Part 10
It should also be borne in mind, that the present and future health of an animal, be it what it may, is subject to many incidences, and not the least of these is good and appropriate food, shelter, warmth, and cleanliness. It is best to feed at regular intervals. In confinement, Mr. Bartlett, the skilful and experienced manager of the Zoological Society's Gardens, at Regent's Park, finds that one meal a day is sufficient, and this is thought also to be the case with a full-grown cat, more especially when it has the opportunity of ranging and getting other food, such as mice, and "such small deer;" but with "young things" it is different, as it is deemed necessary to get as much strength and growth as possible. I therefore advocate several meals a day, at least three, with a variety of food, such as raw shin of beef, cut very small; bones to pick; fish of sorts, with all the bones taken out, or refuse parts; milk, with a little hot water; boiled rice or oatmeal, with milk or without it; and grass, if possible; if not, some boiled vegetables, stalks of asparagus, cabbage, or even carrots. Let the food be varied from time to time, but never omitting the finely-cut raw beef every day. I am not in favour of liver, or "lights," as it is called, either for cats or kittens. If horseflesh can be depended on, it is a very favourite and strengthening food, and may be given. The kitten should be kept warm and dry, and away from draughts.
Also take especial care not in any way to frighten, tease, or worry a young animal, but do everything possible to give confidence and engender regard, fondness, or affection for its owner; always be gentle and yet firm in its training. Do not allow it to do one day uncorrected, that for which it is punished the next for the same kind of fault. If it is doing wrong remove it, speaking gently, _at the time_, and not _wait long after the fault is committed_, or they will not know what the punishment is for. Many animals' tempers are spoiled entirely by this mode of proceeding.
Take care there is always a clean vessel, with pure clear water for them to drink when thirsty.
[Illustration: MISS MOORE'S KITTEN, "CHLOE."]
MANAGEMENT OF KITTENS AND CATS.
These require quiet and kindly treatment. Do nothing quickly or suddenly, so as in any way to scare or frighten, but when speaking to them, let the voice be moderated, gentle, and soft in tone. Cats are not slow to understand kind treatment, and may often be seen to watch the countenance as though trying to fathom our thoughts. Some cats are of a very timorous nature, and are thus easily dismayed. Others again are more bold in their ways and habits, and are ever ready for cossetty attention; but treat both as you would be treated--kindly.
As to food, as already noted, I have found raw beef the best, with milk mixed with a little hot water to drink--never boil it--and give plenty of grass, or some boiled vegetable, such as asparagus, sea-kale, or celery; they also are fond of certain weeds, such as cat-mint, and equisetum, or mares' or cats' tails, as it is sometimes called. If fish is given it is best mixed with either rice or oatmeal, and boiled, otherwise it is apt to produce diarrhoea.
Horse-flesh may be given as a change, provided that it is not from a diseased animal; and should be boiled, and be fresh.
Brown bread and milk is also good and healthy food; the bread should be cut in cubes of half an inch, and the warm milk and water poured on; only enough for one meal should be prepared at a time.
Let the cat and kittens have as much fresh air as is possible; and if fed on some dainty last thing at night they will be sure to "come in," and thus preserved from doing and receiving injury.
If cats are in any way soiled in their coat, especially the long-haired varieties, and cannot cleanse themselves, they may be washed in warm, soapy water; but this is not advisable in kittens, unless great care is used to prevent their taking cold.
Some cats like being brushed, and it is often an improvement to the pelage or fur if carefully done; but in all cases the brush should have soft, close hair, which should be rather long than otherwise.
Do not let your cats or kittens wear collars or ribbons always, especially if they are ramblers, for the reason that they are liable to get caught on spikes of railings or twigs of bushes, and so starved to death, or strangled, unless discovered.
For sending cats to an exhibition, a close-made basket is best, which will allow for ventilation, as fresh air is most essential; and have it sufficiently large to allow of the cat standing and turning about, especially if a long journey is before them. I have _seen_ cats sent to shows taken out of _small boxes_, _dead_, stifled to death--"poor things."
Bear in mind that the higher and better condition your cat is in on its arrival at the show, the greater is the chance of winning.
Do not put carpet or woollen fabrics in the basket, but plenty of good, sweet hay or oat-straw; this will answer all purposes, and does not get sodden.
If you use a padlock for the fastening, _do not forget to send the key to the manager of the show_, as is sometimes the case.
[Illustration: CAT CLUB CHALLENGE CUP.]
[Illustration]
POINTS BY WHICH CATS ARE JUDGED,
AS SPECIFIED BY MYSELF.
