Scottish Fold Australia Original Cats

Scottish Fold (osteochondrodysplasia)

The Scottish Fold is one of the rarest purebred cats in Australia. The defining feature of the breed is its ears, which fold forward. The ear fold is not present at birth but develops at 3 to 4 weeks of age. The breed was developed in Scotland by mating a queen, affected by a natural mutation, to local farm cats and British Shorthairs. Preliminary genetic analyses suggested that the defining genetic abnormality, which causes the auricular cartilage to fold, is inherited as a simple autosomal dominant trait, and the foldear allele is designated Fd.


Although fold-eared cats were first bred in 1961 and registered in 1966, there was no mention of any skeletal
deformities until 1971 when progressive bony abnormalities and a crippling lameness were recognised.1,4 Inheritance studies were based on three different types of matings: skeletally normal Folds to skeletally normal Folds, affected Folds to skeletally normal Folds, and affected Folds to normal cats. Kittens with radiological lesions were only produced from Fold-to-Fold matings.

It was inferred that affected kittens are homozygous for the Fd gene: thus normal cats are fdfd, skeletally normal Scottish Folds are Fdfd, and Scottish Folds with osteodystrophy are FdFd. It has been suggested that breeding of fold-eared cats should be limited, and if used at all, they should be mated only to normal-eared cats.

The breed was banned in England in 1974, but continued to evolve in the USA where initial imports from the UK were outcrossed to numerous other breeds.1,4,5 Fold-to-Fold matings were avoided, so only about 50% of offspring had folded ears. Kittens with normal (prick, pert or upright) ears from this type of mating are known as ‘Scottish shorthairs’ in North America and Australia (synonym: Scottish Fold S/E [straight ear], Scottish Fold variant; J Sternbeck personal communication).

A limited description of SFOCD was given initially by Jackson,5 and more details for a single case were reported recently. The earliest and most consistent finding is a tail with an abnormally thick and inflexible base. The feet are short, and the underlying skeletal changes result in reduced ability to support weight, an abnormal gait and ultimately lameness. In affected homozygous individuals, joint lesions progress until the cats are unable to walk. Lesions are evident radiographically in kittens aged 7 weeks.5 The metaphyses of metatarsal and metacarpal bones are distorted with widened physes, and similar but less marked changes are evident in phalanges.

Results Six Scottish Fold cats (four castrated males, two spayed females) aged between 5 months and 6 years were presented for signs of skeletal disease including lameness, reluctance to jump, a stiff stilted gait, short misshapen distal limbs, swelling of plantar tarsometatarsal regions and short thick inflexible tails. A further four cases (one male, three females, 15 months to 11 years) were identified by radiographic screening of a cattery.

A diagnosis of osteochondrodysplasia was based on characteristic radiological findings including irregularity in the size and shape of tarsal, carpal, metatarsal and metacarpal bones, phalanges and caudal vertebrae, narrowed joint spaces, and progressive new bone formation around joints of distal limbs with diffuse osteopenia of adjacent bone. A plantar exostosis caudal to the calcaneus was present in advanced cases. In all nine cases where pedigree information was available, affected cats allegedly originated from the mating of a Scottish Fold to a cat with normal ears.

The severity and time of onset of physical signs, and rate of progression and extent of radiographic abnormalities, varied from case to case. Limited histological observations suggested the underlying problem may be an osteochondrodysplasia, related to inadequate cartilage maturation. Clinical signs were ameliorated by administration of pentosan subcutaneously in two of three cats in which it was trialled, and one of these also benefited from an oral glycosaminoglycan preparation.

Scottish Fold (osteochondrodysplasia)

Cymric is Compact and Muscullar Cat

The Cymric is a medium sized, compact and muscular cat. The short back, which forms a smooth continuous arch from the shoulder to the round rump, and the depth of the flanks are the strongest characteristics of the breed. The Cymric is the longhaired Manx. Its type standard is the same as for the shorthaired Manx, but the
coat is dense, long, soft and silky. Males are generally larger than females.

Scientists, for their part, believe taillessness results from nothing more exotic than a mutant gene, which is no small wonder itself. The gene responsible for taillessness, though it cannot be said to have originated on the Isle of Man, was able to blossom there because the tiny island provided it with a closed environment.

Cymric Cat

HEAD - slightly longer than it is broad, with prominent cheeks which give the head a rounded appearance. There is a break at the whiskers, with whisker pads and a well-developed muzzle. Snipyness is a fault. Allowance should be made for jowls in stud males. Fairly round and large with prominent cheeks. Nose broad and straight, of medium length with a gentle break. Strong muzzle without any hint of snipyness. Firm chin and
even bite.

EARS - fairly large, rather wide at the base and tapering slightly to a rounded tip. They are angled
slightly outward and well furnished.  Fairly tall, set rather high on the head and angled outwards. Open at base tapering to a narrow, rounded tip.

EYES - large, round and full. They are set a slight angle, with the outer corner slightly higher than
the inner corner. Fairly large and round.

NOSE - broad and straight, medium to long. In
CHEEKS - prominent.
JAWS - strong, without either snipyness or too
CHIN - firm. In profile, of good depth and in a
NECK - short, muscular and reasonably thick.

BODY - medium size, solid, compact, with a broad chest, deep flanks and a short back, ending in a definite round rump which is as round as an orange. The rump is higher than the shoulders and the hindquarters cannot be too high, not the back too short. Solid, compact, with good breadth of chest and short back ending in a definite round rump. The rump to be higher than the shoulder. Flanks of great depth.

Cymric Cat

LEGS - heavily-boned, well-muscled, straight and short. The hind legs are longer than the front
legs, with powerful thighs. Of good substance with front legs short and well set to show good breadth of chest. Back legs longer than the front with powerful, deep thighs.

PAWS - round and firm. Round with neat well-rounded toes.

TAIL - must be absolutely non-existent in show specimens, emphasizing the roundness of rump. The rump area should be felt by the judge only with the palm of the hand, without probing for tail vertebrae. Rumpy (Ru): Absolute taillessness is essential. The rump should be felt to be completely rounded with no definite rise of bone or cartilage interfering with the roundness of the rump.
Rumpy Riser (Rr): A rise of bone or cartilage is allowed.
Stumpy (St): A stumpy tail with a maximum length of 5 cm is allowed. This may be straight or bent.

American Wirehair The Beautiful Cats

The standards for the American Wirehair and American Shorthair are the same, with the distinguishing
feature being the unique coarse crimped coat of the Wirehair. The American Wirehair is medium-to-large in size with the female smaller than the male.. The body should be well-knit and powerful with well developed chest and hindquarters, especially in the males. The head is broad, with cheeks especially well developed in studs. The nose and face are medium short, with eyes and ears set wide apart. The muzzle should present a squarish aspect, but should not be foreshortened.

 HEAD Medium size, broad and rounded. Rounded skull. Cheeks especially well developed in studs. Muzzle squarish and medium-short.

