Cat enthusiasts gathered in South County Dublin yesterday for the highly anticipated Dublin Cat Show, held at Ballinteer Community School. The event showcased a selection of the finest pedigree cats, all displaying their perfect fur and pristine claws under a sunny sky.
The highlight of the day was Quevega, a female Maine Coon, who won the prestigious Best in Show award. Her victory stood out among many well-groomed competitors, leaving attendees in awe of her beauty and grace.
The event attracted breeders, cat owners, and curious onlookers, all coming together to celebrate these remarkable animals. Despite the competition, the atmosphere remained friendly and respectful, with no signs of any tension among the participants.
Karen Sluiters, spokesperson for the show and chair of the Siamese and All Breeds Cat Club Ireland, noted the growing interest in the event this year. “Normally, we have around 90 cats entered into the competition, but this year we had 104 entrants,” she said. “We also had a large crowd of spectators, many of whom stayed into the afternoon to find out who would win Best in Show. The atmosphere was fantastic.”
Now in its 60th year, the Dublin Cat Show attracts competitors from all over the country. According to Sluiters, this year saw a particularly strong showing from Burmese cats. She herself entered a Burmese cat named Yuli, which won first place and is now a third of the way to achieving the prestigious Grand Champion title.
However, it was Quevega who claimed the Best in Show award. Owned by German-Irish breeder and lecturer Dr. Claudia Wagner, Quevega is a brown torbie Maine Coon. She was one of seven cats entered by Wagner in the competition. “She’s won several Best in Show titles before. This isn’t new for her,” Wagner explained. “She’s a beautiful cat, and while she was shown in the UK earlier in her career, we’ve focused on shows in the Republic and Northern Ireland since Covid.”
Sluiters added that Maine Coons are often favorites in competitions due to their size and striking appearance. “They are the largest pedigree cats, so they always stand out at shows,” she said.
Quevega’s impressive resume includes being named Regional Winner, Triple Grand Champion, Best Maine Coon Kitten, and Best All-Breed Kitten in Europe West in 2019. She also earned the Best in Show title at the 2023 Dublin Cat Show.
For Dr. Wagner, participating in cat shows is both a passion and a way to ensure her breeding program is on the right track. “It’s important to breed according to type, and shows allow me to get accurate assessments of my cats,” she said. “It’s a hobby I’m passionate about, but I don’t make a profit from it.” Wagner is selective about the homes she chooses for her kittens, ensuring they go to good families where they will be well cared for.
The Dublin Cat Show continues to be a major event for cat lovers, and this year’s competition further cemented its reputation as a celebration of excellence in feline breeding and care.
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