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Capable Cats –

An Introduction to

Cow Hocks and Structure

"Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

“Capable Cats – An Introduction to

Cow Hocks and Structure”

This is a TICA Judging School for exhibitors and

judges by Vickie Shields, Approved All Breeds

Judge, Judging School Instructor, and Ring

Training Instructor licensed by The International

Cat Association (TICA)

Successful completion of this Capable Cats seminar earns:

2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the TICA

Judging Program when moderated by a TICA-licensed

Judging School Instructor; or,

1 CEU when a self-administered class upon successfully

passing the Test at the end with a score of 10 or better

What you will learn today:

1. What is a hock?

2. What are cow hocks? (sometimes called x-legs)

3. What is toeing-out in front?

4. Why is good structure necessary?

5. For breeders and judges, what is important?

6. A few words about...

7. Examples of good structure

8. When judging, how can you evaluate structure?

9. Test your knowledge of structure

1. What is a hock?

Feet have evolved many forms depending on the animal's

needs.

One key variation is where on the foot the animal's weight

is placed.

In addition to humans, other mammals such as raccoons,

bears, and armadillos walk with the heel on the ground.

This is called “plantigrade” posture.

heel, hock

Our plantigrade posture is good for walking,

but not for running

(Armadillos don’t run away, they roll up)

Cats walk

on their toes

Running mammals tend to be built to run on

their toes

The feet are naturally held in this position -

with the heel off the ground - and only the toes

maintain contact with the ground

Cats run

and jump Dog - run

Because these

mammals are running

on their toes (digits), this

is called “digitigrade”

posture.

In addition to running,

digitigrade mammals

(like cats and dogs) are

also good at moving

quietly and holding a

target steadily in sight.

“Unguligrade” animals (termed ungulates) are those

which walk on the tips of their toes, typically on hooves.

This even further increases their stride length and thus

their speed. Examples include horses, deer, antelope,

goats, pigs and sheep.

Human sprinters try to "run on their

toes,” because the greater stride length allows for more speed

2. What are cow hocks?

(Cow hocks are also sometimes referred to as “x-legs”)

Not actually cow

hocked, these

people are standing

with their toes and

knees pointing out

(but they should be

standing on the

balls of their feet

to be like cats)

This gives you an

idea of how the toes

point outward on a

cow hocked cat "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Cow hocks are a

misalignment of

the back leg joints.

The hocks come

together in the

The knees and

toes point outward.

Knees are more

difficult to evaluate

on longhair cats.

Cow hocked dogs and cats have weak thrust, poor

stability, and diminished lateral strength

Notice knee

alignment

The excellent alignment of the legs and knees is apparent

even without seeing the toes

The Newfoundland dog breeder who bought the above Maine Coon writes,

“An irresponsible breeder is one that will take an affected dog or cat from

a litter that has any of the inherited leg anomalies and breed it, or will breed

the same two animals repeatedly producing the same anomalies.

These irresponsible breeders are doing all this for the wrong reasons and it

makes them equal to the puppy mills.”

3. What is toeing-out

in front?

Toeing-out in front

“Toeing-out,” feet face out, elbows turn inward

Narrow chest, front

feet are together,

and the back toes

are pointing out

4. Why is good

structure necessary?

What do cat show judges do?

Why do we show pedigreed cats?

Judges have an important responsibility –

they help select the future breeding cats,

because the highly-awarded cats are often

used more for breeding

"Everyone involved in the sport of purebred dogs is to

some degree a judge, whether they be breeder, owner,

judge or exhibitor in field, obedience, or show.

They all need to be able to evaluate structure to

determine their dog's ability to function.

This evaluation

should be based

on knowledge.” ~ Thelma R. Brown and

Edward M. Gilbert, Jr.

Judges and Breeders

collaborate in a partnership

to improve the breeds

Judges are the “custodians of the breeds.”

