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 grouped 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. This is the link to breeds not currently recognised by GCCF. These are cats that are as well loved and cared for as any other Household Pet and can now be shown and compete for titles under the new rules agreed in Council. The requirements for showing BOTH groups of Household Pets is 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 numbers shall be used; cats will be entered either by 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.
The GCCF has decided the classes for the certificate classes and Show Managers must use these, with the correct class descriptions to ensure competition is the same across the UK.
The classes offering titles are administered by the GCCF (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 won. In order to be awarded a title, a Household Pet must be registered with the GCCF. Registration is not compulsory in order to show, but it is if you wish to claim, and be able to use, the title. As stated before, these will be awarded automatically by the GCCF to register cats and, periodically, a list of Master Cats etc. will be published on the GCCF website.
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 exactly 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!
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. As in the Pedigree Section there are special Colour Classes, unique to the Supreme Show. There are Pre-Master Cat, Master Cat, Grand Master Cat and Imperial Master Cat Classes in both sections for cats to enter at their relevant level. For the first time in 2009 Household Pets with the title Grand Master were able to compete at the GCCF Supreme Show to win a UK Grand Master Certificate!
The winners of their Open classes will compete for Best of Colour and then for Best of Group with special prizes offered for these categories in both sections.
There are three Overall Best in Show winners for the for the Household Pet Section at the Supreme Show, they will be Supreme Non-Pedigree Exhibit and the Supreme Pedigree Pet Exhibit and Supreme Household Pet Kitten exhibit and each will win a Supreme Trophy. The winners will then be judged for Overall Supreme Household Pet and Runner Up Supreme Household Pet and both adult winners will also be able to include the coveted “Supreme” in their title, with the Kitten being allowed to use the title “Supreme Kitten”. It will be the ultimate accolade that a Household Pet is called a Supreme, UK and Olympian Gold Imperial Grand Master Cat!
