Customer Reviews

It's Show-Time!: And Here's Everything Cat Fanciers Need to Know About Shows

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The first time my husband and I attended a cat show, we were completely mystified by the numbers and colors of ribbons that were attached to the cat cages behind the judge's table. Some cats were awarded two or three ribbons. Most cats left the show ring with at least one ribbon fluttering from their owner's hand.

What did it all mean? If a cat received a brown ribbon with a rosette, was that better than being pinned with a black ribbon?

"It's Showtime!" by Phil Maggitti and J. Anne Helgren quickly instructs the reader on the mysteries of cat show scoring procedures. For instance, a brown ribbon is very good. It means 'best of division'. Black is also coveted, as it is awarded to the cat that is 'best of its color class'.

Both authors of "It's Showtime!" are veteran breeders and exhibitors within the cat fancy. This book is aimed primarily for American and Canadian pure-bred cat owners, and goes into detail on how each of the ten different cat registering associations in North America scores its shows.

Why oh why couldn't we emulate the British and consolidate all of our feline organizations into one governing body?

There is much more to this book than keeping score at a cat show. There are sections on picking the best cat breed for your circumstances, registering your cat and cattery, grooming and showing to win, what the judge is looking for when he or she places your cat, plus a short history of British and North American cat shows.

Color photographs accompany the text, most of them showing serious-looking judges and even more serious-looking exhibitors. The occasional cranky or bored cat also makes an appearance. I believe the photographs were meant to be interesting rather than beautiful, although the cover of "It's Showtime" spotlights a gorgeous Maine Coon.

You definitely need a copy of this book if you are planning to attend a cat show, whether to exhibit your own cat or to admire those of other cat fanciers. In fact, I'm surprised that I've never seen copies of "It's Showtime" actually sold at a cat show. It's exactly what is needed to demystify the whole experience of caging hundreds of felines into one big room, then plopping the cats one-by-one onto the judge's table and awarding (most of) them multi-colored ribbons.

When I wanted to show cat of mine, very little in depth information was available about all the aspects of showing a cat such as grooming , cage curtains ,the judging , etc. It told of all the associations such as (Cat Fanciers Association)CFA , (American Cat Fanciers Association)ACFA , and the list goes on .In one chapter the book tells of how to find the perfect kitten and what to look for health wise in a kitten .In another chapter it gives a brief but indepth information about many different breeds and the Cat registries they are accepted to be shown in . It tells the basics of cat breeding and a chapter on feline health . It also includes a list of stuff to consider bringing to a show like grooming tools etc. It's Show Time told me about every association, how to get your Champion , Grand Championship and about regional and national awards .That's just to name some of the topics this book covers . I still often refer to it and it is a great addition to my cat book collection and I'm sure you will enjoy it as well . A must have for any Cat Show Beginner!

I thought"It's Show Time"was a fabulous introduction to showing.As a beginner I wanted to know everythng possible about the world of cat Showing.IT tells how to find a kitten .papers and Many other things . The thing that I really enjoyed about this book was What titles such as Grand Champion you can get in each cat association like ACFA and CFA and how to achieve these titles.It tells about what to bring to a show , cat show preperation , cage curtains , checking in, the judges routine etc. "It's Show Time" also includes an article about accepted breeds and in which associations they are accepted . It also gives insight to breeding cats and includes a glossary of cat and cat show terms in the back of the book.I would reccomend this book to anyone who wants a book that is easy to understand and gives a great deal of information on all the aspects of showing and cats in genral.A truly wonderful book! I give it 5 stars!

I don't know what I can add to those already recommending this book - it is the best one I've seen yet. As a novice exhibitor, there are many things about showing that are baffling, to say the least (like CFA grand points). This book does a phenomenal job of laying out all the different cat registries that hold shows and what cats will be allowed, what won't.

Additionally, it contains very thorough and helpful directions for grooming and bathing cats, which most owners should know, whether getting ready to show or not!

Further - the breed descriptions are right on. So if it's a purebred you're looking for, check this book out!

I thought this was a very good book. It was a great introduction to cat shows. It seemed to review every aspect pretty thoroughly, even buying your first show cat. If you already go to cat shows and are familiar with everything there isn't really anything extra in this book. It is for the beginner only. Very easy to read though and I loved it. -Misty