Judges are the Quality Control Department,

experts who give informed, honest evaluations.

Excellent

Sometimes 30% or more of the pedigreed cats

at cat shows are cow hocked, which suggests

we have a big opportunity for improvement

Judges and breeders need to have very high

quality standards, and evaluate the cats for the

benefit of the breeds, and know which

imperfections are important "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

5. For breeders and

judges, what is

important?

“Build the barn

before you paint it.”

1. Health - Functional Proper functional structure, breathe through nose, see

clearly without watery eyes, healthy condition, etcetera.

Correct function is important to the cat for a good life!

2. Temperament – Character Most kittens will become pets, and show cats also need

good personalities in the show hall so they can be judged

3. Breed Type Big ears, small ears, round eyes, etc., for the breed

4. Color The easiest to change, and the least important to the cats’

quality of life

What is important?

quality of life

What is important?

quality of life

What is important?

3. Breed Type Big ears, small ears, round eyes, or whatever, for the breed

quality of life

What is important?

3. Breed Type Big ears, small ears, round eyes, or whatever, for the breed

quality of life

What is important?

Health - Functional

Temperament - Character

Breed Type

Color "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Health - Functional

Breed Type

Health - Functional

Breed Type

Did you know all of the TICA

Breed Standards of Perfection

require correct structure?

(Correct structure is not required for the Household Pet entries, of course.)

Where it is located in every

breed’s Standard

See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for more comprehensive rules

governing penalties and disqualifications.

Where I think it should be

located because of the

importance of functional health

“See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN for

more comprehensive rules governing

penalties and disqualifications.”

What it says:

256.12

Many abnormalities which are detected in judging are

not breed specific, but, rather occur in all cats.

Responsible breeding aims to conserve our breeds

while maintaining their health which means focusing

on reducing or eliminating these abnormalities.

Household Pets are excepted from this rule because

they are not the result of planned breeding programs.

TICA Show Rules

ARTICLE SIXTEEN – Judging Procedures

Except as otherwise stated in this rule,

judges shall penalize or disqualify,

depending upon severity,

championship cats, non-championship

kittens, Advanced New Breeds (ANB),

and New Traits Class (NT) [see TICA

Standing Rules 701.4.3], and shall

penalize championship alters for the

following:

256.12.7

Inability to bear or support

weight or to walk normally.

256.12.8

Abnormal positioning

of the legs and feet while

standing.

Examples include, but are not limited to, bowed or

Cow hocked legs, splaying of the feet, or obvious

toeing in or out of the feet.

Excellent legs and feet

“judges shall

penalize or disqualify

depending upon severity”

Penalize to Disqualify

Notice the TICA Show Rules say penalizing tail faults is

discretionary, whereas penalizing or disqualifying

structural problems is mandatory

Here are excerpts from the Show Rules of some other cat

associations. Structure is addressed in various ways.

. Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), U.S.A.

"The following descriptions and drawings of "normal" and "abnormal" are offered as

an educational tool to help develop and refine the ability of cat fanciers to recognize

and select against undesirable and potentially harmful physical characteristics."

"Judges help to promote the elimination of defects by recognizing and rewarding

cats with structural soundness on the show bench."

Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), U.K.

"As the desire of any concerned breeder must be to try to eliminate any defects

which can affect the health or comfort of cats, it is obviously undesirable to breed

from any cats with defects, and especially from those displaying severe examples

of any defects."

"The fact that it may be necessary to breed from a cat showing a minor expression

of a defect does not mean that the cat should be shown and be expected to win.

Judges too should help to eliminate defects by penalising them on the show bench

wherever they are encountered."

Australian Cat Federation (ACF), Australia

Rules Concerning Disqualifications:

“Cats with skeletal deformities (e.g. saddleback, flattened chest, protrusion of

sternum or xiphisternum) or any skeletal irregularity which is not included in the

breed standard.

