Champion Shady!

I have been trying different organistations of cat shows recently as my young boy is very dark for his colour category in his breed.  For anyone who knows bengals he is a double apb mink and is virtually charcoal in colouration.  Due to this some of the organisations in the UK don't want the charcoals in the ring as they need to go through a new colour process (I have tried to find out what this process is and to help initiate it but it seems it needs a 'group of breeders' to do this and being new to the breed I don't know many people).  So it is a matter of finding the right place to show him.

GCCF no longer accept charcoals so that was a no go, I tried FIFE and they also said it needs to be a separately recognised pattern.  CFA aren't holding any shows in the UK, I do know that they accept charcoals but the breed isn't yet full championship status with them.  

So that left TICA to try, I really wanted to take a couple of cats but being my first TICA show I thought it would be too much and I am glad I only did take one!  TICA is a busy day, your cat gets judged 6 times which is great as it isn't just one person's opinion and there were judges from all over the world there.  As a result it is quite stressful for the cats and the bengals don't seem to cope too well generally.  Shady started off fine as he is a chilled dude but when a cat next to him started having a bit of a hissy fit he copied.  The judges are fab with them generally and spend ages with them on the table playing and helping them relax, the lady judge from Italy was particularly good.  I don't think it is possible to show two cats in one class when you are on your own, it really would be a struggle.

 Anyway TICA were quite accepting of his colour, though they still prefer two tone rosettes.  They liked him and the French judge finalled him which meant he achieved Champion status.  TICA have been looking at getting charcoal separated out into a separate category but for the here and now they can be shown in their relevant colours for example seal mink etc. 

Shattered!

I do think as a breeder it is good to know what the judges are looking for and I don't know how anyone can breed without having attended a show as without actually physically looking at the breed you don't learn as much.  I still love the charcoal snows, always will and eventually they will be fully accepted the same as any other colour, because it is fairly new (although the genetics actually come from the Asian Leopard Cat) judges aren't 100% sure. 

Our First Cat Show

I decided I wanted to enter some cat shows to learn more about the Bengal breed and the standard judges are working towards and what they were looking for.  What they thought of my cats etc.  If I am breeding I feel I need to know more, I know what I need to be testing for health wise, they are all genetically clear for a couple of issues bengals can suffer with (kidney problems and eyes).  When they are old enough they will be heart scanned, so all those boxes are ticked, I just feel I need more ‘real life’ experience of what is going on in the Bengal world!  I had entered a show in July but Spec broke her tail the week before, so I entered the Wyvern show in the hope her tail had healed, I also entered Solly for experience as he is a little shy and needs to get used to being handled.

I had found the schedule out and entered a breed class for them each along with 3 side classes each for them.  It is quite easy to understand the schedules and entry forms, I did have to look up their breed/colour code though for the entry form.  The night before the show I clipped their claws, people always say their cats hate this but mine are fine.  I have a tube of squeezy cheese or pate which my husband feeds to them whilst I go round their claws clipping them, I don’t tend to need to do their back claws as they stay short so it is just the claws on their front feet.  They don’t like their ears cleaned though, I can do them quickly while they are at the food so I have to do a little bit at a time.  I gave them a quick brush and that’s our preparation done!  I gathered all our ‘stuff’ together so that I can just pack the cats in the morning.  I had two pieces of white vet bed, 2 litter trays, 2 water bowls, 2 feed bowls, a water bottle, cat food, cat litter, brush, ear/eye wipes, disinfectant wipes, their vaccination certificates and a trolley to transport everything!  Never would have thought you needed so much.

Show Day!

Spec having a look around!

I decided to get to the show fairly early so I could settle the cats in. So I got there at 8.15 (it opened at 7.30 and closed 9.15 I think).  There wasn’t much of a queue, I just followed what everyone else was doing so I went to the first table to get our little card which you then take to the vetting in table and the vet signs to say they are okay.  I was concerned about Spec’s vaccinations as they are in her passport and it’s difficult to understand what is what, the vet didn’t know either so she had to ask the main vet who said everything was okay.  So both cats went back in their boxes and the card was signed.  I looked at the card and assumed the number by each cat was my pen number so I went off to find the pens.  I found Spec’s pen first, wiped it all down and put her bedding in, litter tray, food, water and a toy followed by Spec.  Off I went to find Solly’s pen which was a little way away from hers.  Once the cats were in, Spec looked quite happy but Solly seemed a little overawed by it all so I went to a stall to by a feather teaser.  I spent a bit of time with him and he gradually came round and seemed to feel happier.  I walked over to Spec’s pen and played with her a little, she didn’t seem fussed in the slightest and I thought she would freak out!  At 10am we’re asked to leave the hall so the judges can judge the breed classes, you have to remove food from the pens and any toys.

Before

After

I waited patiently, had a couple of coffees, gave in to an adult colouring book and did a few puzzles.  

 At 1pm we were allowed back in but they were running late as they had lost a cat in a mechanical seating set up that sort of looked like a false wall!  So Solly’s breed class hadn’t been judged, Spec’s had and she had a lovely big 2^nd place rosette.  When I entered her I didn’t expect her to do that well as had been told GCCF aren’t keen on the dark colour, but I had checked with the office before and they had said I am okay to show her as she is registered as a seal lynx nothing more.  Her side classes were done and she had two firsts and a third in those, I was really pleased but super disappointed just to get place cards, people said you do normally get rosettes for the side classes, the entry fees are expensive, you are talking almost £50 a cat so I did expect a bit more.   

