Persian Show Divisions

If you will be showing your Persian cat at a sanctioned cat show, it is important to know the different divisions that your cat will fit into. Many newcomers to cat shows think that the division only relates to the color class of the cat, but this isn't quite the case.

First, of course, one must consider the color divisions. For Persians, most sanctioned shows also include Himalayans. The seven color/pattern classes for Persians and Himalayans are solid color, silver, smoke, tabby, parti-color, bi-color, and of course Himalayan.

Each color class includes a wide range of cats, and you must be able to recognize which color class your Persian belongs to. This will be stated, by you, on the entry form for the show. Failing to properly identify and state the color class could get your disqualified.

Next, you must determine which division or divisions – beyond color – that you will compete in. These are known as competitive classes, and they include Junior Showmanship, the Kitten Class, the Championship Class, the Premiership Class, the Provisional Class, the Miscellaneous Class, and the Household Pet Class.

The Junior Class isn't about the breed or color class of the cat. Instead, it is about the age of the cat owner. This gives young people the chance to participate in cat shows and to learn more about how these shows operate.

The Kitten Class includes altered and unaltered kittens with pedigrees between the ages of four months and eight months. The kittens are divided and judged based on breed, sex, and color, and compete for first, second, and third place ribbons. The Kitten Class also awards Best of Color, Second Best of Color, Best of Breed, and Second Best of Breed. There are also specialty rings for longhairs and shorthairs, and the top ten will compete for the finals.

Once a cat is older than eight months, he is eligible for the Championship Class. Again, he must be pedigreed. Cats compete against each other based on breed, sex, and color. There is a first place winner for the Open Class. Once a cat has won six red, white, and blue ribbons in the Open Class, he is a Champion, and is then eligible to compete for Grand Champion. The Championship Class is for unaltered cats.

The Premiership Class is the same as the Championship Class, except that it is for altered cats. The Provisional Class is only for breeds that have not yet reached championship status. To date, there is only one breed that cannot compete for championship, and it isn't the Persian, so Persian owners would never compete in the Provisional class. Persians would also not compete for the Miscellaneous class, as this is for breeds that have not met the requirements for the provisional class.

The final class is the Household Pet class, which some Persians do compete in, although these are typically Persians that do not meet the requirements for other classes. In other words, this class is for Persians who are not show quality, but instead, are pet quality.