Showing Polydactyls ~ Why they should be accepted as an integral part of the breed
By Susan Grindell, BSc, BOptom, MSc

The only argument put forward to oppose the proposed change to the Maine Coon Standard to allow for extra toes is that this trait is not accepted in the country of origin and the NZCF will be frowned upon by the rest of the world for allowing this.

The argument is spurious for various reasons.

1. Polydactyl Maine Coons are accepted for registration and breeding throughout the world. No registry makes it imperative to have it marked on the registration papers or has taken any step to have them removed from the breed. .

2. Other countries allow Polydactyls of other breeds (Pixie-Bobs) to be shown, so there does not appear to be prejudice against polydactyly per se, just paradoxically in the one breed where it was a major part of the breed's heritage.

3. As there is no scientific reason (no adverse effects etc) to refuse to recognise polydactyls they should not be prejudiced against because of political reasons.

There is no prejudice against polydactyly per se, just paradoxically in the one breed where it was a major part of the breed's heritage.

 

S Hartwell states;

"Many cat registries happily recognise breeds defined by mutations which can have lethal or crippling effects such as spina bifida in the Manx, but refuse to permit polydactyl cats as either breeds or breed variants.

The blunt statement is that polydactyly is a fault and cats with such defects are not allowed to be shown. This is a totally inconsistent approach since tailessness is also a fault, yet the Manx breed is perpetuated and shown. There are far fewer detrimental side-effects associated with polydactyly than there are with the Manx. The usual argument in these cases is that the Manx is a historical breed even though the polydactyly trait is equally historical. …. It has to be noted that cat fancies are consistently inconsistent in their approach in such matters!"

The author has shown the polydactyl kitten "TC" (NZCF registered Mainelymagic The All Terrain Cat) as a Companion Cat (kitten section) at 2 shows including the 2006 NZCF Nationals and received a lot of interest and positive comments from the judges, public and exhibitors alike. Some thought they may be put off by the look of the paw but were in fact quite taken with the look of the "Big Foot". TC has received 5 Best in Shows, and a Runner-Up Best in Show as well as other Top 10 placings.

TC is the winner of the Companion Kitten section of the NZCF Annual Awards.

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Polydactyly

Genetics

Effects

Incidence

Showing

Advantages

Summary

© To Susan Grindell, not be reproduced without her express permission

 

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