Ragdoll, Ragamuffin, Pixiebob, Korat, Foldex and Devon Rex.

If you happen to be a dog person, those names are likely meaningless to you.

But to a true cat lover, they are just a few examples of some of the feline breeds that provide the affection and companionship that endear them to their owners.

More than 30 different breeds will be on display at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour when the Canadian Cat Association hosts a cat show Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 27 and 28. More than 125 cats and kittens are expected to be in the show.

One of those showing their cats will be Suzanne Sinclair, a local breeder-in-training who is being mentored by a breeder in the United States.

"She is helping me learn to breed before I can go out on my own," Sinclair explained.

She has two breeding cats, including a big male named Faegan who was imported from Moscow. He is a Siberian, a Russian forest cat, bred for the outdoors with a thick, long coat.

The Kingston show will include kittens and purebred cats but will also feature household pets, she said.

Most breeders start out showing household cats, she continued.

"It’s to get your feet wet, learn the lay of the land, meet some breeders, discover what breed you want to breed."

There are so many different types of cats, it can be hard to decide which particular one you want to breed, Sinclair said, "but you are drawn to one more than others and learn more about it."

She has always been drawn to long-haired cats.

"I really like the look of them. It’s a really beautiful look."

In a show, the judges award points depending on the cat’s appearance, seeing how the individual cat measures up to the standard set down for its specific breed.

But although they are judged on how they look, their health is always of utmost importance, Sinclair stressed.

"Above all, we are working toward the betterment of the health in a breed. You don’t just breed for a certain look, you breed for a well-rounded, healthy cat."

In the household category, where there is no individual breed to compare the cats to, there are different judging criteria.

"How well you groom your cat, how well it is presented, is certainly a factor," Sinclair said. "Because there is no standard, personality comes into play a lot for household pets."

Many are playful and affectionate as the judges give them the once over.

"Some are definite show cats. Some household pets have been coming for years and they love it. They get up there and they show off," she said.

The Kingston show is a national draw and brings in breeders and cat lovers from across Ontario as well as Quebec and the East Coast.

The show will see four different judges each look at every cat and then give points to those who end up in the top 10. Owners can earn enough points to become a champion, and then move on to grand champion and supreme grand champion.

Sinclair, who has just started showing her purebreds, is working towards being a grand champion.

For the judging, the cats are kept in cages covered on three sides to minimize distractions.

Unlike dog shows, where the animals are led around a ring, the cats are never let loose. On the odd occasion when one does escape, a cry of "Cat Loose!" will go up, the doors will be shut and everyone will freeze until the wayward animal is recovered.

The judges remove the cat to be judged from the cage and examine them one at a time, discussing their attributes.

"The judges are quite good at knowing how to handle the cats to help them keep calm," Sinclair said.

Even cats who are quiet and docile at home can be unsettled by all the different sights, sounds and smells of a busy cat show. But after a couple of times, they tend to get used to it and know everything will be OK, she added.

"They learn it can be a good experience for them. It’s not like a needle at the vet."

Many actually come to enjoy the experience.

"They love it. They can’t wait to get up there. You can tell they are enjoying themselves, Some lie there and purr and generally just have a good time."

People from all backgrounds come to the show, Sinclair added.

"There is no one type of people who show cats."

She started out showing household cats before moving to purebreds.

"I think it’s a really nice hobby. It’s a hobby of love, for sure."

That’s because it can get expensive, Sinclair said.

"You don’t really make money as a cat breeder. It is very expensive with vet costs; there is a lot of health testing involved."

If you decide to import your cats, there are even more costs.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the show to check out the different breeds with their different shapes and sizes and colours, Sinclair said.

"It’s a really fun event for families. Most people haven’t seen a purebred cat."

People are always encouraged to enter their own household cats in a show.

"It’s a great chance for people who want to buy a cat or show a cat to talk to people, talk to breeders, learn what it takes."

You could even learn how to wash and blow dry your cat, Sinclair laughed.

Sinclair has always been a cat person.

"I love cuddling with them. They are just very loving companions. They don’t require quite the amount of work that dogs do. They are just so furry and warm and happy."

A few years back, she even adopted a kitten she found abandoned while in Peru. She looked after the kitten for three months, fell in love with it and brought it back to Canada.

But her affection isn’t limited to felines. On her fridge, a long ribbon won by her Siberian cat Faegan at a November cat show in Ottawa is flanked by another ribbon earned by yet another household pet. Max the golden retriever shares the house with the cats.

"I have always been a huge cat person and my husband is a dog person," Sinclair explained.

So they also had to get a dog.

"Now I can’t live without a dog."

The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12, and $20 for families. More information is available on the website www.catshow.ca.

michael.lea@sunmedia.ca