We are currently working under The International Cat Association (TICA) to develop the “Imperial” breed standard. This amazing feline has lineage from the Jungle cat and the Asian leopard cat, although our program uses no actual wild cats. The breed standard mixes exotic features of spots, marbling and rosettes seen in Asian leopard cats with the curled eared traits seen in the American curl, Jungle Curl and Highland Lynx. We are currently in phase one of the experimental breeding program.
To enhance the gene pool, we have carefully chosen breeders from Bengal, Highland Lynx, Desert Lynx, and Jungle Cat Hybrid breeds. All of our foundation cats bear some characteristics desired in the Imperial breed. The foundation kings and queens have spots, rosettes or marbling and some of the foundations have polydactyl feet and/or natural bob tails. Our foundation breeders are hybrid cats not from recognized as standard The International Cat Association (TICA) breeds and under their rules have been registered as Domestic Short Hair or Domestic Long Hair cats for use with the Imperial breeding program. Some of our foundation breeders are also registered with the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) as purebred Highland Lynx and Desert Lynx cats.
All of the cats used in our program are very smart, loving and have dog-like personalities. All of our cats are raised underfoot and have regular interaction with other cats, dogs and children.
Even though the TICA standard will evolve over time below is the complete TICA Standard we are working towards at the current time.
IMPERIAL BREED GROUP (IS/IL)
The Imperial (IS) is a well-balanced shorthair cat with a fantasy wild cat look and curled ears. The Imperial Longhair (IL) is the the longhair variety of the breed.
HEAD. . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 points
Shape. . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Ears. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Eyes ... . . . . . . . . . . . . ..5
Chin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Muzzle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Profile.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
BODY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 points
Torso. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Feet. . . . . . . . . . . ….....10
Tail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Boning. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..3
Musculature. . . . . . . . . . 4
COAT/COLOR/PATTERN. 30 points
Texture.. . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Color. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
CATEGORIES: Traditional.
DIVISIONS: Tabby and Silver/Smoke.
COLORS: All colors. Spotted Patterns or Marbled ONLY.
PERMISSIBLE OUTCROSSES:
Bengal, American Curl and Domestic longhair/shorthair, not a member of a recognized breed.
HEAD:
Shape: Medium inverted wedge, almost as wide as it is long.
Ears: The ear should curve backwards in an arch. Firm cartilage from ear base to at least one-third of height of ear. Wide at base and open; curving back in an arc when viewed from the front, side or rear. The surface of the curved portion of the ear should be smooth. Tips rounded and flexible. Moderately large in proportion to head. Set equally on top and side of head. Hair tufts inside ears desirable.
Eyes: Medium, slightly flattened oval and set on bias to just below the outside edge of the ear. Moderately large in proportion to head.
Chin: aligns with top of nose in profile.
Muzzle: Proportionate to the cheekbones and length of nose, with full whisker pads.
Nose: Large and wide; slightly puffed nose leather.
Profile: Straight nose with gentle rise from bridge of nose to forehead which then flows into arched neck without a break.
BODY:
Torso: Medium to large in size with noticeable depth. Rectangular in shape. Overall muscled, athletic appearance. Males are proportionally larger than females.
Legs: Medium length, slightly longer in the back than in the front.
Feet: Large and round.. All toes except dew claws must rest on floor pointing forward. Longhair (IL) must have toe tufts.
Tail: Medium to long tail acceptable. not longer than body.
Boning: Medium to large, dense, robust; never delicate.
Musculature: Muscular and athletic looking
COAT/COLOR/PATTERN:
Length (IS): Short with tail coat same length as body coat.
Length (IH): Semi-long with tail coat full and plumed.
Texture(IS): Dense and luxurious, close-lying, unusually soft and silky to the touch.
Texture(IH): Dense and luxurious, unusually soft and silky to the touch.
Patterns: Spotted or Marbled ONLY.
Spotted: Spots shall be random, or aligned horizontally. Rosettes showing two distinct colors or shades, such as paw print shaped, arrowhead shaped, doughnut or half-doughnut shaped or clustered are preferred to single spotting but not required. Extreme Contrast with ground color and spot color is desirable. Strong mascara markings desirable. Belly must have pattern.
Marbled: See TICA Uniform Color Description (74.1.1.2.1).
Glitter: Some glitter preferred but not required. The more the better without undue loss of contrast.
OTHER: Balance/proper proportion is more important than overall size.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Imperial is a medium to large cat with attractive curled ears combined with a beautiful spotted or marbled coat. They have a wild look, but the breed is not trying to mimic any real life wild animal. Keeping this in mind judges should give special merit to cats that exhibit unique and exotic patterns. They are athletic and exhibit a muscular and solid build. They are alert and active with gentle, even dispositions.
ALLOWANCES: Polydactyl; seven toes maximum. Spots on body running together forming strips on spotted cats. Paw pads not consistent with color group description. Allow for stud jowls in males. Males proportionately larger than females. Eyes slightly almond shaped.
PENALIZE:
Body: Excessive size without proper conformation. Any distinct locket on the neck, chest, abdomen or any other area.
Ears: Vertical/horizontal crimps. Depressions or ripples on the surface of the curled portion of the ears. Abrupt change of direction rather than a smooth curve. Lack of firm cartilage in base of ear. Extreme curl in an adult cat where the tip of the ear touches the back of the head or the ear itself. Ear tips that are not flexible.
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS (WW):
Belly not patterned. Straight or severely mismatched ears.
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 if 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 anddisqualifications.
Revised 07/21/10 Imperial Breed Group Standard, 07/21/2010
and Blog and Web.