LOOF Show Rules

Version effective from February 1st, 2012,
including updates voted upon during the LOOF Board of Directors' meetings held
between February 22nd, 2007 and February 1st, 2012
Printable version

Cat shows’ main goal is to organize standards conformity competition allowing the cats to obtain Championship titles or awards which may be mentioned on the pedigree and beauty contests that enable to reward the best cats in show (“best”).
To be approved by the LOOF, cat shows must satisfy all the following rules:

 

TITLE 1 – ABOUT CAT SHOWS ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE 1: LOOF CAT SHOWS ORGANIZATION Article 1-1: LOOF cat shows are organized by feline associations that are members of the “Official Book of Feline Origins Management Federation”, hereinafter called LOOF, under their own responsibility and according to the LOOF by-laws and rules. When an association has never before organized a LOOF cat show, it is mandatory for its president, as well as at least one of the members of the board (if possible the person in charge of the show secretariat) to follow a one-day course held at the LOOF premises. LOOF will take charge of the training costs, the association will take charge of its members' travel expenses. Article 1-2: Feline Associations which are members of the LOOF promise to organize only cat shows or presentations that follow the present rules. Article 1-3: Except formal dispensation by the Board of Directors or preliminary Convention (like the one existing with TICA), cat shows gathering in a same place and on the same or successive days a LOOF event and a non LOOF event are not recognized. Article 1-4: A cat show allowed to deliver Championship Aptitude Certificates must include at least 100 cats in judgment when held in metropolitan France, and at least 50 cats in judgment when held in overseas territories. If gathering less than 100 cats, the event is called “presentation” and is not allowed to deliver any Aptitude Certificate. Article 1-5: A dispensation may be given if exceptional events do not allow to reach the minimum number of cats required. In that case, a formal agreement shall be signed by the LOOF’s President and at least one member of the LOOF Board of Directors.   ARTICLE 2: DECLARATORY OBLIGATIONS Article 2-1: Associations organizing cat shows should satisfy all the legal and administrative obligations in that matter. The LOOF’s agreement for the show shall not in any case substitute itself for these obligations. Article 2-2: The associations’ shows fulfilling article 1-1 of the present rules will be included in the show list published by the LOOF if their dates are declared with the proper document provided by the LOOF at least 6 weeks before the event takes place. On receipt of that declaration, the LOOF will send a letter acknowledging receipt with a registration number for reference. Article 2-3: At least six weeks prior to the cat show, the organizing association must send the show flyer to LOOF, mentioning mandatorily the foreseen judges. Article 2-4: The show full catalogue (according to article 9.6) should arrive at the LOOF offices Monday noon before the date of the show at the latest, together with the cat count for each day of show. Article 2-5: Show results, i.e. the list of all cats that have been judged, together with the results, as well as the name of the judge, whether there is or not delivering of an Aptitude Certificate, should get to the LOOF 10 days after the show at the latest. This document must include for each cat its pedigree number or the pedigree registration file number, including those given on the morning of the show. The catalogue should come with an “end-of-show report” signed by the show manager certifying the number of cats judged per day and per judge. The Aptitude Certificates obtained during the show will only be recognized by the LOOF after checking the conformity to the Show Rules, the show catalogue and complete judgments results. The LOOF may carry on unexpected controls during cat shows. The list of the shows validated by the LOOF will be published within 15 days after the show.   ARTICLE 3: SHOW CALENDAR Article 3-1: According to the LOOF rules, associations which are members of the federation commit themselves to harmonize the dates and locations of their shows. LOOF will take into account the places where cat shows have been organized on a regular basis for several years when validating new requests.   ARTICLE 4: THE JUDGES The organizers commit themselves to take on LOOF licensed judges or LOOF approved judges only. It is their responsibility to check that the judges they chose are qualified for the breeds and categories of the cats that are presented to them. There shall be at least 3 judges on every judging day for shows held in metropolitan France and 2 judges for shows held in overseas territories. The relationship between the club in charge of the organization and the judges should be in conformity with the judges’ rules and especially its article I-C. The organizers commit themselves to indemnify judges and reimburse their expenses before starting the Best in Show presentation. The judges commit themselves not to leave the show before it is closed.   ARTICLE 5: THE STANDARDS The standards used by the judges in LOOF approved cat show must be the ones that the LOOF has established. It is the organizers’ responsibility to have the LOOF feline standards official book at the judges’ disposal.