_Revised and corrected to the present time._
... What you do, Still betters what is done.
_Winter's Tale, Act IV._
THE TORTOISESHELL.
POINTS HEAD 15
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at the apex, broad at the base.
EYES 10
Orange-yellow, clear, brilliant, large, full, round, and lustrous.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 25
A mixture of three colours--black, red, and yellow--each to be distinct and clear of the other, with sharp edges, not one colour running into the other, but in small irregular patches, of great brilliancy of tint, the red and yellow to preponderate over the black. If the colours are deep and rich, and the variegation harmonious, the effect is very fine. White is a disqualification.
FORM 15
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
TAIL 10
Long, thick at the base, and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve, and well-marked with alternate patches of black, red, and yellow.
SIZE AND CONDITION 15
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening full health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
TORTOISESHELL AND WHITE.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears medium size, narrow and rounded at the apex, broad at the base.
EYES 10
Orange-yellow, clear, brilliant, large, full, round, and lustrous.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 25
A mixture of three--black, red, and yellow--each to be distinct and clear of the other, with sharp edges, not one colour running into the other, but in small irregular patches of great brilliancy of tint, the red and yellow to preponderate over the black. If the colours are deep and rich, and the variegation harmonious, the effect is very fine.
WHITE MARKING 15
The fore-legs, breast, throat, lips and a circle round them, with a blaze up the forehead, white; lower half of the hind-legs white, nose and cushions of the feet white.
FORM 10
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
TAIL 10
Long, thick at the base and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve, and well-marked with alternate patches of black, red, and yellow.
SIZE AND CONDITION 10
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening full health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
WHITE. SHORT-HAIR.
POINTS HEAD 15
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at apex, broad at the base.
EYES 15
Blue--a soft, turquoise blue--but yellow is permissible as five points only, green a defect; large, round, and full.
FUR 15
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 15
Yellow-white; gray-white, five points less.
FORM 15
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
TAIL 10
Long, thick at the base and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve.
SIZE AND CONDITION 15
Large, lithe, and elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening good health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
SELF-COLOUR, BLACK, BLUE, GRAY, OR RED SHORT-HAIR.
POINTS HEAD 15
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears of medium size, narrow, rounded at apex, broad at the base.
EYES 15
Orange for black, orange-yellow for blue, deep yellow for gray, and gold tinged with green for red. Large, round, and full; very bright.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
FORM 15
Narrow, long, graceful in line; neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
COLOUR 25
Black, a jet, dense, brown-black, with purple gloss; blue, a bright, rich, even, dark colour, or lighter, but even in tint; gray, a bright, light, even colour; red, a brilliant sandy or yellowish-red colour.
TAIL 5
Long, thick at the base, and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve.
SIZE AND CONDITION 15
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, lying close to the body, all betokening good health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
BROWN AND ORDINARY TABBY, STRIPED, SHORT-HAIR.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at apex, broad at the base.
EYES 15
Orange-yellow, slightly tinted with green, large, full, round, and very lustrous.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 20
Deep, very rich reddish-brown, more rufous inside the legs and belly; ears and nose a still deeper red-brown, the latter at the tip edged with black. Ordinary tabby, dark gray, and ticked.
MARKINGS 20
Jet-black lines, not too broad, scarcely so wide as the ground colour shown between, so as to give a light and brilliant effect. When the black lines are broader than the colour space, it is a defect, being then black marked with colour, instead of colour marked with black. The lines must be clear, sharp, and well-defined, in every way distinct, having no mixture of the ground colour. Head and legs marked regularly, the rings on the throat and chest being in no way blurred or broken, but clear, graceful, and continuous; lips, cushions of feet, and backs of hind-legs, and the ear-points, black.
FORM 10
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
TAIL 5
Long, thick at the base and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve, and marked with black rings.
SIZE AND CONDITION 10
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening full health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
CHOCOLATE, CHESTNUT, RED, OR YELLOW TABBY, STRIPED, SHORT-HAIR.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips, nose rather long than short, ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at apex, broad at the base.
EYES 15
Orange, gold, or yellow, in the order of the above names, large, round, full, and very lustrous.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 20
Deep, rich, reddish-brown, bright red, or yellow, in the order as above, brighter inside the legs and belly; ears and nose deeper colour, the latter at the tip red, edged with chocolate.
