|
|
Look at these ears!
The ear shape is very different in the
various breeds. It is difficult to understand, what is meant with
phrases such as 'wide at the base', 'set upright', 'set high', 'set in
the corners', etc.
Which terms and phrases are used?
| Shape of ears |
Description |
| large and wide at the
base
|
large, tapering,
wide at the base,
set in the corners
|
| large, tapering
|
large, tapering,
wide at the base,
high (close) set |
| very large, very wide
at the base
|
very large, tapering,
very wide at the base,
set very wide apart
|
| very large, very wide
at the base, deep set
|
very large, tips rounded,
very wide at the base,
lower edge relatively deep set |
| medium in size,
tapering
|
medium in size, tapering
with rounded ear tips,
set in the corners of the head |
| medium in size, set
upright
|
medium in size, with
rounded ear tips
set upright and relatively high set |
| small, rounded ear
tips
|
small, ear tips rounded,
set
(very) wide apart |
| curled
|
arched backward
The arch varies, a maximum of 180° is permitted. The ear tips are
not permitted to touch the back of the head.
|
| folded
|
folded forward and
sideward, almost close lying to the head, but are not permitted to
touch the head or to lie on the head,
folded like a cap forward and sideward to enhance the roundness of
the head. |
Different shape, size and placement of the ears in the various
organizations
 | Unfortunately there is no common sense between the
organizations, which size, shape and placement the ears of specific
breeds shall have. |
| One could believe that for the recognition of a breed the
standard is taken from that organization, where the breed was first
recognized or where the breed originates (where it was first bred).
But the own interests of an organization seem to be more important. |
See the following examples, how differently the ears of various
breeds are described - the differences are written in cursive
letters:
Abyssinian, Somali
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
large, moderately
pointed, wide at the base,
slightly tilted forward, as if the cat would listen, alert |
X |
X |
|
|
Size, shape and
placement almost identical with the American standards,
'alert' is missing |
|
|
X |
|
Size and shape almost
identical with the American standards,
Placement:
set wide apart,
'alert' and 'tilted forward' are missing |
|
|
|
X |
It makes some difference in the expression, if the ears are tilted
forward or not. Mostly the ears are tilted forward, when the cat is
listening (= is alert).
American Bobtail
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size, wide at
the base,
set in the corners |
X |
|
- |
- |
medium to moderately
large in size,
wide at the base,
set in the corners that they continue the lines of the
wedge-shaped head |
|
X |
- |
- |
Mostly the ears are set in the corners, when they continue the
outer edge of the head - when they continue the line to the cheeks
down to the chin.
When the ears are set in the corners, they must not necessarily
continue the outer line of the head, they still can be set upright.
American Shorthair
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size, slightly
rounded tips and not too open at the base.
The distance between the ears is twice the distance of the eyes.
No description, how the ears are set. |
X |
|
- |
|
Shape and size are
identical.
Set wide apart. |
|
X |
- |
|
medium in size, slightly
rounded tips,
The distance between the ears is not vey broad, almost upright
set. |
|
|
- |
X |
It is missing in the American standards, if the ears point outwards
or if they are set vertically (upright).
In one standard the distance between the ears - the inner distance?
- is described in detail, in the next standard the distance is wide
(how wide?), and in the last standard the distance is not very wide.
Balinese, Siamese, Oriental
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
strikingly large,
pointed,
wide at the base,
continue the line of the wedge-shaped head. |
X |
X |
|
|
Instead of 'strikingly
large' large.
Shape is identical with the American standards.
Placement is identical with the American standards. |
|
|
X |
|
Instead of 'strikingly
large' very large.
Shape is identical with the American standards.
Placement is identical with the American standards. |
|
|
|
X |
These little words 'strikingly' and 'very' have a great impact, as
one can see already in reality, the ears are already much longer
compared to the length of the entire head.
Bengal
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size to
small, relatively short, wide at the base.
Set in the corners that they follow the contours of of the face,
in profile tilted forward. |
- |
X |
X |
|
small to medium in
size, rounded tips.
Slightly tilted forward.
How far they are set apart, is not described.
If they wide or narrow at the base, is not described. |
- |
|
|
X |
The order medium in size to small is quite important,
because this order is from top to down. Thus, the ears may be also
medium in size.