EARS Medium, not too large at base. Wide set. Rounded at tips. Not unduly open at base. External ear with short hair. Medium furnishings.

EYES Rounded and medium to large in size. Wide set, at a slight angle. Rounded aperture. Colour to conform with coat colour.

NOSE Medium short. Profile with a modified stop.

CHIN Strong, firm, deep and squared. .

NECK Medium short. In proportion to body, neither too short and thick nor too long and thin.

BODY Medium to large. Medium length. Medium boning. Rectangular shape, rather than slender, with broad chest, especially in males. Well rounded and in proportion; males larger than females. Well knit and powerful musculature.

LEGS Medium length with medium boning. Sturdy musculature.

PAWS Medium size and rounded.

TAIL Thick at base, tapering from a well-rounded rump to a rounded tip. The taper is slight, neither blunt nor pointed. Carried almost level with back. Medium size and length.

COAT Very dense, resilient, coarse, with crimped hair. The overall springy appearance is of more importance than the crimping of each hair. The points are weighted in this section for the appropriate coat.

American Wirehairs do best with little grooming. Combing or brushing of the hair is not recommended.  The hardest coats seem to break easiest. As they age, the coat can become brittle and break off or thin in some parts.  Straight-haired American Wirehairs have coats similar to the American Shorthair, and can be treated as such.  The skin of an American Wirehair is sensitive, so it should be kept thoroughly clean through regular bathing.  The coat is often greasy due to it’s oily skin.

The American Wirehair has prominent cheekbones with a strong, well developed chin. The nose seen in profile shows a gentle concave curve. The muzzle is well developed with a slight whisker break. Allowance for jowls in adult males. The American Wirehair’s ears are medium in size and, slightly rounded at tips. Set wide apart and slightly off the top of the head. Not unduly open at the base. Thier eyes are large, almost round, bright and clear. Set well apart, aperture has a slight upward tilt.

Turkhis Angora Species

TURKISH ANGORA SPOTED COLORS

GENERAL: all colors should be considered of equal value. Color faults such as leg barring on shaded cats, or tabby markings on smoke cats may often be present in younger cats but will gradually fade because of the way colors develop and are expressed in this breed. While lockets and buttons should not be penalized, sound color is preferred.

WHITE: pure white, no other coloring. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

BLACK: dense coal black, sound from roots to tip of fur. Free from any tinge of rust on tips or smoke undercoat. Nose leather: black. Paw pads: black or brown.

BLUE: blue, lighter shade preferred. One level tone from nose to tip of tail. Sound to the roots. A sound darker shade is more acceptable than an unsound lighter shade. Nose leather and paw pads: blue.

CREAM: one level shade of buff cream without markings. Sound to the roots. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

RED: deep, rich, clear, brilliant red; without shading, markings, or ticking. Lips and chin the same color as coat. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red.

RED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color red. Markings deep rich red. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red.

BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown.

BLUE TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale bluish ivory. Markings a very deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Warm fawn overtones or patina over the whole. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: rose.

CREAM TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color very pale cream. Markings of buff or cream sufficiently darker than the ground color to afford good contrast but remaining within the dilute color range. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

CAMEO TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color offwhite. Markings red. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: rose desirable.

CREAM CAMEO TABBY (Cream-Silver) (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color off-white. Markings cream. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: pink.

BLUE-SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale, bluish silver. Markings a deep blue affording a good contrast with ground color. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: old rose desirable. Paw pads: rose desirable.

Turkish Angora

Turkhis Anggora Cat

The ideal Turkish Angora is a balanced, graceful cat with a fine, silky coat that shimmers with every movement, in contrast to the firm, long muscular body beneath it.

HEAD: Size: small to medium, in balance with the length of the body and extremities. Shape: a medium long, smooth wedge. Allowance is to be made for jowls. Profile: two planes formed by a flat top head and the line of the nose meeting at an angle slightly above the eyes. NO BREAK.

MUZZLE: a continuation of the smooth lines of the wedge with neither pronounced whisker pad nor pinch.
EARS: large, wide at base, pointed and tuffed. Set closely together, high on the head, vertical and erect.
EYES: large, almond-shaped, slanting slightly upward with open expression.

Turkhis Anggora EYE COLOR: 

Turkhis Angora

There is no relationship between eye color and coat color, and each eye color description can include much variation within its defined spectrum, especially as cats mature. Acceptable colors include blue, which encompasses shades from sky blue to sapphire; green, which can range from gooseberry to emerald;
green-gold, which includes any gold or amber eye that carries a greenish cast or ring; amber, which can range from gold to rich copper but has no green cast or ring, and odd-eyed, with one blue eye and the other green, green-gold or amber. While no points are specifically allocated to eye color, deeper, richer tones are preferred. Odd-eyed cats should have similar depth of color in both eyes.



NOSE: medium in length.
NECK: slim, graceful and rather long.
CHIN: firm, gently rounded. Tip in profile to form perpendicular line with nose.

BODY: medium size, however, overall balance, grace and fineness of bone are more important than actual size. Males may be slightly larger than females. Body is long and slender, possessing greater depth than width, oval rather than round (not tubular). Shoulders the same width as hips. Rump slightly higher than shoulders. Finely boned with firm muscularity.

Turkhis Angora

LEGS: long. Hind legs longer than front.
PAWS: small, round and dainty. Tufts between toes preferable.
TAIL: long and tapering from a wide base to a narrow end, with a full brush.
COAT: single coated. Length of body coat varies, but tail and ruff should be long, full, finely textured and have a silk-like sheen. “Britches” should be apparent on the hind legs.
BALANCE: proportionate in all physical aspects with a graceful, lithe appearance.
PENALIZE: obviously oversized, coarse appearance.
DISQUALIFY: cobby body type. Kinked or abnormal tail. Crossed eyes.

Turkish Van High Quality Hair Markings and Best Van Pattern

The Turkish Van is a natural breed cat that originated in the rugged and climatically varied region of Lake Van, Turkey. In the Van Region, Turkish Van Cats are traditionally a solid white cat or a white cat that has colored markings of a distinctive pattern known as Van Pattern. Van Pattern restricts color on a white cat to the head and tail. The Vans are solidly built semilonghaired cat with no undercoat and display seasonal variations in coat appearance. The strength and power of these cats is evidenced in a substantial body and legs, well developed chest, and muscularity. These cats take a full 3 to 5 years to reach full maturity and development; therefore, allowances must be made for age and sex.

Despite age and sex, as adults, individuals should convey an overall impression of a well balanced and well proportioned appearance in which no feature is exaggerated to foster weakness or extremes. These cats should appear alert and healthy, and be well groomed. Males should be large and imposing, females medium to large and well balanced. These cats should not be restrained too tightly, but should be handled with a firm and gentle pressure. As they are very intelligent and alert cats, they feel more secure and perform best when allowed to stand on their own on the table (if temperament allows).

