How do you define a show kitten? Pet? Breeder?

Have you ever wondered exactly what "show quality" means?

What's the difference between a "show" kitten and a "top show" kitten?

How is a show kitten different from a breeder/show kitten?

Well, if you ask 10 breeders what the differences are, you just may get 10 different answers!

So, one of the first things to do in that initial contact between Buyer and Seller is to make sure the two of you understand what the other one means when using various terms to describe the quality of the kitten in question.

It is important in discussing quality and prices to make sure you are agreeing on the definition of the terms you are using.

Let's consider the "ladder of quality" below. In this case it is based on the potential for show title achievement of various registries.

National Campaign Quality
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Regional Campaign
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Best/Supreme
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Grand Quality
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Champion
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Breeder
|
Pet

But there are many more terms used to describe the quality of cats: Top Show, high breeder, breeder/show... so with the basic "ladder" in mind, let's examine the possible meanings of some of the more commonly used terms to describe the quality of kittens.

Term	Other Terms	Possible Meanings
Pet Quality: does not meet the breed standard closely enough to be valuable to a breeding program		purchased as a pet not suitable for show or breeding priced as a pet has a disqualifying breed fault lacking in breed type a show or breeder quality kitten that the breeder may simply prefer to place in a pet home (especially males)
Breeder Quality : meets its breed standard closely enough to be valuable to a breeding program, but may not be competitive as a show cat	low breeder	usually a female has only a few qualities that would benefit a breeding program probably better placed as a pet
	breeder	unspayed female whole male
	high breeder	no disqualifying faults single flaw that renders them unshowable, example: inadequate white on a bi-color, barring on a solid red.
	breeder/show	could be championed not grand quality
Show Quality: meets its breed standard closely enough to be competitive in the show ring	breeder/show	championable not grand quality at present time may improve with age
	championable	will champion probably wouldn't grand
	Show	no disqualifying faults championable grandable
	grandable	could be granded may take a while
	easy grand	in average competition should take only a few shows to grand
	Double/Triple/Quad Grand	different levels of show achievement
	top show	easily grandable top 10 finalist potential
	best/supreme	capable of being awarded a BEST
	regional campaign quality	capable of consistently being Best of Division capable of consistently finaling in the top 10 at medium size/competition shows
	national campaign quality	outstanding example of its breed almost flawless has something "extra" capable of finaling in the top 10 at larger shows a cat who makes your heart beat faster

This list is of course not all inclusive, nor are there many specific meanings that everyone agrees on for any one term.

The table simply represents some suggestions for what people mean when they use these terms.

You must still always discuss with a potential Buyer/Seller exactly what they mean when they use these terms. It is a personal interpretation. Good communication is very important :-)

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