Concerning Cats 



In judging a cat the quality and quantity of its fur 

 is the first thing considered. In a long-haired cat 

 this includes the " lord mayor's chain," or frill, the 

 tail, and, most important of all, the ear-tufts. The 

 tufts between the toes and the flexibility of the tail 

 are other important points. The shape of head, 

 eyes, and body are also carefully noted. A short- 

 haired cat is judged first for color, then for eyes, 

 head, symmetry, and ears. 



In all cats the head should show breadth between 

 the eyes. The eyes should be round and open. 

 White cats to be really valuable should have blue 

 eyes (without deafness); black cats should have yel- 

 low eyes ; other cats should have pea-green eyes, or 

 in some cases, as in the brown, self-colored eyes. 

 The nose should be short and tapering. The teeth 

 should be good, and the claws flat. The lower leg 

 should be straight, and the upper hind leg lie at 

 closed angles. The foot should be small and round 

 (in the maltese, pointed). A good cat has a light 

 frame, but a deep chest; a slim, graceful, and fine 

 neck; medium-sized ears with rounded tips. The 

 croup should be square and high ; the tail of a short- 

 haired cat long and tapering, and of a long-haired 

 cat broad and bent over at the end. 



The good results of a cat show are best told in a 

 few words by one who has acted as judge at an 

 American exhibition. 



"One year," he said, "people have to learn that 

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