CHESTER & NORTH WALES CAT CLUB

11th August 2007

My thanks to Chris, Peter and the Committee for once again inviting me to this very popular summer show. Mark and I only arrived back from holiday in Bhutan the day before the show and so it was just a little bit of a culture change!! I was delighted with my entry and the overall quality of exhibits I judged. My thanks to Mark for stewarding for me as usual.

I was extremely gratified by the number of Norwegian Forest Cats entered and delighted by the high standard of the exhibits. Unusually I placed each exhibit and hope that all the reports will be published - if not they will be found on www.harislau.co.uk.

Before progressing to the critiques I would like to express my thoughts and make general comment on the coat qualities of an increasing number of Norwegian exhibits at many of the shows - and I must stress that I am not referring to cats being 'out of coat'. The Standard states that "the most important features are type and coat qualities" and states that the breed should reflect it's heritage as a natural outdoor working cat on Norwegian farms. The standard states that "a distinctive double coat is required" and goes on to specify that "the woolly undercoat is covered by a smooth, water-repellent overcoat" and continues that "This glossy hair covers the back and sides".

Unfortunately however it seems to me that an increasing number of Norwegian exhibits are being prepared for show in a manner perhaps more suited to a Persian. Many exhibits appear to have had very recent baths and/or been heavily powdered thus removing the natural water repellent oils from the coat. I would question the need for regular or frequent bathing, or indeed using talc , on the coat of a natural outdoor working cat where dense woolly undercoats and smooth water repellent topcoats are demanded by the standard. A soft fluffy coat lacking natural oils CANNOT and DOES NOT accord with this requirement and I would urge exhibitors to give more thought to coat preparation and ensure that their preparation does not SPOIL an otherwise good coat. The coat is such an important feature of the breed; not all cats have a perfect coat, but even a perfect coat can be ruined by incorrect treatment.

So much can be told about the coat simply by feeling it, and in the NFO the coat should definitely not feel soft, fluffy, or like cotton wool. My visits to Norway have clearly demonstrated that the rain is even worse than here in Wales, and it can be decidedly very cold - it's a country where warm, dry, waterproof coats are important to both cat and man!! My thoughts for what they are worth!

Norwegian Forest Cat Male
1 CC & BoB Day's NORSMAGI QUINN 67/31fts 09-10-06
A large well grown youngster of excellent size and overall type - surprisingly mature for 10 months. Ears large, very good shape and correctly set' Excellent profile. Excellent strength of muzzle. Excellent eye shape and set. Large strongly built body of excellent length and type. Excellent bone, substance and condition. Tall legs and good length to tail. Coat of very good length and acceptable texture. Excellent plume. This strongly built attractive youngster had the most delightful temperament and headed up a strong class. Just pipped the female to BoB.

2 Rowberry's CH ROWGARNOR MOONSHADOW 67/31ats 12-06-06
A large well grow yearling of overall quality. Head overall marginally broad for perfect balance. Ears of good size and shape, held well but set just a little wide. Excellent profile. Correct bite and excellent chin line. Eyes of very good size and shape. Body of excellent length and type held on tall strongly boned legs, long well balanced tail. Coat rather short and a little out of sorts. A cat of overall quality and unlucky to come up against the winner.

3 Wheeler's MAYSULA CABERNET 67/18 08-07-06
Head rather broad for balance. Ears of good size, set a little wide apart and unfortunately held rather too low. Skull just a little flat resulting in a rather angular overall profile. Correct bite, strong chin. Body of good size and fair substance, maybe just a little fine in bone for size. Coat of good length and fairly good texture. This lad was a little nervous and I feel that this was possibly the reason he held his ears low .. a pity because it didn't help his chances.

4 Johnstone's CH TUYET IMHAER-TORR 67/18 06-08-05
This lad was the oldest in the class and unfortunately lacked the size and substance I look for in a male of this age. Head overall needing a little length to balance the skull width. Ears rather small for balance, and set a little wide. Skull a little flat giving a slightly angular profile. Eyes excellent shape and size, excellent expression. Body just a little short lacking a little in both body length and height of leg. Coat of good length and texture - certainly the best coat texture in the class.

Norwegian Forest Cat Female
1 & CC Handy's TIGANLEA MARCHIONESS PASHA 67/31ats 20-08-06
A very pleasing exhibit of overall excellence. Well balanced head of correct proportions. Ears of good size and excellent set. Excellent profile. Correct bite and strong chin. Eyes of very good shape and size. Long body of very good size and substance carried on strong tall legs. Long tail carried high. Coat of very good length and texture. A well grown lass of excellent size and maturity, heading a very strong class - she earned the CC!

