Cat Registries and whiskers......

[Nair Bare]

In an attempt to educated myself, I have been studying the various standards written for Sphynx, Don Sphynx and Peterbalds under WCF, FIFe, TICA. Since there are variations for each, I was curious if the Sphynx enthusiasts prefer one registry over the other or do they register and show under most of them?

For example-----Whiskers seem to run a wide gamut...... from whiskers ARE desired (WCF) to NO whiskers under general description )ALSO in WCF!!!! That's a bit confusing.

TICA Standard.....whiskers--curly, thick, any length, may be broken off or totally absent, which seems to be similar under FIFe.

The reason I mention whiskers is because I would think that whiskers could detract from the triangle, wedge shaped head and possibly not be desired as a personal preference by most breeders. If Sphynx are considered a "head" breed, what is the current attitude on whiskers? Important or not?

 

[MissMySphynxBoys]

Good questions. I'm looking forward to reading the answers you get.

 

[Mews2much]

I show in TICA and CFA and they prefer them without any whiskers but they are allowed.
TICA is big on the ears and the shape of the face.
They also like them nice and round in the stomach.
My Cleo is liked in both TICA and CFA.
Wrinkles does way better in TICA.
CFA is picky on her tail because it has fur on the tip which is allowed.
I prefer to show in TICA.

 

[Bella07]

I thought that having whiskers is crucial to a cat, especially for their sense of balance and gathering info from their surroundings. Why would the CFA and TICA favor a cat without whiskers then? Maybe I am missing something crucial here....

 

[Mews2much]

Many sphynx do not have whiskers.
None of mine do.

 

[Nair Bare]

I thought that having whiskers is crucial to a cat, especially for their sense of balance and gathering info from their surroundings. Why would the CFA and TICA favor a cat without whiskers then? Maybe I am missing something crucial here....

I've often wondered if the ....."whiskers are critical for cat's senses".... is true or just one of those statements passed around as a fact.

From reading all those show standards, it appeared to me that the head conformation is critical, along with wrinkles, and the "hairless" factor is stressed over whiskers. I can see how whiskers could detract from the shape of the head, and the naked looks in general.

In dog shows we can clip the whiskers to give the muzzle and head a much more defined look, so I was wondering if cat people would think the same way.

 

[Mews2much]

I have heard some breeders peck the whiskers out.
The whiskers on sphynx are not like the whiskers on normal cats.
They fall out if you barely touch them.
Another thing many sphynx do not have eye lashes.
They love the wrinkles on the sphynx at the shows.
You should go to a show one day just to watch.

 

[Treasurecat]

None of mine (4) have whiskers either. The only thing I see on a regular basis is that they sometimes have trouble judging where the surface of the water is in the bowl. one sometimes touches the water with her paw and another inevitably sticks her nose in the water then snorts it out (this would be poor Isobel who has always had "issues" and is used to it at this point) its not a huge amount, its almost like she's blowing out as she touches the water.

 

[Mews2much]

Mine have never done that.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

None of mine (4) have whiskers either. The only thing I see on a regular basis is that they sometimes have trouble judging where the surface of the water is in the bowl. one sometimes touches the water with her paw and another inevitably sticks her nose in the water then snorts it out (this would be poor Isobel who has always had "issues" and is used to it at this point) its not a huge amount, its almost like she's blowing out as she touches the water.

So funny that is what ours do and I never put 2 and 2 together:Laugh:

 

[ckutkuhn7]

None of mine (4) have whiskers either. The only thing I see on a regular basis is that they sometimes have trouble judging where the surface of the water is in the bowl. one sometimes touches the water with her paw and another inevitably sticks her nose in the water then snorts it out (this would be poor Isobel who has always had "issues" and is used to it at this point) its not a huge amount, its almost like she's blowing out as she touches the water.

LOL Funny you mention this. Snuffie has the same trouble. She usually smacks the bowl or shoves her face in it until she breathes water then she spats and snorts before she starts drinking.

Snuffie has no eyelashes or whiskers either.

 

[Nofuratu]

LOL Funny you mention this. Snuffie has the same trouble. She usually smacks the bowl or shoves her face in it until she breathes water then she spats and snorts before she starts drinking.

Snuffie has no eyelashes or whiskers either.

LOL...Nofuratu does this too....garanteed....every time he drinks, even if he stops for a second and then starts again....splash!!! Then a surprised look....then drinking recommences....
Everyone laughs at Nofuratu when he drinks and I have to remind people that he has no whiskers ....so he finds the water level with his whole face...makes sense to me!
But it makes for a very messy drinker!!
He has no eyelashes either, and I have to be carefull with 2 yr olds...poking him in the eye!
Nofuratu actually did a blog about how his toddler assistant was helping him with his corneal reflexes....by teaching him to blink before the finger pokes his eyeball!!!
Seriously though....I have to watch little kids with him, and remind parents that no eyelashes mean no advanced warning of eye poking object....

 

[Nair Bare]

LOL...Nofuratu does this too....garanteed....every time he drinks, even if he stops for a second and then starts again....splash!!! Then a surprised look......

Boy, am I glad to hear all these drinking stories about everyone's Sphynx cats. I was beginning to think I had a defective model. Very big grin. Poor Peeve just plows into his water bowl but I was justifing this action as a kitten's general clumsiness. So it would seem that whiskers do indeed perform a function.

Thanks for the chuckles. Glad to know that Peeve isn't a lemon but a true example of this amazing breed.

 

[ckutkuhn7]

Glad to know that Peeve isn't a lemon but a true example of this amazing breed.

A lemon! Cute reference

 

[holly_savage]

I'll add my dittos to this...Hibou always gets her nose right into it, sputters and snorts then starts lapping...what are they doing???Calibrating the distance between tongue and water?

 

[Gadzukz]

Thanks for the chuckles. Glad to know that Peeve isn't a lemon but a true example of this amazing breed.

He's no lemon, he's a Berry!

 

[ckutkuhn7]

He's no lemon, he's a Berry!

 

[admin]

Our cats are registered CFA here is the standard for whiskers according to CFA
"There are usually no whiskers but i f whiskers are present they are short and
sparse. " or what i call "broken".

 

[Mews2much]

Yep that is the CFA standard.
What they mean by short and sparse is less then a 1/2 inch.