BRITISH CAVY COUNCIL

Standard of points

		Points
Head, Eyes & Ears	Head to be of good size, bold and broad, with a gently curving profile.	10
	Muzzle to be of good width and gently rounded at the nostrils.
	Eyes to be large, bright and bold and set with good width between.
	Ears to be large and drooping, and set with good width between.
Body Shape	To have short, cobby body with good width across shoulders and body.	10
	To be fit and of good substance, with plenty of firm flesh.
	To have good size appropriate to age.
Markings (Points)	To consist of even, sharply defined dark points on face, ears and feet with clear demarcation from the background white body colour.	50
Smut	To be prominent, wider at the nostril end, ideally pear-shaped and carried well up between the eyes; sharply defined and intensely coloured black or rich milk chocolate.	25
Ears	To be intensely coloured black or rich milk chocolate, dense to the base.	5
Feet	To be even and intensely coloured black or rich milk chocolate; sharply defined, with colour carried well up the legs and including nails and pads.	20
Colour (of body)	To be pure white and as and free from body pigment (stain) as possible.	25
Coat	To be soft, clean and groomed free of guard hairs.	5
		100

Description of colours

Himalayans may be exhibited in two colours:

Black Himalayan to have black pads.

Chocolate Himalayan to have dark pink to chocolate pads.

Jet black and rich milk chocolate are the desired shades.

Both colours of Himalayan should have bright red eyes.

Guidance notes

The Himalayan is an albino cavy that develops pigment on its nose, ears and feet (the Points) during the first few months of life. The contrast between the sharpness of these Points and a pure white body colour is the essence of the Himalayan's appeal and so is highly desirable.

U/5s should not be excessively penalised for white hairs in Points.

In 5/8s white hairs may still be expected on the inside of the ears, and exhibits should not be penalised for this.

N.B. There is a tendency to form body pigment in very cold weather. The tendency is reversed in very hot weather, when Points, particularly smut & feet, may fade in intensity.

In badly faded Blacks the smut & feet may appear brown, but the black ears should prevent confusion with Chocolates.

The Black Himalayan has a ‘crisper’ white body colour than the Chocolate. The Chocolate Himalayan should not be penalised for having this different tone of white body colour.

Specific disqualifications

Specific faults