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Please work through tasks A - F in order.

You can write your answers, or use word document.

NO COPY AND PASTE - own words please. You do not learn from copy and pasting and plagiarism results in a failed assignment.

All work will be used to create an assignment so please keep it safe.

The level of research and detail will help you with obtaining a pass, merit, or distinction grade.

Any questions or help please use teams to contact Jo, alternatively you can email on; jo.young@don.ac.uk

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A) Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)

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A) Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)

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1)
Have you heard of the GCCF before?
If the answer is YES: write down their role and what they do.
If the answer is NO: What do yo think the GCCF do?
2)
Once you have completed 1. Take a look at page below (click on the cat) and explore the site. Try to answer the best you can;

What is the main aim of the GCCF?

How do they ensure they carry out this aim?

List how they can help people.

Please research thoroughly to enhance your understanding. You may find the link below useful too;
https://www.gccfcats.org/Portals/0/GCCF%20Code%20of%20Ethics%202018_0221.pdf?ver=2018-03-05-144217-380

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GCCF Board: Announcement concerning the recommencement of shows
Result of Resolution - The GCCF board have now received the results for the special resolution. We are pleased to report that 131 clubs (87.33%) have agreed to the resolution. The board are now able to move forward with the agreed resolution and work to protect the future of the GCCF.

The GCCF board will now progress with plans for an independent postal/online election via Civica. Dr Gavin Eyres is liaising with Civica on behalf of the board - once a fully independent process is agreed all details will be published on the GCCF website.
Due to the number of complaints being received with regard to kittens being sold without correct documentation, please see the link to this notice "Buying a GCCF registered kitten - what to expect"
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING A KITTEN, PLEASE BE AWARE OF FAKE ADVERTISEMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PET SALE WEBSITES - SEE LINK TO SKY NEWS

All COVID-19 Updates will now appear on this dedicated page of the website
This is the link to Public Health England for the latest advice on COVID-19
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy is the premier registration body for cats in the UK. We offer information, advice and expertise to help you breed, own or choose the right cat for your circumstances and life style.

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy are very proud to be hosts for the 2021 World Cat Congress celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the first recognised cat show.

International Cat Care supports the GCCF's initiatives to ensure pedigree cats are healthy, preventing health and welfare issues caused by body conformation or inherited disorders. Its leadership on these issues will ensure that the GCCF leads the way in pedigree cat welfare. Claire Bessant, Chief Executive

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GCCF Board: Announcement concerning the recommencement of shows Result of Resolution - The GCCF board have now received the results for the special resolution. We are pleased to report that 131 clubs (87.33%) have agreed to the resolution. The board are now able to move forward with the agreed resolution and work to protect the future of the GCCF.

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Just like with the Kennel Club there are recognised breed groups. There used to be 7 sections, but these have changed over time. Use the site below (click on the cat below) to answer the following questions;
1) What were the OLD 7 cat breed groups called?
2) Why were they changed?
3) List the new recognised sections. Briefly state the changes made to create the new sections.

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June 1st 2018 saw one of the biggest changes for several years in the GCCF's show format. Gone were the familiar old section names describing the type of cat - Persian, Semi-Longhair, Siamese etc.. In their place were less obvious numbered sections - Section1, Section 2 etc, up to Section 6. There were also changes in the Grand and Imperial classes, where the groupings of breeds was different. So what are all the changes, and how do they change things for competitors? This article will attempt to explain the main differences, and demonstrate how GCCF shows will now work.

The Old Sections

The old groupings simply described the types of cats in each section. There were seven of them - Persian, Semi-Longhair, British, Foreign, Burmese, Siamese, and Oriental. However, it was not quite that straightforward. New breeds, as they came along, had been fitted into what seemed to be the most logical section, but not always in a way which was obvious. So, for example Exotic Shorthairs were in the Persian section, as they were basically short haired Persians. Yet to many it seemed strange to have a short haired breed judged along with all the Longhairs. The British section included the Selkirk Rex, which is American, and the Chartreux, which is French. The Foreign section had the Cornish Rex and Devon Rex, which both originated in Britain. And there were other anomalies too. It all made sense when you looked at the body type of the cat involved, but was very confusing for many people. Indeed, new exhibitors sometimes had to look through a whole show schedule to find out where their breed belonged! Clearly, a change was due...