 

TITLE 2 – TAKING PART IN A CAT SHOW

ARTICLE 6: PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS Article 6.1: Registration Show registration deadline is up to the organizer, as long as he complies with the requirements of article 2-4. Any payment default at a cat show may result in forbidding the concerned party to participate in any LOOF cat shows until all dues are paid. Article 6-2: Registration flyer Registration is done on a show flyer which must at least include the following items: LOOF logo Organizing club name and references Show date and location Registration deadline Registration fees Exhibitor’s name Exhibitor’s address Exhibitor’s status (non breeder, breeder and if so, Siret Nr and Capacity Certificate Nr) Cat’s name Breed, date of birth, sex Coat and eye colour Breeder’s name and country Pedigree Nr or LOOF pedigree registration file Nr Cat’s ID Nr (tattoo or microchip) Titles obtained (include title or copy of the title request) Parents’ names Category in which the cat is competing. Other mentions may be added by the organizer.

 

TITLE 3 – CAT SHOW COURSE

ARTICLE 7: CATS TAKING PART IN SHOW Article 7-1: Only purebred cats or household pet cats may be shown or presented. Purebred cats are: Cats owning a LOOF pedigree if they were born in France and/or from French breeders after January 6th, 1999. Cats owning a pedigree recognized by the LOOF if they were born in France and/or from French breeders before January 6th, 1999. Cats born abroad from foreign breeders and owning a pedigree recognized by the LOOF. Household pets are neutered (veterinary certificate required for the females) and should be over 10 months (those cats compete in the household pet category). Article 7-2: Kittens under 3 months cannot be shown. Article 7-3: Showing wild animals is strictly forbidden in shows or presentations. Article 7-4: All cats shown under a breed name must justify their quality. The exhibitor should have copies of all documents relative to their registration and, in particular, pedigrees or proofs of pedigrees registration. The exhibitor should also have written proof concerning his status. The pedigree file registration Nr may be given to the organizer of the show until the very morning of the event if the corresponding document is provided. Article 7-5: The possible sale of cats during cat shows is under the exclusive responsibility of the organizer and exhibitor (and/or owner) who check the legal arrangements on the matter. In any case, publicity should be in conformity with the legal arrangements and especially concerning identification of the seller and the sale price. If those mentions are missing, no mention of kitten availability (born or planned, present on the show or not) can be displayed.   ARTICLE 8: VETERINARY CHECK Article 8-1: Veterinary check must take place at the entrance of the show hall and prior to the judgments. Article 8-2: All cats present in show must satisfy the legal requirements concerning health and identification (tattoo or microchip and vaccination). Article 8-3: All cats must satisfy vet check. An exhibitor arriving after vet check is closed will have to have the vet check done, at its own expense, by a local veterinary. Article 8-4: Sick, parasites (fleas, fungus…) infested cats, as well as pregnant or nursing females, cannot take part in shows or presentations. Declawed cats are also forbidden. Cat claws should be clipped on the front and back feet. Article 8-5: The veterinary’s verdict is immediately applicable and can in no way be disputed by the breeder or the organizer.   ARTICLE 9: CAT SHOW COURSE Article 9-1: Concerning judgment, the organizer should strictly conform to the LOOF "Judges Rules" and to the "LOOF Standards Guide". Article 9-2: The organizer should make sure that the legal prescriptions are respected concerning the staff’s members who are to own a Capacity Certificate. Article 9-3: The organizer should make sure that cleaning and disinfection of the material used during the show are done. Particularly, he should use an authorized disinfectant adapted to living beings. A few cages must be available for each judge in his judging area. Article 9-4: The organizer should provide the exhibitor with "judgment certificates" on which the judge’s name is clearly mentioned. Article 9-5: The appreciation sheet given to the judge must be anonymous and include at least the following mentions: Organizer, show location and date Cat Nr in show Judgment class Cat’s breed Coat and eye colour Sex Date of birth Identification Nr Judge’s name in clear A copy of the document filled out by the judge must be kept for at least 3 years by the association. [Applicability : January 1st, 2013] Article 9-6: Show Catalogue The catalogue must include the following rubrics: LOOF logo Name and references of the association in charge of the organization Show location and date Exhibitor’s name Nr of cat shown Cat’s name Breed, date of birth, sex (must be those mentioned on pedigree) Coat and eye colour (according to LOOF "Cats coat and eye colours list") Breeder’s name and country Pedigree Nr or LOOF registration file Nr Cat’s identification Nr (tattoo or microchip) Parents’ names Category in which the cat competes, mentioning the day(s) of judgment Judges’ names Organization of awarding of the different Bests and Specials. Other mentions may be added by the organizer.

