Looking for a cat to fit my needs

I am looking for a cat with a cirtain set of traits. so far i have found Turkish Vans, Bengals and Sevvanah cats to be clossest to what i am looking for but want to see if any one else has any suggestions.

specificly i want a cat that is medium to large size, intelligent, social, self sufficient (I cant stand an animal that cant take care of itself sorry persian lovers out there) and can be both an outdoor/indoor cat. a cat that can take to a harness and be walked.

I live in korea and want a cat that is happy and playfull in the house and also interactive beyond the standard love me pet me that all cats do so well (i hear stories that turkish vans like to play "fetch"). Since it is korea I cant have the standard let him go out and play style cat because the environment simply doesnt allow it but i do want to be able to take my cat out to the park or something and allow him to more or less free roam and play togeather but takes to training that will allow me to conssitantly call him back when its time to go. (dont want to have to hire trackers to find cat in a 3 square kilometer park when its time to go home)

If it sounds like i am looking for a dog in a cats skin you may be right but the fact is I love cats and need cirtain traits in order to fit the cat into this environment in a way that fits my lifestyle.

Oh.. and i guess the most important thing is that i am not looking for a show cat or breeder and cant spend excessive amounts of money on the cat (considering i am willing to fly to the states and go through the quarenteen ordeal just to get it here i dont have alot of purchasing power)

so ... any one have any suggestions?

Most breeders in the US won't allow a cat to go outside unless harnessed. I think all cats will be skittish if you take them to a park (though wouldn't that be cool !). If you really want to take the time though, clicker training will be a great thing for you. It will help you bond with the cat even more, and teach it to come and heel, etc. It can take quite a bit of time but its worth it. Once they learn a few things you can start taking the cat outside to do the training.

I'd say any of the short-haired breeds known for their intelligence will be great for you. I used to take my bengal out a lot. There are certain techniques to getting your cat to accept strangers without fear. With the spotted cats you will get a swarm of people wherever you go commenting on your cat. My cats tend to get overwhelmed in this situation. They make great indoor pets though.

All I can say is read read read up.... I would imagine there would be some cat breeders where you are???

Welcome! If you haven't found it - there is a section devoted to discussion of cat breeds. Maybe some members can help you there

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

um... i thought this was the section devoted to cat breeds

how much would one expect to pay for a special breed? I have never really worked how much i should expect to pay. i know dogs have always seemed rather expencive to me.

also ... can any one campare turkish van, vs sevannah vs, bengal? ... vs any other similar cat.

I'm not sure about Turkish Van but I would hazard a guess at $500.
Bengals are $600-800
Savannahs are $2000-$8000 (very new breed)

Savannah's are large with huge radar earset, smaller head in comparison to torso, and short tail. Colors for bengal and savannah include brown, silver, and snow. Patterns include spotted and marble. I think personalities are similar but look is actually different besides coloring/pattern. Savannahs are meant to be large bigger boned cats with huge ears and black leathery nose. The idea being to save the image of the serval in a domestic cat. The Bengal is smaller since the Asian Leopard Cat (its relative) is about the same size as a domestic. But they are very stocky and muscular. Both breeds have a very wild expression but act domestic, moreso the bengal since its a very well established breed. The Savannah is still so new.

The Turkish Van is a medium hair. I don't knwo to much about them except that people with allergies do well around them (that goes the same for bengals). And they like water.

You have to remember each cat is individual. There is no guaranteeing a cat will love water if you get any one of these breeds.

I wouldn't take a cat to the park and let him free roam because even if he did come back he might get attacked by a dog. I have taken my bengals to the park on a harness that way if a dog comes I can pick him up and protect him with my pepper spray (at last resort) that I carry with me if I take my bengals anywhere there will be dogs.
Bengals tend to like water if you start them out as kittens bathing them and playing with them in water. Some don't end up liking water though.
Bengals are very much dog like, they are very playful and intelligent. I can't comment on savannahs or turkish vans because i've never owned those breeds.

You may want to add Chausie's to your list. They are sometimes referred to as the "poor mans Savannah". My f2 Jesse James has the best personality of all my cats IMO. I got him with shipping for around $600 US. My Bengal was around $400. My Ocicat was around $400 also. The Egyptian Mau was about $600 with shipping.

