I'm interested in breeding

I have had cats my whole life. I grew up the country so I was always caring for cats and kittens. I stopped having pets for awhile when I went to college. I adopted a cat named Frankie two years ago but he died in September due to heart problems. Last summer I started to foster a pregnant mother cat but one of my dad's friends decided to take her and adopt hear and all the kittens. I would like at some point to adopt a couple of cats from a shelter but I would like to have a purebred cat and having at least one litter of purebred kittens. I could afford to adopt cats and get a purebred right now but I'm also in law school and I work part time as a techincal writer so my schedule is a little crazy. I graduate from law school next year. Right now I think I will probably have business law related career outside of law firms. I think after next year my schedule and life will be more flexible. The breeds I am interested in are siamese, ragdolls and persians. Can anyone give me sort of estimate on costs of purebreds with breeding rights?

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I would like at some point to adopt a couple of cats from a shelter but I would like to have a purebred cat and having at least one litter of purebred kittens. The breeds I am interested in are siamese, ragdolls and persians. Can anyone give me sort of estimate on costs of purebreds with breeding rights?

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Prices vary depending on quality, breed, location. Also reputable breeders will not sell a cat with breeding rights unless that person they are selling to have proven themselves by showing an alter first. There is much more to breeding than just putting 2 cats together.

If you truly only want one litter I suggest fostering again. Otherwise go to cat shows talk with breeders, choose the breed you like best, find a mentor, and get a cat to show in the alter class first.

Unless you are SERIOUSLY interested in breeding to improve the breed, don't get into it - even for one litter. Most purebred breeders do not sell breeding cats to novices or those wanting one litter. They sell them to serious breeders only.

And the breeding cats are show quality - not pet quality. If you buy from a breeder a pet kitten - he/she will be spayed/neutered before you get them at 3-4 months old. Its in the contract.

Start off with a show quality altered cat and develop an eye for the breed and learn the standard inside and out. Then contact breeders you meet at shows. This will take time. No one is gonna hand over their show breeding cats - they are very selective.

Breeding rights to cats can cost you over $1,000 depending on the lines of the cats. Its NOT cheap nor should it be.

Getting involved in breeding cats is a long process for responsible people.

When people want to buy one of mine for breeding I tell them firstly to read all the information they can get, own a pet or 2 of the breed, go to cat shows, check they have a seemingly healthy bank balance and to wait and think it over in another year. Breeding cats isn't easy and you can't just have one litter - what will happen to the girl afterwards? Do you have the time to build up a repuation before your first litter so they can have homes?

Lots of things to think about but I'm encouraging you at the same time. I breed Persians and Exotics and am happy to answer any cyber questions you may have.

I think I would be ok with a purebred having more than one litter. I do understand the need for more than one litter. I will do more research. I do think I could build up a good reputation. I wouldn't mind having an altered show cat.

Sounds good then. Do you work full time or can you arrange time off for when babies are due? I can't speak for Ragdolls or Siamese but Persians like you there to hold their paw

Just as a warning to you - the competition in Siamese, Ragdolls, and Persians are very very tough. You have to really have an outstanding example to compete now in the show ring.

Take a look at CFA's website for the breeds so you can see examples of top winning cats and what you might be up against. Good luck in the future.

http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/persian.html

http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/ragdoll.html

http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/siamese.html

Just to add on to what the others have said:

Time is a factor. A big factor actually, way up there with love and finances. I note you are a student and working part time. With the exception of the Siamese, would you have enough time to groom the Persians and Ragdolls?

I would suggest that you do the research now (and lots of it) going to shows and meeting breeders. Thereafter, once your schooling is over and your life is more stable, I highly recommend you getting a show neuter first, learn how to groom and show before taking the plunge into breeding!

I agree the best way to start is with a show alter, you'll learn all about the breed, meet breeders (whether or not they have the same breed, they have useful information for you) and can then decide if you really want to get into breeding & showing.

