Английская Википедия:Hamster show
A hamster show is an event in which people gather hamsters to judge them against each other.Шаблон:Sfn Hamster shows are also places where people share their enthusiasm for hamsters among attendees. Hamster shows feature an exhibition of the hamsters participating in the judging.Шаблон:Sfn
The judging of hamsters usually includes a goal of promoting hamsters that conform to natural or established varieties of hamsters.Шаблон:Sfn By awarding hamsters that match standard hamster types, hamster shows encourage planned and careful hamster breeding.Шаблон:Sfn
Presentation
Organizers of hamster shows will specify pen specifications.Шаблон:Sfn Usually competing hamsters must be in identical or similar plain pens to avoid influencing the judging or identifying the person presenting the hamster.Шаблон:Sfn Because pens are expensive, sometimes the organizers of a hamster show offer pens to be rented for the event.Шаблон:Sfn Standard show pens have open wire fronts, and are small for short-term exhibition only during the judging.Шаблон:Sfn Shorthaired hamsters may be shown on hamster bedding, while longhaired hamsters require something like wood-based cat litter which does not disturb fluffy fur.Шаблон:Sfn Water is usually not allowed, assuming that the judging is well-managed and quickly done; instead, the hamster may be given a juicy piece of fruit or vegetable.Шаблон:Sfn Standard hamster chow is not provided, because if the hamster stuffs its cheek pouches, judging becomes difficult or impossible. Шаблон:Sfn
Syrian hamsters are exhibited alone, as they are naturally solitary.Шаблон:Sfn Dwarf hamsters may be exhibited in pairs, as they are sometimes kept in groups of two, though it is not recommended.Шаблон:Sfn When a pair of dwarf hamsters is exhibited, but only one hamster is being judged, then the secretary managing records for the judges will keep notes identifying the hamster on exhibition.Шаблон:Sfn Show organizers may present dwarf hamsters in smaller pens than Syrians, or perhaps all hamsters will be in larger pens which are appropriate for Syrians.Шаблон:Sfn
Whereas shows for other animals commonly allow the manager to groom the animal after it is benched for presentation, in hamster shows judges commonly request the owners to stay completely away until the end of judging.Шаблон:Sfn
Hamster show format
Hamster shows typically have three sections for entrants: pet hamsters, Syrian hamsters, and dwarf hamsters.Шаблон:Sfn
Pet hamster section
The pet hamster section is open to anyone who has a pet hamster.Шаблон:Sfn This section is not further divided, and all hamsters entering as pets are judged together.Шаблон:Sfn This is judging for amateurs which does not require entrants to prepare in advance.Шаблон:Sfn Typically, anyone may enter if they bring their hamster during the event before the judging.Шаблон:Sfn Hamsters entering as pets get an identification number, then are exhibited in the pet area to wait for judging.Шаблон:Sfn
The show judges evaluate pet hamsters on their tameness and health.Шаблон:Sfn In pet class, health issues that are considered are the body weight, the length of the teeth, length of toenails, and brightness of eyes.Шаблон:Sfn Pets that are well cared for all have an equal chance of winning in the division.Шаблон:Sfn Personal body conditions or disabilities, such as missing a leg or an eye, are not considered in the judging criteria so long as the hamster is otherwise in good condition.Шаблон:Sfn
Part of the process of pet judging is education for hamster owners.Шаблон:Sfn Hamster breeders and experienced hamster managers may be among the judges or at the event, and may talk with people entering their hamster in the pet class about hamster care and hamster issues.Шаблон:Sfn
Syrian and dwarf hamster sections