Turkish Van

Turkish Van Cats Head:
Shape: Large to medium size. Broad in males, moderately broad in females. Modified wedge with rounded contours and high cheekbones. Forehead slightly rounded. Allowances must be made for
jowling in the males. Head is slightly longer than it is wide. The face should not look foxy or rounded.
Eyes: Large, walnut to peach pit shape, set slightly oblique. Color is amber, blue or odd eyed. Moderately large, a rounded aperture slightly drawn out at the corners, set at a slant, equidistant from the outside base of the ear to the tip of the nose. Eyes should be clear, alert and expressive. Allow
for faded eye color and greenish cast to amber eyes in cats over 18 months of age. Rims are pink unless colored from random spotting.

Ears: Moderately large to large, set fairly high and well apart; the inside edge of the ear is slightly angled to the outside with the outside edge fairly straight but not necessarily in line with the side of the face; wide at the base. Tips are slightly rounded. Insides should be well feathered. Chin: Rounded somewhat, with an even bite.

Turkish Van

  
Muzzle: The muzzle is neat, rounded, and proportionate to head, with a definite but not sharp whisker break (must be felt in full-coated cats). Profile: Slight dip below eye level marked by a change in direction of hair growth. Nose has a slight downward curve, but not so pronounced as to be a Roman profile. Neck: Medium short and muscular. May have full ruff with winter coat in mature adults.

TURKISH VAN BODY:
Torso: Sturdy and long. Full chest and substantial musculature. No hard planes or angles to shape of body. The rib cage is somewhat rounded (no slab sides). Size is large and imposing in males, females
proportionately less so. Kittens do not have the hard muscular feel of adults. Mature males should exhibit marked muscular development in the neck and shoulders. Shoulders should be as far apart as head is wide. Body tapers slightly to a strong pelvis. Allow for loose skin between the back legs.
Boning: Medium, well-muscled all over. Legs and Feet: Medium length forelegs with hind legs slightly longer. Medium boned with strong trim muscles. Neat, round feet with toes tufted. Tail: The tail is a brush or plume, medium-length and in proportion to the cat. Hair is at least 2 inches long in adults with a full brush.

TURKISH VAN COAT:
Length: Semi-long with no wooly undercoat. Due to the extremes in climate of their native region, the breed carries two distinctive coat lengths and allowances must be made for the seasonal coat. The
summer coat is short, conveying the appearance of a shorthair except for feathering of tummy and britches and is not as soft. The winter coat is substantially longer and thicker. Facial fur is short. A
frontal neck ruff and full brush tail become more pronounced with age. The above description is that of a mature adult, allowances must be made for shorter coats and tail hair on kittens and young adults. Texture: Soft, with the feel of cashmere. Individual hair is fine, water resistant and has a slight stand-away quality, particularly in winter. Winter coat is fuller, longer and softer.

TURKISH VAN COLOR/PATTERN and SOLID DIVISION:
Color: Solid white cats should be free of any evidence of color. All nose leather/paw pads are pink.
Pattern: Solid white cats should be free of any evidence of pattern.

Turkish Van

  
TURKISH VAN ANY COLOR WITH WHITE DIVISIONS:
Color: White with Turkish Van Pattern markings. All traditional colors, may be tabbied or not, and are true to color description. All nose leather/paw pads are pink unless colored in patches by random spotting. Since the white spotting gene is present, you may also see white patches in the colored areas or a small white tail tip. Lockets do not apply. Pattern: Van pattern only, which is a blazed head patch and colored tail on white. Markings are ideally confined to the head and tail, but up to 20 percent of the cat (includes head and tail) may be colored with random spotting as long as it does not detract from the van pattern. A blaze (a white streak up the nose) to at least between the front edge of the ears is desirable. Allow for extended color on head or rump. Color on the tail should be continuous from base to tip. In tabbied colors, it should be ringed and darker above than below. Color may extend up rump.

TURKISH VAN PENALIZE:
General: Any evidence toward extremes (i.e., short cobbiness or svelte, fine boning); flat profile.
Particolor: Color over more than 20 percent of the cat; lack of facial blaze. Solid: Yellowing on the coat.

TURKISH VAN WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS (WW):
General: Definite nose break, poor condition. Any Color with White Divisions: Total absence of color on the head or tail; bicolor pattern. Solid: Any color other than white. Any spot of color on the body, head or tail, except that which is allowed on any other white cat of other breeds.

Turkhis Angora Clasic Color

Turkhis Angora

BLUE SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted):

ground color pale bluish silver. Markings sound blue. Patches of cream tabby or softly intermingled areas of cream tabby on both body and extremities. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: blue or old rose trimmed with blue and/or pink. Paw pads: blue or old rose and/or pink.

TABBY AND WHITE (classic, mackerel, spotted and patched, where applicable): color as defined for tabby with or without white on the face. Must have white on bib, belly and all four paws. White on at least one-third of body and white blaze on face is desirable. Tabby colors accepted are brown, silver, blue, bluesilver, red, cream, cameo and cream-cameo.

TORTOISESHELL: black with patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Presence of several shades of red acceptable. Nose leather and paw pads:
black and/or brick red.

CALICO: white with distinct patches of black and red. Tabby markings are allowed in the red patches. White predominant on underparts.



DILUTE CALICO: white with distinct patches of blue and cream. Tabby markings are allowed in the cream patches. White predominant on underparts.

BLUE-CREAM: blue with patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Lighter shades preferred. Nose leather and paw pads: blue and/or pink.

Alpine Lynx and Desert Lynx Populations In Europe

The Austrian Alps form a major link between the two apparently striving Alpine Lynx and Desert Lynx populations in Slovenia and Switzerland, both populations being based on re-introductions in the 1970’ties. At the same time lynx were re-introduced into Austria. Nevertheless the Austrian Alps still seem to be inhabited by some individual lynx rather than by a continuous lynx population. But as data on the Austrian population is poor, there has to be some uncertainty about the status and distribution of this lynx population. At the first Conference on the Status and Conservation of the Alpine Lynx and Desert lynx Population (SCALP) in Engelberg (Council of Europe 1998) in 1995 the need for more careful and intensive monitoring schemes was stressed. Such a monitoring system still has yet to be established for Austria.

Alpine Lynx

While monitoring the lynx population is in most countries of the Alpine arc coordinated nationwide by a governmental or governmental-related organization, there is no such structure for a nationwide uniform collection of records of lynx presence in Austria. Efforts to monitor the distribution and the development of the Austrian lynx population are currently conducted by regional hunting associations, locally operating NGOs or are dependent on voluntary, private initiatives. Therefore, the setting up of a uniform monitoring system should be a priority.

Compared to other countries, Germany shares a very small portion of the Alpine arc. However, Germany could play an important role in the long-term goal to re-establish lynx over the whole Alpine arc by linking the two existing populations in the East (Slovenia) and West (Switzerland/France). Because of its central location, it would be important that Germany starts to play a more active role in lynx conservation in the Alps. Conservation strategies and possible actions need to be assessed in the near future.

