Notes to Judges 

Color -

As outlined in both the CFA and TICA standards, color carries the least amount of points.  
All colors are allowed, the breed has never been bred for color or pattern.

It is more important that you judge the cats as a whole and over look the coat color and patterns, at least to the very end to separate only those being judged that day to be awarded for color and division.  The color of the LaPerm should not hold it back from being judged in finals.

In finals, is this LaPerm a better LaPerm, than the Maine Coon in the next cage is compared to the Main Coon standard. 

A sad, but true fact about this breed is that the early foundation breeders had very little knowledge of genetics about coat color, so many of our early foundation cats were registered incorrectly.  We are working to clarify this with DNA testing, but we cannot go back and change the color on the original cats.

Heads -

Again as outlined in the standards, the entire head needs to be judged and not simply chins and muzzles.   Yes, we are working at improving strong chins and whisker pinch, but the entire head needs to be judged.    Both standards state 'modified wedge, slightly rounded, gentle contours. Whisker pads should appear full and rounded.'

The modified wedge should continue up to the ear placement, without rounded cheeks breaking up this line.  Allowances do need to be made for adult males with jowls.

Please see the Illustrations at the end of the standard sections of this web site.

Coats -

It can be difficult to tell the coat length in young cats and it does take time for the coats to fully mature.   Because of the genetics of this coat mutation, kittens can "molt" several times before the coat is fully mature.  Many of the first kittens believed to be born bald, actually shed their coats soon after birth and then grew new coats.  Also hormones seem to play an important role in coats, some females will molt almost down to bare skin after having a litter.   Alters do not seem to go through as much of a molt as sexually intact cats.   Molting can begin with patches and then slowly cover the entire cat, leaving fur only on the face, legs and tail tip.

Some breeders are attempting to breed this trait out, but this writer is not sure that this would be a sound project, though it may make more cats keep a show coat, but it could change the basics of the original mutation.

If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me by clicking here.