • physical condition
  • grooming
Faults
  • serious faults, specific for the breed concerned *)
 *) All other deviations from the Standard are considered as faults and are not mentioned separately.

 

Awarding of points and titles

Awarding of titles is done according to the following point system:
Meaning
Award
Points
Title
not suitable for breedinggood61 points—
limited suitable for breedingvery good76 points—
suitable for breedingexcellent88 points—
    
Challenge certificate
Kitten Champion / Kitten Premier
3-6 months		CACP / CAPP90 points3 CACP / CAPP required. Certificates may be won in the home-country or in the same country.
Challenge certificate
Kitten Champion / Kitten Premier
6-10 months		CACJ / CAPJ90 points3 CACJ / CAPJ required. Certificates may be won in the home-country or in the same country.
Challenge certificate
Champion / Premier		CAC / CAP93 points3 CAC / CAP required. Certificates may be won in the home-country or in the same country.

Challenge certificate International
Champion / Premier

CACIB / CAPIB95 points3 CACIB / CAPIB required, where 1 certificate must be won in another country / region.
Challenge certificate Grand International Champion / PremierCAGCIB / CAGPIB97 points3 CAGCIB / CAGPIB required, where 1 certificate must be won in another country / region.

Challenge certificate Europa Champion /
Premier  resp.
Continental Champion / Premier

CACE / CAPE97 points3 CACE / CAPE required , where all 3 certificates must be won in three different countries.

Challenge certificate Grand Europa
Champion / Premier resp.
Grand Continental Champion / Premier

GCACE / GCAPE98 points3 GCACE / GCAPE required, where all
3 certificates must be won in three different countries.
Challenge certificate World Champion /
Premier		CACM / CAPM98 points3 CACM / CAPM required, where all 3 certificates must be won in three different countries and where one country must be located in another continent .
CACP / CAPP, CACJ / CAPJ, CAC / CAP may be won on national shows, all other titles must be acquired on international shows.
In order to award the points every breed standard includes a scale of points  – see the Standards.
The points are distributed according to the typical features of every single breed. The more points are allotted to a part of the standard the more serious
a corresponding fault is considered. For example: If 20 points are allotted to coat texture (for example in the Russian Blue), a poor coat texture should
be penalized more severely than for example in the Korat, where only 10 points are allotted to coat texture.
 
Best VarietyBest Varietät95 pointsBest Variety will be awarded only, if 3 cats are present.
Best Variety NeuterNeuters compete separately for Best Variety Neuter.
Best Variety KittenIf 3 kittens (3-10 months) are present, also kittens may
be awarded Best Variety Kitten.
Best in ShowBest in Show95 points

In each category the following cats may be nominated:

  • best adult male cat
  • best adult female cat
  • best neutered male cat
  • best neutered female cat
  • best male veteran
  • best female veteran
  • best male kitten 6 – 10 months
  • best female kitten 6 – 10 months
  • best male kitten neuter 6 – 10 months
  • best female kitten neuter 6 – 10 months
  • best male kitten 3 – 6 months
  • best female kitten 3 – 6 months
  • best male kitten neuter 3 – 6 months
  • best female kitten neuter 3 – 6 months
  • best litter 3 – 6 months
Best Opposite Sex
Best in Show Neuter
Best Opposite Sex Neuter
Best Veteran
Best Opposite Sex Veteran
Best kitten 6-10 months
Best opp. Sex kitten 6-10 months
Best kitten neuter
6-10 months
Best opp. Sex kitten neuter 6-10 months
 
Best kitten 3-6 months
Best opp. Sex kitten 3-6 months
Best kitten neuter
3-6 months
Best opp. Sex kitten neuter 3-6 months
 
Best Litter
Best of BestBest of Best 1

Best in Show
winner in each

category

Only the adult winners (un-neutered) of the Best in Show compete for the Best of Best. These 5 winners are ranked by each allbreed judge.
Best of Best 2
Best of Best 3
Best of Best 4
Best of Best 5
MasterThe winner of a
Master-ring receives
the title “Master”.		Entitled to participate are: 1st and 2nd place of a WCF-ringThe Master-ring may be organized only once per year and per country. An allbreed judge will rank maximum the 10 best cats.