Desert Lynx Cat

Italy plays an important role for the future of the lynx in the Alps, as its territory connects the two vital populations from Slovenia and Switzerland. Up to today, few individuals immigrated into Italy where they established two occurrences in the south-eastern and in the north-western Italian Alps. The immigration from Slovenia and Switzerland is rather slow, that’s why re-introductions should be considered as a necessary step to establish a vital population in Italy. Such a process needs time, as it cannot be carried out without the large consent of rural people, especially hunters and sheep breeders. Priority should be given to the expansion of the existing occurrences.

The lynx occurrence of Slovenia is of great importance for the natural re-colonisation of the Alps. Apart from the freeways, there are no barriers to hinder lynx dispersal. However, we estimated the number of lynx in the Slovenian Alps at 10 individuals only. The future of the lynx in the Slovenian Alps depends on the immigration from southern Slovenia, the Kocevsko and Notranjska where lynx have been re-introduced, as well as from the situation in neighbouring Croatia. Recently, the core area of the lynx population has shifted slightly westwards. However, the size of the area permanently occupied has not increased.

In contrast, the fact that the hunting quota has not been reached since 1992 even though the quotas were set considerably lower than in the previous pentad indicates that the number of lynx has decreased. In the Slovenian Alps west of the freeway Jesenice-Ljubljana-Trst livestock husbandry is most common. This is also the area where Alpine Lynx and Desert lynx predation on sheep occurs more often than in southern Slovenia. There is a great need to prepare a national action and management plan for the conservation of the lynx.

Desert Lynx

For conflict species such as the lynx, the definition of its legal status is not enough for a proper management aiming to conserve the species in a given area, as conflicts about lynx always lead to illegal killings. At the time being, poaching is the greatest threat to the persistence/expansion of all lynx occurrences in the Alps.
In the past 100 years, many parts of the Alps have seen a decline in the human presence and the prey base can again be considered excellent. Today, the Alps are a more suited living space for the lynx than in the 19th century, and the lynx has shown us that it can perfectly live in this human dominated landscape.

However, the lynx needs support to regain the once lost territory and our tolerance to survive there. Therefore, the survival of the lynx in the Alps is less a question of the ecological conditions than of the co-existence with the people living in the same area. Any conservation or management strategy must consider human dimension aspects as a priority. The future of the lynx in the Alps depends on cross-border co-operation between the Alpine countries. But most importantly, the success will depend on the ability to find a consensus with all interest groups on a local level!

Alpine Lynx Cat History Alpine Lynx Kittens

The common belief that Alpine Lynx Cat inhabit only forested areas is only partly true. In Europe and Siberia, they live indeed in large deciduous, mixed, or coniferous forests. In central Asia, however, Alpine lynx also inhabit quite open and sparsely wooded regions, including areas outside the wooded belt and above the permanent timberline (Breitenmoser et al. 2000). In the Alps, the extended forests of the montane and sub-alpine zones are the Alpine  lynx’ preferred living space. Areas above the timberline are not permanently occupied, and the high Alpine ridges with permanent snow and glaciers are considerable barriers to the expansion of the existing adapt to the more open parts of the Alps. Alpine Lynx Cat Females in the north-western Swiss Alps have reproduced in home-ranges with a forest cover of not more than 25-30 per cent (Breitenmoser-Würsten et al. in press). This semi-open landscape provides still good cover habitat and – compared to the bottom of the valleys – a reduced human presence. In addition, this altitude corresponds very often with the highest chamois abundance; a good prey base is at least as important as forest cover.

Alpine  Lynx Cat

Lynx are solitary living animals, except for females with the offspring of the year. Usually home ranges of males overlap at the edges to a certain extent, whereas ranges of neighbouring females overlap only slightly if ever (Haller and Breitenmoser 1986, Haller 1992). Generally, adult males share their home ranges with one or two, rarely more females. Home range sizes vary considerably depending on habitat type, composition of prey community, and density of prey. Studies based on telemetry resulted in precise estimates of Alpine lynx home ranges in the Swiss Alps: 71 – 450 km 2 for males and 45 – 197 km 2 for females (100% convex polygon; Haller and Breitenmoser 1986, Breitenmoser-Würsten et al. in press). In southern Slovenia, home ranges of 2 male and 2 female lynx ranged from 132 – 222 km 2 (Stanisa 1996).

Alpine Lynx Food Ecology

Many different items can be found in the lynx’ diet, however, the staple food of lynx in the Alps are ungulates, mainly roe deer and chamois (Breitenmoser and Haller 1987). In the eastern Alps, lynx predation on red deer has been observed regularly (Gossow and Honsig-erlenburg 1988, Molinari 1998). Lynx prey also on livestock, mainly sheep, goats and farmed fallow deer (Angst et al. 2000; see also status reports of Switzerland and Slovenia).

A lynx’ consumption rate averages 1-2.5 kg of meat per day. If undisturbed, they return to a kill until all edible parts are consumed. On average, lynx kill between 50-70 ungulates a year, depending on species, age and sex of the prey. The influence of lynx predation on a local ungulate community depends on the structure of the prey community, number and social structure of the lynx population, other causes of prey mortality like disease or hunting, presence of competitors and scavengers as well as landscape. In addition, the impact of predation may change considerably over time. Recent studies (Filonov 1980, Breitenmoser und Haller 1987, Okarma et al. 1997, Jobin 1998) have shown that roe deer mortality caused by lynx predation can be as low as 2%, but may reach locally 41%.

Alpine Lynx

The predation mortality needs to be interpreted in a wider context though; it has to be compared to all other mortalities or the prey population dynamics. Even a predation mortality of 30% does not necessarily lead to a decrease in roe deer density, if the population can compensate for this mortality. Nevertheless, few studies (e.g. Haller 1992) have shown that the quantitative impact of the Alpine lynx may cause locally a great reduction of the roe deer density. In other regions, the development of a lynx population did not hinder a considerable increase in roe deer populations (Stahl et al. 2001a). Besides, predation may also have a qualitative impact on prey populations.

In the presence of predators prey individuals may change their dispersion, their social organisation and behaviour. By influencing behavioural mechanisms e.g. by inducing competition for predator-safe space indirect effects of predation may reduce the carrying capacity for prey. However, at the time being we do not have enough case studies to draw a general picture about the significance of lynx predation for the prey populations.

Reproduction

Mating takes place from February to mid-April. Kittens are born after 67-74 days, usually in late May. Litter size is generally 2 or 3 (range 0-5). Kittens follow their mother until the next mating season. They leave the mother at the age of around 11 months, when they have a weight of 9-14 kg. Mean dispersal distance of lynx in the Swiss Alps averaged 26 km (Zimmermann, unpubl. data). In nature, lynx were reported to live up to 15 years, but the average age of adult lynx is 4.5 years (n = 52, KORA, unpubl. data). Besides, the natural mortality among juvenile lynx is high (Breitenmoser et al. 2000). Currently, the most important known mortality factors of lynx in the Alps are traffic accidents and illegal killings. Even though a viable lynx population will tolerate a controlled harvest, in Switzerland and Slovenia over-hunting or illegal killing have been considered to be the reason for the halt of the expansion or even the decline of local populations.

