Amend Show Rules 216.12.4 (Tail faults)
Rationale
Show Rule Article 16 is condensed and appears on every standard. The wording needs to be the exact same phrasing in both places; the Show Rules and in all the standards. Not being exact in the breed standards can and does create confusion for judges and exhibitors.
This proposal to use consistent wording for both the Show Rule and each breed standards will reduce confusion for exhibitors and judges as well.
Advantages of the Proposal
- Clarifies that tail faults are not an automatic disqualification unless required by a Board approved Breed Standard
- Ensures that the wording of both the Show Rule and each pedigree Breed Standard is consistent
Disadvantages of the Proposal
- Administrative work required by the EO to update all pedigree Breed Standards
Amend Show Rules 216.12.4
216.12 Many abnormalities which are detected in judging are not breed specific, but rather occur in all cats. Responsible breeding aims to conserve our breeds while maintaining their health which means focusing on reducing or eliminating these abnormalities. Household Pets are excepted from this rule. Except as otherwise stated in this rule, judges shall penalize or disqualify, depending upon severity, championship cats, non-championship kittens, Preliminary New Breeds (PNB), and Advanced New Breeds (ANB), [see TICA Standing Rules 701.4.3], and shall penalize championship alters for the following:
[215.12.1 to 216.12.3 omitted for brevity]
Current version: 216.12.4 Visible or invisible tail faults are a disqualification at the discretion of the judge, or as required by a Board approved standard
Proposed version: 216.12.4 Visible or invisible tail faults are a disqualification at the discretion of the judge, unless a Board approved standard requires disqualification.
[If the proposal is approved by the membership:
All pedigree Breed Standards should be amended as follows for consistency. Note that this is will be administrative process carried out by the Executive Office and does not require any Breed Committee to put forward a formal standard change under Bylaw 118.2]
Temperament must be unchallenging; any sign of definite challenge shall disqualify.
The cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally complain aloud but may not threaten to harm. In accordance with Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN, the following shall be considered mandatory disqualifications: a cat that bites (216.9), a cat showing evidence of intent to deceive (216.10), adult whole male cats not having two descended testicles (216.11), cats with all or part of the tail missing, except as authorized by a board approved standard (216.12.1), cats with more than five toes on each front foot and four toes on each back foot, unless proved the result of an injury or as authorized by a board approved standard (216.12.2), visible or invisible tail faults are a disqualification at the discretion of the judge, unless a Board approved standard requires disqualification 216.12.4), crossed eyes if Board approved standard requires disqualification (216.12.5), total blindness (216.12.6), markedly smaller size, not in keeping with the breed (216.12.9), and depression of the sternum or unusually small diameter of the rib cage itself (216.12.11.1). See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for more comprehensive rules governing penalties and disqualifications.