 

TITLE 4 – TITLES and AWARDS

ARTICLE 10: CAT TITLES Article 10-1: Standards conformity competition allows to deliver Championship Aptitude Certificates (commonly called "Titles") allowing to obtain Championship Titles: for entire cats (non neutered males or females), Titles by increasing order: Champion International Champion Grand International Champion European Champion Grand European Champion for neutered cats (also called "neutered"), Titles by increasing order: Premior International Premior Grand International Premior European Premior Grand European Premior In each category, a certain number of Aptitude Certificates is required to obtain the Championship Title. Article 10-2: Adult cats compete according to breed, colour, sex, judgment class: Associations which are willing to may organize the Aptitude Certificates delivery by colour group. Note: only one Aptitude Certificate can be delivered per day and per cat. The LOOF will only recognize one Aptitude Certificate per day and per cat, in LOOF cat shows organized in France as well as in cat shows abroad. Article 10-3: Each cat is judged individually by comparing it to its breed standard. Article 10-4: The judge draws up a report mentioning the animal’s qualities and faults and a qualifying term: Excellent (with or without title) Very good Good Article 10-5: The term « EXCELLENT » is given to a cat getting very close to the breed’s standard, shown in perfect physical condition and displaying a harmonious and well-balanced whole. His qualities should outweigh his small imperfections. The term « VERY GOOD » is given to a cat displaying the breed’s characteristics but showing faults, provided that they are not redhibitory. The term « GOOD » is given to a cat without enough type, without noticeable qualities or in bad condition. Article 10-6: In the case where several cats compete in the same class and obtain the same qualifying term, it should be followed by a ranking: Example: Excellent 1, Excellent 2, Excellent 3,... If a cat is alone in its class and is of sufficient quality, it will obtain the Excellent 1 term. Article 10-7: Only one Aptitude Certificate is delivered for the cats competing in the same judgment class and can only be given to a cat that has obtained "Excellent 1 with title" term. Article 10-8: A judge may not deliver an Aptitude Certificate in a judgment class if no cat is of sufficient quality. A cat with an Excellent qualifying term but whose merit is not high enough to obtain the right certificate will be noted "Excellent without title". Article 10-9: Aptitude Certificates delivered by a LOOF approved judge to a purebred cat owning a LOOF pedigree or a pedigree recognized by the LOOF may be used to obtain a LOOF Title Certificate. However, Aptitude Certificates delivered during a show organized by an Association that is not recognized by the LOOF or not in conformity with the LOOF Rules, will not be recognized by the LOOF. Article 10-10: No Aptitude Certificate delivered by a LOOF non approved judge will be validated by the LOOF. Article 10-11: All Titles Certificates must be controlled and validated by the LOOF. The Title Certificate must display the following mentions: cat name date of birth pedigree number identification number breed sex coat colour as well as, for each Aptitude Certificate obtained : date of judgment city and country organizing club judge’s name and nationality. All cats concerned will have to be LOOF registered beforehand. The only Aptitude Certificates recognized are those that have been registered, published and validated by a feline association recognized by the LOOF or by the LOOF itself. Producing title Aptitude Certificates does not have title’s value. Article 10-12: Conditions to obtain titles For each title, at least one Aptitude Certificate should be obtained in France. Champion or Premior Title Three CAC or CAP in France or abroad with two different judges. Cats in CAC or CAP should be at least 10 months old on day of judgment. 93 points on a scale of 100 are necessary to obtain a CAC or a CAP. International Champion or International Premior Title Three CACIB or CAPIB, with at least one abroad with three different judges. 95 points on a scale of 100 are necessary to obtain a CACIB or a CAPIB. Grand International Champion or Grand International Premior Title Four CAGCI or CAGPI with at least one abroad, with three different judges. 96 points on a scale of 100 are necessary to obtain a CAGCI or a CAGPI. European Champion or European Premior Title Five CACE or CAPE with at least 2 abroad with four different judges. 97 points on a scale of 100 are necessary to obtain a CACE or a CAPE. Grand European Champion or Grand European Premior Title Five CAGCE or CAGPE with at least three abroad (in two different foreign countries), with 5 different judges. 