My Blue BSH boy attended his first show as a Neuter today, having just turned 9 months.

A couple of weeks ago he was a big lad in the kitten classes and did very well. Now he is competing against the big boys, and they are BIG! He came second in his open class today and got a first and 3 seconds in his side classes, so I was pleased, especially as he beat some Premiers and even Grand Premiers, so not bad for a wee man!

However, I had some mixed messages from some breeders and show attenders. Some felt I should now stop showing him until he has matured, whereas others felt that I should just carry on showing him.

I know he will stand a better chance in the neuter classes when he does mature, but I just wondered what other forum members who show cats do/ would do? Any opinions welcomed.

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http://www.scottishwildcats.co.uk

If you enjoy it, show him but if you feel that he would improve with a bit of time it may be worth giving him a few months. Both my neuters were premiers by 12 months of age so got PCs as young as 9 months & neither were penalised for not being bigger as judges knew they were young & growing.

Thanks. He will certainly improve with age, like a fine wine But I think he looks good now of course!

Other show attenders often have many more cats than me, so they can show their other cats, such as new kittens, whilst they wait for their adolescents to mature. I do not have that luxury, having just two of the same age! Getting one or two more cats is a possibility (OK almost a certainty I admit!) but I do not have the facilities to have more than 3/4 cats sadly.

Are your cats British Shorthairs Messyhearts, I can't recall?

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No, they aren't. They are semi-long hairs & one of them is a giant breed (Birman & Maine Coon) so they were noticeably younger than others for shorter coats & smaller frames.

Hi there, sorry I missed you yesterday. I did see Darwin and he looked fab!! It's just unfortunate that the other neuters were so massive! That said, it isn't all about size. Some judges prefer the more mature boys and some look for other attributes besides age.

I was getting very similar comments about my boy. He's coming to the end of his kitten classes and we're currently discussing how to move forward. Let him mature entire and then show him as a neuter or neuter him now and start him in the neuter classes in a couple of months.

To be honest, it's all down to personal choice. It's not all about the winning. If you want to carry on showing him now, and Darwin doesn't mind it (he was very relaxed yesterday) then go ahead!

Thanks. He is relaxed until you take him out of the pen

Sorry I didn't get a chance to say hello but I did see your two beautiful cats and they looked super. Well done on their great results, you must be delighted

My thoughts exactly.

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http://www.scottishwildcats.co.uk

You do what YOU want to do. So long as your cat is happy to go to shows then that's all that counts

I didn't see anyone or any cats much yesterday I stayed in the hall with the stalls sat behind one.

It's up to you - as long you are prepared that he just might not be able to compete with the big boys and can take it if he has a day which is not as good as normal or gets a cert withheld then keep showing!

I'm showing a 20 month silver Selkirk in the Imperial class - on the one hand I must be mental because you just don't 'do' that in the British section - on the other hand he won his first Imperial class out of four!! I'm keeping trying as he is better if shown regularly and judges are urging me to keep going with him but my head keeps telling me I am bonkers!

I did think that if I took him out of showing for too long he may not tolerate being shown when he was older. Keeping a paw in may be useful.

I have decided I shall continue for now.

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