In the other standard the ears shall be small to medium in size,
that means, they should be preferably small.
When ears are wide at the base, they are also open, that one can
see into the ears, when viewed from the front.
How far apart the ears are set, changes the expression of a cat.
Birman
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium long, rounded
tips, almost as broad at the base as high,
set in the corners. |
X |
|
|
|
Size and shape almost
identical,
open at the base,
set moderately wide apart. |
|
X |
|
|
rather small,
tips rounded,
slightly tilted forward, not too upright set in a good distance. |
|
|
X |
|
Size and shape almost
identical with the American standards,
set within a good distance |
|
|
|
X |
None of the standards describes, what 'set in the corners' means,
whether it means, only set in the corners without continuing the outer
edge of the face or not.
'Set moderately wide apart', 'set within a good distance' are very
vague descriptions.
If the ears are tilted forward or not, changes the expression of
the breed.
British Shorthair
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size, rounded
tips,
wide at the base
Set wide apart that they fit to the rounded contours of the head. |
X |
|
|
|
medium to small
in size,
otherwise the shape is identical.
Placement is almost identical.
It is missing, that they must fit to the contours of the head. |
|
X |
|
|
small, slightly
rounded tips,
set wide apart |
|
|
X |
|
Almost identical
with the TICA-standard, but only medium in size.
It is missing, that they must fit to the contours of the head. |
|
|
|
X |
If the ears are medium in size or small, that makes a big
difference.
When the ears are set wide apart, that does not necessarily mean
that they enhance the rounded shape of the head.
Chartreux
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium high and medium
wide,
set high and upright.
The ear tips are not described.
Is medium high and medium wide equal to medium in size? |
X |
|
|
|
small to medium
in size, slightly rounded tips,
Placement is almost identical. |
|
X |
|
|
medium in size
set high on the head, slightly tilted outward, alert
The ear tips are not described. |
|
|
X |
|
medium in size, slightly
rounded tips,
set high |
|
|
|
X |
When the ears are set high, they must not be set upright necessarily,
as the FIFe-standard shows, because the ears may be still tilted
outwards.
When the ear tips are not described, also 'pointed' tips must be
tolerated.
If small ears give the typical expression of the Chartreux, is
questionable.
Cornish Rex
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
large, full at the
base,
set
upright and high on the skull, alert
The ear tips are not described.
What does 'full at the base' mean? |
X |
|
|
|
large, slightly
rounded tips, conical with a deep arching,
set high, but not so high that they resemble donkey ears. |
|
X |
|
|
large, tapering
with rounded tips, wide at the base,
set high on the head |
|
|
X |
|
very large,
slightly rounded tips, wide at the base,
set high |
|
|
|
X |
What does 'conical' mean?
Conical |
The TICA-standard is interesting:
The ears must be conical and must be deeply arched. |
High set does not logically mean to be set upright.
What 'full at the base' means, one can only guess. Does it mean,
that the lower part of the auricle is strongly arched?
Devon Rex
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
strikingly large,
tapering with rounded tips, very wide at the base,
very deep set that the outer base protrudes over the
wedge-shaped head |
X |
|
|
|
Size, shape and
placement are similar, but without the word 'very'.
It is missing that the outer base protrudes over the head. |
|
X |
|
|
Almost identical with
the American standards.
It is missing that the outer base protrudes over the head. |
|
|
X |
|
Size, shape and
placement almost identical with the American standards, but
only 'broad' at the base.
It is missing that the outer base protrudes over the head. |
|
|
|
X |
If the ears are 'very' wide at the base or not, indicates that the
width of the base is very important.
The same applies, if ears are set deep or not. The description is
not clear enough, as probably the outer (lower) base of the ears is
meant.
If the inner distance between the ears is still narrow and if the
ears are only tilted far outwards - due to the deep set lower base, is
not described in the standards.
Don Sphynx (Donskoy)
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
large, rounded tips,
wide open, wide at the base,
set wide apart, that the outer edge continues the line of
the head, slightly tilted forward |
- |
X |
|
|
Size and shape identical.
Set high, set upright, slightly tilted forward. The outer
edge is in one line with the lines of the head. The distance
between the ears shall not be more than one ear width.
The base is not described. |
- |
|
X |
|
large, rounded tips,
set high and slightly tilted forward. The outer edges of the ears
continue the vertical lines of the head. The distance
between the ears shall not be more than one ear width.