The New Sections

There are now six new sections; some are the same as before and have simply changed from a name to a number, but others have been significantly altered. The new groupings are as follows...

Section 1 - Persian and Exotic Shorthairs

Section 2 - All Semi-Longhaired Breeds

Section 3 - British, Manx, Selkirk Rex, and Chartreux

Section 4 - Foreign Breeds, as before

Section 5 - Burmese, Asian, Tonkinese, and Australian Mist

Section 6 - Oriental, Siamese, Balinese, and Suffolk

As can be seen, Sections 1 - 4 are pretty much the same as they have always been, and have just changed in name. However, a number of breeds formerly in the Foreign section are now combined with the Burmese to create Section 5. And the most striking change is that the previous Oriental and Siamese/Balinese sections are now combined into the new Section 6.

Changes to the Grand and Imperial Classes

Under the old format, in most instances cats entering the 'Grand' classes, ie Grand Champion and Grand Premier, had to compete against all the other Champions and Premiers of all breeds in the entire section. This created some problems, particularly in the Semi-Longhair Group, which in recent years has become extremely popular. Grand classes became huge, with chances of winning vanishingly small. It could be demoralising for many exhibitors. With this in mind, the popular Birmans were given their own Grand class some years ago. But with the increasing popularity of Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and a few other Semi-Longhair breeds, the problem persisted.

Under the new system, in Section 2 there are three separate classes for the Grands...

In Section 3, the Selkirk Rex has its own Grand class, rather than being combined with the British, as happened under the old format. In Section 4, the breeds are divided up similarly into three classes for the Grands, in Section 5 there are two Grand classes, and in Section 6 the Orientals are split from the Siamese and Balinese to form two Grand classes. In Section 1, the Persians and Exotic Shorthairs are judged separately in a similar fashion.

When it comes to the Imperial classes, the cats in the whole section are judged against each other, as in the past. This means that the main difference is in Section 6 of course, which includes the cats from two old sections, the Siamese and the Oriental. And after this, all cats are judged against each other for the Olympian classes as was done under the old system.

Attitudes to the New Format

It might seem that the new format is more logical, fairer, and would be welcomed by everyone. But so far this has not been the case. The initial reaction among many people was confusion! Although the GCCF had published plans purporting to show which cats fitted in which groupings, many people found them hard to understand. Some exhibitors were not even aware of changes, and suddenly found themselves presented with a show schedule which looked totally unfamiliar, the old names having disappeared, and new numbers heading each section. Show managers did their best to explain things and to make the new sections clear, but schedules are hard for newer exhibitors to follow anyway, and sudden and dramatic changes did not help.

The most disgruntled exhibitors were probably those who had previously had cats in the Oriental and Siamese sections, who suddenly found that their section had doubled in terms of numbers. Many of them were quite annoyed. Other people simply disliked change of any type, and felt that the old system had worked well, so why change it, ie 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

But many, particularly owners of Semi-Longhaired cats, have welcomed the changes, particularly to the Grand classes, which were becoming more and more difficult for the Semi-Longhairs. And it must be clear to everyone that the new format will be better in the future, since it allows for growth in the number of cat breeds. And since there are frequently new breeds coming along, this is important.

Conclusion

The changes to the GCCF show format are very new. Only a handful of shows have so far run things using the new format, so it is a little early to come to any definite conclusions. All that can be said so far is that no huge problems seem to have come to light, and the initial furore on social media seems to be dying down. So hopefully this bodes well for GCCF showing in the future, and eventually the new show format will come to be regarded as normal.

Do you like this article? Have something to say? Then leave your comments.

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June 1st 2018 saw one of the biggest changes for several years in the GCCF's show format. Gone were the familiar old section names describing the type of cat - Persian, Semi-Longhair, Siamese etc.. In their place were less obvious numbered sections - Section1, Section 2 etc, up to Section 6.

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Using a word document complete the following task;

1)

For each cat breed section find TWO examples of cat breeds within them. Name them and find some pictures to show what they look like (you should have 12 cat breeds in total, 2 from each section).

2)

Which is your favorite section?

For this section pick one of your breeds of cat and create a profile of that breed. There is an example below (click on the cat) of a Burmese to give you an idea - PLEASE NOTE DO NOT USE THE BURMESE PICK YOUR OWN.
Ensure you include the following;

Description of their physical features (characteristics) - what features make that breed

Breed overview - colours, fur type, size/weight, height, life span, eye colour...

Behavioural characteristics

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History of the Burmese

In Myanmar (formerly called Burma), legend has it that cats of this breed were viewed as sacred and celebrated in temples and monasteries. They were discovered in England in the late 1800s but were not as popular as Siamese.

The Burmese and European Burmese are the two types of this breed recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, which sets standards for cats in the UK, recognized the Burmese in 1952. The International Cat Association, an organization at the forefront of keeping genetic registries for cats, accepted the breed in 1979.

According to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, the breed gradually died out in England and Europe. It was revived in 1930 using the first true Burmese.

The First Burmese Cat

All sources agree that the "founding mother" of the Burmese breed was Wong Mau, a cat who was brought to America from Burma by a sailor in 1930 and given to Dr. Joseph G. Thompson of San Francisco. Wong Mau was described as being walnut brown with darker points, having a more compact body than a Siamese, and possessing a shorter tail. Her unique appearance led Dr. Thompson to a breeding program in which Wong Mau was mated to Tai Mau, a seal point Siamese. Some kittens more closely resembled the Siamese breed and some looked more Burmese. Wong Mau was then bred to a son and kittens of a few different colors resulted, some brown, some dark brown. The dark brown kittens became the foundation of the Burmese breed.

It is said that a wartime sea voyage of three Burmese cats from Burma into America in the 1940s lasted five months, during which time they survived attacks by bombers.

According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, the breeding program demonstrated that these Burmese cats were a distinct breed and ultimately led the breeders to request championship recognition. Along the way, the other colors seen in the Siamese breed were also seen in litters. Over time and with much controversy, these other colors were accepted by Cat Fanciers' Association.

Breed Standards

The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes four colors: sable, a rich dark brown; champagne, a warm beige; platinum, a pale gray with fawn undertones; and blue, a medium gray with fawn undertones. Cats with sable coats have brown nose leather and paw pads; champagne coats are complemented by light warm brown nose leather and pinkish-tan paw pads. Blue coats have slate gray nose leather and slate gray to pinkish-blue paw pads. Platinum coats have lavender pink nose leather and paw pads.

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy acknowledges 10 colors: brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, brown tortoiseshell, blue tortoiseshell, chocolate tortoiseshell, and lilac tortoiseshell with complementary colors for the nose and paw pads.

Back in England, the first blue Burmese cat was born in 1955, Sealcoat Blue Surprise. Other colors had appeared earlier but were overlooked in favor of the sable varieties. According to the International Cat Association, it is now believed that Wong Mau also carried the genes for dilution and chocolate that resulted in the appearance of chocolate, blue, and lilac kittens. The red factor was added later in Europe.

The International Cat Association recognizes a variety of colors: rich, dark sable brown; a medium, warm blue; a warm, honey beige chocolate with pink or fawn tints; a lilac that ranges in tone from a bright pinkish grey to a silvery platinum with pink tints; reds of a light, golden apricot with melon-orange overtones; rich, warm deep creams with hints of apricot; and the soft mingling of red or cream with sable, chocolate, blue, or lilac found in the tortoiseshells.

