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Head - Size & ShapeCFA states "Modified wedge without flat planes, moderately longer than wide, smooth transitions."
TICA states: "Modified wedge without flat planes; approximately 1-1/2 times longer than wide." ACFA states: "Modified wedge without flat planes; smooth transitions, moderately longer than wide. Size is medium in proportion to body." FIFE states: "Modified wedge without flat planes, moderately longer than wide, smooth transitions." Points for each are: CFA TICA ACFA FIFE 8 points 6 points 8 points 15 points* *Note: FIFE 15 points includes head size, shape, profile and chin |
Although worded slightly differently in each Standard and allotted a different point value, all agree on the basic characteristics for size and shape of the head.
Modified Wedge Head Shape |
The video on the right shows Grace demonstrating the difference between a modified wedge and a wedge shape head. A modified wedge is NOT an equilateral triangle. The head should be longer than wide with smooth transitions. The TICA standard states
"1-1/2 times longer than wide". The CFA standard states "longer than wide". ACFA and FIFE state "moderately longer than wide". Obviously, they all agree on the basic concept, however each standard has a slight difference in wording. Grace video 057
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If you can put your thumbs together without them overlapping on top of each other, the cat's head is too wide. Every side is the same on an equilateral triangle. If the width across the top of the head is the same as the length of the head from the top to the nose, you have an equilateral triangle and not a good modified wedge shape head.
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The video to the right is also included on the page detailing the Head/Muzzle and Chin because it discusses both the balance of size of head to body ratio and the muzzle and chin.
Don't forget the portion that reads "moderately longer than wide". Everything on the Curl is "in proportion" to everything else. You can have a great head with nice eyes, but if you have a short stubby nose or ears, you've lost your sense of balance. .
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grace video 067.
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Sometimes, as breeders, we get so used to looking at our cats, we don't see the misproportions. If that's the case, take a photo and get out a ruler. The hard black and white facts will never lie
The drawing to the left was created to originally illustrate a modified wedge shape. Sometimes, it's hard to translate a sketch to a furry face. The video will be more descriptive, but the photo below will also assist in visualization. One of these examples for describing this shape is a valentine with the bottom tip cut off but without the straight lines. The standard reads "without flat planes" which means there has to be slight curvature from the chin to the top of the head.
There is more that goes into evaluating the correct head shape. Important factors are the angle of from the bottom of the chin and flowing up to the ears.
There is more that goes into evaluating the correct head shape. Important factors are the angle of from the bottom of the chin and flowing up to the ears.
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Checking for Good Head Shape and Size
The lighting is better on this photo to show the placement of the hands to look for the direction of the skull from the bottom of the chin and up to the ears.
What you DON'T WANT is an equilateral triangle. You also want smooth lines... no skinny nose with a curve to the outside to accommodate for the width of the eyes. If you can put your thumbs together without them overlapping on top of each other, the cat's head is too wide. Every side is the same on an equilateral triangle. If the width across the top of the head is the same as the length of the head from the top to the nose, you have an equilateral triangle and not a good modified wedge shape head. |
Notice in these 2 photos that Grace is actually looking down at the cat's head from behind the cat and watching the angle of her fingers. Her two thumbs are across the neck behind the ears to measure the width. Demonstrated in the video, her thumbs slightly overlap so the head is slightly longer than wide.
You'll probably notice that most judges will initially evaluate the shape of the head from the top. If you get a chance to be in a ring with David Mare, he does a great explanation of the desired head shape when he's judging at shows. Look at how Grace is holding this cat from the back with her index fingers along the side of the face... almost holding the fur down to get a true picture of the skull shape. 
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Don't forget the portion that reads "moderately longer than wide". Everything on the Curl is "in proportion" to everything else. You can have a great head with nice eyes, but if you have a short stubby nose or ears, you've lost your sense of balance. Sometimes, as breeders, we get so used to looking at our cats, we don't see the misproportions. If that's the case, take a photo and get out a ruler. The hard black and white facts will never lie.
(Watch the video on this demonstration. It will help you ascertain if your cat's head is too wide or too narrow. This an important feature.)
If the cat has small eyes, the angle of the side of the head will be too narrow.
If the cat has small eyes, the angle of the side of the head will be too narrow.
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Photos used in the CFA Breed Presentation to demonstrate good examples of head shape and size are shown here.
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