Syrian and dwarf hamsters are each divided into their own sections.Шаблон:Sfn From there, each is divided within that section into "straight class", "duplicate class", and "non-standard class".Шаблон:Sfn "Straight" class refers to hamsters that are a standard presentation of an established variety, and in the straight class, entrants are judged in a subclass against other hamsters of that variety.Шаблон:Sfn For example, all Syrian hamsters that have the natural agouti coloration of the wild hamster are commonly placed in their own subclass of the straight division.Шаблон:Sfn "Duplicate class" is a division determined by characteristics of the human entering the hamster as well as by the hamster.Шаблон:Sfn To be in duplicate class, a hamster must also be in a straight class.Шаблон:Sfn From there, the hamster's manager is sorted according to their professionalism, with novices, breeders, and perhaps others being in separate duplicate classes.Шаблон:Sfn The duplicate class is used to select "best in show" winners.Шаблон:Sfn For example, there might be a "best in show" hamster selected for each subclass in the duplicate class (novice, breeder) and the best hamster might be any hamster with the highest score in any subclass of the straight class division.Шаблон:Sfn A third division is non-standard class, which can include any hamsters that do not conform to any standard color or variation and that cannot be directly compared with other hamsters in a straight class.Шаблон:Sfn Non-standard class hamsters are not typically sorted also into the duplicate class, and are not typically eligible for consideration as "best in show".Шаблон:Sfn
Judging
Judging may begin after all hamsters are presented in the exhibition pens.Шаблон:Sfn Judges remove a hamster from its pen and examine it on a "judging frame".Шаблон:Sfn A judging frame is a raised, enclosed platform with a wire mesh or transparent bottom which allows the judge to look at the hamster from below and inspect its belly fur.Шаблон:Sfn After visual inspection the judge will examine the hamster by touch.Шаблон:Sfn This includes stroking the fur to measure the softness and feeling the hamster to assess its condition and size.Шаблон:Sfn The back and tail are checked for straightness and the tail is further checked for kinks.Шаблон:Sfn
In a 100-point judging scheme, a common allocation of points is as follows:Шаблон:Sfn[1]
- color and markings - 30 points
- conformation to body type - 25 points
- fur - 20 points
- size - 10 points
- condition - 10 points
- ears and eyes - 5 points
"Color and markings" has the most points because emphasizing this encourages care and organization in breeding by ensuring that establish varieties of hamsters persist without becoming diluted in the gene pool.Шаблон:Sfn Hamsters in straight classes have their colors judged against established, historical models for that class. Fur can influence this class, as longer hamster hair tends to make a hamster look lighter in color.Шаблон:Sfn "Type" refers to conformation of body type to the ideal hamster.Шаблон:Sfn Wild hamsters have broad bodies, heads that are large in proportion to the body, a short face, and blunt nose.Шаблон:Sfn Indiscriminate breeding can produce hamsters that vary from the wild type, and type judging preserves what is natural or established.Шаблон:Sfn "Fur" should be dense and soft.Шаблон:Sfn A common shortcoming for bred hamsters is thin belly fur.Шаблон:Sfn Among longhaired hamsters, there must be consideration that males have thicker, denser long hair than females, and each sex should be judged according to what is expected of that sex and not what is typical for the other.Шаблон:Sfn Similarly, "size" judging should take into account that females are larger than males.Шаблон:Sfn Size judging includes making an experienced judgement of whether a hamster is under- or overweight, and in either of those cases, points would be deducted.Шаблон:Sfn "Condition" is a check of health, including any dry skin, oily fur, long nails, or long teeth.Шаблон:Sfn "Ears and eyes" judging checks for round ears without nicks, ears that are held up and alert, and eyes that are bright and not runny or closed.Шаблон:Sfn
Training to become a judge for hamster shows typically takes two years, and would include attending hamster shows to watch judging and taking advice from hamster clubs.Шаблон:Sfn
Show organization
Hamster shows are frequently presented by an organization that promotes hamster appreciation, such as a hamster club.Шаблон:Sfn Typically, hamster clubs will have a show manager who takes responsibility for organizing or promoting hamster shows for the club members and general public.Шаблон:Sfn
Organizations that present hamster shows include the following:
- California Hamster Association
- National Hamster Council and its regional branches:
- Midland Hamster Club
- Northern Hamster Club
- Southern Hamster Club
Notes
References
External links
- introduction to hamster showing by the National Hamster Council in the UK
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite journal
In this scheme, color is 40, type is 20, and fur is 15.
