Cavy Shows
I strongly suggest everyone goes to a show at least once. They are wonderful fun for anyone of any age - cavy owner or not. If you do have fuzzy friends, they don't even have to have Pedigree papers to compete!
There are two types of competition - Condition (for pets) and Fancy (for papered, pure bred cavies). If a pet is high enough condition and fits the standard of breed, they are allowed to compete in the fancy competition. Below is a link to the Standards Book that explains the standard a cavy must fit to be considered pure and be able to show in competitions.
http://cavycouncil.org.au/images/pdf/SRP/2012standardsbook.pdf
Competitions are held once a month at Pinewood Primary School. I am there every month so come and say hi!
There are two types of competition - Condition (for pets) and Fancy (for papered, pure bred cavies). If a pet is high enough condition and fits the standard of breed, they are allowed to compete in the fancy competition. Below is a link to the Standards Book that explains the standard a cavy must fit to be considered pure and be able to show in competitions.
http://cavycouncil.org.au/images/pdf/SRP/2012standardsbook.pdf
Competitions are held once a month at Pinewood Primary School. I am there every month so come and say hi!
CCV Show 3.3.13
A fantastic beginning to the show year! I showed two cavies in the Fancy class and one in Condition. Homer (Condition Adult boar) did very well and got a first place ribbon. His size and attitude played well into it. Sasquatch Jr. (Fancy class Baby {3-6 months} silver agouti Rex boar) was also lucky enough to come away with a first place ribbon, though could use some bulking up. Jackpot (Fancy class baby gold and slate Sheba Miniyak boar) ALSO got a first place ribbon! The judge was very informative and explained everything he was looking for, though didn't seem a big supporter of the breed, as am I. My boys got some celebratory parsley and were taken back home by 5:30pm. Long day (started at 10am) but very much worth it. Can't wait for next month, when I'll have my first Awesome litters to begin preparing to show!
"Homer" - adult black, gold and white Abyssinian
"Jackpot" - baby gold and slate Sheba Miniyak
"Sasquatch Jr." - baby silver agouti Rex
Competitions take place on the first Sunday of every month (except in Summer and on days where the Saturday 6pm news predicts heat of 35 degrees or higher.)
Any breed, experience level and age is welcome. You don't even need to be a member! (though membership is well worth it!!) Everyone is happy to answer questions, there are lots of beautiful cavies to see and even some for sale. It is a truly wonderful experience, and completely free to come along!
Any breed, experience level and age is welcome. You don't even need to be a member! (though membership is well worth it!!) Everyone is happy to answer questions, there are lots of beautiful cavies to see and even some for sale. It is a truly wonderful experience, and completely free to come along!
Breed Standards
Here is an example of the Rex Breed Standard - how a Rex must look in order to obtain top points and win competitions. Breeding pure, beautiful and healthy cavies is my TOP priority. Pet shop cavies tent to have a mixed, sickly look about them, yet competition cavies have a recognisable sheen of perfection. Hopefully as time goes by, more people will want to carry on the blood and appearance of these wonderful little creatures.
Guide notes to Judges
-This is a coarse/rough coated cavy without rosettes
-The coat should be thick, short and springy
-No more than 1/2 inch ( 1 1/4 cm ) in length, preferably shorter
-Texture to be coarse on top, allowing for a softer coat on exhibits under 5 months old
-They should have medium body length with well formed limbs and no narrowness
-Guard hairs should be removed
-The head to be wide and moderately blunt, with good width between the eyes.
-Eyes should be large, full and bold
-Ears to be drooping, shapely and large
-Body of good condition with firm flesh
Breed specific faults
-extreme center parting
-coat length over 1/2 inch
-soft coat on top of body
-guard hairs
-flatness of coat anywhere
Disqualifications (DQ's)
-Rosettes - partial or full
-hair lying in a different direction from the desirable lie of the coat
Guide notes to Judges
-This is a coarse/rough coated cavy without rosettes
-The coat should be thick, short and springy
-No more than 1/2 inch ( 1 1/4 cm ) in length, preferably shorter
-Texture to be coarse on top, allowing for a softer coat on exhibits under 5 months old
-They should have medium body length with well formed limbs and no narrowness
-Guard hairs should be removed
-The head to be wide and moderately blunt, with good width between the eyes.
-Eyes should be large, full and bold
-Ears to be drooping, shapely and large
-Body of good condition with firm flesh
Breed specific faults
-extreme center parting
-coat length over 1/2 inch
-soft coat on top of body
-guard hairs
-flatness of coat anywhere
Disqualifications (DQ's)
-Rosettes - partial or full
-hair lying in a different direction from the desirable lie of the coat
|
Feature Points
Density of coat Springiness of coat Shape and Type Length of coat Texture of coat Eyes Ears Condition |
20 20 15 10 10 10 10 5 Total 100 points |
The National
Every year, a national competition is held where cavies and their owners come together and show. There are many cavies for sale and breeders from all over with every breed in Australia. A cavy that wins in the Nationals is given a championship and their offspring are highly sought after. It is held in August in Narrandera, NSW, and is open to anyone. More info can be found on the Australian National Cavy Council website. A link is available on my Useful Links page.
