Norman Auspitz

an interview with CFA Judge Norman Auspitz

By Jay Lehman

Jay: What made you decide to get your first cat and what kind was it?
Norm: I had always wanted a cat or a dog (my younger brother was allergic to fur and feathers, so we could not have one). However, since I lived in an apartment, all my research showed cats as better apartment dwellers than dogs. I wanted something exotic, so ended up with a red point Colorpoint Shorthair.

Jay: When did you get your first pedigreed (show quality) cat and what breed was it?
Norm: April 1970, a red point Colorpoint Shorthair.

Jay: When did you become involved in breeding and why?
Norm: I got talked into trying a litter out of my Colorpoint Shorthair male and so bred him to one of the breeder's dams, taking a female kitten back.

Jay: What breeds have you/do you breed, and why?
Norm: I bred (and still breed) Abyssinians -- I got an Aby, as a second breed, a few months after getting my first Colorpoint shorthair and fell in love. Abyssinians quickly became and still remain my primary breed.
    I bred Himalayans (before they were allowed to hybridize to Persians (later becoming part of the Persian breed) in partial fulfillment of my requirements for my CCA (Canadian Cat Association) LH judging license.
    My wife and I bred Manx in partial fulfillment of my requirements for my CFA SH judging license. We were mentored by the late Marion Hall, who was extremely helpful.
    My wife and I bred Persians in partial fulfillment of my requirements for my CFA LH judging license.
    My wife and I bred (and still breed) Maine Coons, also in partial fulfillment for my CFA LH judging license. We have found we love the breed and they get on well with the Aby's.

Jay: When did you become involved in CFA and why?
Norm:   I became involved in CFA in May of 1982, just after moving from Ontario, Canada to Louisville, KY. There were two reasons, my wife to be (at the time) was active in CFA clubs, and it was quite clear in the Midwest/great lakes area, there were no other viable choices (both from a quality and integrity perspective).

Jay: What makes CFA stand out?
Norm: CFA has stood out because of its growth, emphasis on fine quality, breadth of competition, overall integrity of the association (in spite of occasional vagaries of its Board of Directors). I like the one club, one vote form of governing as opposed to the one person, one vote form of governing (having experienced both). Furthermore, the size of the association made for much less politics, especially in the judging, than the smaller associations.

Jay: When and why did you decide to become a judge?
Norm: Originally, I became a judge for the Canadian Cat Association (CCA). I thought there was honor, glory, and prestige which went along with the position. These were the wrong reasons! I did find that I enjoyed the judging and one had to earn honor and prestige (believe me there is no
glory!). When I came to CFA, after a hiatus of a number of years, I applied to the CFA judging program because of my enjoyable experiences judging in CCA.

Jay: What is your fondest memory in CFA?
Norm: There are a number of fond memories. Attaining our first DM (the first Red Abyssinian DM in CFA) is our fondest memory.

Jay: What advice would you give to Russian Blue exhibitors about showing this breed?
Norm: Continue to concentrate on temperament!!!!!!!! It is much improved and makes this fine old breed much more of a pleasure to handle. I find a good Russian a spectacular cat when it has that showmanship edge. Don't tell the judges how the breed should be handled. If the breed is truly amenable to handling, any gently firm handling should be acceptable.

Jay: What advice would you give Russian Blue breeders while developing this breed?
Norm: Please keep an eye on the coat color, coat length and density, and eye color. To breed for type (i.e. the old bromide: "First you have to build the house before you paint it.") above all else, is to lose the other fine attributes of the cat, possibly forever! Cat's are not houses!!!! The current standard gives as many points for head and body type as coat and color. This provides a nice balance to keeping type from getting too extreme while retaining the nice dense, non resilient coat, silver tipping, and beautiful green eyes. With extreme type, one can lose the roundedness to the eye, the unique muzzle and look to the head. With extreme type, one WILL lose the coat!

By all means evolve the cat, but within the parameters of the current standard. It can and is being done. This, coupled with the improved temperament is why we are seeing more Russians do so much better than in the past.