This website http://www.cowtowncats.com/cost_of_breeding_cats.htm has an example of the costs involved, it's several years old now but you get the idea.

Another thing to take into account, Siamese are EXTREMELY demanding and thrive on attention from their owners. My girl is my shadow, she is at my side her every waking moment. Should I happen to come home from work late she is highly upset and makes no secret of it. I have no idea about Ragdolls as I have never even met one, but my Persian is extrememly affectionate but she doesn't seem the least bit bothered when I'm out later than normal.
I'm assuming that a lawyer right out of school would have a very demanding schedule, so this may be something to take into consideration while choosing a breed, regardless if you choose to breed or just have a lovely pet.

A great way to get into purebred cat breeding and knowing the breed is to go to shows and get a show quality kitten that is an alter, having that breeder be your mentor. There are health issues you need to know more about before breeding and other things that can is best taught by a close and supportive mentor. Then you can learn everything hands on and have lots of experience before diving in, that is the best case scenario to get started. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Shambles

Another thing to take into account, Siamese are EXTREMELY demanding and thrive on attention from their owners. My girl is my shadow, she is at my side her every waking moment. Should I happen to come home from work late she is highly upset and makes no secret of it.

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I agree with that completely, I have Oriental Shorthairs (non-colourpoint Siamese to all intents and purposes) and they are VERY demanding cats, they are very sensitive and can be quite highly strung because they are SO attached to you and will miss you terribly when you are not there at the time they expect you, they can become upset about the slightest change in routine (one of my boys peed on our legs in bed every night for a fortnight when I changed working hours, no medical problem we had him checked it was just stress and he did get used to the change but that level of neediness and sensitivity to change is something you need to consider, one thing they are not is laid back!), IMO it is best to have a fairly settled and regular daily routine before having a Siamese or OSH. They really do need to know what time to expect you home every day Personally I love that about them, but it is not for everyone.

Another factor is that the breeds you mention are all really popular, and as such, there are already plenty of breeders of those breeds around, and plenty of kittens from experienced established breeders available to be homed, do we need any more? - there are only ever going to be so many homes in which kittens can be placed. Can you bring anything to the breed that someone else (or 200 someone elses) are not already contributing? Are you going to maybe look into specialising in a certain colour that is in demand and maybe not seen in the showring often? The advice given about showing before getting into breeding is great - you need to know correct type and know what you are breeding for, and also get to know breeders before anyone will even sell you a kitten with breeding rights.

Personally if I were going to get into breeding, I wouldn't breed any of those that you mention, I would look to "fill a gap in the market" (if you will please excuse the phrase being used in the context of cats, but I couldn't think of a better way to put it!) and specialise in showing, popularising, and breeding, a less well known breed, in order to maybe help save it from obscurity.

Originally Posted by Abymummy

Just to add on to what the others have said:

Time is a factor. A big factor actually, way up there with love and finances. I note you are a student and working part time. With the exception of the Siamese, would you have enough time to groom the Persians and Ragdolls?

I would suggest that you do the research now (and lots of it) going to shows and meeting breeders. Thereafter, once your schooling is over and your life is more stable, I highly recommend you getting a show neuter first, learn how to groom and show before taking the plunge into breeding!

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I think the Siamese could work for me. Next will be my third year of law school and things will be more stable and I will have more free time. Next year I will probably be in class 2-3 days out of the week. I also do my part time accounting work from home. I think I could buy a show alter this summer. Maybe wait a couple of years and learn from breeders and then get a female queen.

Originally Posted by Shambles

Another thing to take into account, Siamese are EXTREMELY demanding and thrive on attention from their owners. My girl is my shadow, she is at my side her every waking moment. Should I happen to come home from work late she is highly upset and makes no secret of it. I have no idea about Ragdolls as I have never even met one, but my Persian is extrememly affectionate but she doesn't seem the least bit bothered when I'm out later than normal.
I'm assuming that a lawyer right out of school would have a very demanding schedule, so this may be something to take into consideration while choosing a breed, regardless if you choose to breed or just have a lovely pet.