Colours

To see the detailed descriptions, you can click on the terms
Distributiondistribution of colours
Markingstabby pattern:
tabby blotched, mackerel, spotted, ticked, marbled
Remarksremarks to specific colours
  
Soliduniformly coloured
Tortie (tortieshell)colour with red/cream
Bicolour 2)solid colour and white
Tricolour 2)tortie and white
Smokecolour with silver
Smoke and white 2)Smoke Bicolour/Tricolour
Smoke Harlequin
Smoke Van
Smoke with white
Tabbytabby colours
Tabby and white 2)Tabby Bicolour/Tricolour
Tabby Harlequin
Tabby Van
Tabby with white
Silver Tabby, Shaded,
Shell (Chinchilla)		Silver blotched/mackerel/spotted
Silver Shaded
Silver Shell (Chinchilla)
Silver Tabby, Shaded, Shell
(Chinchilla) and white 2)		Silver Tabby Bicolour/Tricolour
Silver Tabby Harlequin
Silver Tabby Van
Silver Tabby with white
Golden Tabby, Shaded,
Shell (Chinchilla) Golden
and white 2)

Golden blotched/mackerel/spotted
Golden Shaded
Golden Shell (Chinchilla)

Golden Tabby
Golden Shaded
Golden Shell (Chinchilla)
Bicolour/Tricolour, Harlequin, Van, with white

Pointed 1)Points: colour only in the face, the ears, the legs, the paws and the tail
The body is off-white, very slightly shaded in the colour of the points
Pointed and white 1) 2)Pointed Bicolour/Tricolour
Pointed Harlequin
Pointed Van
Pointed with white
Smokepoint 1)Points and body colour have a silver-white ground.
Smokepoint and white 1) 2)Smokepoint Bicolor/Tricolour
Smokeoint Harlequin
Smokepoint Van
Smokepoint with white
Tabbypoint 1)The points have stripes, the tabby pattern cannot be determined.
Tabbypoint and white 1) 2)Tabbypoint Bicolour/Tricolour
Tabbypoint Harlequin
Tabbypoint Van
Tabbypoint with white
Silver Tabbypoint 1)Points and body colour have a silver-white ground.
The points have stripes, the tabby pattern cannot be determined.
Silver Tabbypoint and white 1) 2)Silver Tabbypoint Bicolour/Tricolour
Silver Tabbypoint Harlequin
Silver Tabbypoint Van
Silver Tabbypoint with white
Ticked Tabby (Abyssinian colours)Ticked Tabby
Silver Ticked Tabby
  
Genetic model for the colours 
  
1) PointsOnly the Siamese-points are described up to now.
2) MittedThe description of this pattern is not yet included.

1.1

General faults in all breeds

 
Withhold the certificate for all cats in case
of the following faults
Disqualification in case of the following faults
Body
  • stiffness in the spine (including the tail)
  • knot or kink in the tail
  • deformation of the sternum
  • dwarfism (nanism)
  • poly- or oligodactyly
  • monorchid or cryptorchid males in the open class
  • umbilical hernia
  • pregnant or nursing queen
Head
  • depression / protrusion of the cranium
  • deformity of the skull
 
Eyes
  • protrusion of the nictitating membrane
  • pigmented spots in the eye
  • strongly weeping and/or inflamed eyes
  • clouded eyes
  • blindness
  • squint
  • anomaly of the eye lids (entropion)
Bite – Jaws
  • undershot or overshot of more than 2 mm
  • missing or cut teeth in the open class
 
Coat – Skin
  • shaved or otherwise bare patches*)
  • scabby areas in the skin
  • dyed coat
  • white spots not requested or not permitted in the standard
Grooming
  • badly groomed, dirty cats
  • bad physical condition (undernourished cats)
  • cats with parasites
  • amputated claws
Behaviour

 

  • aggression
  • obviously doped cats
 *) Except: Cats shaved because of medical tests
(for example blood test or PKD-test proved by a certificate)

Recognized and admitted breeds in the WCF

BreedSynonymCategoryRecognizedAdmittedPreliminaryWCC-Organisation
LOOF
Abyssinian SHx  all
American Bobtail SH SH x CFA, TICA, LOOF
American Bobtail LH SLH x CFA, TICA, LOOF
American Curl SH SHx  