 Lynx Cat

Population

Under natural conditions, lynx density is obviously regulated by prey availability and social interactions among Alpine lynx. Up to now, there is no evidence for the effect of diseases or intrinsic factors on the population dynamics of lynx in the Alps, although, in the Swiss Alps, sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabies) caused a few losses. In the Alps, illegal killings are the most important limiting factor of lynx density.

The density of self-provisioning lynx ranged from 1,2-2.1 individuals/100 km² in a local occurrence of the Swiss Alps (Haller and Breitenmoser 1986, Breitenmoser-Würsten et al. in press). As a consequence of its specialised feeding habits, the lynx shows numeric reaction to changes in prey base (KORA, unpubl. data, Stanisa, pers. com.).

Siberian Cat Domestic Breed From Russia

The Siberian Cat is a domestic cat breed from Russia. The Siberian Cat, that has similarities with breeds Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat, is a natural breed and the national cat of Russia. It is said to be hypoallergenic and produces less Fel d1 than other cat breeds.

Siberian Cat History

The Siberian Cat was first mentioned in a book by Harrison Wier, which included information of the earliest cat shows in England in 1871. The cat was first imported to the United States in 1990, and despite the popularity, the breed is slightly rare in the US. The cat was registered by the Kotofei cat club in St. Petersburg in 1987. This Siberian Cat, Dorofei, is owned by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. WBZ-AM talk radio host Steve LeVeille mentions his Siberian "Max" on his Boston-based program.

Siberian Cat

Siberian Cat Characteristics
The Siberian Cat is very dog-like. They are loyal cats that will come to greet you with their unique triple purr. This Siberian Cat breed appears to be fascinated with water and they are likely to drop toys in it. They are a friendly breed, good with dogs, energetic, and smart.

Siberian Cat Body
Known to be an exceptionally agile jumper, the Siberian Cat is a strong and powerfully built cat, with strong hindquarters and large, well rounded paws. They have barrel chests and medium sized ears, broad foreheads, and stockier builds than other cats.

Siberian Cat Hypo-allergenic
Hypoallergenic qualities of the Siberian coat have been noted and commented on for almost ten years. While there is little scientific evidence, breeders and pet owners claim that Siberians can be hypoallergenic to many allergy sufferers. Since females of all feline breeds produce lower levels of Fel d1, Breeders often suggest that allergic families adopt female cats. If you are allergic, it is wisest to check your reactivity directly with the parent cats from whom you plan to adopt a kitten. Many people believe that the breed produces less Fel d1, the primary allergen present on cats.

In 1999 Indoor Biotechnologies tested the fur of four cats for Fel d 1; a mixed breed, two Siberians, and an Abyssinian. The results showed the Siberian and Abyssinian cat fur as having lower Fel d 1 levels than the mixed breed cat. Indoor Biotechnologies cautions that the Siberian levels were still high, and that the mixed breed sample was "exceptionally high." Indoor Biotechnologies warns against using these results to make decisions of pet ownership.

Siberian Cat

This "test" of fur levels is shown on many Siberian breeder websites as "proof" the breed is hypoallergenic. The sample size is below statistical significance, was submitted by a Siberian breeder, and as mentioned, one cat was found to have Fel d1 allergen levels of 62,813 micrograms (roughly 60x higher than any published
professional study).

A not-for-profit association of breeders, (Siberian Research Inc), was founded in 2005 to study allergen levels and genetic diseases in the Siberian breed. As of March 2010, fur and saliva samples from over 300 Siberians have been submitted for analysis, many directly from a veterinarian. Salivary Fel d1 allergen levels in Siberians ranged from 0.08-27 mcg per ml of saliva, while fur levels ranged from 5-1300 mcg. The
high-end of these ranges is very consistent with results from prior studies, though the low end is below expected results.

All Siberians tested were found to produce some Fel d1, with the highest levels being found in Siberians that were "Silver" colored. About half of Siberians were found to have Fel d1 levels lower than other breeds, while under twenty percent would be considered very low. Within the low group, males and females had comparable allergen levels.

Siberian Cat

Siberians express the three natural types of feline fur: guard hairs, awn hairs, and down. These three layers protect the cat from the Russian weather extremes, and provide a hearty, easy to care for coat today. The fur is textured but glossy, which means matting is rare. A twice weekly combing is enough to keep the coat in good condition.

As with most other cat breeds, color varieties of the Siberian vary and all colors, such as tabby, solid, tortoiseshell and colorpoint, are genetically possible. The Siberian cat breed does not have any unusual, distinct, or unique fur colorations or patterns. Most breeders, enthusiasts, organizations, main registries such as GCCF, TICA and the WCF, and countries accept the color point coloration as being a natural Siberian.
Color point Siberians are also known as "Neva-Masquerade". Neva for the river where they are said to have originated, and masquerade, for the mask.

Siberian cats molt once, sometimes twice, a year. The first molt is at the end of winter. The winter molt is instigated not by a change in temperature but by a change in day length. Many Siberians will experience a less intense "mini molt" at the end of the summer season. Perhaps this molt was intended to rid the fur of brambles and briars in the coat in preparation for the development of the heavy winter coat.

Siberian Cat Reproduction
Siberian cats tend to come into reproductive readiness earlier than other breeds, sometimes as young as five months. It is thought that this is related to the breed's closeness to its natural wild state. Feral cats have difficult lives, often dying young. Therefore, it is a genetic advantage to achieve reproductive ability early and to have large litters. On average, a Siberian litter consists of five to six kittens, as compared to the average litter of three to four kittens in breeds who have been registered as pedigreed cats for many decades. Occasionally, Siberian litters consist of as few as one and as many as nine kittens.

Siberian cats are excellent parents, with the fathers helping to care for kittens if they are allowed access to the nest. Parents are often strongly bonded, and some mothers will only mate with one male. Even teenage male Siberians have been seen cuddling and grooming their cousins and siblings. This friendly, caring characteristic translates into a breed of cat who makes a wonderful household pet. Siberians, due to their communal nature, are often happier in pairs. Having a cat buddy to live with ensures Siberians remain active, engaged, and emotionally healthy their whole lives.

If a Siberian is not desexed, some queens (females) have been noted to have litters as late as nine or ten years. However, kitten mortality is generally lower when the queens are between 18 months and five or six years of age. This is due to several factors: physical and emotional maturation of the female, health and vitality of the queen, and nature's predisposition to healthier offspring from younger mothers.

Bobcat North American Bobcat In Habitats

The bobcat gets its name from its short tail (about 5 inches long) that is dark above and white below, coloring that may serve a signaling function. The bobcat’s fur is short, dense and soft and is light brown to reddish brown on the back. The underside and insides of the legs are white with dark spots or bars. The fur down the middle of the back may be darker, and bobcats may be grayer in the winter than at other times of the year. Adult bobcats are about two times as large as a domestic cat, standing 20 inches to 30 inches at the shoulder.
Adult weights range from 10 to 40 pounds, with males being about one third larger than females.