2 Johnstone's TUYET QUAVARA 67/20 29-05-06
Head of very good proportions. Ears of very good shape and perfectly set, just a little small for balance. Very good muzzle shape. Correct bite, strong chin. Long body of very good size and substance. Strongly boned legs of very good height. Good length tail. Coat a little sparse but of really excellent texture - certainly the best coat today. She is a delightful example of the breed and had she been in fuller coat she would have taken the CC - it was a close call.

3 Handy's TIGANLEA COUNTESS NEELA 67/31ets 27-07-06
A well grown female of excellent size and substance. Head overall a little broad for balance. Ears of goos shape and size, set rather wide and unfortunately she would insist on holding them low. Very good profile. Eyes of excellent shape and set. Long body of excellent type, size and substance. Tall strong limbs, balanced tail. Coat of very good length and good texture. A very attractive exhibit who was unfortunate to have to take 3rd place, but she was certainly in contention for the CC.

4 Tipper's TIGANLEA PRINCESS DAYNA 67/31et 09-12-04
A large well grown cat of overall very good type. Ears set just a little too wide and held rather low. Skull too flat giving a rather angular profile. Eyes of very good shape and size. Excellent body length, good size and substance. Tall legs, long tail held well. Coat of good length but rather soft in texture.

5 Sedgewick's CH CATWO PEACHESANDCREAM 67/31dt 01-04-05
A rather timid lady of excellent size and substance. Head overall a little wide for correct balance. Ears of good size and shape set just a little wide for perfection. Good profile overall. Eyes of very good shape and size. Body of excellent type, having correct length, balance and substance. Carried well on tall strong legs. Coat very short and soft rather lacking in topcoat today.

6 Handy's TIGANLEA VISCOUNTESS NADIA 67/31ts 27-07-06
Skull just a little wide for length of head. Ears of good size, set a little wide apart and a tendency to hold low. Good overall profile spoiled by a bump on the nose. Body of good length, size, substance and overall type. Well boned legs of good length. Long tail carried well. Coat of good length and texture.

7 Rowberry's ROWGARNOR SILVERMOON 67/31ats 12-06-06
This lady rather threw away her chances …. She had a hissy fit and certainly did herself no favours. She was a little tense and was difficult to handle. Her ears were held ridiculously low, though I've no doubt if she'd been behaving they'd have been quit acceptable! Profile appeared to be very good. I bottled out and didn't check her bite! Would like to see her on a good day!!

8 Hughes' TIGANLEA BARONESS RUNA 67/20e 25-10-06
This lass at 10 months lacks the required size and substance. Overall she is rather fine and light weight. Ears of good size, fairly well set but held low. Fairly good profile. Body small and lacking substance, she certainly needs to fill out and mature. Coat of fairly good length and texture.

Norwegian Forest Cat Neuter Male
1 & PC Higham's NOYNAROCK JOHAN 67/19 19-04-06
Head of overall good type and correct balance. Ears good size and set. Profile very slightly dished which hopefully will not increase with age. Ears of very good size and set. Good muzzle, Correct bite and good chin. Body of very good type, being of good length and with good bone and substance. Coat of good length and very good texture. A well grown chap well up to PC standard.

2 Rowberry's CH ROWGARNOR MOONSHADOW 67/31ats 12-06-06
A very timid lad who didn't show to advantage. Head of good shape but today appeared a little broad for balance. Ears of good size and shape, set just a little wide but held almost flat. Very good profile. Good chin line, correct bite. Eyes of good size but very round with a frightened expression. Excellent body length, with strong bone and substance, very good tall strong boned legs. Excellent tail. Coat showing excellent length and texture topcoat, with defined undercoat. He was extremely timid and tense and I am afraid that this cost him the PC. I gave him a CC at Kernow in April and was very impressed with him, his temperament then was very outgoing and I hope that today was just a temporary blip - I hope I'll see him again on a good day.

3 Christie/Balfour-Christie's NORSHELIAN LARSSON 67/31ts 23-04-06
A cat of overall excellent type who at first sight looked as if he would be the class winner. A very well balanced head of quality. Ears very good size shape and set. Excellent profile. Eyes very narrow totally spoiling that 'Norwegian' expression. Body of excellent type with size, length and substance. Excellent tall legs with strong bone, good length tail carried high. Unfortunately his coat was extremely soft and not as required by the SoP. A very attractive lad shown in excellent body condition …. Pity about the coat.

