The GCCF is excited to introduce the Kitten Champion (KC) and Kitten Master Cat (KMC) titles, allowing kittens to earn recognition in the show world. These titles are designed to reward kittens for their achievements, giving exhibitors the chance to showcase their kittens and work towards an official title.
How It Works
The new Kitten Titles follow a similar structure to the titles awarded to adult and neuter cats. Kittens must earn three KC or KMC certificates on three different show dates with three different judges to gain their title.
- Kitten Champion (KC) – for pedigree kittens.
- Kitten Master Cat (KMC) – for household pet kittens.
- Entire and neutered kittens compete together in the same class, split only by male and female.
- Judges may award or withhold certificates based on the standard of points, just as they do in adult/neuter classes.
GCCF will automatically record and track each kitten’s progress toward their title.
If you have any questions regarding the new kitten title, then feel free to send them into the Show Review Group via officemanager@gccfcats.org
For Exhibitors
Your kitten will now compete to win KC or KMC certificates. Your kitten must earn three certificates on three different show dates from three different judges to achieve their title. The process is straightforward—simply enter your kitten into shows as usual, and any awards earned will be automatically recorded by the GCCF.
This is an exciting opportunity to start your kitten’s show career early and gain recognition before they move into adult classes.
For Show Managers
The new Kitten Titles go live from 5th April 2025, and you can order KC/KMC certificates from the GCCF office for use at your upcoming shows. No changes are required in how you run kitten classes—judging and awards function exactly as they do for adult and neuter classes.
The GCCF will automatically track kitten progress, so there is no additional administrative work for show management (other than some extra work from your certificate writers). Simply ensure that the new certificates are available at your shows, and let exhibitors know that their kittens can now compete for these exciting new titles. Marked catalogues will now also include the KC or KMC if awarded.
For Judges
All judges eligible to assess a kitten class—including Junior Judges—may award or withhold KC/KMC certificates. The judging process remains the same as for adult and neuter cats. Judges should apply the standard of points applicable to kittens as usual and may withhold a certificate if the kitten has any faults that justify it.
Entire and neutered kittens compete together, only male and female split applies.
Remember when writing your judges slip to add KC/KMC or w/h as appropriate in the same way you would for any other certificate class.
Judges are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new title structure and ensure they are confident in awarding KC/KMC certificates as appropriate.
FAQ’s
If you have any questions regarding the new kitten title, then feel free to send them into the Show Review Group via officemanager@gccfcats.org
Below are some of the questions received so far –
Who signs counter signatures where necessary?
Any judge that is qualified to judge the class can countersign the certificate. So any PJ/JJ or Full Judge that is eligible to judge the class in question can countersign the certificate.
If a kitten has a fault that would be a w/h for an adult but not a w/h while they are a kitten can the judge still award the KC?
As has always been the case, judges are required to judge kittens to the standard of points that applies to a kitten. The kitten should be judged as it is on the day and not how the judge thinks the kitten may develop in the future. If the judge is happy to award the 1st and BOB, then they are able to award the certificate.
Does a Kitten have to win a BOB/BIC to win a Certificate?
If a class has both Male and Female entered it is possible for both kittens to win a certificate whilst only one of the kittens may be awarded BOB/BIC. However if the judge is not prepared to award the BOB/BIC then no Certificate can be awarded to either the male or the female. This is exactly the same as it is within the Adult and Neuter sections. As long as the judge is happy to award the 1st and BOB, then they are able to award the certificate.
Can a kitten win two certificates on the same day at a back to back show?
Unlike previous titles, although a kitten may be awarded two certificates on the same day only one will count towards the three needed to gain the kitten title. Kittens must be shown on three separate dates to win their titles.
The rationale for the new titles was to encourage kitten owners to show more often, making the titles moderately difficult to attain but also still realistically achievable in the six month window that they are kittens. So this is the reason for three separate dates.
Will dispensation be given to countries such as NI that only have two shows a calendar year?
This was queried in Council and we are carefully considering this issue which is being investigated by the Show Review Group in conjunction with IT. Any solution offered must, of course, follow the correct protocol and go to the Board and then Council.
Can Junior Judges accept kitten classes within 100 mile / 3 month radius now that kittens can be awarded certificates.
Yes they can. It is hoped that show managers will find a balance, in the same way they did before the introduction of the KC, and work together with shows within the same geographical vicinity within 3 months. Below is a quote from the Judges Code of Conduct which needs clarifying as it appears that this is causing some confusion:-
3. b) Judges should not accept invitations to judge Breed, Grand, Imperial, Olympian, or Assessment classes at shows if they have judged the same classes at shows in the same geographical vicinity within 3 months. Judging the same classes two weeks in succession is allowed. Failure to comply with this causes great disappointment and persistent failure could lead to disciplinary action. It is the responsibility of the Judge to keep an accurate diary to prevent bookings overlapping. Please note the above does not apply to Kitten Breed Classes although judges should exercise common sense when agreeing to accept engagements in close proximity.
The highlighted area of text above is the part that applies to kittens. Although judges are able to accept Kitten Breed classes without consideration to the ‘same geographical vicinity within 3 months’ is does say ‘judges should exercise common sense when agreeing to accept engagements in close proximity’.
It is worth bearing in mind that Junior Judges are not required to judge Kitten Breed classes to receive training and progress through the new programme. There is no requirement for a Junior Judge to be judging a Breed Kitten class to perform tutorials, presentations and assessments.
Additionally it is also worth noting that as training is performed by Grand/Imperial groups Junior Judges will be able to accept Kitten Breed classes from any of the Breeds within their Grand/Imperial group, which gives them flexibility when accepting engagements/classes.
Overall Best in Show
Usually, a kitten must win three Kitten Certificates (KCs) on three separate dates to earn a title.
There is one rare exception:
If a kitten wins Overall Best in Show, they are awarded an additional certificate, just as adult cats are in the same situation.
Although it’s uncommon for a kitten to achieve Overall Best in Show, it does happen—and when it does, it’s considered such a significant achievement that it’s the only time two certificates earned on the same day are allowed to count toward the title.