Each association has specific standards for the Burmese with points assigned to various characteristics. Overall, the head should be rounded and have full eyes that are round and spaced out well. There should also be a visible nose break and well-spaced ears. The eye color is yellow to gold in all coat colors, and the depth of color is preferred. A medium-sized, muscular, and compact body is preferred with proportionate legs and rounded paws. The tail should be straight and medium in length.

Burmese Care

Burmese coats are short, fine, and have a glossy, silky shine. They require minimal grooming and do not really shed much. Grooming your cat with a rubber brush once a week should be enough to rid the coat of dead hairs and keep it looking lustrous.

It is also important to keep your cat active. Burmese are playful and energetic and do best in active homes with families that are willing to play and interact with their pets. These cats are highly trainable.

The playful personality of the Burmese cat extends from kittenhood to adulthood. They are described as being almost dog-like in their devotion to their humans, following them around, cuddling with them while they are reading or watching TV, and sleeping in their beds at night. Females are more likely to be in charge of the household, while males supervise from the comfort of a lap.

Burmese are compatible with other pets in the household and children as well. They are athletic, playful, and are happiest in an active household. They have a soft, sweet voice and enjoy conversing with their people.

These cats yearn for attention from humans and can become upset if separated for long periods of time. Burmese grow strong attachments to their owners, and while they may need a couple of weeks to adjust to their new home, these deep bonds develop relatively quickly.

Breeders place kittens in homes between 12 and 16 weeks of age and should be spayed by 6 months of age, especially if sold as pets. Pet Burmese cats typically sell for less than show cats.

Common Health Problems

Burmese are generally healthy, but they can develop an inherited disease called hypokalemia, which causes skeletal muscle weakness. There is a simple DNA test to look familial episodic hypokalemic polymyopathy (the full name of the disorder). It is episodic in nature and can affect the whole animal or may be localized to the neck or limb muscles. As a result, affected cats tend to have problems walking and holding their head correctly.

In addition to hypokalemia, some of the conditions they can be prone to include:

Responsible breeders test their lines for these diseases and offer a health guarantee as part of the sale of their kittens. It is always wise to buy from a breeder who provides a written health guarantee.

Diet and Nutrition

To keep up with their active lifestyle, these cats need plenty of protein and nutrients. It is always best to discuss diet options with your vet to ensure all of your cat's needs are being met. High-quality dry food is helpful in maintaining good oral health and can be supplemented with wet food if you prefer. To prevent your cat from becoming a picky eater, the National Alliance of Burmese Breeders suggests that it is important to switch brands of cat food every now and then so your feline friend does not become accustomed to just one kind.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Burmese Cat

You may be able to find a pure-breed Burmese cat through a breeder in your area, but if you would rather adopt from a rescue organization, check out:

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

Interested in learning about other purebred cats? If you like the Burmese, check out these breeds:

Otherwise, check out all of our cat breed profiles.

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Become Friends With the Affectionate Burmese Cat

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In Myanmar (formerly called Burma), legend has it that cats of this breed were viewed as sacred and celebrated in temples and monasteries. They were discovered in England in the late 1800s but were not as popular as Siamese. The Burmese and European Burmese are the two types of this breed recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association.

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Take a look at the clip below and list all the characteristics that make a mammal, a mammal!

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All About Mammals for Children: Cats, Bears, Elephants, Pandas and More - FreeSchool

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Now click below and take the IS IT A MAMMAL? quiz...

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Google Forms - create and analyze surveys, for free.

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There are many small mammals that we keep as pets these days. Pick TWO COMMON species that people keep as pets and for each complete the following;
1) For each find a picture of them and say what they are
2) Briefly write about their history - how did they end up being kept as pets
3) For each provide a description of their characteristics. To help you with this remember the following;

Physical traits that make them, them! (i.e. rabbits have long ears...)

Create a profile - size, weight, how long they live, fur types, colours etc...