ProfileCFA states: "nose, moderate in length and straight, slight rise from bottom of eyes to forehead, gentle curve to top of head, flowing into neck, without a break"
TICA states: "straight nose with gentle rise from bridge of nose to forehead which then flows into arched neck without a break" ACFA states: "In profile nose is moderate in length and straight, slight rise from bottom of eyes to forehead, gentle curve to top of head, flowing into neck, without break." FIFE states: "Nose is moderate in length and straight, a slight rise from the bottom of the eyes to the forehead, a gentle curve to the top of the head, flowing into the neck, without a break." Points for each are: CFA TICA ACFA FIFE 6 points 5 points 6 points 15 points* (Note: head shape, size, profile and chin included in 15 points.) |
Proper Curvature for Profile
This drawing was used in the CFA Breed Presentation to illustrate proper curvature of the desired profile. Notice the gentle slope or curve in the center drawing. This is the ideal although the drawing on the right is allowed. The first drawing is a straight profile and is not acceptable. Note that the profile descriptions for all 4 associations basically describe the same look.
Several examples of good profiles are shown below
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This is probably easiest to visualize on this short haired AC with straight ears so the curvature of the ears doesn't distract from the profile. On the photo to the left, follow the tip of the nose to where it makes a slight curve under the eyes. It's straight. A bumped nose is sometimes called a "roman nose". (photo below)
The head curves at a nice rounded curve into the forehead. No sharp angles or turns. Everything is smooth and even. This is another photo of a Curl with curled ears with good profile. |
To the right is the same cat used in the banner at the top of this page to demonstrate profile. He has a slightly weak chin, however placement of nose to eye and eye to ears is really nice. The overall proportions of this cat are also very nice. The ear curvature is open and well rounded vs. tight with an abrupt change of direction. You could easily envision a coin in the curvature of the ear. Ear is nice and tall with nice furnishings. Furnishings on a SH curl are not typically as dramatic as on the LH curls, but the SH curls should also have respectable tufts in the ears. And don't forget those little tufts at the tip of the ear. Many breeders and some judges feel those should be trimmed to emphasize the rounded ear tip, but that's not necessarily so. Those little tuffs are also considered part of the ear furnishings.
Overall from tip to tail, this cat has a very gentle, elegant look with everything simply "flowing". We included this full body photo to show the entire cat rather than just focusing on the profile for this page. |
We put the video on the right on several other pages, but we also put it here so you would pay particular attention to the portion of the video where Grace is discussing the profile.
In the video, she talks about balance of the head, spacing between the nose, the eyes and the ears. She is emphasizing the overall balance of the head in relation to the body, She also discusses curvature of the ears and how the tips of the ears need to point to center of the back of the head and not down onto the neck. |
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These are all incredibly important details which is why we are adding the same videos on several pages... so that while you are reviewing each feature on the structure of the cat, you will pay particular attention to the section of the video that pertains to each individual page.