CFA, FIFe, SACC,
TICA, LOOF

American Curl LH SLHx  CFA, FIFe, SACC,
TICA, LOOF
American Shorthair SH x CFA, SACC, TICA,
LOOF
American Wirehair SH x CFA, SACC:
preliminary, TICA,
LOOF
Anatoli SHx   
Aphrodite’s Giant SH SH x ACF
Aphrodite’s Giant LH SLH x ACF
Arabian Mau SHx   
Asian SH x CCCA:Self, GCCF,
SACC, LOOF
Australian Mist SHx  ACF, CCCA, NZCF
Balinese SLHx  all
Bengal SHx  ACF, CCCA, FIFe,
GCCF, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF
BombayAsianSHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA,

GCCF: Asian, NZCF,
SACC: Asian, TICA,
LOOF

Brazilian Shorthair SHx   
British Shorthair SHx  all
British Longhair LHx  SACC: preliminary,
TICA, LOOF
Burmese SHx  all
BurmillaAsianSH x ACF, CCCA, FIFe,
GCCF: Asian, NZCF,
SACC: Asian,
LOOF: Asian
Burmilla LH SLH x ACF, CCCA, NZCF
Celtic ShorthairEuropean SHSHx  ACF, FIFe, LOOF
Ceylon SHx  LOOF
Chartreux SHx  

ACF, CFA, FIFe,

TICA, LOOF

Chausie SH xxTICA, LOOF
Chinese Li Hau SH xxCFA: miscellaneous,
nur brown mackerel
ClassicatOcicat blotchedSH x NZCF
ColourpointHimalayanLHx  all
Colourpoint ShorthairSiamese: all other colours
than the 4 basic colours		SIA/ORIx  all
Cornish Rex SHx  all
CymricManx LHSLHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA,

FIFe, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF

Devon Rex SHx  all
Deutsch Langhaar LHx   
Don SphynxDonskoyHLx  FIFe, TICA,
LOOF
Egyptian Mau SHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA, FIFe, GCCF, NZCF,
SACC: preliminary,

TICA, LOOF

Exotic ShorthairExoticSHx  all
Foreign White SHSiamese white, Oriental SH whiteSIA/ORIx  ACF, CCCA, GCCF:
OSH
Foreign White LHBalinese white, Oriental LH whiteSLHx  ACF, CCCA, GCCF:
OLH
German Rex SHx  ACF, FIFe, LOOF
Household petDomestic catSH, SLHx  all
HavanaHavana BrownSH x 

CFA, GCCF: OSH,

TICA, LOOF

Highland FoldScottish Fold LHLHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA, NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF

Highland StraightScottish Straight LHLH x 

ACF, CCCA, CFA, NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF

Highlander SH SH xxTICA: preliminary
Highlander LH SLH xxTICA: preliminary
Japanese Bobtail SH SHx  ACF, CCCA, CFA, FIFe, NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF
Japanese Bobtail LH SLHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA,

NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF

Kanaani SHx   
Karelian Bobtail SH SHx   
Karelian Bobtail LH SLHx   
Korat SHx  all
Kurilian Bobtail SH SHx  FIFe, TICA: preliminary,
LOOF
Kurilian Bobtail LH SLHx  FIFe, TICA: preliminary,
LOOF
LaPerm SH SH x ACF, CFA, GCCF,
NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF
LaPerm LH SLH x 

ACF, CFA, GCCF, NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF

Lykoy SH x TICA
Maine Coon SLHx  all
MandalayBurmese including caramel
and tabby		SH x NZCF
ManxManx SHSHx  all
Mekong Bobtail SIA/ORIx   
Minskin SH xxTICA: preliminary
Munchkin SH SH x CCCA, SACC, TICA, LOOF
Munchkin LH SLH x CCCA, SACC, TICA, LOOF
Nebelung SLH x TICA, LOOF
Neva MasqueradeSiberian ColourpointSLHx  CFA, GCCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF
Norwegian Forest SLHx  all
Ocicat SHx  all
Ojos Azules SH SLH xxTICA: preliminary,
LOOF
Ojos Azules LH SLH xxTICA: preliminary,
LOOF
Oriental (Semi-) LonghairJavanese
Mandarin		SLHx  all
Oriental ShorthairOrientalSIA/ORIx  all
Original Longhair
 TLHx  SACC: chinchilla
Persian LHx  all
Peterbald HLx  FIFe, SACC, TICA, LOOF
Pixiebob SH SH x TICA, LOOF
Pixiebob LH SLH x TICA, LOOF
Ragamuffin SLHx  CFA: Miscellaneous
Ragdoll SLHx  all
Russian SH x ACF, CCCA, GCCF:
preliminary, NZCF,
SACC, LOOF
Russian Blue SHx  all
Sacred BirmanBirmanSLHx  all
Savannah SH x TICA, LOOF: no championship
Scottish Fold SHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF

