FIFe cat show titles: how many certificates you need for CH, IC, GIC and SC
FIFe titles are earned step by step – each one needs more certificates and more judges than the last. Here is an overview based on the current show rules, plus the most common counting mistakes.
Updated:
In short
- Champion (CH) / Premior (PR): 3 CAC or CAP certificates from 3 different judges at 3 shows.
- International Champion (IC) / International Premior (IP): 4 CACIB or CAPIB certificates from at least 3 different judges at 4 international shows.
- Grand International Champion (GIC) / Premior (GIP): 6 certificates from 2 or more countries, or 9 certificates from a single country – always from at least 3 judges.
- Supreme Champion (SC) / Premior (SP): 9 certificates from 2 or more countries, or 12 certificates from a single country – always from at least 5 judges.
- Neutered cats follow a separate Premior title line. Some geographically remote member countries have exceptions under the annexes of the show rules.
How the title system works
At a FIFe show, the judge assesses a cat in a class based on its age and current title. If the cat meets the standard, it can be awarded a certificate. Once it has the required number of certificates, it gains the title and moves up to the next class, where it collects certificates towards the next title.
Entire cats earn Champion titles; neutered cats earn the parallel Premior titles. The certificate requirements are the same in both lines.
Titles and requirements at a glance
| Title (entire / neuter) | Certificate | Number | Different judges | Countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion (CH) / Premior (PR) | CAC / CAP | 3 | 3 | — |
| International Champion (IC) / Premior (IP) | CACIB / CAPIB | 4 | at least 3 | — |
| Grand International Champion (GIC) / Premior (GIP) | CAGCIB / CAGPIB | 6 | at least 3 | at least 2 |
| GIC / GIP – single-country option | CAGCIB / CAGPIB | 9 | at least 3 | 1 is enough |
| Supreme Champion (SC) / Premior (SP) | CACS / CAPS | 9 | at least 5 | at least 2 |
| SC / SP – single-country option | CACS / CAPS | 12 | at least 5 | 1 is enough |
CAC and CAP certificates are awarded at both national and international shows; certificates for IC, GIC and SC only at international FIFe shows. For GIC and SC you can choose between fewer certificates from several countries or more certificates that can all be earned in one country.
Common mistakes
- The number of different judges matters. Four CACIBs from two judges are not enough for IC.
- For GIC and SC, count countries. If all your certificates come from one country, you need the higher-count option.
- The Champion and Premior lines are separate. A neutered cat keeps the title it already holds, but Premior titles need CAP certificates – CAC certificates do not carry over.
- Rules change. Since 1 July 2024, IC requires 4 CACIBs with no country condition – older overviews still quote 3 certificates from 2 countries.
- Some member countries have exceptions under the annexes of the show rules.
Other titles
FIFe also awards honorary titles for repeated Best in Show wins at international shows. Junior Winner (JW) goes to a cat that wins Best in Show at least five times in classes 11 or 12 – the kitten and junior classes. Further honorary titles are Distinguished Show Merit (DSM), Distinguished Variety Merit (DVM) and Distinguished Senior Winner (DSW).
How Breedio tracks titles
For each animal you record show results, including the judge and country. Using the current FIFe (and WCF) rules, Breedio calculates how many certificates, judges and countries are still missing for the next title. If the cat already holds a title, enter it as the starting point and counting continues from there.
For Czech breeders, Breedio can also generate a ČSCH title application and a show entry form as PDF from the recorded results.