How'd you get your start.

I thought it would be interesting to read how all you breeders out there got your start. What drew your interest? How'd you pick your breed? How long have you been breeding? What advise would you offer to others interesting in breeding?

I ask because I am a genetics nut, and find myself trying to predict what all these impending momma's will produce. But I know there's more involved than just that. I am attending my first cat show in the coming week. I am excited! It will be interesting to see how it's all done. I've been in contact with several breeders, in hopes of finding a mentor. And my hubby thinks I'm obsessed with TCS! I know there is so much to learn. Maybe that's half the battle - knowing there's always more to know!

...you never know where your next bit of knowledge will come!

Well i'm still starting so i'm not sure how much help I will be. My journey began when I was 15 with my first job, i'd always wanted to breed cats and I decided I was going to do it now that I had a job. I looked in the paper for a Persian breeder (my mother had a Himalayan and insisted it be one of the two breeds) and called one up. To make a long story short I paid $150 for this "breeder queen" black persian, who ended up having fist sized ringworm all over her, once that was treated we discovered she had an immune problem that was hereditary so she had to be spayed, within a year the cortsone shots stopped working and she passed away. The "breeder" I had gotten her from said she knew about the immune problem, but that it didn't stop her from breeding so why should it stop me? That was one of the toughest lessons i've ever had to learn, that not all breeders are equal and my baby girl was dead because of it.

So I dropped the whole idea, I was heartbroken. Fast forward to two years ago, I started again thinking of breeding, but knowing how it turned out last time I decided I had to know my stuff first and find the perfect breeder to get my queen from. So I researched, and decided I was ready to get another (pet) cat. My Fiance agreed but only on the condition that HE be allowed to choose the breed. I had been dead set on an old style Siamese but he found the Bengal. For my birthday I got Envy, and i've been in love with the breed ever since.

Envy was spayed, and we moved across the country. I began my search for the perfect breeder to get my queen from. I spoke to countless breeders, attended cat shows, but noone measured up to my high standards. Finally I found two who passed all my tests with flying colors, they lived ten minutes apart from each other but 7 hours away from me. Last week I drove down to make my final decision (one of my criteria is I MUST visit the cattery first). I decided on one and picked out my new queen. Both breeders are super helpful and I consider both to be my mentors.

So thats where i'm at now, waiting for next month when I can drive down and pick up my newest furrbaby. Once home she will get a thourough checkup by my Vet including bloodwork. After that I will start showing her.

Hope this helps, if you really want to breed please take my story with Isabelle(my beautiful black persion with copper penny eyes, may she rest in peace) to heart and never settle for second best.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

I thought it would be interesting to read how all you breeders out there got your start. What drew your interest? How'd you pick your breed? How long have you been breeding? What advise would you offer to others interesting in breeding?

I ask because I am a genetics nut, and find myself trying to predict what all these impending momma's will produce. But I know there's more involved than just that. I am attending my first cat show in the coming week. I am excited! It will be interesting to see how it's all done. I've been in contact with several breeders, in hopes of finding a mentor. And my hubby thinks I'm obsessed with TCS! I know there is so much to learn. Maybe that's half the battle - knowing there's always more to know!

...you never know where your next bit of knowledge will come!

Click to expand...

Siamese cats have stolen the hearts of 3 generations of women in my family. They owned my Grandmother, they owned my Mother and now they own me. So, needless to say, there was never a question as to which breed I would support. But once I started looking around, I was both concerned and frustrated by what I learned. The gorgeous, Old-Style cats I knew and loved as a child were scarce - horribly, dangerously scarce. I knew then and there that I had to do something about their plight or just stand idly by and watch them die out - I found that I just couldn't bear to see them gone forever, so I decided to become a breeder.

While I am not new at all to animal husbandry, as I mentioned, my Grandmother kept and bred Siamese cats (I was her cattery slave LOL) and I have also worked closely with my brother-in-law who breeds and trains Tennessee Walking Horses, the first litter produced by my own cats was born on October 3, 2004.

In the way of advice, I would offer the following:

Learn as much as you can about your chosen breed before you actually purchase cats. Read everything and anything you can get your hands on. Research the history of the breed you choose carefully and talk to older, long-time breeders who knew what was happening in the past - these breeders in particular are virtual treasure troves of knowledge and more importantly, educated gossip. *lol*

Thoroughly research genetic and hereditary issues in the breed you choose. Know which bloodlines are healthy and why - and stay away from those that aren't. If you find the cats you've chosen aren't healthy, then be honest with yourself, be fair to the cats and stop breeding them.