Bobcat

 Early settlers were fascinated with the bobcat (sometimes called wildcat) and especially with its elusive, solitary and wily habits. Settlers called the bobcat “ol’ spitfire,” “lightning” and “woods ghost,” among other names. Some even believed various parts of its body possessed special healing powers. These and other superstitions circulated by the early settlers in America were born out of inspiration, fear and awe of the bobcat. The bobcat’s secretive nature, its cunning and its toughness continue to fascinate people today.

History and Status
Throughout the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries, bobcats were thought to be a threat to livestock and game animals. During that period bounties were widespread in the United States and bobcat pelts were worth little in the fur industry. During the 1970s, when large spotted cats became protected by the U.S. Endangered Species Act and The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the value of bobcat pelts dramatically increased.

Bobcats are currently managed by state wildlife departments and the export of their pelts out of the country is monitored and controlled by the federal government. Bobcat populations in both the United States and North Carolina, with the exception of heavily farmed and densely populated areas, appear to be stable to increasing.

Bobcat

Habitat

Although bobcats are found in a wide range of habitats in North Carolina, wooded habitats of the Coastal Plain and mountains support the largest numbers. Bottomland hardwoods, young pine stands, swamps and pocosins provide good bobcat habitation in eastern North Carolina. In the mountains, mature forests with openings or early successional forests nearby are favored. Hollow trees, rock piles, brush piles, root masses of uprooted trees or similar sites are common bobcat dens.

The bobcat is a carnivore that favors early successional prey such as rabbits and mice. Bobcats are excellent runners and climbers and are also very adept at swimming. Their paws have four toes apiece, each with retractable claws that are razor sharp. They also have long, sharp canine teeth adapted for seizing prey. In addition to these hunting tools, the bobcat has excellent vision and hearing and also a very good sense of smell. The thin pupil in the bobcat’s eye expands and becomes large and round in darkness, an advantage
for a night hunting species. Tufts of hair that extend beyond the ears may assist the animal in pinpointing the faint sounds of small prey. Bobcats are active year-round and can be active day or night, but tend to exhibit crepuscular (dawn and dusk) activity. Other animals they eat include rabbits, rodents,squirrels, opossums,
birds, snakes and deer. Bobcats are solitary except during the breeding season, which usually occurs during February or March. Two to four kittens are born in May.

Bobcats are very adaptable and will use a wide variety of habitats, enabling them to live close to people. However, due to their secretive behaviors, they often go undetected. The bobcat is the only wild cat found in North Carolina. Because the bobcat population is abundant, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) authorizes a sustainable hunting and trapping season in all regions of the state. Despite declining fur prices, the pelt of a bobcat is still highly valued since the bobcat is a highly valuable natural resource in North Carolina.

Bobcat Populationslike other wildlife populations in North Carolina, have rebounded over the past 50 years, thanks to habitat restoration and the implementation of hunting and trapping regulations. Bobcat populations continue to increase and bobcats are now distributed throughout the state. While the bobcat prefers woodlands, it can live in variety of habitats. Its main limitation is the availability of den sites and escape cover, as well as abundance of prey populations. Landowners can maintain or create habitat for bobcats by managing their land for small game populations, such as rabbits and squirrels, and maintaining brush piles, which can serve as escape cover and den sites for bobcats and their young.

Bobcats rarely cause conflicts with people or their activities, though they infrequently kill domestic livestock,
such as poultry, sheep or goats, and attack domestic cats. While bobcats may appear in close proximity to
development, they are generally wary of people and often run away when detected by people.

Their presence alone in a neighborhood is not a cause for concern. In fact, due to their elusive nature, it is a rarity to see a bobcat. If you see a bobcat, consider yourself among the privileged few to see North Carolina’s only wild cat

Range and Distribution
Bobcats are territorial and have large home ranges, depending on habitat quality and the bobcat’s sex and age. Home ranges may cover a half mile to 30 square miles with male ranges being two to five times larger
than female ranges. In North Carolina, the bobcat can be found in all regions of the state.

Wild Facts
Bobcat Classification
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Bobcat Average Size
Length: 24-40 in. including tail Weight (N.C.): 10-30 lbs. with males about one third larger than females.

Bobcat Food
Rabbits, many different species of birds, cotton rats, white-tailed deer, rodents, gray squirrels, raccoons, opossums and snakes. Bobcats will also occasionally take farm animals.

Bobcat Breeding
Sexually mature in 1-2 years. Mating usually takes place in late winter or early spring, but bobcats can mate any time during the year.

Bobcat Young Called kittens. Gestation period about 62 days. Average litter size is 2-4 kittens. Weight at birth is from 10-12 ounces. Bobcats normally produce one litter a year, but two are possible. Kittens are
furred, but blind at birth. Their eyes open in 3-10 days, and by 4 weeks they begin to explore the area around the den. They are weaned by 7-8 weeks of age.

Life Expectancy
Average 3-4 years for males and 4-5 years for females. Few live longer than 10 years.

Pixiebob North American Bobcat Breed and Breeders

The Pixiebob (PB) is a domestic cat with a visual similarity to the North American Bobcat yet a loving, trusting, tractable nature. The Pixiebob Longhair (PL) is the longhaired version of this breed. Pixie-Bobs can be large but on average reach around 5 kg (11 lbs), similar to good sized domestic cats, with only very few breeders producing consistently large cats. Males are usually larger than females. For example males from Anson Road Pixie Bobs in Europe can reach in excess of 10 kg (22 lbs) in weight  and their females reaching 8,5 kg (19 lb). Bobcat Legends Pixie Bobs in Texas, USA also produce exceptionally large PixieBobs by comparison to most Pixie Bob breeders.

The average domestic cat weighs just under 10 lb or 4.5 kg. Most Pixie-Bobs have black fur and skin on the bottom of their paws, tipped ears, heavy ear hair, black lips, and white fur around the eyes but with black eye skin. Their chins have white fur, but often have black skin under the white fur. Some of their whiskers change from Black (root - about 25%) to White (to the tip - about 75% of the whisker). Bobcat-like fur pattern, but often have reddish tones mixed in. Stomach is often reddish-gold in color with some ticking (broken stripes). Most are short-haired, but some are long-haired.

Pixiebob

The goal of the Pixiebob breeding program is to create a domestic cat with a visualsimilarity to the North American Bobcat. This wild look does not reflect the true nature of the cat, which is loving, trustworthy, and
tractable. The Pixiebob comes in the shorthair and longhair varieties. The Pixiebob has an inverted pear-shaped head, heavily hooded eyes, strong muzzle and chin. Strong heavy muscular body with substantial
boning, like the North American Bobcat. Females are proportionately smaller than the males.
Pixiebob Head:
Shape and Size: Medium to large inverted wide pear; slightly rounded (convex) look.