MARKINGS 20
Dark, rich brown or chocolate, lines not too broad, scarcely so wide as the ground colour shown between, so as to give a light and brilliant effect; when the lines are broader than the colour space it is a defect, being then light colour markings on dark brown or chocolate, red or dark yellow, instead of colour marked with deeper colour. Head and legs marked regularly, the rings on the throat and chest being in no way blurred or broken, but clear, graceful, and continuous; lips, cushions of feet, and the back of hind-legs, and the ear-points, dark. Yellow tabby, the cushions of feet red, or light red.
FORM 10
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender, shoulders receding, well-sloped, and deep, legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy, feet round and small.
TAIL 5
Long, thick at the base, and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve, and marked with dark rings.
SIZE AND CONDITION 10
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening full health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
BLUE, SILVER, LIGHT GRAY, AND WHITE TABBY, STRIPED, SHORT-HAIR.
POINTS
HEAD 10
Small, broad across and between the eyes, rounded above, below tapering towards the lips; nose rather long than short; ears of medium size, narrow and rounded at the apex, broad at the base.
EYES 15
Orange-yellow for blue tabby; deep, bright yellow for silver or gray; large, full, round, and very lustrous.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 20
If blue, a rich, deep, yet bright colour; silver, a lighter, yet bright tint; gray, very light; if a white tabby, ground to be colourless; ears and nose a deep gray, the tip red, edged with black.
MARKINGS 20
Jet-black lines, not too broad, scarcely so wide as the ground colour shown between, so as to give a light and brilliant effect. When the black lines are broader than the colour space, it is a defect, being then black marked with colour, instead of colour with black. The lines must be clear, sharp, and well-defined, in every way distinct, having no mixture of the ground colour. Head and legs marked regularly, the rings on the throat and chest being in no way blurred or broken, but clear, graceful, and continuous; lips, cushions of feet, and the backs of hind-legs, and the ear-points, black.
FORM 10
Narrow, long, graceful in line, neck rather long and slender; shoulders receding, well-sloped, and deep; legs medium length, not thick nor clumsy; feet round and small.
TAIL 5
Long, thick at the base and narrowing towards the end, carried low, with graceful curve, and marked with black rings.
SIZE AND CONDITION 10
Large, lithe, elegant in all its movements; hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening full health and strength.
--- Total 100
[Illustration: MR. BABB'S SPOTTED SILVER TABBY.]
SHORT-HAIRED, SPOTTED TABBIES OF ANY COLOUR.
These to be the same in all points of head, eyes, fur, form, colours, tail, size and condition as those laid down for the judging of short-haired tabby cats in general, with the exception, in whatever colour the markings are, or on whatever ground, they, instead of being in lines or bands, are to be broken up into clear, well-defined and well-formed spots, each spot to be separate, and distinct, and good, firm and dark in colour; these then count as many points as a finely-striped cat in its class.
[Illustration: PROPERLY MARKED BLACK AND WHITE.]
BLACK AND WHITE, GRAY-WHITE, RED AND WHITE, AND OTHER COLOURS AND WHITE.
The self colour to count the same number of points as the ground colour in tabby, namely, twenty points, and the white _markings_ the same as the tabby markings, that is, twenty points. The other points also the same.
The markings to be: lips, mouth and part of the cheek, including the whiskers, with a blaze up the nose, coming to a point between the eyes, white; throat and chest white, and pear-shaped in outline of colour; all four feet white.
WHITE AND BLACK, WHITE AND GRAY, WHITE AND RED, WHITE AND ANY OTHER COLOUR.
The colours and markings to count the same as the above. The ground colour being white, and markings the dark colour instead of white. In the markings they should be even or well-balanced, such as two black ears, the rest white; or two black ears, with black tail, and the rest white; or all white, with dark tail only. These are not very uncommon markings, but if so marked, they may also have a spot or two on the back or sides provided they balance in size of colour. But the simplicity of the former is the best.
All other fancy colours and markings must be judged according to taste, and entered in the any other variety of colours for short-haired cats, such as strawberry colour, smokies, chinchillas, ticked, black tabbies and such fancy colours.
ABYSSINIAN.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, broad across the eyes, rather long than short, nose medium length, all well-formed.
EYES 15
Orange-yellow, slightly tinged with green, large, round, full, and bright.
NOSE AND FEET 10
Nose dark red, edged with black; tips and cushions of feet black, also the back of the hind-legs.
FUR 15
Soft, rather woolly hair, yet soft, silky, lustrous, and glossy, short, smooth, even, and dense.
EARS 10
The usual size of the ordinary English cat, but a little more rounded, with not much hair in the interior, black at the apex.
