Posted September 1, 2007 Showing Chinchillas When a chinchilla is being judged at a show - the judges consider several main points - clarity, density, condition and conformation. Conformation - a show chin should be big and "blocky" in shape - and not "necky" (weak-necked) or "wedgy" (narrow at the shoulders). Clarity - the colour should always be a "clear" blue and not tinged or off-colour. Regardless of the colour, be it brown velvet, pink/white, ebony or pastel there should always be a blue "aura" to the colour. Any white (including the under-belly) should always be a persil-white and not yellowish or off-white. In standards, there should always be plenty of veiling or "tipping" to the fur, this may be described as "good veiling coverage". Density - the fur of the chinchilla should be very thick, silky, plush and strong and so packed-in that it stands up on its own and you can barely see the skin if it is parted. Some colours have a tendency to have silky, weak fur (such as self-blacks) that can flop around everywhere. Chinchillas that are weak-furred tend to "fall-open" at the hips (the fur parts at the hips). Condition - A chinchilla that is moulting (priming) - will not get as good an award as a chin that is in "prime" (finished moulting). A chinchilla that is not in best condition (this could be weather influenced) will "break-open" this is where the fur parts or "splits" at the sides or around the neck (this can also relate to the chinchillas fur-quality too). A good groom can sometimes prevent "splitting" but it is hard going to hide any "priming-lines" (a wave of fur that spreads out from the crown of the back, downwards across the chin in a horseshoe shape, as the chin moults or "primes". Preparation Keep the chinchilla in immaculate conditions from birth. A daily sandbath in fresh clean sand, and perhaps an occasional quick groom to remove the dead undercoat. No sandbaths any later than a day or two before the show. No food that may stain the fur!! Preparation On The Day Give the chin a final thorough groom ...................................... See "Grooming a Chinchilla" Once groomed, chinchillas are kept in their cages and not handled, as this will spoil the well groomed fur. Register your Chinchilla Dont forget to take a pen - as you will need to register your chin into a class ....... (you have to register before 10.30am) Main Classes A: Young standard females under 7 months. B: Young standard males under 7 months. C: Adult standard females 7 months and over. D: Adult standard males 7 months and over E: Young Mutations under 7 months. F: Adult Mutations 7 months and over. Novices can show in the same classes - but their cage cards will be suffixed with an "N" (for novice). There is a fee of £1 per chinchilla to enter into a show. You do have to be a National Chinchilla Society member to actually exhibit chinchillas - but all shows do welcome non-members as spectators (I believe it is possible to become an NCS member on the day too). The showing season is from September to March/April. This is for several reasons. Firstly this avoids the hotter weather, as chinchillas are extremely prone to heat-stress, and secondly, the chinchilla should have a more superior winter pelt at this time of year. Regional Shows are held throughout the season all around the UK. They then culminate in the best and final show of the year - The National Show!! So come along for a fun day out, there will be hot and cold refreshments, a raffle and, of course, experienced NCS members available to give full advice and support - not to mention some of the top UK chinchillas too!! Please see this site for more information ... http://www.natchinsoc.co.uk/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...