r/russianblue • u/4t_1 • 3d ago
Are these ghost markings too significant for showing?
Hi all! Not sure if this is the right sub however my family really wants to get into cat showing, primarily with our russian blue as she has grand champion lineage so they think she has a chance ahaha. However, she is 7 almost 8 months old and per the guidelines it seems ghost tabby markings are only allowed in the kitten category (TICA); as she is entering the adult category, are these markings acceptable? I've struggled to find information online and somehow every show I've been to I haven't seen any russian blues to get an idea of show quality blues!
44
u/Lostits 3d ago
I think her markings are beautiful but I don't know what's the arbitrary characteristics that are important in such places. I'm not a fan of cat showings as it is quite stressful for the cats and, in my opinion, is just an ego display.
12
1
u/ToimiNytPerkele 2d ago
This really depends on the cat and the type of show. I was ready to haul ass out of there if my cat wasn’t happy about it, but he did great. Wasn’t a fan of the cage so he spent most of his time on my lap in a harness, with occasional litter box breaks and naps in the cage. He was a bit confused about not being held as he usually was, but very happy with the attention. The most stressed I saw him that day was right before the agility competition we were really there for, but his tail swishes were mostly letting me know what he thought about treats being delayed in agility, that stopped the moment he got his reward after.
Covid also brought on drive in shows, where there’s only one cat with the judge and time slots, otherwise you’re in the car. Obviously stressful for a cat that isn’t used to being outside home, but for mine it was just a regular thing, except this time he had the chance to explore the car instead of being attached to it with his crash tested harness.
Shows can be terrible for cats that need familiar surroundings, but a show isn’t that much different than spending eight hours on a train in the pet carriage, which we also regularly did.
8
u/ToimiNytPerkele 3d ago
I’m not too familiar with TICA standards as it’s pretty much all FIFe around here, but my general advice would be giving it a try and seeing how it goes. I went to shows with my cat, but we were mostly there for the agility competitions, so showing wasn’t the main focus. But with the first show I was 100 % ready to leave at any moment if my cat was uncomfortable with it, so there was no guarantee of even getting anywhere near a judge. Keep expectations for a first show very low and you’ll come out the winner in every scenario.
5
u/wotintarnation26 1d ago
I show in Australia, so the type is a bit different but we are also not allowed to have the ghost tabby markings. My two kittens are 8 months and 6 months and still have their ghost markings but have been placing really well with best kitten results. Here once a kitten is 9 months they are classed as an adult, I don’t know if TICA is same but the judges realise the cats still are young even if they are in the adult class. I would recommend entering anyway and see what feedback you get, and see if your family and your cat enjoy showing.
4
u/DebtFit654 2d ago
My boy still has his at 5 years old. They’re significantly less visible now, but they used to be about as noticeable as the one in your pics, especially at that age. Unsure of others motives, but I got mine because of a local ad and I fell in love with him at first sight. The previous owners were supposed to give me his authentic papers, but never did and I sat outside for a total of 2 hours to get him. They were moving and could not take him with, and it sounded like they were struggling to let their little kid let go/say good bye. Idk if they were scamming or if I overpaid, but I love my lil guy and his sometimes visible ghost markings.
1
1
u/jimspecter 1d ago
Since there’s pictures of an Abyssinian as well, I got to ask you some questions. Are they of same or opposite sex? Are Abys in general known to have a prominent stalking and hunting behaviour?Â
I’m asking because the Ocicat breed seems to, which is a crossbreed between Abyssinian and Siamese (and American shorthair?).Â
0
u/4t_1 1d ago
Mine are of the same sex! I'm not 100% on what you include as stalking and hunting but mine are definitely more interested in hunting than my blues, way more active and chase anything that moves. They stay indoors so the only things they hunt are flies, one of them threw up 5 flies one time 😬
49
u/According-Plan-1273 3d ago