COLOUR 20
A rich, dun brown, ticked with black and orange, or darker on lighter colours, having a dark or black line along the back extending to the end of the tail, and slightly annulated with black or dark colour. As few other marks as possible. Inside of fore-legs and belly to be orange-brown. No white.
SIZE AND CONDITION 10
Large; coat glossy and smooth, fitting close to the body; eyes bright and clear.
CARRIAGE AND APPEARANCE 10
Graceful, lithe, elegant, alert and quick in all its movements, head carried up, tail trailing, in walk undulating.
--- TOTAL 100
N.B.--The Abyssinian Silver Gray, or Chinchilla, is the same in all points, with the exception of the ground colour being silver instead of brown. This is a new and beautiful variety.
ROYAL CAT OF SIAM.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, broad across and between the eyes, tapering upwards and somewhat narrow between the ears: forehead flat and receding, nose long, and somewhat broad, cheeks narrowing towards the mouth, lips full and rounded, ears rather large and wide at base, with very little hair inside.
FUR 10
Very short, and somewhat woolly, yet soft and silky to the touch, and glossy, with much lustre on the face, legs, and tail.
COLOUR 20
The ground or body colour to be of an even tint, slightly darker on the back, but not in any way clouded or patched with any darker colour; light rich dun is the preferable colour, but a light fawn, light silver-gray, or light orange is allowable; deeper and richer browns, almost chocolate, are admissible if even and not clouded, but the first is the true type, the last merely a variety of much beauty and excellence; but the dun and light tints take precedence.
MARKINGS 20
Ears black, the colour not extending beyond them, but ending in a clear and well-defined outline; around the eyes, and all the lower part of the head, black; legs and tail black, the colour not extending into or staining the body, but having a clear line of demarkation.
EYES 15
Rather of almond shape, slanting towards the nose, full and of a very beautiful blue opalesque colour, luminous and of a reddish tint in the dusk of evening or by artificial light.
TAIL 5
Short by comparison with the English cat, thin throughout, a little thicker towards the base, without any break or kink.
SIZE AND FORM 10
Rather small, lithe, elegant in outline, and graceful, narrow and somewhat long; legs thin and a little short than otherwise; feet long, not so round as the ordinary cat; neck long and small.
CONDITION 10
In full health, not too fat, hair smooth, clear, bright, full of lustre, lying close to the body, which should be hard and firm in the muscles.
--- TOTAL 100
MANX, OR SHORT-TAILED CAT.
POINTS HEAD 10
Small, round, but tapering towards the lips, rather broad across the eyes, nose medium length, ears rather small, broad at base and sloping upwards to a point.
EYES 10
According to colour, as shown in other varieties.
FUR 10
Short, of even length, smooth, silky, and glossy.
COLOUR 15
To range the same as other short-haired cats, if self same as self, if marked same as the marked varieties, with less points, allowing for the tail points in this variety.
FORM 15
Narrow, long, neck long and thin, all to be graceful in line; shoulders narrow, well-sloped; fore-legs medium length and thin; hind-legs long in proportion and stouter built; feet round and small.
TAIL 25
To have no tail whatever, not even a stump, but some true bred have a very short, thin, twisted tail, that cannot be straightened, this allowable, and is true bred; but thick stumps, knobs, or short, thick tails _disqualify_.
SIZE AND CONDITION 15
Large, elegant in all its movements, hair smooth, clean, bright, full of lustre, and lying close to the body, all betokening good health and strength.
--- TOTAL 100
[Illustration: MR. CLARKE'S "MISS WHITEY."]
WHITE, LONG-HAIRED CAT.
POINTS HEAD 10
Round and broad across and between the eyes, of medium size; nose rather short, pink at the tip; ears ordinary size, but looking small, being surrounded with long hair, which should also be long on the forehead and lips.
EYES 15
Large, full, round or almond-shape, lustrous, and of a beautiful azure blue. Yellow admissible as five points only. Green a defect.
RUFF OR FRILL 15
Large, very long, flowing, and lion-like, extending over the shoulders, and covering the neck and chest thickly.
FUR 15
Very long everywhere, mostly along the back, sides, legs, and feet, making tufts between the toes, and points at the apex of the ears.
QUALITY OF FUR 10
Fine, silky, and very soft in the Persian, with a slightly woolly texture in the Angora, and still more so in the Russian.
TAIL 10
In the Persian the hair long and silky throughout, but somewhat longer at the base. Angora more like the brush of a fox, but much longer in the hair. Russian equally long in hair, but full tail, shorter and more blunt, like a tassel.
SIZE, SHAPE, AND CONDITION 15