The base is not described. |
- |
|
|
X |
The TICA-standard is logical.
How 'high set' and 'continuing the lines of the head' is possible
at the same time, is questionable. Is it meant that the inner (upper)
base of the ears is set high?
How is it possible, that ears are 'set upright' and 'tilted
forward' at the same time?
When reading in the Duden, Das Bedeutungswörterbuch (book of
meanings), 3rd edition,
ISBN-10: 3-411-04103-X, the word 'upright' means the following:
aufrecht (Adj.)
1. aufgerichtet, gerade: er hat einen aufrechten Gang.
2. in seinem Wesen echt [und für seine Überzeugung einstehend];
ehrlich, redlich: ein aufrechter Mann.
In English:
upright (adj.)
1. erect, straight: he is walking upright (erected)
2. having a moral rectitude [and standing for his own opinion];
honest, sincere, just: an upright man
| It cannot be the first meaning 'erect, straight' in the
standard, as the ears would be erect and not be tilted forward. |
| It can also not be the second meaning in the standard. |
| How is it possible, that ears can be 'upright' and 'tilted
forward' at the same time?
From which view - viewed from the front or in profile - the ears are
described?
Or are the ears described in both views? I.e. viewed from the front,
they are upright, and viewed in profile, they are tilted forward.
But that also does not fit together: How can the ears, viewed from
the front, be upright and still follow the lines of the head without
being tilted sideward? |
When looking in
Merriam-Webster online one can find the following:
Main Entry: 1up·right
Function: adjective
1 a : PERPENDICULAR, VERTICAL
b : erect in carriage or posture
c : having the main axis or a main part perpendicular <upright
freezer>
2 : marked by strong moral rectitude <an upright citizen>
- up·right·ly adverb
- up·right·ness noun
Main Entry: 2upright
Function: adverb
: vertically upward : in an upright position
That means, one can find the same description as in the German
dictionary.
And consequently, the question, how 'upright set' and 'tilted
forward' is possible at the same time, must remain unanswered.
What the meaning of those 'vertical lines of the head' is, is also
not explained or described.
When the base (width of the ears) is not described, but the
distance between the ears shall not be wider than one ear width at the
same time, is the distance between the ears then narrow, is it medium
wide or wide?
Egyptian Mau
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium to large in size,
moderately pointed,
wide at the base,
continuing the line of the head, slightly tilted outward,
enough width between the ears, alert |
X |
|
|
|
Size and shape are
identical,
standing upright with enough width between the ears,
set well backward on the head, slightly tilted forward, alert |
|
X |
|
|
Size and shape are
identical with the American standards,
standing upright with enough width between the ears,
continuing the line of the head.
The word 'alert' is missing.
If the ears are tilted forward, is not described. |
|
|
X |
|
Size and shape are
almost identical with the American standards,
the ears are only 'large',
set wide apart.
It is missing that they continue the line of the head.
If they are tilted forward and if they are alert, is not
described. |
|
|
|
X |
How the ear placement in the Egyptian Mau shall be, differs from
organization to organization:
| Once they are slightly tilted outward and continue the line of
the head. |
| Another time they are set upright and tilted forward at the same
time. How is that possible? |
| The next time they are set upright and continue the line of the
head at the same time. How is that possible? |
| And then they are only set wide apart. |
German Rex
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size, slightly
rounded tips, wide at the base.
The placement of the ears is not described. |
- |
- |
X |
|
Size and shape are
identical,
set rather wide apart |
- |
- |
|
X |
In one organization it does not matter and is not important, if the
ears are set close together or if they are set wide apart.
In the other organization the ears shall be set rather wide apart.
How shall the breeders work after such standards and breed after
such standards?
Manx, Cymric
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium in size compared
to the head, equally tapering, rounded tips,
wide at the base,
set wide apart and slightly set outward. When viewed from
the back, they look like rockers. |
X |
|
|
|
| Size, shape and
placement are almost identical, instead of 'wide at the base'
rather wide at the base. |
|
X |
|
|
medium in size,
slightly tapering to a point, open at the base,
set rather high on the head.
If the base is wide or not, is not described.
If the ear tips are rounded or not, is not described. |
|
|
X |
|
medium in size,
narrowing to rounded tips, open at the base, set relatively
high on the head.