Scottish StraightScottish SH, ScottishSH x ACF, CCCA, CFA, NZCF, SACC, TICA, LOOF
Selkirk Rex SH SHx  ACF, CCCA, CFA, GCCF, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF
Selkirk Rex LH LHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA, GCCF, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF

Serengeti SH xxTICA: preliminary
Siamese SIA/ORIx  alle
Siberian catSiberianSLHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA,

FIFe, GCCF, NZCF,
SACC, TICA, LOOF

Singapura SHx  

ACF, CCCA, CFA,

GCCF, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF

Snowshoe SH x FIFe, GCCF, TICA,
LOOF
Sokoke SH x FIFe, TICA: preliminary,
LOOF
Somali SLHx  alle
Sphynx HLx  alle
Thai SIA/ORIx  TICA, LOOF
TiffanieTiffanySLH x 

GCCF, NZCF, SACC:

Asian, LOOF

Tonkanese SH SIA/ORIx  ACF, CCCA, CFA,
GCCF, NZCF, SACC,
TICA, LOOF
Tonkanese LH SLH x LOOF
Toybob SIA/ORIx  TICA: preliminary
CFA: Miscellaneous
Toyger SH x TICA
Turkish Angora SLHx  

CFA, FIFe, NZCF,

TICA, LOOF

Turkish Van SLHx  alle
Turkish VankedisiTurkish Van whiteSLHx  GCCF, TICA, LOOF
Ural Rex SH SHx   
Ural Rex LH SLHx   
York SLHx  LOOF
 
BombayIn CCCA: Australian and American Bombay
Burmese

In some organizations a difference between 2 types of Burmese is made:

  • American Burmese
  • European (English) Burmese
ColourpointIn some WCC-organizations the Persian Colourpoint is recognized as separate breed Colourpoint / Himalayan.
Household petIn some WCC-organizations there is no standard for Household pets.
KoratIn GCCF also the Korat bluepoint (= Thai bluepoint) and Korat lilacpoint (= Thai lilacpoint) are recognized (assessment class).
Do not mix up with the breed Thai.
RussianRussian black, white
 

WCF EMS CODE    

CHAMPIONCHIP STATUS ON WCF SHOWS

For all breeds recognized by WCF

For all breeds recognized by one WCC Member

(International organizations CFA -FIFE – TICA; national organizations ACF – CCCA – GCCF – NZCF – SACC)

For all breeds recognized by a WCF Cooperation partner (LOOF)

 

PEDIGREE STATUS IN WCF

All WCF recognized breeds and colours get full pedigrees

All others get “RIEX” pedigrees

All breeds which cannot be find in the WCF EMS CODE are “NON RECOGNIZED BREEDS”

 

 

BREED NAME

CODE

RECOGNIZED BY

 

CATEGORY 1 – LONGHAIR

Chinchilla Longhair

CHL

SACC

British Longhair

BLH

WCF – FIFE – TICA – GCCF – SACC – LOOF

Colourpoint Himalayan

PER33

ALL

Deutsch Langhaar

DLH

WCF

Highland Fold (Scottish Fold Longhair)

SFL

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Highland Straight (Scottish Straight Longhair)

SFL71

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Minuet Longhair

MIL

WCF – TICA

Original Longhair

TLH

WCF

Persian

PER

ALL

Selkirk Rex Longhair

SRL

ALL

 

CATEGORY 2 –  SEMILONGHAIR

American Bobtail

ABL

WCF – CFA – TICA – LOOF

American Curl Longhair

ACL

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – LOOF

Aphrodite’s Giant

APL

WCF – ACF

Asian Longhair

ALH

GCCF – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Bengal Longhair (Cashmere)

CAM

WCF – TICA – NZCF

Burmese Longhair (Tiffany)

TIF

NZCF – SACC

Burmilla Longhair

BML

TICA – ACF – NZCF – SACC

Cornish Rex Longhair (Californian Rex)

