Cat Competition History

Cats first appeared in competition at the Show in the late 19th century with exhibits shown sporadically in ‘extra exhibit’ classes attached to the Poultry section. In 1874 Mrs Laughnan entered White Persian cats, while in 1876 Mrs Coar entered a Fancy cat (blue).

In 1892 the Poultry section offered an ‘extra class for cats’, the first-time cats were specifically mentioned in a class of their own. Two Cyprus, two white Persian cats, and two white Persian kittens were apparently shown.

A stand-alone cat competition was finally instituted in 1929 and has been a consistent part of the Show ever since.

In 1998 the Kitten Carnival started, and in the year 2000 classes for companion cats were introduced.

The Cat section awards five perpetual trophies. The longest running trophy is the EJ Lonsdale Memorial Perpetual Trophy which was first awarded in 1962.

Timeline for the introduction of different breeds at the Show

Note: many breeds have not appeared continuously at the Show since they were first introduced. This list records the first time they are mentioned in RAS catalogues. The first appearance of different ‘colours’ of breeds have not been recorded.