WHAT'S WITH THE NAMES?

If you’ve spent time looking at catteries or browsing CFA websites, you’ve probably run into some wild CFA cat names. We’re talking titles like CH Purrfection’s Sir Naps-a-Lot of Meowtown—and that’s a tame one.

So what’s going on?

Title

Cats awarded titles

Prefix

Name of the cattery where the cat was born

Name

Cats show name

Suffix

If the cat was sold to a cattery that catteries name will go here. 

Titles and What They Mean

Cats can earn titles through competition. These aren’t just for show—they indicate status and achievement. You’ll often see cat show titles in front of or after the CFA cat name.

  • CH (Champion) – A title earned by an unaltered cat who competed in six rings and was never disqualified.
  • PR (Premier) – Similar to Champion, but for altered (spayed/neutered) cats. Requires four successful ring showings.
  • GC (Grand Champion) – This cat defeated enough other Champions (at least 200 points worth) to earn the top-level title.
  • GP (Grand Premier) – Same level of accomplishment, but for altered cats.
  • GCD (Grand Champion of Distinction) – Earned by a Grand Champion who has made it to 30 finals each year for three consecutive show seasons.
  • RW (Regional Winner) – Given to cats ranked in the top 25 in their region for the season.
  • NW (National Winner) – Reserved for the best of the best—top 25 in the entire world.
  • BW (Breed Winner) – Awarded to the highest-scoring cat in a specific breed.

What It All Tells You

If you decide to purchase a pedigree for your kitten, you’ll get the full scoop: names, titles, lineage. You’ll see if the parents and grandparents have earned Champion, Grand Champion, or even National Winner titles.

It’s not just a list of names—it’s a map of achievement, breeding quality, and show history. When those long names pop up, you’ll know exactly what they mean—and maybe have a little more appreciation for the dramatic flair of it all.

 

TITLES FOR BREEDER ACHEIVMENTS

DM – Distinguished Merit is given to cats who has had offspring become grand champions. Females need to produce 5 grand champion kittens and males need to produce 10 grand champion kittens to receive this. This title goes on the end of the name.

 

CAT SHOWS

Rings – Each cat show has a certain amount of rings. The number of rings is determined by how many judges there are as each judge gets their own ring. Every cat will show in each judges ring.

Finals – When a judge has completed all their rings for the day the top cats from each ring will be called back to compete in the final round against the other top cats for that judge.