Amidst all the revision of standards which has been occurring nationwide in the last couple of years, it may seem that the Feline Control Council of Victoria (Inc) has done little. Nothing could be further from the truth. The sub-committee responsible for breeding and standards matters in the FCCV has been at the forefront of providing joint drafts for our CCCA national standards. Part of this procedure has also involved reviewing our own standards, involving wide consultation with breeders, judges and other registration bodies. The outcome has been the acceptance of standards for a number of new breeds and of new colours in existing breeds. Unless our readers/members are able to take the time to read through the details of our standards they may not be aware of this. An account of breed changes was printed in the March 2001 Feline Focus. This is the FCCV’s official magazine, which is distributed 3-monthly and for which subscriptions can be taken out by contact with the Registrar on 03 9281 7404 or on the Administrative email address of M.jones@rasv.net.au However, many internet readers may not have access to this source, so the breed and colour changes adopted over the last 12 months or so are listed below.

GROUP 1
Ragdolls – Cream Pt, Red Pt, Tortoiseshell Pts , Tabby Pts (and related Tortoiseshell Tabby Pts) were accepted for challenge status. The Seal, Blue, Chocolate and lilac colours have long been approved.

GROUP 2
Cinnamon, Fawn, Caramel and Apricot are accepted for challenge status in all relevant patterns in Siamese, Balinese and Orientals. This follows a world-wide surge in interest in these colours. Articles abound on them, with a range of opinion about their genetics. Their origin is outside the scope of this short report, which is really just an information segment to keep readers informed on breed changes within the FCCV. The FCCV requires cats in the pointed chocolate gene group (and associated caramel, etc) to have various degrees of violet undertone in the eyes; giving a “fire” to the eye. This quality of eye colour is linked genetically to the chocolate gene and is expected to be clearly visible.

GROUP 3
Australian Mist is accepted in both the traditional spotted pattern and in the newer marbled pattern.
Bengal has been approved for a couple of years in spotted and marbled patterns. Blue Bengals are not accepted. Issues relating to colour description are currently under review.
Bombay has been accepted in only the traditional Black American style.
Japanese Bobtail (L/H and S/H)
Scottish Folds (Shorthair) – separated for challenge status in the 5 pattern groups of Solid colour, Marked (tabby and tortoiseshell), Silver, Patched and Pointed.
Scottish Shorthair – eligible for challenge status in the same 5 pattern groups as Folds.
Longhair Folds are eligible for one challenge, with all patterns grouped together.

ALL GROUP 3 standards are under review nationally through the CCCA and should be finalised by the end of this year. Revised standards will be published as approved.

Rod U’Ren, Chairman, Breed Sub-committee, FCCV.
April 2001