World’s Best Cat makes appearance at Moscow show

Описание: (13 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Moscow, Russia - 13 February 2026
1. Abyssinian cat named "Darlen Fleur Dalmore Black" in front of photographers
2. Close up of cat
3. Cat breeder holding the cat
4. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Darya Gruzinova, cat breeder, Darlen Fleur cattery co-owner:
“Raising one isn't hard. It's hard to get one, because we breed cats, and working in a cattery is a colossal amount of work. It depends on the type, the color, the size. So, simply mating two beautiful cats and getting an even more beautiful one isn't always possible. The genes might be off-kilter. Maybe the ears are a bit off somewhere (in terms of size), or something else is missing somewhere else. Everything needs to be in balance. And that's really the most important thing—to create that balance. And it can grow up just fine on its own.”
5. Close up of cat
6. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Darya Gruzinova, cat breeder, Darlen Fleur cattery co-owner:
“On the one hand, when you show a cat, we spend a whole year traveling with it, and we get used to each other's habits. So, he understands some things that aren't allowed, and I understand some things that aren't allowed around him. He eats dry food, and sometimes cooked meat.”
7. Close up of cat
8. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Darya Gruzinova, cat breeder, Darlen Fleur cattery co-owner:
“I’ve never had any problems with him at all. But he does have these sudden bursts of activity from time to time, when he just runs around in circles, his eyes wide and his tail sticking out. I say, ‘What's going on, my friend?’ He stops, looks at me for a second or two, and then runs off somewhere. I think, ‘Oh well, he'll be back in 15 minutes.’ And then he comes back, and everything's fine, he's gone to bed. So there's been a burst of energy, and it's time to rest.”
9. Close up of inscription on the trophy reading (English) “WCF Olimpia Cat Show Croatia 2025 Best of the Best”
10. Cat sitting beside the trophy
11. Various of cat breeders showing their cats at the exhibition
STORYLINE:
The world’s best cat made a guest appearance at the “Golden Paw” cat and dog show in Moscow on Friday.

The 1.5-year-old Abyssinian cat from Russia, named Darlen Fleur Dalmore Black, was crowned the World Cat Federation’s “Best Cat” of 2025 after competing in more than 40 international shows and securing the top spot among nearly 1,500 competitors.

Darlen met all the breed standards for Abyssinian cats, which are judged on overall balance, ear placement, head structure, muscle tone, eye expression and coat uniformity.

Movement and temperament are also important, as animals receive scores based on their behavior in the ring.

“It’s not hard to raise such a cat, but it’s hard to get one,” said cat breeder Darya Gruzinova, co-owner of the cattery where the winner was born.

“Simply mating two beautiful cats and getting an even more beautiful one isn't always possible,” she explained. “The genes might be off-kilter. Maybe the ears are a bit off (in size), or something else is lacking. Everything needs to be in balance. And that's really the most important thing — to create that balance.”

Abyssinians are one of the most active breeds and need to be constantly on the move, Gruzinova said.

“I’ve never had any problems with him at all. But he does have these sudden bursts of activity from time to time, when he just runs around in circles, his eyes wide and his tail sticking out.”

Darlen has been staying at the cattery as a stud cat. He has not had any kittens yet, but the breeders plan to mate him with other cats from the cattery.



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