If the base is wide or not, is not described. |
|
|
|
X |
In CFA the Cymric is called Manx Longhair.
There seems to be a common sense about the size, whilst there are
different descriptions of the shape.
Narrowing steadily is different from slightly tapering, as the ear
tips are not described.
In one organization the ears are set wide apart and are slightly
tilted outward, in the other organization they are set rather high on
the head. If the ears are set upright or if they are slightly tilted
outward, is not described.
In one organization the ears are wide at the base, in the other
organization the base may be narrow, medium wide or wide. An open base
does not logically mean that the base is wide.
Norwegian Forest cat
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
medium to large
in size,
rounded tips, wide at the base,
set in the corners that the outer edge continues the line
of the head down to the chin, the lower base is slightly set
sideward, alert.
Lynx-tufts are desired but not mandatory. |
X |
|
|
|
large, slightly rounded
tips,
appear to be pointed due to the lynx-tufts, wide at the
base,
the outer edge continues the line of the head down to the skin,
when listening they are slightly tilted forward. |
|
X |
|
|
large, pointed tips,
good width at the base,
high and open set, that they continue the line of the head
down to the skin.
Lynx-tufts. |
|
|
X |
|
very large, with
a wide base,
set high on the head that the outer edge builds a straight line
running down the cheeks.
Lynx-tufts.
The ear tips are not described. |
|
|
|
X |
If medium sized ears give that typical expression of a Norwegian
Forest cat, is questionable.
If missing lynx-tufts, which are only desirable, give that
expression of a Forest cat, is also questionable.
How ears can be set high and can continue the line of the head down
to the skin, is questionable. Is the inner base of the ears meant with
the word 'high'?
Once the cat has rounded tips, the other time it has pointed tips,
and then the ear tips may have any shape.
Ocicat
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
moderately large,
set in the corners of the upper part of the head. When drawing
an imaginary line above the eye brows, the ears should be set in
angle of 45°, i.e. neither too high nor too deep set.
Alert. |
X |
|
X |
|
moderately large,
set in the corners. |
|
X |
|
|
medium in size,
set slightly oblique, neither too high nor too deep set. |
|
|
|
X |
Is moderately large equal with medium in size?
When the ears set in the corners of the head, it is still left
open, in which angle they are set.
45° are not equal with 'set slightly oblique'.
None of the standards describes the base of the ears, if it shall
be wide, if it shall be open, etc.
None of the standards describes, if the ears are tapering and how
the shape of the ear tips is.
Principally the shape of the ears is not described in any of these
standards.
Persian, Exotic
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
small, round at the top,
not too open at the base,
set wide apart, set deep on the head, tilted forward,
fitting to the rounded contours of the head (without
disturbing them) |
X |
|
|
|
small, round at the top,
not too open at the base,
set wide apart, fitting to the contours of the head |
|
X |
|
|
small, round at the top,
set very wide apart, rather deep set on the head |
|
|
X |
|
very small and
rounded, the slightly oblique set base is not open,
set wide apart, set deep on the skull |
|
|
|
X |
There is a common sense about the size and that the ears shall be
rounded at the top.
If the ears shall not be open at the base, is only described in
three organizations.
The ears shall not be set deep in all organizations, as wide set
ears do not necessarily mean that they are also deep set.
There is no common sense, how wide apart the ears shall be set.
How wide the ears shall be, is not described in any of these
standards.
Only one organization describes that the ears are not set upright,
but tilted forward. In all other organizations the ears may be upright
or tilted forward.
Russian Blue, Nebelung
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
rather large,
tips more pointed than rounded, wide at the base,
set wide apart, set in the corners. |
X |
|
|
|
rather large,
slightly rounded tips, almost as wide at the base as high,
set wide apart, set in the corners |
|
X |
|
|
large, rather pointed,
wide at the base,
set vertically to the head |
|
|
X |
|
large, slightly
pointed,
slightly tilted forward and set wide apart.
The base is not described. |
|
|
|
X |
The Nebelung is not recognized in CFA and in FIFe.
How large the ears shall be, there is no common sense. 'Rather
large' is not equal with 'large'.
How the ears tips shall be, there is also no common sense. Once
they are pointed, the other time they are rather pointed, and then
they are slightly rounded.
