Breeding Pricing?

Status
Not open for further replies.

pjrocco

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
81
Purraise
1
Hi all,

I'm confused and I hope you guys can help. Why is it there are so many different prices when it comes to breeders? I was looking for a specific cat and found several breeders. Each breeder had a different price ranging from $200 to $800 for the same bred of cat. Since some of the breeders are on this site I will not mention names or the bred of cat.

Thanks in advance!
 

godiva

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
2,219
Purraise
14
Location
Indianapolis, IN
The price may vary for several reasons... lower prices might be due the cats being just "pet quality" and not show quality, or maybe because the breeder is trying to sell the kittens quickly for one reason or another (maybe they don't have room, maybe they are a backyard breeder, maybe they are selling an older cat).

The higher prices are for rarer breeds, cats that the breeder may give breeding rights to, and cats that meet the breed standards for show. I've seen prices way above $800. I paid $600 for my pet quality Burmese, and $200 for my pet quality unfolded Scottish Fold (from the same breeder). A lot of it depends on supply and demand, as well. If you could mention which breed you are looking at, it might help someone familiar with the breed guide you a little better.
 

sharky

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
27,231
Purraise
38
Pricing varies by area of the country , wheather the animal is "fixed by you or the breeder,quality of cat( all are quality but some are not for show or breeding ), often how long the breeder has been breeding, was the litter birth complicated..the lineage of the breeding pair and thus the kittens .. some include the shipping price ( if appliacable ) while other s dont
 

kai bengals

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
3,931
Purraise
17
Location
North Carolina
I sell my kittens from $300 to $1200 as pets.
The price depends on pattern, color, gender and bloodlines. A $1200 kitten would be a proven show quality kitten, sold as a pet with rights to show in Alter class.

My Breeder kittens go from $1500 to $3000.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

pjrocco

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jan 3, 2007
Messages
81
Purraise
1
The bred I'm looking for is the Chartreux.
 

kai bengals

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 5, 2005
Messages
3,931
Purraise
17
Location
North Carolina
I don't think there are any Chartreux breeders on TCS. If there are, they are just lurking.

There really aren't alot of Chartreux breeders nationwide. I think you should just remember the old saying: You get what you pay for. Then use your best judgement.

Good luck.
 

tiffanyjbt

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
795
Purraise
1
Location
NW Indiana
Because the breed is relatively rare, the pricing will likely be higher. What Nial says is true. More often than not, you DO get what you pay for.

My show quality bengal boy, Ares, was listed at $1200. His littermate/sister, Dreamer, is just as good a quality as he is. Ares has great 'type' but Dreamers pattern is WAY better. However, Dreamers listing price was only $500. Why? Because she will never be shown due to her insistence on being a 'Diva'! LOL!


So there are many reasons that prices may vary. I would probably steer clear of any 'breeder' selling ALL of their kittens at the low end for the exact same price. Be sure that the breeder explains to you why they think a certain cat 'has it' or not and its best if they are affiliated with a recognized cat registry.

Good luck on your search!
 

tiffanyjbt

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
795
Purraise
1
Location
NW Indiana
OMG! Those are the cutest persian kittens I've ever seen!!! They are ADORABLE!!! Persians have never been high on my must have list (mostly because of the maintenance/fur) but I would reconsider for one of those dolls!


They do seem to be way on the high end though. I've seen reputable persian breeders (some on this site) sell their kitties for anywhere from $600-$1000. I've heard of this cattery though, so maybe theres a good reason for this. Any persian breeders out there, I'd love to hear your opinion of this.


*edit: I just saw that they breed "tea-cup cats" which I'm not sure I'm totally in agreement with. I haven't done my homework on it though, so I can't say exactly where I stand. But I'm assuming that this has a lot to do with the high price.
 

epona

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
4,663
Purraise
949
Location
London, England
If you think that what you are being offered is a very low or very high price, you have to ask WHY? And very seriously as well. A good breeder should be concerned about the health and welfare of their kittens, even if they are not show quality.

In the UK, moggies (DSH/DLH/crossbreeds) sell for up to £200 (nearly $400 USD) so I would be concerned about buying a pedigree kitten that cheap, as it may not come from a lineage with a good health record or raised in a good environment. Breeders of pedigree kittens barely cover their costs when they adopt out a kitten for a fee, so I would worry about if that fee were too low then maybe the kitten has missed out on the best food and care.

This is not always the case though, sometimes older kittens or grown cats may be adopted out for less money.

If there is a breed society for the breed of cat you are interested in, contact them and ask about average prices and to get recommendations of breeders. Then you have some assurance that what you are paying is about the going rate for a good quality, healthy, well socialised kitten
 

scamperfarms

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
7,299
Purraise
2
Location
Minnesota
Originally Posted by tiffanyjbt

OMG! Those are the cutest persian kittens I've ever seen!!! They are ADORABLE!!! Persians have never been high on my must have list (mostly because of the maintenance/fur) but I would reconsider for one of those dolls!


They do seem to be way on the high end though. I've seen reputable persian breeders (some on this site) sell their kitties for anywhere from $600-$1000. I've heard of this cattery though, so maybe theres a good reason for this. Any persian breeders out there, I'd love to hear your opinion of this.


