Registering purebred cats can be a bit of a hassle for some people. However, anyone who wants to show or breed their purebred cat must register their cat or kitten in order to be eligible. There are several associations and federations that exist for the purpose of registering cats. For the most part, to register a cat with a particular organization, the cat must either have a parent registered in that organization or be registered with another organization.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association
The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. To register a kitten with this association, you must possess either a blue slip or a yellow slip from the breeder. Make sure you ask your breeder to show evidence of this slip before paying in full for your kitten. If you have a blue slip, you will have to pay the registration fee after completing the required information. If you have a yellow slip, your registration was prepaid by the breeder. Simply complete the slip with any missing information and submit it to the CFA.
The International Cat Association
The only truly international organization for the registration of purebred cats, the International Cat Association (TICA) is also the world’s largest registry of household pets and kittens. Though any cat can be registered with TICA as a household pet, purebred cats still have to show pedigree to be registered as a purebred. If one or both of the parents of your cat were registered with TICA, the breeder should have registered the litter at the time of birth. Ask for evidence of this so that you may register your cat individually, if your breeder does not do this for you.
The Cat Fanciers’ Federation
The Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF) is one of the oldest cat registries in the United States. Like most other associations and federations, the breeder from whom you purchase your cat will generally register the litter at the time of birth. You can then register your cat individually, if you possess the required information. This information should be supplied by the breeder. Simply follow the directions on the papers you are given and registering your cat with the CFF becomes a simple process.
The North American Purebred Cat Registry
One of the newer registries in the United States, the North American Purebred Cat Registry (NAPCR) offers low fees and excellent service. Numerous purebred cats are registered with NAPCR every year. However, because it is so new, some of the other associations will not recognize a cat registered with NAPCR. This is slowly changing. One of the benefits of registering your cat with NAPCR is that they accept all breeds of purebred cat. Some other associations are very limited in regards to how many breeds they recognize.
The process of registering your cat is fairly simple, provided you are in possession of the required information. In most cases, you simply fill out the form the breeder gave you. Sometimes you’ll have to obtain some of the forms yourself. In the best cases, your breeder will handle the registration of your cat for you, and you’ll have to do little more than mail in a piece of paper with your signature. In any case, if you have questions about registering your cat with a particular association, you should consult your breeder or the association in question.
Cats are by far the most common pet in the United States. This has been true for many years. They make great companions, are fairly independent, and almost obsessively clean. Purebred cats are quite popular, both as show cats and pets. With so many breeds, it can be difficult to choose. Taking a closer look at the most popular breeds in the United States is one place to start.
Though it is impossible to judge the true number of pet cats in the United States, some generalities can be made through analyzing the cats registered in the many associations and federations around the world. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) is the largest registry of purebred cats in the world, currently listing forty-one pedigreed breeds, one provisional breed, and one miscellaneous breed. Though not all owners register their cats, it is still quite easy to see which breeds are the most popular.
The Persian and Its Characteristics
Topping the list in most years is the elegant Persian. This cat has long hair and a stubby nose that appears to have been pushed in. They are sometimes called the ‘Pug of the cat world.’ This breed is gentle and quiet, and is usually quite lazy. They prefer lounging in the sun all day to having to romp and play with children, so they are more suited to adults, and are especially appropriate for the elderly.
The Exotic and Its Characteristics
Rising in popularity in recent years is the stubby Exotic. It seems that many people have never heard of this breed, and yet as recently as 2009, they were the second most popular breed of cat in the United States. These odd-looking creatures were bred to meet the exact standards of the Persian, with one very notable exception — the length of the coat. This cat could be a shorthaired version of the Persian. This unique breed allows for the enjoyment that can be achieved through living with a Persian, but without the constant grooming.
The Maine Coon Cat and Its Characteristics
The strikingly-beautiful Maine Coon Cat falls in at number three on the list of most popular breeds in the United States. This breed is the largest of the domestic cats and is quite sturdy. Known for a loving disposition and great intelligence, Maine Coon Cats are particularly good with dogs, small children, and the elderly, making them a much sought-after pet.
The Siamese and Its Characteristics
This cat has fascinated and enchanted people all around the world since first being exported from Siam (now known as Thailand) in the late 1800s. They are sleek, beautiful, elegant, and striking in color. Their blue eyes can hold anyone enraptured, and their constant vocalizations are the subject of much discussion in the world of cat fancy. The Siamese is almost always in the top five on any list detailing the most popular cats.
The Ragdoll and Its Characteristics
Rounding out the top five on the list of most popular cats in the United States is the magnificent Ragdoll. These large, laid-back cats have stunning blue eyes and striking colors. With silky hair, a budding personality, and an avid interest in humans, these cats maintain their position as one of the most popular breeds, both in Europe and North America. They are naturally gentle and their coats require minimum upkeep.
This list changes a little from year to year. However, in general, the top five merely switch places a little. With the exception of the Exotic, the breeds on the list have been present on the list for many years, and their popularity will likely continue.
Hybrid cats, often referred to as designer cats, are cats whose parents are of two different breeds. Sometimes, crossing two breeds can result in a highly desirable kitten. For example, if you cross a Munchkin cat with a LaPerm you will get what has come to be known as Skookum.