CLX

LOOF

Cymric

CYM

WCF – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Japanese Bobtail Longhair

JBL

WCF – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Karelian Bobtail Longhair

KAL

WCF

Kurilian Bobtail Longhair

KBL

WCF – FIFE – TICA – LOOF

LaPerm Longhair

LPL

WCF – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA -GCCF – SACC – LOOF

Maine Coon

MCO

ALL

Maine Coon Polydactyl

POL

TICA

Munchkin Longhair

MNL

WCF – TICA – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

Nebelung (Russian Blue Longhair)

NEB

WCF – TICA – GCCF – LOOF

Neva Masquerade

SIB33

ALL

Norwegian Forest Cat

NFO

ALL

Pixiebob Longhair

PXL

WCF – TICA – ACF – LOOF

Ragamuffin

RGM

WCF – CFA – GCCF

Ragdoll

RAG

ALL

Sacred Birman

SBI

ALL

Siberian Cat

SIB

ALL

Somali

SOM

ALL

Turkish Angora

TUA

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – LOOF

Turkish Van

TUV

ALL

Ural Rex Longhair

URL

WCF

York Chocolate

YOR

WCF – LOOF

 

CATEGORY 3 –  SHORTHAIR

Abyssinian

ABY

ALL

American Bobtail

ABS

WCF – CFA – TICA – LOOF

American Curl

ACS

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

American Shorthair

ASH

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

American Wirehair

AWH

WCF – CFA – TICA – SACC – LOOF

Anatoli

ANA

WCF

Aphrodite’s Giant Shorthair

APS

WCF – ACF

Arabian Mau

ARM

WCF

Asian

ASI

GCCF – SACC – LOOF

Australian Mist

AUM

WCF – TICA – ACF – CCCA – GCCF – SACC

Aztek

AZT

GCCF

Bengal

BEN

ALL

Bombay

BOM

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – LOOF

Brasilian Shorthair

BSH

WCF

British Shorthair

BRI

ALL

Burmese American

AMB

WCF – CFA – TICA – LOOF

Burmese European

BUR

WCF – CFA – FIFE – ACF – CCCA – GCCF – NZCF – SACC- LOOF

Burmilla

BML

CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Celtic / European Shorthair

KKH

WCF – FIFE (EUR) – LOOF

Ceylon

CEY

WCF – LOOF

Chartreux

CHA

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – LOOF

Chausie

CHS

WCF – TICA

Cornish Rex

CRX

ALL

Devon Rex

DRX

ALL

Egyptian Mau

MAU

CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – GCCF – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Exotic Shorthair

EXO

ALL

German Rex

GRX

WCF – FIFE – LOOF

Japanese Bobtail

JBT

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Kanaani

KAN

WCF

Karelian Bobtail

KAS

WCF

Korat

KOR

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

Kurilian Bobtail

KBS

WCF – FIFE – TICA – LOOF

La Perm

LPS

ALL

Lykoi

LYS

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – LOOF

Manx

MAN

ALL

Minuet

MIS

WCF – TICA

Munchkin

MNS

WCF – TICA – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

Ocicat

OCI

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – GCCF – NZCF – LOOF

Pixiebob

PXS

WCF – TICA – ACF – LOOF

Russian Blue

RUS

blue: ALL / white & black: only WCF – ACF–CCCA–GCCF–NZCF

Savannah

SAV

WCF – TICA

Scottish Fold

SFS

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Scottish Straight

SFS71

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Selkirk Rex

SRX

ALL

Singapura

SIN

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Snowshoe

SNO

WCF – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA -GCCF – LOOF

Sokoke

SOK

FIFE – GCCF – LOOF

Toyger

TOY

WCF – TICA – GCCF – NZCF

Ural Rex

URX

WCF

 

 

 

CATEGORY 4 – ORIENTAL GROUP

Colourpoint Shorthair

COS

CFA

Foreign White Shorthair (Siam)

SIAw67

WCF – ACF – CCCA

Foreign White Longhair (Balinese)

BALw67

WCF – ACF – CCCA

Havana (Suffolk / Havana Brown)

HAV

WCF – TICA – GCCF(SUF) – LOOF (HAV)

Khao Manee

KAM

WCF – CFA – TICA

Mekong Bobtail

MBT

WCF

Oriental Longhair (Mandarin)