*edit: I just saw that they breed "tea-cup cats" which I'm not sure I'm totally in agreement with. I haven't done my homework on it though, so I can't say exactly where I stand. But I'm assuming that this has a lot to do with the high price.
while the kittens at that cattery are very cute, i do fully disagree with their tea cup leaning, as well as their breeding of" raggapurrs" and wont support them for that reason no matter how much i like their kitties.

Ok hyjack over.
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
Price differences can vary in region, how good of quality they are, what kind of pedigree (how many GRAND champions vs just champions), whether they are pet quality or show quality. Some charge a lot more for show/breeder cats cause they will be the ones that are supposed to be the best for showing and breeding.

A top quality breeding Grand Champion will be a heck of a lot more then a pet quality.

Pet quality doesn't mean the cat is any less as far as health, pedigree, etc. - just means that the cat doesn't meet the standard for showing. It could be the color is wrong, the pattern is wrong (like in ocicats - only spotted ones are shown, the other colors/patterns that occur sometimes are used in a breeding program, but they would be more "pet"). Sometimes the head shape is not long enough or round enough. Its minor differences but nothing that makes the pet kitten a "bad" cat.

Also be very aware and stay away from "designer" cats - its worse in dogs, but if its not a registered breed in one of the larger registrys (in US - CFA, ACFA, TICA) then you don't want to buy one. Most of these "breeds" are experimental, may have health problems and in general are nothing more then money making on the part of the "breeder".
 

abymummy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 7, 2006
Messages
4,074
Purraise
11
Location
Malaysia
It also depends on the popularity of the breed - Persians, Exotics and Maine Coons over here go for way higher then most other breeds! In fact, it's quite easy to find a US$2,000 persian. My Abys cost me around US$1200 each incl. shipping. And rarity also plays a part.
 

tiffanyjbt

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
795
Purraise
1
Location
NW Indiana
Originally Posted by ScamperFarms

while the kittens at that cattery are very cute, i do fully disagree with their tea cup leaning, as well as their breeding of" raggapurrs" and wont support them for that reason no matter how much i like their kitties.

Ok hyjack over.
Raggapurrs???
 

jen

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 27, 2001
Messages
8,501
Purraise
3,009
Location
Hudson, OH
Originally Posted by tiffanyjbt

Raggapurrs???
Think along the lines of the designer mutt dogs with stupid names like Yorkiepoos and Puggles etc
 

tiffanyjbt

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
795
Purraise
1
Location
NW Indiana
Oh, or like 'puupykatts'???

So, is the raggapurr a ragdoll/persian mix? What would that look like? Why would anyone want one? And most importantly, can't I find one at the shelter???
 

godiva

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
2,219
Purraise
14
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Oh yes... the breeder I got my cats from had bad things to say about the Toy Persian lady. I'm not sure how I feel about it... but if I had a gorgeous cat like that but couldn't show it in one of the official organizations' shows, I'd be mad. I have a feeling rich movie stars and unsuspecting people who enjoy fads buy those kittens.


Here in the US, Burmese and Scottish Folds aren't as popular or expensive as the breeds that are in high demand (Ragdoll, Himalayan, Persian, Maine Coon) so the prices aren't as high... so that $200 was pretty normal for an unfolded Scottish Fold. The price went way up for a folded cat. She said she had such a hard time finding homes for the straight eared ones that she had to price them that low. Moggies (fixed with all their shots) cost anywhere from $50-$100, so my Sneakers was still more expensive than a moggie, without already having been fixed.

While the person who sold me my two purebreds no longer breeds, she used to be very active in the cat fancy and had GCs in both of my kitties lines (a couple generations back, but still). I visited her cattery more than once and I was impressed. The cats had their own room (more than one, actually) and an outdoor enclosure for the studs. It was clean. Her cats were gorgeous. I do have some health problems with mine, but she said after Godiva's litter it became obvious to her that she needed to diversify her lines. I guess she decided to quit instead. She was obviously pretty embarrassed when I told her Godiva needed eye surgery. I felt bad for her. :/
 

celestialrags

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 11, 2005
Messages
1,469
Purraise
2
Originally Posted by tiffanyjbt

Oh, or like 'puupykatts'???

So, is the raggapurr a ragdoll/persian mix? What would that look like? Why would anyone want one? And most importantly, can't I find one at the shelter???
On another site I saw a while ago, she was breeding himma~Dollies
I tried to find it, but couldn't if I find it I will give you the link she had several pictures of kittens and adults in it. I bet you can fing two at the shelter

What are puppykatts? Is it some designer breed? I have heard a few breeds described as puppykatts, like ragdoll breeders call them dogs in cat suits because they act like little dogs, following you around, ect.
 

goldenkitty45

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 29, 2005
Messages
19,900
Purraise
44
Location
SW Minnesota
I've looked at the so called puppykats - just another "designer" breed to get people's money - there is no reason to make them a breed.

Besides they are claiming they act a lot like puppies (smart/trainable) but many breeds are smart like dogs - rexes, ocicats, etc.

Take a look at cat agility - and tell me cats are not smart! Of course the dog agility people would be more impressed if the cats did it by signals like you teach the dog agility....who knows, maybe I'll work on Charlie to be the first agility cat to do commands without clicker/toy
After all, Keno is great in agility
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top