Southern Africa Cat Council (SACC), South Africa

“Undesirable features in all breeds: (in addition to the Breed Standards)

• Any other bone irregularity”

In horses and other livestock, cow hocking is known

that the imbalance of weight leads to painful

arthritis, and a reluctance to walk

Dogs also try to compensate

for misalignments, which

causes improper wear

and pain in nearby joints

There is a strong relationship

between the rear leg and

the general health and

soundness of the foot

Excellent

Some breeds of horses, like Arabians and draft horses, want hind legs

'set' at an angle to provide leverage, which is not to be confused with

"cow hocks". Lateral side of both hocks should be slightly visible when

standing directly behind animal. Hoofs should 'point' slightly outward.

The horse’s cannon bones are perfectly parallel (not X-legs), but you can

see the sides of his cannon bones from behind. It is considered a fault in

a driving horse to have hind legs perfectly square on the body, as this

gives no leverage for pulling.

Domestic cats are both predator and prey.

They need escape speed, jumping, landing stability,

plus functional maneuverability and agility.

Powerful and stable back legs are important

to the cats themselves.

This is an example of the areas where I work in

western U.S. Over the past eight years, I have seen

hundreds of cats on ranches, farms and rural homes

like this. I have never seen a cow hocked cat. Why?

Unfortunately, I think the cow-hocked cats are

handicapped, and they get killed by coyotes because

they cannot escape, or they die of starvation because

they cannot catch food efficiently "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

A feral ranch cat. These capable cats survive without human

assistance. They catch their own food, and avoid being

caught or killed by predators.

They need good physical structure to change positions quickly,

for side-to-side movement, for speed, and for stability. "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Get 2 chairs, 2 toys, and 2 cats -- one cow hocked, one not

Then, have both cats jump up-down, up-down, up-down…

The cow hocked cat falls behind very quickly, because it has

both less stability on landing, and less power on the jump

Try this at home

hocked

A cat with

structure

Structure is important for function

Cow hocks are a

disqualifying defect in

rabbits in the show

ring and for breeding

because it is a

functional problem

What happens when you

breed a very cow hocked

cat to one with good legs?

You can get a range from

bad to fairly good.

After using a severely cow

hocked male because he

had a beautiful pattern, a

Bengal breeder told me it

took her 4 generations of

breeding to good legs to

return to uniformly good

legs in the kittens.

But it can be bred out,

eventually.

6. A few words about… • Balance

• Tail Set

• Front Paw Flexibility

• Giving Birth

• Pateller Luxation

• Hip Dysplaysia

• Shoulder Angles

• Other Problems

• Radiography

For a moment, look at this cat, thinking about power, and weight distribution:

A few words about… Balance

Not balanced: Balanced:

• Both back feet are behind the hips

• Front legs compensating to hold weight

by reaching far behind shoulders

• Cat is unable to change directions quickly

• Back legs are equally supporting hip

weight

• Front legs evenly supporting shoulders

• Responsive, flexible, agile movement

The Bengal Standard says, “A thick, low-set,

medium-length tail adds balance to the cat.”

This croup is gently sloping, with the tail set on just below the level of the back.

A few words about… Tail Set

“Hips are medium width, prominent, slightly higher

than shoulders with a long sloping croup to tail.”

Example of another breed with low set tail, from

the Pixiebob breed standard:

Great Pyrenees tail set low and carried low in repose

Tail set is high off a flat croup

Tail is set very high on a short, flat croup

Low tail set, displaying the soft

flowing curve over the croup

The ability to rotate

the front paws inward

is natural for cats

• Front paws can

rotate inward and

grasp objects

• Correct back legs,

making a tripod

using its tail

• Chest and front

legs are excellent

A few words about… Front Paw Flexibility

Catching a toy

Catching a ball

Dogs with cow hocks require more surgical

intervention (Ceasarian-sections) to give

birth than dogs with good conformation.

Perhaps this is true with cats, also?