Have the financial resources to take proper care of your cats. Open a savings account and put a fixed amount in each week or month to cover the unexpecteds - and believe me, there WILL be unexpecteds.

And above all else, remember that the goal of breeding is to do everything you can to benefit the breed, not stuff your pocketbook or stroke your ego. It isn't about you, it is about the cats. The cats are not there to serve you and your wants or needs, you are there to serve theirs. Don't ever forget it. In fact, get a big, red magic marker and make a poster-sized sign that you can put in a prominant location in your home where you will be absolutely sure to see it several times daily that says: It isn't about me, it is about the cats.

My Nana had been breeding cats for 40+ plus even before I was on the scene!

She has bred many colours but her heart lies with Persians & Exotics.

She gave us a few Persians to start off with, then we brought some Exotic show pets off and fell in love with the breed and decided to start breeding.

We have been breeding Persians and Exotics since Feb 1999.

Okay, here's my story, if you want to call it that.

As my siggy states, I have 5 kids. I am finished having litters. Hubby was neutered after son #2.

Guess it'll be awhile 'fore I hear the pitter-patter of little feet again. Well, not exactly true, we still have Willow's babes to rear. And it's not exactly like my kids are old... my boys are only just 18 months and 2-1/2... 13 months apart.

But you know.

So.... I've played with the idea of breeding before. On and off. Just never sure I know enough. And as I stated before I love genetics! and cat's just offer such a variety it really is fascinating!

But I'll be the first to admit, I'm the last person who can *recognize* the standards of a given breed. Though, in therory, I do know the difference in , say, a Maine Coon and a Norwegian Forest Cat... So I really need to work on this. After all, what [qualities] does one breed for if they dont know what they're breeding.

So I need to decide on a particular breed. And this is difficult as I love them all - from the smushed face to the tailless, to curly haired to long and even hairless

But if I have to narrow it down, I think I can get within the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Siberian, or even the Selkirk Rex.

And after a bit more research, I really think I would enjoy the Siberians.

OH! and Polydactyls. I love a polydactyl!!!!!

So I've contacted a few Siberian breeders. Mostly just to chat yet. Try to find a mentor or sorts. The one that did get back to me went out of 'business'.

Maybe they're not looking for more competition... that sounds bad. I dont know... but if my mind is left alone too long it starts to wonder

I'm heading to my first cat show this coming weekend. Should be interesting. I've gone to dog shows and even had our dogs in working dogs events, ie. water rescue, cart pulling, but never shows. At any rate, we had to start somewhere then as is the case now I suppose. I can still remember our first dog outing too. Ha! I was so clueless!

And I know FULL WELL it's not about the money... heck - we adopted a preggo cat from the pound and had to shell out [I-dont-wanna-even-whisper] how much to save her after her kittens were born. Not to mention the work I missed, and the anxiety I went through... It was never a question - it was just the thing to do. Willow is just the most gorgeous thing, and I know I'm biased, but she is just so loving and affectionate! Even the day at the pound - it was love at first site. Hence why I threw a temper-tantrum on the Humane Society floor until everyone's vote was cate my way

So now I gotta ask myself... why do *I* wanna do it?
I love kitties! I love cats! I love animals for that matter.

So why not volunteer for a shelter or rescue instead?
Well, I love genetics too. And being able to [semi] control and predict the outcomes would be a rewarding challenge for me!

So what's stopping me?
I guess a mentor, and a little more knowledge. I need to know what to breed for. I need to find the perfect pair and who to get them from. I need to know how to start. I was wondering, do I begin with just a queen and sire out. Maybe co-ownership. Do they do that with cats? I know they do with dogs as the breeder/vet I got my Newf from does this. And she will hold your hand to each and every show if needed!

I dont know... here's one thing I've wondered... for those of you that keep your Tom's in house. How do you keep them from marking their territory all over?

Ho boy -- I guess that's enough for now... I suppose by the time I am ready, my kids will be having their litters and I'll be back to square one

Thanks for listening.... if you made it this far!