Once the ears are set wide apart, the other time they are set in
the corners without describing, if they should point slightly outward
or not. And then the ears are set vertically to the head.
Turkish Angora
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
large, pointed,
wide at the base,
set close together, set high, vertically and upright on the
head |
X |
|
|
|
large, slightly
pointed, wide at the base,
set high, vertically and upright on the head |
|
X |
|
|
long, pointed,
wide at the base,
high, set upright on the head |
|
|
X |
|
large, from a
medium-broad base first standing straight and then tapering to
a slightly rounded tip
set rather high. |
|
|
|
X |
If long ears are also large ears, is questionable.
How the shape of the ears shall be, there is no common sense. Once
the ears are pointed, the other time they are slightly pointed, and
then they are first straight and tapering in the upper part.
How the tips of the ears shall be, is also different. Once they are
pointed, the other time they are slightly pointed, and then they are
slightly rounded.
That the ears shall be set high, there is a common sense. If they
shall be set vertically to the head, there is no common sense. Is
upright set equal with vertically set?
In most organizations the base shall be wide, but not in all
organizations.
Turkish Van
| |
CFA |
TICA |
FIFe |
WCF |
moderately large,
in proportion to the body, slightly rounded tips, wide at the base,
set rather high and well apart, the inner edge of the ears
is slightly declined to the outer edge of the ears. The outer edge
of the ears is relatively straight, but it may not be necessarily
in a straight line with the sides of the face. |
X |
|
|
|
moderately large to
large,
otherwise identical |
|
X |
|
|
medium to large in
size,
slightly rounded tips, wide at the base,
one ear width between the ears, set medium high on the skull |
|
|
X |
|
large, slightly
rounded tips, broad base,
set rather high, straight and upright on the skull |
|
|
|
X |
Moderately large is not equal with medium in size.
There is no common sense about the size of the ears, once they are
moderately large, the other time they are medium to large in size, and
then they are large.
How the ears shall be set, there is also no common sense about it.
Once they are set rather high, the other time they are set medium
high, and then they are straight and upright set.
How far apart the ears shall be set, is sometimes not described or
very vague described.
About the shape of the ears there is also no common sense, only two
organizations describe the shape more detailed.
What does 'alert' mean?
When you look at the cat from the front, it rises its ears. That
means, the ears become erected (= upright set) and are turned forward
that one can look into the ears (= open at the base).
When viewed in profile, the ears may be slightly tilted forward.
The cat gives the impression, as if it would listen to you.
Remarks
| The descriptions of the various standards were normalized by he
redaction that the features are described in the same order; first
size and shape are described, then placement is described. |
| The order, how the features are described in the various
organizations, differs from breed to breed.
Thus it is already very difficult to notice the differences between
the breeds within one and the same organization. |
| It is very sad, that the standards in the Chartreux, a very old
French breed, are so different. |
| It is also very annoying that the standards of the Norwegian
Forest are different concerning the size of the ears.
If medium sized ears do resemble the typical expression of the
Norwegian Forest, is questionable.
Are Norwegian Forest cats still looking like Forest cats, when they
do not have lynx-tufts? |
| When the base of the ears is not described, it might be
wide, medium wide or what so ever. Compare for example the Sphynx, Ocicat. |
| When the tips of the ears are not described, they may be
pointed or (slightly) rounded. Compare for example the Chartreux,
Cornish Rex. |
| When it is not describe, how far apart the ears are set,
they may be set close together, they may be set in a certain
distance (for example one ear width), or they also may be set wide
apart. Compare for example the American Shorthair. |
| It is quite strange that also in 'American' breeds the
descriptions differ between the American organizations. Compare for
example the American Shorthair, American Bobtail. |
How the ears are set, if vertically and upright, if they are tilted
forward, if they point outwards, leaves a different impression in the
viewer, but also gives a different expression to the cat itself.
Large ears are more noticed than medium sized ears, see for example
the Cornish Rex or the Sphynx.
In many breeds the standards are different between the various
organizations.
And where are the household pets?
| CFA has no standard for the household pet. |
| In TICA and in FIFe there is a standard, which only describes
the physical condition and the temperament.
There are longhaired and shorthaired household pets. |
| In WCF the standard is much more detailed.
But there are only shorthaired household pets. |
© katzenzeitung 2/2007 |
|
|