OLH

ALL

Oriental Shorthair

OSH

ALL

Siamese

SIA

ALL

Siamese Longhair (Balinese)

BAL

WCF – CFA – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – NZCF – SACC – LOOF

Thai

THA

WCF – FIFE – TICA – GCCF – LOOF

Tonkinese

TON

WCF – CFA – TICA – ACF – CCCA – GCCF – NZCF – SACC –  LOOF

Tonkinese Longhair (Tibetan)

TOL

LOOF

Toy Bob

TOB

WCF

 

CATEGORY 5 –  HAIRLESS

Don Sphynx (Donskoy)

DSX

WCF – FIFE – TICA – SACC – LOOF

Peterbald

PBD

WCF – FIFE – TICA – ACF – CCCA – SACC – LOOF

Sphynx Canadian

SPH

ALL

 

CATS WITHOUT PEDIGREE

Household Pet Shorthair

HPS

 

Household Pet Longhair

HPL

 

 

NON RECOGNIZED BREEDS

non recognized Longhair

XLH

 

non recognized Shorthair

XSH

 

non recognized Hairless

XHL

 

 

 

BASIC COLOURS

COLOUR

CODE

DESCRIPTION

black

n

seal – brown – ruddy – sable – ebony

blue

a

 

chocolate

b

havanna

lilac

c

lavender

red

d

 

cream

e

 

black tortie

f

patched – tortoiseshell based on black

blue tortie

g

patched – tortoiseshell based on blue

chocolate tortie

h

patched – tortoiseshell based on chocolate

lilac tortie

j

patched – tortoiseshell based on lilac

cinnamon

o

sorrel

fawn

p

 

cinnamon tortie

q

patched – tortoiseshell based on cinnamon

fawn tortie

r

patched – tortoiseshell based on fawn

white

w

 

unrecognized colour in certain breeds

x

 

 

COLOUR  VARIETIES ADDITIONAL TO BASIC COLOUR

silver

s

white banding (in red/cream = cameo; for all colours without tabby = smoke)

amber

t

only for NFO

sunshine

u

only for SIB

golden

y

apricot banding

serdolic

z

only for KBS/KBL

 

 

 

AMOUNTS OF WHITE

van

01

1/8 colour only head and tail 7/8 white

harlequin

02

1/6 colour 5/6 white

bicolour

03

1/3 till 1/2 white

mitted

04

only for RAG

snowshoe

05

only for SNO

medaillon – locket – bikini – toes

09

in breeds where any amount of white is permitted

 

AGOUTIS

shaded

11

2/3 silver 1/3 tipped

shell

12

7/8 silver 1/8 tipped chinchilla

tabby

21

if the markings cannot be specified, only in 01/02/32/33

classic

22

blotched – marbled

mackerel

23

stripes

spotted

24

rosetted

ticked

25

each hair banded

grizzled ticked

26

only for CHS

 

POINTED

sepia

31

Burmese pointed

mink

32

Tonkinese pointed

himalayan

33

Siamese pointed

 

EYE COLOUR

blue eyed

61

 

orange eyed

62

 

odd eyed

63

one blue – the other green, yellow or orange

green eyed

64

 

golden (to orange)

65

Burmese eye colour

aquamarine/turquoise

66

Tonkinese eye colour

dark blue

67

Siamese eye colour

 

BREED SPECIFIC

rumpy

51

Manx without tail

rumpy riser

52

Manx with tail approach

stumpy

53

Manx with short tail (less than 3 cm)

longie*

54

Manx with tail (more than 3 cm)

straight ears

71

only for Scottish/Highland breed

longhair*

81

only DSP – PBD

shorthair*

82

only DSP – PBD

brushed coat*

83

only DSP – PBD

straight coat*

84

 

velour coat

85

only DSP – PBD

normal toes

90

only PIX /POL

polydactyl front paws

91

only PIX /POL

polydactyl hind paws

92

only PIX /POL

polydactyl all 4 paws

93

only PIX /POL

long legs*

97

only MNS/MNL

* not for show – no championchip status – only to create the pedigree correct

 

Please note:

Individual EMS codes will always be separated from each other by a space,unless specifically indicated otherwise.

Individual numerical EMS codes are always to use in ascending order.

Actualized 2021-02-05

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