Ears: Medium in height, wide, deep base. Set as much on side as on top of head, with slight outward tilt. Top of ear rounded with lynx tips preferred. Paler thumb prints on back of ears.

Eyes: Medium-sized, soft triangle. The heavy hooded bushy brow is one side of the triangle; the almost straight line downward on the inside corner of the eye (closest to the nose break), is the second side of the triangle and the bottom line of the eye, which slants upward toward the ear, is the third side of the triangle. Deep set, one eye-width apart, it is common for the Pixiebob to appear to be half asleep, gazing through partially closed eyes. Appearance of heavy fur above eye (brow). Eye makeup, there must be a band of cream or white directly surrounding the eye. Mascara must follow the corner of the eye downwards to the cheeks. G old to brown color preferred, Gooseberry Green accepted.

Chin: Well-developed, fleshy with coarse fuzzy fur, In alignment with the tip of the nose, depth of chin
obvious.
Muzzle: Full broad muzzle with definite break, and depth. Fleshy whisker pads. NOTE: Description of
Nose/M uzzle/Chin - Soft- sided diamond from bridge of nose to chin.
Nose: Wide, slightly convex, with large nose leather. Brick in color. Slight nose bump.

Pixiebob

Pixiebob Body :
Torso: Substantial and rangy, but with great depth. Medium to large in size. Females are proportionately smaller than males. Prominent shoulder blades producing a rolling gait. The back is not level, dip behind shoulder, upward slope slightly toward hips. Hips are medium width, prominent, slightly higher than shoulders with a long sloping croup to tail. The flank is deep and powerful, the chest is broad well-developed. Primordial belly pouch on both males and females.

Legs: Long with heavy boning and muscular.
Feet: Large, long and wide, almost round, with big knuckles and fleshy toes. Polydactyl allowed, seven toes maximum. Leg and wrist must be straight when viewed from the front. All toes must rest on the floor pointing forward. Foot must appear sound.
Tail: Articulated tail is desirable, however, kinks and curls are acceptable. Minimum of 2 inches in length, (approximately thumb length). Maximum to the hock, when hind leg is fully extended. Bone length determines the length of the tail. When relaxed, tail should be carried low.
Musculature: Heavy muscular build.
Boning: Heavy, dense boning.

Pixiebob Miscellaneous: Seasonal coat changes effect, color, length and depth in short and longhair varieties. Hot weather reduces all but the ground color, which is intensified, in summer season. Winter season will give coat a Frosted appearance.

Pixiebob Pattern : Small spots with or without rosettes, (broken mackerel pattern allowed) greatly muted by heavy ticking. Random spotting preferred. Belly must be spotted. In the summer time, the pattern is more easily seen than in the winter, when it is muted out. Pattern is secondary to type.

Pixiebob Color : Light to medium shades of b rown spo t ted tabby wit h warm/reddish tones preferred,
broken mackerel (muted) spotting accepted. The agouti hair must have several bands of color. Wild hare
appearance has a mandatory mouse base coat with reversed ticking having the lightest band at the top
and ending in a darker band near the skin. Medium to dark brown bands for the spotting. Light bands at the
tips of each hair giving a frosted appearance to the coat, heavier in the winter. Chin to belly to inner legs
should be off white to creamy color with mouse gray base. Pale or light color belly to neck. Paw pads to the
hocks, must be dark brown/black. End of tail should be dark brown/black. Coat Color is secondary to type.

Toyger Cat High Quality Markings and Color

The Toyger cat is a designer cat: a loving, glittered, medium sized domestic shorthair companion cat reminiscent of the big cats in pattern, type, confidence and movement. Designed with the experience of active cat ownership in the modern urban setting foremost in mind, this cat must be a uniquely beautiful and engaging companion, willing and able to thrive in a human centered life. Thus, companionability traits, such as, but not limited to, dependable, quiet temperament; laid-back personality, intelligent and easily trained and handled; good athletic ability; stately movement; excellent health and longevity are all important and desirable and must be considered an integral part of the breed profile, breeding program and genetic makeup of the Toyger cat.

Toyger Cat

Toyger Cat Allowances :
Toyger Cat females may be somewhat smaller and less muscular than males and may exhibit no head ruff. Well-muscled males may lack shoulder to neck definition. Kittens may be somewhat longer coated, be less rufused and be rather uncoordinated. Color may vary somewhat in intensity seasonally.

Toyger Cat Penalize :
Classic alignment of mackerel stripes on body (strongly suggesting a bulls eye or curved lines). Substantially darker markings on points. A dorsal stripe. Traditional tabby face markings ONLY. No glitter. Narrow nose leather. Excessive size or unmuscled bulk. Lockets.

Toyger Cat Withhold  All Awards (WW): Ticked fur that obscures markings. Belly or chest not marked. Tail tip not black. Blue eyes.

Toyger Cat Disqualify (DQ): Mouth alignment not proper

Toyger Cat

Toyger Cat Head :
Shape: Medium-sized. Long, broad and deep. Side view: 1/2 hexagon as defined by angle change points of chin, nose, forehead and back skull. All contours well-defined, muscular and rounded.
Ears: Rounded. Small preferred. Set as much on the side as on the top. Thickly furred temples and ears preferred. Lynx tipping undesirable.
 
Eyes: Small to medium, circular with gentle hooding of upper inside. Set back into face, and on slight bias toward base of ear. Rich deep color preferred.
Chin: Very strong. Deep, wide. Bite must be correct.
Muzzle: Medium length to long and deep with well-defined, rounded muscular contours. Full face view: a long inverted heart shape from forehead to rounded whisker pads.
 
Nose: Muscular, long, and rounded, widening toward end to at least as wide as the space between the eyes. Greater nose leather width is preferred, depth is shallow.
Profile: Biplaner: angle change above the eyes. A slightly concave nose line acceptable.
Neck: Long and muscular.

Toyger Cat Body :
Torso: Medium to deep, long and muscular with rolling contours; strong and robust but not blocky. Strength is in the forequarters. Shoulders may interrupt top line. Chest is broad and deep, never interrupting neckline from head to foreleg. Legs and Feet: Medium length such that the space between the ground and the body is
equal to the depth of the torso. Legs as long in back as in front. Long toed, well knuckled feet seem large.
Tail: Very long and muscular with blunt, rounded tip; rope-like. Set low and carried low.
Boning: Very large, dense, robust; never delicate.
Musculature: Very muscular and athletic looking, especially in young males.

Toyger Cat Coat :
Length: Coat is short except: markings may be slightly but uniformly longer than ground colored fur on body for a sculpted effect. Longer temple and jowl ruff fur is preferred.
Texture/Density: Fur is thick, luxurious and unusually soft, plush but resilient.
Glitter: Some glitter required. The more the better without undue loss of contrast or whited ground.

Toyger Cat

Toyger Cat Color : Tabby markings shall be virtually black to brown or even tan. Very dark markings on a richly colored rufused ground is preferred. Markings uniformly dark from tip of hair to skin are preferred. Mouse colored undercoat is acceptable. Whited ground color shall be as uniformly light to as white as possible and appears as per pattern requirements below.