Considered for BoB: Lindgren's PR MARAJADE ALFREDTHEGREAT 67/20 01-07-04
This lad was rather timid and didn't show to advantage - he was in the pen ajoining Moonshadow and both appeared to be very frightened. A cat of overall very pleasing type with good size and substance. Good head overall, ears held almost flat. Very good body type. Coat good length and fair texture.

Considered for BoB : Christie/Balfour-Christie's PR NORSHELIAN AXEL SKAUKONGEN 67/31s 04-03-05
A large impressive cat of great quality. Ears very good size and set, but he would persist in bonneting them. Excellent profile. Excellent long body with size and substance. Tall legs with strong bone. Excellent tail carriage. A most impressive lad on the table. Very good coat length and fair texture. Unfortunately he lost out on BoB to the lady!

Norwegian Forest Cat Neuter Female
Considered for BoB: BoB awarded to Coward's GR PR NORDLYS GISELLE 67/31ts 31-03-05
Head of overall very pleasing type. Ears of very good shape and size, very well set. Excellent profile. Very good muzzle, correct bite, good firm chin. Lovely eye shape and size. Excellent long body of correct type. Excellent tall legs with good bone. Tail just a little short for balance. Coat of very good length and texture. A delightful cat with a superb temperament. A pleasure to judge her. Certainly well deserving the BoB.

AC Oriental Grand Champion, Female
Gr Ch Cert to Simpson's CH WESTGARTH DRESSEDTOIMPRESS 37g 11-04-05
A very elegant lady of overall excellent Oriental type. Ears of excellent size and shape, correctly set with good width between. Good profile overall though skull just a little flat for perfection. Excellent lines to wedge. Green eyes of very good shape and set. Excellent long slim body of correct type, balanced legs and tail. Coat of good length, the old coat along the spine feeling just a little coarse. Excellent colour and mingled colours. I thought this superb elegant cat was well worthy of the award. A real pleasure to judge this superb exhibit.

Oriental Tortie Adult
BoB to Simpson's CH WESTGARTH DRESSEDTOIMPRESS 37g 11-04-05

Oriental Tortie Kitten
2 1st w/h Davies WICCANWAYS GOTHIKA 37e 20-04-07
A kitten of medium type but far too small for her age and difficult to assess her qualities. I was dismayed by her size which was nearer to that of a 10 week old kitten. I did consult the Duty Vet who agreed that she was very small for her age. She was a delightful and apparently very fit little soul BUT certainly far too small to be taken to a show - I hope she suffered no ill effects from her outing.

Oriental Tortie Neuter
1 PC & BoB Ryan's SPINNING JENNY 37g 23-06-06
Ears of very good shape, size and set. Excellent profile, correct bite and good chin line. Eyes of excellent size, shape and set, colour a dull 'muddy' green. Muzzle showing slight pinch which spoils otherwise excellent lines to wedge. Body of very good elegant Oriental type. Coat of excellent length and texture. Very good colour, sound to roots, and well mingled. Excellent condition and temperament. A very pleasing exhibit well worthy of the PC.

Oriental Shaded Female Neuter
1 PC & BoB Stafford's GR CH HEYBURY TITIANRED 43ds 08-06-1999
An old friend certainly not looking her age. A cat of overall very pleasing Oriental type. Ears very good shape, size and set with good width between. Good profile. Eyes very good shape and set, and now with age a highly acceptable light green in colour! Good chinline. Excellent lines to wedge. Body of good length but rather matronly now. Excellent slender legs with very dainty spoon feet. Tail of fair length and taper. Coat short and close lying, and of excellent texture. This delightful old soul still has the most wonderful shaded coat, bright red light tipping on a clear ivory/silver ground which extends to at least ¾ of the hair length. As always shown in excellent condition, and with such a delightful temperament. Well deserving of the PC & BoB.

2 Rowe's FOXYPAWS SUA LAI 43a 20-08-05
Ears of very good shape and set with good width between. Good profile, chin just a little shallow, correct bite. Excellent green eyes of correct shape and set. Very good lines to wedge. Rather slightly built body of very good type, length, and balance. Slender legs and dainty paws. Tail of good length and taper. Coat just a little long but close lying and excellent texture. Excellent shading on sides, and acceptable in dorsal area where the colour is very dark blue. Markings have broken well and she is now a very acceptable Shaded. Shown in excellent condition. This very sweet natured lass was very unlucky to meet the winner today.

