The Egyptian Mau - Assessing the Breed

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The Egyptian Mau - Assessing the Breed

Written by Neil

Wednesday, 24 September 2008

THE EGYPTIAN MAU – CORRECT HEAD TYPE – 25% of overall weighting

The head forms a slightly rounded wedge without flat planes and of medium length. Not full-cheeked but allowance should be made for jowls in adult males. Profile shows a gentle contour with a slight rise from the bridge of the nose to the forehead which flows back into the arched neck without a break.

Ears: Medium to moderately large; slightly flared; ample width between; they continue the lines of the head.
Faults: Small ears; Ears set too high

Gently rounded muzzle flowing into the lines of the head.

Faults:
Square or pointed muzzle;
Whisker pinch; Weak chin

The unique “worried” look, crucial to the Mau, is achieved by:

large, rounded almond-shaped eyes set beneath a level brow – Remember 5 points for eye shape and set; 10 points for eye colour!
Parallel lines to the nose

Faults: Lines of the nose diverge; Oriental eye set

EGYPTIAN MAU PATTERN DESCRIPTION

COAT, COLOUR AND PATTERN = 55% OF WEIGHTING
10 POINTS OF THAT IS FOR EYE COLOUR!

HEAD MARKINGS: “M” on forehead and frown marks; Complex scarab; Lines over head down to neck and breaking into elongated spots over the shoulders. Mascara lines on cheeks.

BODY MARKINGS: Random spots, large or small, any shape. Good contrast between spots and ground colour. Sides need not match. Underside spotted. Spinal lines/elongated spots merge at rear haunches to form dorsal stripe continuing along tail to tip. Solid spine line not a fault. Broken necklaces on chest. Shoulders a transition between stripes and spots. Heavily banded tail with a dark tip.

LEG MARKINGS: Front legs heavily barred and/or spotted. Need not match. Haunches and upper hind legs a transition between stripes and spots breaking into bars on lower legs. PATTERN FAULTS:
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS FOR LACK OF SPOTS
Unbroken vertical stripes on body or stripes on underside.
Unbroken necklaces
Poor contrast between spots and ground colour.

MALE EGYPTIAN MAUS

Please remember that male Egyptian Maus will be larger than the females and so will not be as elegant. Allowance should be made for jowls in adult males, by gently stroking back the sides of the face, the true head shape can be seen.