The fairest fur of all

COSTA MESA -- Olen Wilford has been appraising feline beauty for 25 years. In that time he’s learned a thing or two about the virtues of good breeding.

Looking for good color and symmetry keeps him busy enough. But Wilford also studies the playfulness of his many contestants, gauged in part by how these domestic house cats react when he dangles tinsel in front of their pens.

Wilford had quite a job ahead of him Sunday at the Maine Attraction Cat Show, where he was charged with judging 225 cats representing 41 breeds. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. breeders and cat lovers alike converged on an exposition building at the Orange County fairgrounds to purchase cat goodies from about a dozen vendors. They meandered through the aisles to catch a peek at the contestants, some of which were sleeping in their pens as if they were not aware they were the center of attention. Cat fans grabbed seats to watch the judging close-up.

Felines could be entered in one of four categories: pedigree kittens, premiereship class or neutered, champion or adult non-neutered, and “household mutts”—cats that are not purebred. Over the course of the day, each cat would meet the discerning eye of four different judges, including Wilford. “It’s like 16 different cat shows going on over here,” show manager George Eigenhauser said.

Eigenhauser explained that the cats can win on two levels—best in their specific breed, and as an overall favorite.

Each of the four judges abides by a book of standards, and each cat is scored on a 100-point system. The system focuses on certain areas, depending on breed.

“We’re looking for the perfect cat and alas, it does not exist,” Wilford said. “But sometimes you get close.”

Cats that bite are automatically disqualified. Judges also frown upon uncleanliness. “Cat’s by nature are fastidiously clean, but every once in a while they need a brushing and maybe a bath,” said Wilford. “It’s definitely a beauty contest.”

Judge Holly Ayers said that a nice example of a breed really stands out. “I like to see straightness of legs, high cheekbones, gorgeous profile,” she said.

One such cat was getting the royal treatment from his owner just down the aisle from Wilford’s judging booth. Seven-month-old “Just Jack 2006,” whose nickname was Justin, lay on a tall bench, his owner Charles Ober applying some “kitty mousse” to his long white and black coat.

“As long as he gets attention, he behaves well,” Ober said.

Ober placed coffee filters with holes cut out of the center around Justin’s neck, so he would not lick himself and mess up his grooming. He applied a special white powder to safely remove natural stains in the fur just below Justin’s eyes.

Justin couldn’t keep still while Wilford made his evaluation. Every time an award was placed on the front of the pen, Justin nibbled it off and pulled it inside with him.

His feistiness scored some points with Wilford who judged the bi-color Persian Second Best in Breed in the kitten division.