Chocolate Point Siamese Kitten Male
1 Simpson's KYOMI SWEETWILLIAM 08-03-07
Ears of good size and shape, correctly set with good width between. Top of head just a little flat detracting from an otherwise good profile. Good chinline, correct bite. Muzzle showing teething pinch which at present spoils the lines of his wedge. Eyes very large, of correct set, but very full but clearly showing his very good eye colour. Body of very good length and elegance. Long well balanced limbs, spoon feet. Tail of good length but rather thick and lacking sufficient taper. Coat of excellent length and texture. Points developing well and showing a fairly even light chocolate colour, body colour showing warmth. Excellent condition and temperament.

Chocolate Point Siamese Kitten Female
1 & BoB Barlow's AMARRICHI PENNYFROMHEAVEN 15-03-07
A delightful kitten of overall quality. Balanced head of pleasing proportions. Ears of excellent size, shape and set with correct width between. Excellent profile overall, though showing a slight dip at the brow at present. Very good chin line, correct bite. Muzzle showing slight teething pinch. Very good blue eyes of excellent size, shape and setting. Excellent firm little body of very pleasing type and balance with long slender limbs and excellent length tail with slight thickening at tip. Short close lying coat of excellent texture. Points rather a dark chocolate but very even overall and matching - though she has slight spectacles. Lovely clear body colour. A pleasing kitten shown in excellent condition, with a lovely temperament.

2 Brock's ADSETAM YUKIO SAN 06-01-07
A much older kitten than the winner. Ears of good shape and size, fairly well set with reasonable width between. The skull is rather flat and this does spoil the profile. Correct bite but chin slopes away. Good muzzle and straight lines to wedge. Eyes of good size and set, just a little full, of pleasing blue. A very well grown lass with a firm, long and very elegant body. Very good fine limbs and well balanced tail of good taper. Coat of excellent length and texture. Points rather a dark chocolate colour, showing distinct spectacles and brindling to mask, paw colour not quite matching. Excellent condition and temperament.

Lilac Point Siamese Kitten Male
1 & BoB Gray/Johnson's BELROO TSAICHIN ANGELIS 03-02-07
A well grown lad of overall pleasing quality and type. Large well placed ears of very good shape. Excellent top of head. Lovely even profile. Correct bite. Good chin line. Good muzzle and excellent lines to wedge. Eyes of very good size, shape and set, excellent bright blue. Long firm slender body of excellent type. Long fine legs, very neat paws. Tail of good length and fair taper. Very short close lying coat of excellent texture. Excellent points colour with soft pinkish flush, lovely clear warm body colour. A very nice youngster shown in excellent condition, with the most delightful nature.

Wrong Colour : Brownrigg's ADSETAM HEMLOCK HOLLYWOOD 12-03-07
Ears of good size and shape, correctly set but held just a little upright. Good profile. Muzzle showing slight pinch. Very good body type with length and elegance. Good length legs, paws rather heavy. Tail good length but rather thick. Coat of good texture but rather long. Points colour Caramel and not Lilac therefore I had no alternative but to mark him 'Wrong Colour'.

Lilac Point Siamese Kitten Female
1 Scholes' SCOTMAR ISNTSHE SOMETHING 09-04-07
Ears of good size and shape, correctly set. Skull rather flat, profile very uneven with distinct dip to nose. Correct bite and firm chin. Pleasing eye colour, but eyes rather too horizontal in set. Fair lines to wedge. Body of good type with balanced legs and well tapered tail. Short close lying coat of fairly good texture. Points colour a little dark and cold for perfection. Shown in good condition.

Tabby Point Siamese Kitten 1 & BoB Davies' MAZPAHS TAURUS M 32 3 27/02/07 A well grown lad of overall good type. Long well balanced head. Ears of good size and shape and excellent set. Excellent top of head with very good even profile. Correct bite and excellent chin line. Very good muzzle with excellent lines to wedge. Clear blue eyes of very good size, shape and set. Head carried on long elegant neck. Long body of excellent type, long slender legs, neat paws. Tail of good length but needing more taper. Short sleek coat of excellent texture. Excellent clear chocolate facial markings and thumprints, well ringed tail and fully barred legs. Very good clear body. A most attractive lad well deserving BoB.

Red Point Siamese Kitten
1 BoB n/a Roskell's WESTGARTH CHERRY-O-BABY F 32a 31/01/07
Ears of fairly good size and shape, quite good set but needing more flare. Fairly good profile overall though showing slight dip to nose. Bite undershot. Eyes good shape and set. Body of good length, slim and finely built, long legs with very dainty paws. Tail short and lacking sufficient taper. Excellent coat length and texture. Excellent rich red points colour and clear body.

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