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I might not having a demanding schedule right out of school. I plan to work in estate and business planning. A couple of estate planning lawyers that I know don't have schedules that are too busy. I have a business degree and I'm considering working the business field too. I'm still exploring different career options.

Originally Posted by cococat

A great way to get into purebred cat breeding and knowing the breed is to go to shows and get a show quality kitten that is an alter, having that breeder be your mentor. There are health issues you need to know more about before breeding and other things that can is best taught by a close and supportive mentor. Then you can learn everything hands on and have lots of experience before diving in, that is the best case scenario to get started.

Good luck.

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Great advice.

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I think the Siamese could work for me. Next will be my third year of law school and things will be more stable and I will have more free time. Next year I will probably be in class 2-3 days out of the week. I also do my part time accounting work from home. I think I could buy a show alter this summer. Maybe wait a couple of years and learn from breeders and then get a female queen.

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That sounds like a good plan If you can find a breeder to mentor you it is the best possible situation, someone who will not mind if you call them in a state at 3am when your queen goes into labour with her (and your!) first ever litter is invaluable.

I still think Siamese are very popular and as such you may find that there is oversupply of kittens already, there are breeds that a desperately crying out for new breeders - have you considered Balinese or Oriental Longhair? There is a shortage of breeders for these breeds, the Balinese is the semi-longhair version of Siamese (they have silky medium length hair, they are not high maintenance in terms of grooming) - they are the same breed to all intents and purposes, the same personality and sassiness, colourpoint cats, but with a floofy tail and a bit of a fringe on their undercarriage - but hardly anyone breeds them and very few kittens are registered every year.

Originally Posted by Epona

That sounds like a good plan

If you can find a breeder to mentor you it is the best possible situation, someone who will not mind if you call them in a state at 3am when your queen goes into labour with her (and your!) first ever litter is invaluable.

I still think Siamese are very popular and as such you may find that there is oversupply of kittens already, there are breeds that a desperately crying out for new breeders - have you considered Balinese or Oriental Longhair? There is a shortage of breeders for these breeds, the Balinese is the semi-longhair version of Siamese (they have silky medium length hair, they are not high maintenance in terms of grooming) - they are the same breed to all intents and purposes, the same personality and sassiness, colourpoint cats, but with a floofy tail and a bit of a fringe on their undercarriage - but hardly anyone breeds them and very few kittens are registered every year.

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I have seen some info on the Balinese and they are very beautiful and more breeding of them could help them gain popularity. I will definetely consider the Balinese too. I will really start looking into buying a show alter in the next couple of months. I will have some free time this summer. I will be working with an accounting/business planning firm part time in the mornings for about 8 weeks. I will probably work from 8 am to 1 pm and then I will come out do my other accounting job the rest of the day. My fiancee is a firefighter and I think he could come over on his off days and spend time with a cat. He also loves his cats. I hope I could find a good mentor to show me the ropes.

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I hope I could find a good mentor to show me the ropes.

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The best way to go about it is start going to cat shows - just as a spectator even. It's a really good opportunity to talk to breeders and exhibitors (just don't bother the judges when they are doing their thing!) Put the word out that you want a cat to show in neuter classes, make sure you get one from a breeder who is happy to support you showing (I don't know how it is where you are, but in the UK if you adopt a cat for showing a good breeder will be there every step of the way with you, it is also their cattery name that is up there being judged!) - if you have a cat that you have shown or are showing then it will potentially open some doors for you with some breeders in the future, people will take you more seriously if you want to breed once you have some show experience.

I have been going to shows for a while now and I think if I wanted to get into breeding it wouldn't be too difficult for me because I have numerous contacts with good breeders who know me and have met me, the breeder I got my pet quality boys from I have kept in good contact with her and she knows I am sound, these are all invaluable contacts for me should I want to get into the breeding side of things. I am not ready to go that route quite yet, but I know I am potentially opening doors for the future, should I decide to go down that route (as well as making some good friends in the process!)