Since June 1st 2009, the Household Pet Section has been divided into two groups – Non-Pedigree Pets for those cats of traditional “moggie” appearance and Pedigree Pets for cats looking like pedigrees and/or with known, unknown, full, half or part pedigree background.
The Non-Pedigree Pets and Pedigree Pets Sections are then divided into Long or Semi-Longhaired and Short-Haired Classes which are then further split for colour and pattern.
The Pedigree Pet is the newer section which has really proved popular with exhibitors. This group is comprised of cats of pedigree appearance and/or with known or unknown pedigree, full, half or part pedigree background. Breeds not recognised by GCCF are NOT eligible to be shown in Household Pet classes. These Pedigree Pets can be shown and compete for titles under the rules agreed in Council.
The requirements for showing BOTH groups of Household Pets are that all are judged by the same criteria for the quality of their Presentation, Condition, Temperament and Personality. In the Pedigree Pet section, no prefixes, titles, breed names or GEMS codes can be used. Cats are entered either with their pet name or, if registered, the rest of the registered name, without the prefix, may be used. All Household Pets aged 6 months and over must be neutered.
There is a standard list for the certificate classes and Show Managers must use these, with the correct class descriptions, to ensure consistency for all shows.
The title class results are recorded and administered by the GCCF office in the same way as Pedigree classes (our thanks go to Lesley Szwed who started the system and formerly administered it) and titles are awarded automatically once the required number of certificates have been awarded.
Registration is not compulsory in order to show a Household Pet but registration is a requirement should you wish to claim, and be able to use any titles that may be awarded.
The GCCF titles in the Household Pet Section are:
Master Cat
The title Master Cat (MC) shall be attained by the awarding of three Master Cat certificates by three different judges at participating Championship shows licensed by the GCCF. The winning cat must have a good temperament, be presented well, be shown in very good condition and have a good personality too.
Grand Master Cat
The title Grand Master Cat (GMC) shall be attained by the awarding of three Grand Master Cat certificates by three different judges at participating Championship Shows licensed by the GCCF. A cat at this level has to have an excellent temperament, be presented to the highest standard, be shown in excellent condition and have an affectionate and confident personality.
Imperial Grand Master Cat
The title Imperial Grand Master Cat (IGM) shall be attained by the awarding of five Imperial Grand Master Cat certificates by five different judges at participating Championship Shows licensed by the GCCF. At this level, the winning cat must be exceptional in every way.
Olympian Imperial Grand Master Cat
The title Olympian Imperial Grand Master Cat (OIGM) shall be attained at three levels. The Bronze Level is for five Olympian awards from five different judges. The Silver Level is for five further certificates from five different judges (can be judges that awarded at the previous level). The Gold Level is for five further certificates from five different judges (can be judges that awarded at the previous level). An Olympian winner must be an outstanding cat that is not only presented to perfection, have an outstanding temperament and shown in the peak of condition, its personality should demonstrate that extra “presence” and show quality that makes it stand out as definite “Best in Show”!
It was voted at Council in June 2011 that exhibits in the Household Pet Section should be treated in the same way as cats in the Pedigree Sections as far as titles and class qualifications were concerned. For this reason, it should be made clear that ONLY ONE CERTIFICATE FROM A BREED SHOW may be counted towards an Olympian Title at each level, the other four must be won at all-breed shows. Any certificates won at the previous level cannot be used or count towards the title at the next level. It is important for Show Managers, Judges and Exhibitors to remember Household Pets do not have a standard of points for their shape, colour and pattern etc. but are judged on condition, presentation and temperament; if all the cats in the class are in tip-top sparkling condition and purring their heads off, the winner is the one the judge likes best!
Kitten Master Cat
These are awarded to the first prize winners of Kitten Non-pedigree and Pedigree Pet classes, both male and female. Kittens must earn three KMC certificates on three different show dates with three different judges to gain their title. Entire and neutered kittens compete together in the same class, split only by male and female.
Household Pets at the GCCF Supreme Show
Household Pets also have their own section at the Supreme Show for both Pedigree and Non-Pedigree Pets. The class structure is as follows:
Non-pedigree pet pre-master cat
For Non-Pedigree cats who do not hold a title. The certificate awarded will be a Master Cat Certificate.
Household pet master cat
For Household Pet Cats who have already gained their Master Cat Title but not a Grand Master Title The certificate awarded a Grand Master Cat Certificate.
Household pet grand master cat
For Household Pet cats who have already gained their Grand Master Cat Title The winner of this class will be awarded a Imperial Grand Master Certificate.
Household pet imperial grand master cat
For Household Pet cats who have already gained their Imperial Grand Master Cat Title The winner of this class will be awarded a UK Grand Master Certificate.
Supreme pedigree pet classes
Pedigree pet pre-master cat
For Pedigree Pet cats who do not hold a title. The certificate awarded will be awarded a Master Cat Certificate.
Pedigree pet master cat
For Pedigree Pets who have already gained their Master Cat Title but not a Grand Master Title. The certificate awarded will be a Grand Master Cat Certificate.
Pedigree pet grand master cat
For Pedigree Pet Cats who have already gained their Grand Master Cat Title The certificate awarded will be a Imperial Grand Master Cat Certificate.
Pedigree pet imperial grand master cat
For Pedigree Pet Cats who have already gained their Imperial Grand Master Cat Title The certificate awarded will be a UK Grand Master Cat Certificate.
NB Cats that already hold the title UK Gr Master Cat that are not Imperial should enter the Imperial class. Cats that have already won a UK certificate that do not hold the Imperial title can enter either the UK or Imperial class but NOT both.
Best of Colour winners compete for Best of Variety Non-Pedigree Pet Neuter & Kitten and Pedigree Pet Neuter & Kitten.
Winners are awarded Supreme Best of Variety Certificates and Rosettes.
Supreme Winners
The winning Non-Pedigree Pet Neuter & Pedigree Pet Neuter are judged against each other to find the Best Household Pet Neuter and the Non-Pedigree Pet Kitten and the Pedigree Pet Kitten are judged against each other for Best Household Pet Kitten.
The winning Neuter and Kitten are judged against each other for Supreme Best in Show Household Pet Exhibit.