Marian

quoteMarianjela
Adult Cat
"I dont know... here's one thing I've wondered... for those of you that keep your Tom's in house. How do you keep them from marking their territory all over?"


well i only have females and i take my cats to a breeder who has stud you can pay for serive

Originally Posted by Marianjela

As my siggy states, I have 5 kids. I am finished having litters. Hubby was neutered after son #2.

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ROFL I got spayed when I was 28 after a bout of cervical cancer. When my doctor explained this to my husband, he just couldn't wrap his brain around why I was not allowed to have children ... and the doctor had to go into the fact that gravity does in fact work, and that without a cervix, the baby would "fall out". ROFL I think he got it then.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

But I'll be the first to admit, I'm the last person who can *recognize* the standards of a given breed. Though, in therory, I do know the difference in , say, a Maine Coon and a Norwegian Forest Cat... So I really need to work on this. After all, what [qualities] does one breed for if they dont know what they're breeding.

Click to expand...

You really don't have to know the standards of any given breed, just the one you choose to support. That should make it a little easier for you. Narrow your focus and pick one, then learn ~everything~ you can about it. Health issues, colors, everything that applies.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

And I know FULL WELL it's not about the money... heck - we adopted a preggo cat from the pound and had to shell out [I-dont-wanna-even-whisper] how much to save her after her kittens were born. Not to mention the work I missed, and the anxiety I went through...

Click to expand...

*sigh* No one ever said breeding was easy. There are setbacks and heartbreaks. It isn't inexpensive and the time committment is lofty as well. You have to be really dedicated and be able to take the punches because they will come - and hard. And this isn't even taking into consideration the fact that once you put that "Breeder of " after your cattery name, there is a whole group of people who instantly disrespect you and will try to make your life miserable because they don't agree with what you are doing. I lost a lifetime friend (of 35 years!!!) after I had my first litter - and she even called Animal Control and complained about me!!! The poor man who came to do the investigation was so embarrassed to be here at all. He took one look at my fat, happy, healthy cats and said, "Why are people so ignorant?" *sigh*

Originally Posted by Marianjela

So now I gotta ask myself... why do *I* wanna do it?

I love kitties! I love cats! I love animals for that matter.

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With all due respect, that isn't a good enough reason. Not only do you have to love cats, you have to have a deep, abiding respect for their issues. You have to be able to get up each and every single morning of each and every single day and say to yourself, "This isn't about me. It is about what is best for the breed and how I can benefit the breed the most" Simply loving cats just isn't enough.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

So what's stopping me?

I guess a mentor, and a little more knowledge. I need to know what to breed for. I need to find the perfect pair and who to get them from. I need to know how to start. I was wondering, do I begin with just a queen and sire out. Maybe co-ownership. Do they do that with cats? I know they do with dogs as the breeder/vet I got my Newf from does this. And she will hold your hand to each and every show if needed!

Click to expand...

Yes, definately a mentor and definately a LOT more knowledge. The perfect pair doesn't exist - so I can take looking for them off of your to-do list - you will have to settle for the pair that gives the most benefit to the breed in the way of health and longevity as well as meets the breed standard the closest. Start by asking yourself why you want to breed again - and again, and then again. Until you can come up with the answers that best benefit the breed, don't breed.

Yes, many breeders will enter into a co-ownership arrangement and as a first time breeder, that may be the best way for you to start.

Originally Posted by Marianjela

I dont know... here's one thing I've wondered... for those of you that keep your Tom's in house. How do you keep them from marking their territory all over?

Click to expand...

The sad fact is that the life of a breeding male isn't always the happiest of lives. I keep my own male and he is a total mushbucket ~with me~, but he is also extremely aggressive towards strangers and he is very territorial. He hoses my house down like it is on fire when my queen is in cycle or any one of my "soup-kitchen" kitties comes up onto the porch. Tonka is caged. It broke my heart to have to do it, I resisted the necessity until he sprayed all over my kitchen and I was forced to replace 3 of my kitchen appliances (nearly $3500!!!). I clip pee-pads to the outside of his cage (the sides and back only) to catch the spray and I change them and his litter daily. It is hard work every day keeping his cage clean and sanitary. He is a messy little man and loves to dig in the litter - so of course, he throws it everywhere and I am forever vacuuming around his cage to keep it off the floor. It is a daily, sometimes multiple times daily duty.

I sincerely hope this will help you, at least some anyway. I am always around if you find you have other questions.

~gf~