2014 Show: Judges' Reports - Isobel Johnstone

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Dr Isobel Johnstone

I wish to congratulate the Palmerston North Cat Club for running a very successful two day show for their 60th anniversary.  The organisation was excellent with everything running very smoothly, at least from my point of view as a judge. It was a very friendly show with a gratifyingly large number of cats entered which was a tribute to the club.  My judging experience was just so much fun as the temperament of all the cats was so good with many purring and interacting in a very friendly manner much to the delight of the audience.  My stewards were just so efficient and helpful and worked hard all day which ensured the efficiency of judging and all judges were able to keep to the judging timetable.
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My top Longhair cat and kitten were both Exotics and I was please to see that the Persian and exotic nostrils have increase in size as the breeders are working hard to achieve this now that it has been realised that the nostrils did get too small for the welfare of the cats. My best neuter/spay cat was a Birman and the kitten a bicolour Ragdoll, both with very good type and pattern. There was a big entry of Birmans and all had a wonderful temperament with many playing on the judging table to the delight of everyone.  There type and patterning was excellent and made choosing the best very difficult.

My top shorthair cat was a British shorthair blue tortie bicolour, the kitten a chocolate shaded silver Burmilla, and both had the boning structure and type for their breed. The neuter/spay cat a blue Burmese and the kitten a Bengal of the most wonderful temperament who just played and played on the judging table. As the Bengal breed originally had temperament issues this is a credit to Bengal breeders to see such good temperament.

The overall standard of the cats at the show was very good with excellent type and colour. However,  I noted that it was in some breeds that there was an issue with correct eye shape and size and breeders need to be aware of this as correct eye shape and size are just so important for the correct look of the breed.
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Once again I congratulate the show committee for their very competent organisation of this show and to make it such a friendly and enjoyable show for all.  It was an honour for me to be to invited to judge at your 60th Anniversary, thank you.
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