The cat fancy in the middle of the 20th century was a far different world from what we know today.
In 1950, only 6 breeds were recognized by CFA for competition!! Those 6 original breeds were:
- Abyssinian
- American Shorthair
- Manx (SH only)
- Persian
- Russian Blue
- Siamese
Over the next 50+ years, an impressive number of new breeds were added. Today 42 breeds are eligible to compete in the Championship, Premiership, Kitten and Veteran Classes. 2 breeds (the Khao Manee and Toybob) are eligible to be shown in the non-competitive classes (Miscellaneous or Provisional), working toward advancement to championship status.
Companion Cats (CCW) are eligible to compete in the Household Pet (HHP) class.
Here’s a look at the timeline for the addition of new breeds:
