Jargon Buster

- written by and copyright of Vanda Clunas

A helpful guide to jaron in GCCF cat shows.

GCCF (The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy)

one of the registering and show licensing bodies in the United Kingdom.

Preliminary Status

Cats at the first stage of recognition by the GCCF, these cats may compete for Merit Certificates only.

Provisional Status

Cats at the middle stage of recognition by the GCCF. The breed Club has proved that the cats are good enough to progress by demonstrating a number of things including that a minimum of 15 cats have achieved at least 4 merits certificates each. Adult (entires and neuters) Cats are now awarded Intermediate Certificates. Entires, kittens and neuters can also be awarded a Best of Breed award.

Championship Status

The final stage of recognition by the GCCF. The breed has proved that it is good enough to progress by showing that at least 20 cats have achieved 3 Intermediate Certificates each. Entire cats are awarded Challenge Certificates, and Neuters are awarded Premier Certificates. Entires, kittens and neuters can also be awarded a Best of Breed award.

Open Class

Where cats of the same breed compete for the first place and certificate (Provisional Status and Championship Status only, Adult and Neuter classes only). All the entire males are judged against each other, as are the entire females, as are the neutered males and females. The kittens also compete in Open classes, but just for the first place. Preliminary status cats also have an Open class, but they all can be awarded a Merit if they are considered worthy of it by the judge.

Grand Class

Made up of cats of the same section, is Long hair, Semi-longhair, Oriental, etc, who already have at least a Champion or Premier's title. Differant breeds of cat compete against each other for a Grand certificate. NFC's come under the semi-longhair section. The section also comprises of Maine Coons, Somali's, Turkish Vans and Ragdolls. Birman's now have their own Grand classes.

Adult

Cats that are aged 9 months or over and still entire.

Kitten

For show purposes usually cats aged at least 14 weeks, (sometimes 4 months) to 1 day less than 9 months of age, either entire or neutered.

Neuter

Cats that have been neutered. For show purposes cats are usually 9 months or over.

MERIT

Certificate awarded to cats at Preliminary status that conform to the Standard of Points. Awarded to every cat in the class that conforms to the Standard of Points.

IC (Intermediate Certificate)

Certificate awarded to cats at Provisional Status, that conform to the Standard of Points and are the best cat present of its Open class. A Best of Breed can also be Awarded.

CC (Challenge Certificate for entire cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at championship status that conform to the Standard of Points, and are the best cat present in the Open class. A Best of Breed can also be Awarded. 3 of these certificates awarded by 3 differant judges give a cat a title of Champion.

GCC (Grand Challenge Certificate for entire cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at championship status that conform to the Standard of Points, and are the best cat present in the Grand class. Cats in the Grand are included in the Best of Breed judging. 3 Grand certificates from 3 differant judges give the cat a title of Grand Champion.

UK GCC (UK Grand Challenge Certificate for entire cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at the Supreme Show only. The Supreme is only held once a year. The winning cat has to conform to the Standard of Points for its breed, and be the best cat present in the UK Grand class. Currently this class consists of Turkish Vans, Somali's and NFC's. Cats in the UK Grand are also included in the Best of Breed judging. 3 Grand certificates from 3 differant judges give the cat a Grand Champion's title. 2 UK Grand certificates from 2 differant judges give the cat a title of UK Grand Champion.

PC (Premier Certificate for neutered cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at championship status that conform to the Standard of Points, and are the best cat present in its class. A Best of Breed can also be Awarded. 3 of these certificates awarded by 3 differant judges give a cat a title of Premier.

GPC (Grand Premier Certificate for neutered cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at championship status that conform to the Standard of Points, and are the best cat present in the Grand class. Cats in the Grand are included in the Best of Breed judging.3 Grand certificates from 3 differant judges give the cat a title of Grand Premier.

UK GPC (UK Grand Premier Certificate for neutered cats)

Certificate awarded to cats at the Supreme Show only. The Supreme is only held once a year. The winning cat has to conform to the Standard of Points for its breed, and be the best cat present in the UK Grand class. Currently this class consists of Turkish Vans, Somali's and NFC's. Cats in the UK Grand are also included in the Best of Breed judging. 3 Grand certificates from 3 differant judges give the cat a Grand Champion's title. 2 UK Grand certificates from 2 differant judges give the cat a title of UK Grand Premier.

BOB - Best of Breed

An award to the best overall cat in each section, choosing between the entire adult male or female that won its Open, and choosing between the kitten male and female that won its Open and choosing between the neuter male and female that won its Open. Therefore 3 BoB's are available.

FB (Felis Britanica - this is a federation of Clubs seeking membership of FIFe

one of the registering and show licensing bodies in the United Kingdom.