The Skookum is a cat which is medium in size. However, due to its Munchkin parent, it will usually have shortened legs, especially shortened front legs. This is because the Munchkin cat carries the gene for dwarfism, which presents dominant expression. Most kittens will inherit the dwarfism gene, though there will be causes where a cat with a Munchkin parent will have normal legs. In these cases, the kitten is not considered a Skookum.
From the LaPerm parent, the Skookum inherits a curly coat. This coat could be long or short, and since it the LaPerm is a form of Rex, and Rexes are known for not shedding very much, the Skookum tends to be a low-shedding cat. Longhaired cats tend to have a loosely curled coat which stands away from the body. In fact, you should be able to feel the skin as you run your hands through the coat of a longhaired Skookum. Shorthaired cats have the same type of coat, except that it is difficult to feel the skin, simply because the hair is just that much shorter. Grooming these cats is easy, since the coat does not usually mat. These cats love to be brushed, so any necessary grooming is made that much simpler.
The Skookum is agile and athletic, despite having a cobby body and shortened legs. In general, the body has an appearance very much like any other cat, with the exception of the legs. The head is slightly rounded with higher-set cheekbones and a medium muzzle. The nose is medium-long with a slight stop right between the eyes. The ears are medium to large, very large at the base, and quite high set. The eyes are shaped like walnuts and shine with an inner brilliance that makes this cat very attractive as a pet.
These cats can come in many colors. Some are colorpoints, others are solid color. There are tabbies, bicolors, and spotted Skookums. At the moment, the Skookum can come in any color present in the Munchkin or LaPerm lines. However, there is currently an effort to standardize the colors of the Skookum coat.
Skookums tend to be very affectionate and sweet. Despite their somewhat awkward appearance, these cats are confident, self-assured, outgoing, and curious. This can lead them into trouble sometimes as they explore where they should not. Their playfulness rivals that of any other breed, and their shortened legs do not seem to hamper them at all. They can run, jump, and climb as well as any other cat, and will often dash off to hide in their own version of hide-and-seek.
This cat was created in the 1990s by Roy Galusha. It wasn’t long before other breeders from the United States, England, New Zealand, and Australia joined the breeding program. Today, there are many breeders throughout the world who are committed to establishing this unique breed. However, the Skookum cannot be considered ready for global recognition until the Munchkin and LaPerm are not longer necessary to maintain breeding programs.
The Skookum is recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) as an experimental breed. The Dwarf Cat Association (TDCA) also considers them experimental. This breed has recently obtained recognition by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) and the Catz Incorporated, which is the national registry for cats in New Zealand. Currently, it is only in Australia and New Zealand that the Skookum may be shown as a breed in its own right. It may be that the Skookum will eventually achieve recognition by associations around the world, but as with most hybrid breeds, this takes a great deal of time.
The Skookum makes a wonderful pet and is highly intelligent. However, they are quite rare and incredibly expensive. There is also much variation in appearance between different Skookums. Eventually, if they are recognized as a breed by associations such as TICA, a breed standard will have to be developed.
The Bristol is a cat that is shrouded in mystery, probably due to its rarity. Though once admitted into the International Cat Association (TICA) as a breed in their own right, they were dropped due to poor numbers and fertility problems. Instead of claiming that the Bristol is a separate breed, it might be better to consider the Bristol a hybrid, or designer cat.
It is impossible to know exactly when the first Bristol cat was bred. It is also difficult to be sure of the ancestry of the first Bristol cats. They do resemble the Bengal, but only to a certain degree, and it is thought that the Bristol actually predates the Bengal by many years. If this is the case, it is unlikely that the Bristol is a variation of the Bengal. Due to its exotic nature, it is rather more likely that the Bristol is a cross between the American Shorthair and the margay.
These cats tend to resemble an orange ocicat. Some have a smoky charcoal appearance, which is unlike a Bengal, while others had white or pale bellies and legs. They also had margay-type rosettes, an ocelot-like voice, and small, rounded ears. The ears, which are unlike their American Shorthair ancestors, are certainly an indication that a non-domestic cat is the other parent.
In 1991, some of these cats were found at a private residence in Texas. These cats were once registered with TICA as “Bristol Cats.” However, their chronic infertility had caused TICA to drop the breed many years before. Indeed, the cats in Texas, though beautiful and affectionate, were not very fertile. These cats had several characteristics that were definitely not of domestic origins, such as the ears, pattern, color, and head shape. While documentation of these cats remains unproven, experts do believe that these cats were a result of crossing domestic shorthairs or American Shorthairs with the wild margay.
Today, the margay and the American Shorthair are occasionally bred to create this interesting crossbreed. Considered designer cats, the Bristol cannot be thought of a true breed. This is because one of the defining characteristics of a breed is the fertility of the offspring. However, the American Shorthair-margay cross produces kittens of limited fertility. When these kittens are successfully bred together (which occurs only rarely), they do not appear to produce kittens with noticeable or sustained fertility.
These cats are considered rare and are sought after by those who can find a breeder and are willing to pay the high price tag.
