And how do they know about the breed? How did they gain their knowledge, by buying from a cattery that does show and test so they produce good breed reps for many generations? Or by buying a cat from a breeding program that does nothing? You can get "nice pets" breeding mixes. There are hundreds of great family pets people love that they got from rescues and shelters or found on the street.
How can you say this if you haven't lived with any champion/show cats? They are loved pets too. And most of their offspring go to pet homes, where they are cherished just as much as you love your pets. Most pets are loved and cherished, regardless of background. So that statement doesn't make much sense.
I can only say that I don't believe a person getting a pet "anything" because they really like the look/temperament/whatever needs to only buy from a breeder that shows or has champions. I also agree you can get nice pets from mixes but that isn't what this thread is about - it's about breeders of pedigree cats and not necessarily "show/champion" cats.
Interesting post - I understood that there is no money to be made in breeding so I'm a bit confused.
My experience has been that any breeder needs to pay stud fees (unless they have their own stud), pay for food, litter, first vaccinations, so the only expense they don't have is the entrance fee to show and testing (although I understand some do test).
I'd have to disagree with you on this, Linda.
I think I've said it before but come and live in NZ where multiple toes are welcome in MCO. In fact I was the second judge in New Zealand [pipped at the post by 5 minutes] to judge one.
Yes, here I totally agree- plus you should get a cat that has been well socialized.
Yes and No. A breeder should take each cat to at least one or two shows to have it evaluated. I wouldn't nessesarily buy a cat from a breeder who's constantly going to shows with the cats as breeding also shouldn't just be about prizes and shows (and this is the feeling I get with some breeders) ....
I'm just a bit confused, you disagree that they are "reputable" or you disagree they are "not reputable"?
And that's part of the problem I have with some breeders and the associations that dictate what is and is not acceptable. Who gets to say that a black Maine Coon is not as worthy as the others or it's a "throwaway" because it has 6 toes?
I disagree with you that they are reputable
You're very correct here. Not everybody has the luxury of being able to show frequently. I'm fortunate enough to have at least one show within a day's driving distance nearly every weekend of the year--in CFA alone! And I usually have a pick between two or three shows at that.
Me too. Anyone at all can go out and buy (have shipped or pick up in person) two cats and become a "breeder". That is why reputable breeders send pet quality cats home already altered. Anyone can (on purpose or "accidently") be a breeder of mixes or purebreds, and many do during the course of life, a quick internet search or look in the paper will show this. But there is A LOT more to reputable breeding than just buying two cats and breeding. Even if you do pay for the shots on the kittens, and have a pedigree in your hands, it matters little if you don't know a thing about it or the cats in that pedigree or really have hands on knowledge of the breed standard, there is so much more to breeding than that to be reputable and responsible when breeding cats IMO.Originally Posted by WellingtonCats
I disagree with you that they are reputable
I disagree that only 'rich' people can afford purebred cats from reputable breeders, I know I certainly didn't decide on a purebred one day and go out and pay for one the next.
