Breed Qualifications

Hi, I am searching for a new cat. I would like one that is a indoor/outdoor but isn't your regular old domestic cat. I live in Missouri so it gets super cold in winter and hot in the summer. In the winter we have severe mice problems and that would be the only reason the cat would go outside is to hunt. We currently have 1 male Maine Coon that was a stray that is not a very good mouser. He prefers to be outside but eats his food and occasionally uses the litter box inside. In the past 3 years I have had 2 amazing short haired black cats and they had great personalities and were exceptional mousers and would occasionally bring a rabbit or vole to my doorstep. The cats being black unfortunately were hit by cars which I hear is a common problem for dark haired mousers. All of our cats have gotten along fine with our 3 big dogs so this would have to be another qualification. I don't want a regular cat that you could find anywhere so I have been looking at unique breeds like the Egyptian Mau but the websites say they should stay indoors. I don't know what to pick since fall/winter will be approaching shortly so my needs are,
-indoor/outdoor
-mouser
-preferably darker haired
-short haired
-family friendly
-pet friendly
-bigger body type
-not too much grooming
-unique appearance
-no crazy health problems
-good in different climates
-isn't a billion dollars
-lively/playful breed
any suggestions on what breed to pick? Please help. Thank you.

A very interesting question.

I can't give you an answer, but I do urge you to consider adopting a shelter cat. There are so many more cats out there than there are good homes, but a pedigree will always find an owner.

KweenKlaw said:

Hi, I am searching for a new cat. I would like one that is a indoor/outdoor but isn't your regular old domestic cat. I live in Missouri so it gets super cold in winter and hot in the summer. In the winter we have severe mice problems and that would be the only reason the cat would go outside is to hunt. We currently have 1 male Maine Coon that was a stray that is not a very good mouser. He prefers to be outside but eats his food and occasionally uses the litter box inside. In the past 3 years I have had 2 amazing short haired black cats and they had great personalities and were exceptional mousers and would occasionally bring a rabbit or vole to my doorstep. The cats being black unfortunately were hit by cars which I hear is a common problem for dark haired mousers. All of our cats have gotten along fine with our 3 big dogs so this would have to be another qualification. I don't want a regular cat that you could find anywhere so I have been looking at unique breeds like the Egyptian Mau but the websites say they should stay indoors. I don't know what to pick since fall/winter will be approaching shortly so my needs are,
-indoor/outdoor
-mouser
-preferably darker haired
-short haired
-family friendly
-pet friendly
-bigger body type
-not too much grooming
-unique appearance
-no crazy health problems
-good in different climates
-isn't a billion dollars
-lively/playful breed
any suggestions on what breed to pick? Please help. Thank you.

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IMO, there is no such thing as a "regular old domestic cat". All cats are have a beauty that is his or her own whether he or she is the rarest, most expensive breed you can get all the way to a mixed breed feral. Every cat is unique and has a different personality just like humans do. 

There's no way to guarantee that you'll get all the qualifications that you listed above regardless of which breed you choose. To be honest, I think you'd have a better chance finding what you want from a shelter rather than a breeder anyway. The majority of cats that end up in shelters were on the street at one point or another so they have already had to fend for themselves whether by hunting or finding food from a kind hearted human and have had to deal with both hot and cold weather in some capacity. Shelters have cats of all colors, sizes and ages and you'll have NO problem finding a dark colored cat at a shelter, I can promise you that.

IMO, a DSH is the cat for you but that's MY opinion. They have many of the qualities you look for and you'll be saving 2 lives. The cat you adopt and the one that is taken in by the shelter to fill his/her place. 

Cats from reputable breeders aren't cheap and the price varies depending on the breed. An inexpensive cat from a breeder is more than likely not going to come with papers and will be from a backyard breeder (cat version of a puppy mill). These cats are not bred/raised/kept in the same conditions as a cat from a reputable breeder. They are bred in large numbers for one reason only. Money. 

I agree with @Columbine  100%. I really can't recommend any specific breed but I sincerely hope that you'll at least visit a local shelter and talk to the people there about what you're looking for. You very well might find one. You also might not but it really couldn't hurt. Animals know when they have been rescued and they really do appreciate it. All 3 of my cats came from shelters as did my dog. I will never go to a breeder for a pet. Ever. I respect everyone's right to choose their pet from any place they want.    I personally, however, cannot in good conscience go to a breeder knowing that there are so many wonderful animals waiting in shelters for someone to love them. All cats are equal. All deserve a home. 

I really do hope you find what you're looking for regardless of where you find it. 

I'm also going to put my opinion in the adopt a shelter cat camp. Most show breed cats aren't going to make good mousers. It's just not what they've been bred for, but if you goto the shelter you might find a mix or look alike who will suit your mousing needs, be beautiful, and not cost a bajillion dollars.

Some unusual coat colours you could look out for in the shelter include points (siamese looking), spotted tabby, or ticked tabby. You can also be on the lookout for siamese/oriental crosses who have the lihe body and blue eyes without the points. Some shleters will even let you mark the colour you're looking for down and then phone you when one is turned in.

The other thing you could do is check out craigslist/petfinder to see if anyone is rehoming an adult cat that suits your needs. I wouldn't buy a kitten from such a source though since a backyard breeder kitten is likely to have a health issues that will cost you more in the long run.

you probably want 2 cats.  an attractive indoor only pedigreed cat ( few reputable breeders in the us will sell you a cat unless you promise to keep them indoors, because far too many are hit by cars here ), and an outdoor only cat.  

I agree that your outdoor cat should be from a shelter, preferably a not overly aggressive (since you have an indoor-outdoor cat you don't want an overly aggressive cat) semi feral cat who would otherwise not find a home. such a cat will both hunt mice better, and probably be a bit more traffic savvy ( clearly a concern, since you lost multiple cats to cars...)

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