98 points on a scale of 100 are necessary to obtain a CAGCE or a CAGPE. Article 10-13: Double signatures are authorized if they are issued by judges taking part in judgments in the shows where the certificates have been obtained and if they are qualified to judge the cat that is presented. The judge can only double sign after having seen the cat at the end of the judgments. Article 10-14: A cat may only compete in a judgment class if one can provide a Title Certificate of the preceding category or justify of the number and quality of Aptitude Certificates allowing to get the preceding title. Cats may compete as many times as needed in a judgment class, but will only obtain their title if they have obtained enough certificates for this title, according to the conditions listed in article 10-12. Article 10-15: A cat, as soon as it is neutered, should compete (whatever the title obtained as entire cat) in neutered cats category and this, starting from Premior title. Article 10-16: A Grand European Champion (even if the title has not been ordered but if the LOOF has registered the required number of certificates to obtain the title) can no longer compete for the titles certificates (except in “neutered” classes). The Grand European Champion competes in Honour Class, that category allowing him to get to Best in Show competition in its hair length category, if it has been nominated by the judge. It is the same for Grand European Premiors, Supreme Champions and Supreme Premiors. Article 10-17: Kittens are classified according to two age categories: 3 to 6 months and 6 to 10 months. They are judged by breed, colour and sex. Neutered kittens compete in those categories. They can get the following qualifiers: Excellent Very Good Good Article 10-18: If several kittens compete in the same class and obtain the same qualifying term, it has to be followed by a ranking (example: Excellent 1, Excellent 2, Excellent 3, ...) If a kitten is alone in its class and is of sufficient quality, it will obtain the "Excellent 1" term. Article 10-19: « New Breeds and New Colours » (NB/NC) aims to introduce a new cat breed or a new variety and to present it to the judges’ appreciation. Cats in « New breeds and New Colours » (NB/NC) cannot compete for Aptitude Certificates, but obtain qualifiying terms: Excellent Very Good Good If several cats in NB/NC are registered in the same class, the term obtained will be followed by a ranking. If a cat in NB/NC is alone in its class and is of sufficient quality, it will obtain the “Excellent 1” term.   ARTICLE 11: THE NATIONAL COURSE Article 11-1: Created as of January 1st, 2007, at the same time as the titles scale corresponding to the actual rules, a national course allows a breeder living inside the territory, far from the borders, to progress in the title course in France and to be able to join the international course when he can, at any phase of the titles scale. Article 11-2: The cats compete according to the same conditions as mentioned in articles 10-2 to 10-13 of the present Show Rules. Article 11-3: The judge does not take the chosen course into account, he judges the cat in the class mentioned. Article 11-4: The exhibitor keeps on with his cat’s career without stopping it along the Aptitude Certificates that he obtains, as he would have to do if he did not go abroad from the third CACIB (or CAPIB), according to article 10-14. Article 11-5: When he will be able to show abroad, the Aptitude Certificates he will obtain as CACIB, CAGCI, CACE and CAGCE will allow him - with a simple substitution with the missing certificates - to become International Champion, Grand International Champion, European Champion and Grand European Champion. Article 11-6 : The table below shows the equivalences between the 2 courses, International and National: Number of Certificates International Course National Course 3 CAC (93 points) Champion Champion 3 CACIB (95 points) International Champion Double Champion 4 CAGCI (96 points) Grand International Champion Triple Champion 5 CACE (97 points) European Champion Quadruple Champion 5 CAGCE (98 points) Grand European Champion Supreme Champion "Premior" denomination replaces "Champion" in national course for neutered cats. Article 11-7: Aptitude Certificates obtained before 2007 may be used for national course, but the last Aptitude Certificate should have been obtained in 2007.   ARTICLE 12: CAT SHOWS AWARDS Article 12-1: Beauty Contest Organization of the « Bests » is left to the appreciation of the organizers. The latter should give every judge a note explaining their attribution mode. Article 12-2: It is the same for the Specials. Article 12-3: The associations may reward household cats according to the categories (sex, age, hair length…) they are free to arrange. Household cats are classified by the judge from the 1st to the nth, inside those categories, without delivering qualifying term.

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