Solly’s results came in and he had a 3^rd in breed (judge said he was just a bit young compared to the other kittens) along with a couple of 2nds and a 3^rd in the side classes.  However he didn’t get any rosettes as they weren’t giving anything for 3^rd.

This show was also doing little rosettes that had ‘I like your cat’ written on them and the idea was you go and put it on another cats pen (not your own which I saw people doing!)  I thought it would be fair to put mine on a different breed, I have always liked Tonkinese so I put mine on a particularly lovely Tonkinese’s pen which actually ended up winning several big rosettes.  Someone put one on Solly’s pen so at least he did get a little rosette lol!

I was pleased with those results given it was their first show and Spec is only just out of kitten and Solly is still only young.  What I was impressed with was how they coped, Spec just loved it, she was so chilled out which I would never have expected as she is so naughty at home.  Solly got used to the environment and relaxed nicely too.  Some cats really don’t look like they are enjoying it and you do have to wonder whether it’s fair on them, I didn’t think I would show Spec again but she loved it so I will enter her in another show.  Tweed needs to mature a bit before she goes to a show but I know that she won't find it stressful as she just loves attention and is a really confident kitten so I don't feel I need to rush her into the show ring.

Spec the Bengal Cat

Spec (Spectrum) is our beautiful seal lynx spotted bengal she is a charcoal which gives her the really dark mask.  She is a real sweetie and has a wonderful coat which feels like velvet to touch, she is wonderful with Macy and they enjoy playing together.  Unfortunately my other bengal has gone blind due to PRA and she really is quite standoffish now because of that so it has been a shame to see Macy want to interact with her but Spice just can't.  However Spec has really brought Spice back to being a crazy bengal again and she loves her.  She is a wonderfully healthy cat and we are looking forward to sharing more of our life with her and hopefully producing some nice healthy and stunning looking kittens.

 

Bengal Kittens?

So I took some photos of Spice our bengal cat today. She has been away for almost 2 weeks with a stud cat.  I am so pleased to have her back, can't believe how much we have all missed her and how quiet the house has been without her!

I can't believe how much it bothered me - sending to stud. I just felt so guilty for abandoning her somewhere she didn't know with a random cat. The two weeks she was gone I felt like I had a huge weight on my shoulders and as soon as she was back it lifted.  So basically we are looking for a nice active male we can use for ourselves and not have to send her away.  I am just hoping she has caught as I don't think I can cope with another 2 weeks without her!

Sad I know but she is a massive part of the family and always under your feet getting into mischief - am totally besotted with the breed and will never be without one!

I have set up my Facebook page and website, prefix is TICA reg. Spice is dual reg and so is dad so kittens will be gccf & TICA registered.
http://www.cositoes.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/cositoes

Happy Valentine's from the Bengal!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Bengal!

The second one is out of focus as she shook when she picked the rose up, such a shame!

The Bengal Cat!

So the spotty one got out and stuck on top of a storage container but I took the opportunity to get some piccies of her using my husband's iPhone 6.  She pulls some strange faces!  Spice is an awesome cat, she has such a great temperament, she has never once hissed or scratched – considering we have a 2 year old who can get a bit in her face, I am amazed at her sometimes.  She is so playful and completely round the bend, so she is great to have around.  She is very skinny though and I wish we could put some weight on her as is such a tiny thing, bengals don’t mature until they are 2 though so she has still got time yet.

Whiskas Kitten Food

Pedigree kindly sent us some kitten food as well as the Dentaflex for little Spice.  They also sent us a lovely ceramic bowl in the shape of a cats head, it's a really cute little dish.

Spice is a fairly fussy cat when it comes to food, Clee will eat anything, but Spice is fussy!  She loves the Whiskas kitten food though and enjoys all the different flavours.

It is nice because it is little chunks of meat in a jelly rather than just blended mush!  You put it in the dish and it looks and smells okay unlike most cat foods.

I must admit I like to feed dry as I think it's better for her teeth and she has been having the Whiskas dry food.  However I will give her a bit of this wet food from time to time to give her a bit of variety.

Kamrita Let It Be

Introducing Spice, who is a beautiful, exquisite brown rosette spot bengal.  I have wanted a Bengal for ages and ages but the time has never really been right.  I saw some kittens on the tv on Tuesday and it just re-ignited my passion for them!  Mark agreed a little quicker than I expected and didn’t take any persuading, I think he knew it would cheer me up.  So after years of wanting I have finally got, good things come to those who wait!

I can’t stop looking at her, she is just so beautiful.  Clee isn’t too impressed with her but isn’t nasty or scared, he just sits and hisses, she isn’t bothered so hopefully it won’t take him long to get used to her.  She loves Rum and made a bee line for him, in fact it wasn’t until she met him that she settled down.  Think we have got a shock coming when she settles in and finds her feet, but I love crazy kittens and can’t wait for her to really become part of the family.