Contrast: All colors next to each other should be as different in value as possible. The visibly noticeable difference in color and value between two coat colors should be great or high between the tabby markings and the background color, and high between the dorsal orange background ground color and ventral whited background ground color, and high between the dark ear color and the lighter "thumb print," and high between the whited ground color of parts of the face and its modified tabby markings.

Toyger Cat Pattern :
Markings pattern: Modified mackerel tabby. The contrast of markings to ground pattern must be extreme and distinct; giving a clear, sharply edged pattern. Ground pattern: A modified dorsal (upper and outer), colored ground with a ventral (inner and under) whited ground as described and excepted below. Edges of ground areas should be distinct with contrast.

Body: Body stripes shall generally be vertically aligned with encircling markings on neck, legs and tail. Bold, braided, nonuniform stripes including stretched rosettes are preferred. Some stretched spots are acceptable. Belly and inside of legs must be marked. Whited ground shall include ventral areas of belly, underside of base of tail, insides of legs, and chest. Spillage or wrap of whited ground onto lower sides, backs of legs and sides of chest for a greater amount of visibility is desirable. Paw pads and tail tip must be black. Face and Head: Facial stripes and markings shall be circularly aligned around the face.

Preference shall be given to forehead butterfly markings and to encircling jowl markings. Traditional tabby markings moving radially away from the face for any distance are undesirable. Whited ground areas shall include throat, chin, outer parts of jowls and cheeks, and lower part of whisker pads as well as areas around and over eyes, spilling upward onto temples and forehead. Ears having dark backs, with a lighter to virtually white "thumb mark" desirable. Black mascara, lipstick and whisker spot markings and white spectacles are desirable.

S I N G A P U R A CAT DOMESTIC CATS

Overall impression of the ideal Singapura Cat is a medium to small, compact cat with a striking face dominated by large eyes and ears. The intensely ticked coat has a muted iridescent quality giving the impression of refined and delicate coloring. The ideal Singapura cat does not bear a strong resemblance to any other recognized breed This is not a long-bodied cat, nor should the torso be tubular. Males are proportionally larger than females. All Singapura Cats should have a lively interest in the surroundings and are, above all, outgoing, gentle cats, amenable to handling, well-balanced physically and of sound health.

Singapura Cat

S I N G A P U R A CAT PENALIZE:
Small ears, small eyes, springy or plush coat, coldness and predominant gray tones, lack of leg barring, prominent outer front leg barring, dark necklaces, protruding eyes, too short a muzzle, anything more than a
slight indentation as a nose stop, nonvisible tail faults.

S I N G A P U R A CAT WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS (WW):
Unbroken necklaces and circular leg bracelets, barring on the tail, white lockets, definite blue or aqua eyes,
unticked top of head, removed ear furnishings. Paw pad or tail tip color inconsistent with sepia category. Lack of any ticking (a solid cat).

S I N G A P U R A CAT DISQUALIFY (DQ):
Visibly kinked tail. Undershot or overshot jaw, or any malocclusion of the jaws.

Singapura Cat

S I N G A P U R A CAT HEAD:
Shape: The skull should be rounded in both directions, not domed, not flat, with rounded width at the outer eye and well balanced with the rest of the cat, of medium length and in proportion to the muzzle length. Proper width at the eyes and through the muzzle will give an impression of “high cheekbones” when combined with the roundness of the head. There should be a smooth flow from the nose bridge over the top of the head. Proper head type is a very important consideration when judging this breed. Allowance for jowls in adult
males.

Muzzle: The muzzle is medium short in length and is broad, with a blunt nose. There should be a definite though not extreme whisker break. The muzzle should not be slender or pointy, or appear “foxy”.

Chin: The chin is well-developed, rounded and not noticeably receding or projecting.
Ears: Large with an alert appearance, slightly to moderately pointed, wide open at the base with a deep cup. The deep cupping of the base of the ear leather is an important contributor to their large appearance, and
a narrow or shallow base is undesirable. Set is medium broad. Definite light colored ear furnishings.

Eyes: Large eyes in an almond setting, neither protruding nor receding, giving neither a rounded nor oriental
appearance. The eyes are accented by a darker lid skin encircled by a light-colored area and facial markings highlighting the eyes. Eyes not set less than an eye's width apart. Color shading to Celadon green, hazel, green, gold or copper with brilliance preferred. Blue eyes are not permitted.

Neck: Short and thick.
Profile: There should be a short, curved rise to the nose between the brow and muzzle with a very slight stop below eye level. Not to be considered a break, this is a slight indentation marking the transition to the muzzle.

S I N G A P U R A CAT BODY:
Torso: Medium to small, neither cobby nor rangy. The body, legs and floor should form a square when viewed from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail. Mid-section not tucked but firm. Rib cage rounded, back slightly arched. Legs and Feet: Legs heavy and well-muscled at the body, tapering to a fine lower leg boning with small, short, oval feet.

Tail: Length to be short of the shoulder when laid along the torso. It tends toward slender but is not whippy
and ends with a blunt tip.
Boning/Musculature: A Singapura cat ismuscular, but should not be a fat cat, and excess weight is undesirable. The overall impression is of a moderately stocky and muscular cat, solid to the feel especially through the neck and chest.

Singapura Cat

S I N G A P U R A CAT COAT:
Length/Texture: Fine texture, not plush or springy, lying close to the body. Not an oriental "painted on coat", but one which can carry sufficient bands of ticking. Allowance for slightly thicker or longer coat in kittens. Woolliness where the ticking is most intense.

Pattern: Ticked tabby, with four or more alternating bands of light and dark color. At least two bands of dark with the outer tip band dark and the lightest band next to the skin. Outer part of the body has less noticeable ticking. The most intense ticking is across the upper back allowing for a fully ticked, dark spine line. Space between ears can be dark but must be ticked. Underside of body usually appears unticked. Ticking should
exhibit intense contrast and is a most important feature of this breed. Barring on the inner front legs and on the back knees is another important feature and should be readily apparent. Allowance to be made for slow development of faint barring in immature cats. Barring on the outer front legs is a fault. Well-defined facial markings should set off the eyes in contrast to the lighter base color. Curved "puma lines" extending from the inside eye corners onto the cheeks are preferred. A definite tabby "M" is the only forehead pattern allowed. Dark spine line is not a fault.

Color: Rich sable ticking only. Ground color a warm "old ivory" tending to yellow tones. Muzzle, chin, chest and stomach the color of unbleached muslin. Nose leather a pale to dark salmon. Eyeliner, nose outline, whisker apertures, hair between the toes to be dark brown. Paw pads to be dark seal brown with rosy
undertones allowed. Tail tip to be dark seal brown. Salmon tones to the ears and bridge of nose desirable. The preferred color effect is of a warm, glowing, lightly shaded, richly ticked cat with strongly contrasting markings. Coldness and gray tones are not desirable, but allowance may be made for kittens because warmth generally improves with age.