Breed Standards
To be considered an authentic purebred, a cat must be registered with a cat association and come with a pedigree that attests to its parentage and traces its lineage. Purebred cats are judged and defined according to a precise set of aesthetic ideals called breed standards. Drawn up by breed registries, these standards govern the "conformation" — size and shape of the body, head, tail, face, ear, eye, nose, muzzle, chin, neck, leg and paw — as well as coat density, texture and specific colors or patterns. Failure to conform to any one part of the standard may disqualify a cat from competitive showing. But whether or not a cat is show quality is only relevant if you plan to enter your cat in competitions; what's considered a "flaw" is superficial and of no concern if you just want a pet.
With seven different registries in North America alone and several others in Europe, standards and even breed acceptance can vary dramatically from group to group. Although approximately 50 cat breeds are officially recognized by at least one registry, fewer than 30 are acknowledged by all of them. Philosophical differences among, and even within, the different organizations account for much of the inconsistent nature of modern cat appreciation. Purists favor strict guidelines in defining existing breeds and in accepting new ones, while others encourage experimentation and are quicker to accept new breeds. However, getting a new breed recognized can be difficult, even by the more liberal registries, and can take years. The regulations for acceptance vary, but each new breed must be distinct from existing breeds, must exhibit good health and lack genetic defects. Breeds usually go through steps of provisional acceptance until they are accorded full breed status.