A few words about… Giving Birth

Patellar luxation (“trick knee,” floating

kneecap) when patella can dislocate,

or slip in and out of the normal location

A few words about… Pateller Luxation

These trick knees are sometimes

noticed when judging, if they are

a high grade of severity. When

the cat is on its back legs, it is

weak, unsteady, and wobbles,

maybe like a hula dancer.

To easily check your own cat

easily at home, if the cat can

walk a few steps when all the

way up on its toes, this means

their knees are fine, according

the a veterinarian I asked.

Resting down on the hocks

like these cats is not the

same demonstration of

excellent knees; they need

to be up on their toes

• Hip dysplaysia

(“dysplaysia” means

“poor development”)

is not necessarily

associated with cow

• Judges cannot

accurately determine

degree of hip

dysplaysia, according

to the veterinarians

that I talked to

A few words about… Hip Dysplaysia

This cat has hip dysplasia, diagnosed by a veterinarian by x-ray. It appears to

be cow-hocked or weak in the back. For judging purposes, the important thing

is only the “abnormal positioning of the feet and legs while standing,” which

must be penalized, not the reason for it (TICA Show Rules, Article XVI)

A Labrador Retriever standing with back legs close together to compensate for

hip dysplasia. This abnormal positioning of the legs and feet while standing is

sometimes seen in show cats when judging, and should be penalized.

Breeders also need to be aware of hip dysplasia. I know for a fact it has been

found in some Maine Coons, Bengals, British Shorthairs, and probably in other

breeds. Hip dysplasia is inheritable and can occur in any breed or housecat.

More dogs with hip dysplasia.

Notice the variety of

appearances of the back feet

and leg alignments.

Front legs

too vertical

Front legs at good

angles for a cat,

for jumping and

landing abilities

Open shoulder

angulation is

preferred on some

dog breeds, like

the Basenji

Malamute’s

angles are

like a cat

A few words about… Shoulder Angles

Pictures of structure

problems in llamas,

which are also

occasionally seen

when judging cats

Dropped pasterns Cow hocked

Narrow rear

Post legs, no good hock angle

(no “shock absorbers”)

Narrow front Toeing out in front "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

A few words about… Other Problems

• Can x-rays determine cow hocking?

• No, because of the positioning of the cats’ legs during x-rays.

• Observing the cat standing is the way to see cow hocks

Right lateral Ventrodorsal (frog-leg) position

A few words about… Radiology

7. Examples of good

conformation

Excellent

Munchkin

Excellent

House cat in

Tokyo, Japan

Excellent

Street cat in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Excellent

Excellent knees and legs "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Devon Rex

kittens, and

their good legs

are already

visible

Structure is

apparent by the

time kittens are

8 weeks old

Great legs

Here are some

examples of

wild cats

Notice their

functional, strong,

excellent structure

Cougar

Asian Leopard Cats

Sand Cat

Legs look excellent, front and rear.

Shoulders, back, neck, too.

Powerful thrust!

8. Judging

The length, size, substance, proportions and angles

of the bones in the body create its conformation.

It is the balance and interaction of these

components that give us our various breeds.

Conformation shows provide

a systematic way of

evaluating the structure

within a breed.

The uneducated eye might

see only the superficial

appearance.

But the more knowledgeable

eye of judges can evaluate

more deeply. "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

It may be easier to be a good dog show judge

than it is to be a good cat show judge,

because when the dogs are moving around

the ring, their structure is clearly visible "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

How can back legs be checked

when judging the cats at cat shows?

Checking can be done on the table, with the weight off the feet so their feet aren’t sliding

I would check this cat more closely; because both back and front feet point slightly out

The misalignment of legs and feet may be caused by hip dysplasia.

The reason is not important when judging. If the cat has, “Abnormal

positioning of the legs and feet while standing,” then it must be penalized.

