Cheetah-Like Cat Features At Royal Easter Cat Show

For Immediate Release
Monday 23 March 2009

Cheetah-Like Cat Features At Royal Easter Cat Show

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Tiger Lily the Cheetoh will be on display at the Royal Easter Show on Easter Sunday.

A domestic cat that looks like its wild namesake the Cheetah is one of several new breeds set to impress visitors at this year’s Royal Easter Cat Show.

New to New Zealand, the Cheetoh is part of a specific breeding programme incorporating Bengal and Ocicat bloodlines, and has markings like that of a Cheetah or Jungle Cat. Also new is the Turkish Angora. One of the oldest natural breeds in the world, it can be traced back as far as the twelfth century.

Organised by CATZ Inc, the popular feline show and competition is part of the Royal Easter Show on from Thursday 9 - Monday 13 April at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland. The Royal Easter Cat Show runs for four days from the Friday to the Monday.

A recognised breed from the United States, breeder Leanne George (from Ramarama) says the Cheetoh incorporates the distinctive characteristics of the Ocicat and Bengal, but has its own unique attributes.

“Cheetohs are unsurpassed in gentleness of character but with a wild look and outgoing personality. They are incredibly social and loving cats, with lots of energy, and are extremely intelligent and curious. Their docile nature means they can be trusted around anyone, especially children,” says Leanne.

Leanne’s young female cat Tiger Lily will be on display at the show on Easter Sunday.

Other unusual breeds expected at the show include the Jungala, Snowshoe, Temple Cat, hairless Sphynx, Bengal, Exotic, Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Scottish Fold, long-haired Abyssinian the Somali and long-haired Burmese the Tiffanie.

All the various Lilliputian or short-legged cats including the Lambkin, Munchkin, Skookum and Napoleon will be on display at the show.

Also expected are the popular Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest Cat, the largest and second largest domestic cat breeds in the world and old favourites the Persian, Siamese, Burmese and Birman.

Even the household moggie gets its own section for ‘companion’ cats, judged on qualities such as health, personality and presentation and competing for the title of Supreme Grand Companion.

Visitors to the show can watch the judging as it unfolds with this year’s guest judge Yukimasa Hattori from Japan, and there will be demonstrations and talks over the four days.

The Royal Easter Show features plenty of other attractions for animal lovers with many of New Zealand’s top breeding animals competing for honours in the A&P competitions.

The ASB Farmzone with its simulated farm environment allows visitors to get up close to and learn about farm animals with new interactive activities like cow milking and butter making.

While an expanded equestrian schedule at neighbouring Alexandra Park involves breeds ranging from Arabians to Shetland Ponies to Miniature Horses.

Family passes to the Royal Easter Show are only $38, adults $18, senior citizens and students $12, children $6 and under-2s free. Entry to all shows and attractions, excluding the carnival rides, included in the show entry price at no extra cost.

ENDS

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