(TICA Show Rules, Article XVI)

This cat’s toes appear to be pointing outward, but tail is hiding

knees, so I would try him on the table, like in the previous photo,

to verify. Being in the air, you can see his legs are not relaxed

like when they are touching the table

Holding the cat at the top of its thighs, let the legs hang

naturally, gently let feet touch the table so the cat relaxes, and

notice where the toes and hocks are pointing, whether ahead

or out, like on a clock pointing to 10 and 2. ggg

This is also an nice way to notice the back legs. The cat

is relaxed. Toes and knees are facing forward.

Everything is visible, and the cat is happy.

Excellent

When judging dogs (and cats), it is important to look at them

when they are standing naturally.

Structural problems or discomfort are evident if they shift weight

from one foot to another, or move one back foot forward to

adjust stability, or shift their body weight to the front or the back.

"Treat a work of art like a prince: let it speak to you first.“ – Arthur Schopenhauer

“Treat cats like royalty: let them speak to you first.” – Vickie Shields

Knees aligned, and point straight ahead

Notice curling down of back toes to hang

onto the judges hand, which cow hocked

cats can’t perform

Cats curling their back toes to hang on is equivalent

to people picking up something with their toes.

Cats can only do this if they have good back legs.

Structure is also important because we love our cats,

and want them to live long, healthy, happy, lives

At cat shows, functional health needs to be the

highest priority, as it is at the dog shows, horse shows,

llama shows, rabbit shows, and etcetera "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Dogs cannot

catch and hold

with their paws

like cats can, so

they catch and

hold with their

mouths instead

9. Test

Test 1 Which Singapura is cow hocked?

Correct!

Test 3 Which cat is cow hocked?

Correct!

Test 4 Which horse is cow hocked?

"Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011 Correct!

Test 5 Which dog has the best front structure?

Correct! "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Test 6 Which dog has the best rear structure?

Correct! Cow hocked Too narrow "Capable Cats ® - An Introduction to Cow Hocks and Structure,” TICA Judging and Exhibitor School, by Vickie Shields November 12, 2011

Test 7 Which British Shorthair has the best front?

A B C D

Test 7 Which British Shorthair has the best front?

A B C D

Correct!

Test 8 What do you observe about these two cats?

A is excellent

B has cow hocks, front ankles together, and elbows out

Test 9 Which dog is cow hocked?

Correct!

Test 10

Which cat has better balance?

Test 10

Which cat has better balance?

Correct!

Congratulations!

You have completed the TICA Judging School,

"Capable Cats - An Introduction to

Cow Hocks and Structure”

For comments, questions, or to contribute photos, please email

Vickie Shields, vshields@ix.netcom.com

Questions?

The End

(Notice the

excellent structure

of the back legs!)

This seminar has been reviewed and approved by:

Adriana Kajon, PhD, Research Scientist,

Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute,

a TICA Approved All Breeds Judge,

Genetics Committee Member, Genetics

Instructor, Judging School Instructor and

Ring Training Instructor, and photographer

Brian Bailey, DPM, Podiatric Physician

and Surgeon, Professor of Anatomy,

Physiology and Podiatric Medicine, and

Ragdoll breeder and exhibitor

Johan Lamprecht, MD, Medical Faculty,

University of Stellenbosch, an All Breeds

Judge, South African Cat Council (SACC)

and World Cat Federation (WCF)

Terry Curtis, DVM, MS, Veterinarian and

Small Animal Behaviorist specializing in

the social organization of cats

Pam Knowles, MS, Wildlife Biologist,

long-time Bengal breeder, and founder

of Bison Quest Sanctuary and Spa in

Montana after realizing how disconnected

most people are from the natural world

Thank you to the members of the

International Ragdoll Congress

(IRC) for requesting this seminar be

created for their Ragdoll Congress

Show in Chicago, Illinois, March

capable cats an introduction to cow hocks and structure cats - an introduction to cow... · capable...

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