Purina has a breed selector on their site. It is a q/a type thing. Answers are also rated how important to you.

Originally Posted by 4kids4cats

You may want to add Chausie's to your list. They are sometimes referred to as the "poor mans Savannah". My f2 Jesse James has the best personality of all my cats IMO. I got him with shipping for around $600 US. My Bengal was around $400. My Ocicat was around $400 also. The Egyptian Mau was about $600 with shipping.

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"shipping"??

Originally Posted by bluewolf

"shipping"??

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sometimes people have the cats sent on planes to another state so the shipping would be whatever it cost for the breeder to send the cat to the person (on a airplane of course)

I doubt you will find a breed of cat that will take visits to the park with you and come when they are called while roaming around 3km of land. Having a kitty on a leash is much safer.

Originally Posted by 4kids4cats

You may want to add Chausie's to your list. They are sometimes referred to as the "poor mans Savannah". My f2 Jesse James has the best personality of all my cats IMO. I got him with shipping for around $600 US. My Bengal was around $400. My Ocicat was around $400 also. The Egyptian Mau was about $600 with shipping.

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wow your kids are lovely... oh and your box is full

Originally Posted by bluewolf

um... i thought this was the section devoted to cat breeds

how much would one expect to pay for a special breed? I have never really worked how much i should expect to pay. i know dogs have always seemed rather expencive to me.

also ... can any one campare turkish van, vs sevannah vs, bengal? ... vs any other similar cat.

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If there is a Turkish Van breeder on TCS I've not met her or him. I can refer you to my TV's breeder if this could assist. Caravanserai Turkish Vans has a web site here. Pat Chapman is a fine lady, completely devoted to the breed. If she cannot help she can refer you to other breeders. If there ever was a dog in a cat suit it is the Turkish Van, which, BTW, is a longhair. If you are interested in the cost of a TV I would recommend that you communicate directly with a breeder, and not go by hearsay.

Good luck,

Jim, with Ann, Samwise and Galadriel (aka "Molly"), on a Texas beach

I just can't forsee any cat breed (no matter how friendly they are in your home) that would enjoy roaming in a big park when there would possibly be lots of children, dogs and road noise. Cats just aren't dogs.

Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

I just can't forsee any cat breed (no matter how friendly they are in your home) that would enjoy roaming in a big park when there would possibly be lots of children, dogs and road noise. Cats just aren't dogs.

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I agree... My Zoey is a social girl but the multitude of noises would freak her evan

well of course i am not intending to take the cat to a place with an army of people in the immediate area. I am also planning to "sensitize" the cat to this kind of activity by taking the cat on frequent car rides and trips to various parks once or twice a week as its growing in order to get it used to the idea of occational jaunts to a strange wilderness.

the idea of a harness with a long thin attachment is an idea for at least the training / growing up phase and even better considered the idea of buying (or developing) a kind of collar or pack that will emit a warning noise when the cat wanders to far from me. eventually the cat will learn to recognize the distance and the warning noise and stay within proximity.

Originally Posted by bluewolf

well of course i am not intending to take the cat to a place with an army of people in the immediate area. I am also planning to "sensitize" the cat to this kind of activity by taking the cat on frequent car rides and trips to various parks once or twice a week as its growing in order to get it used to the idea of occational jaunts to a strange wilderness.

the idea of a harness with a long thin attachment is an idea for at least the training / growing up phase and even better considered the idea of buying (or developing) a kind of collar or pack that will emit a warning noise when the cat wanders to far from me. eventually the cat will learn to recognize the distance and the warning noise and stay within proximity.

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Dont take this wrong but have you ever had a cat???

Cats can be trained but they arent dogs , they respond when and if they desire... hense dogs have owners , cats have servents...

The cats mentioned will be more dog like but they arent dogs..

Originally Posted by sharky

Dont take this wrong but have you ever had a cat???

Cats can be trained but they arent dogs , they respond when and if they desire... hense dogs have owners , cats have servents...

The cats mentioned will be more dog like but they arent dogs..

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I agree. They can be trained but cats tend to do what they want when they want. I think if you want complete submission it would be better for you to get a dog. Cat's will never be dogs no matter what the breed. That's what most cat people like about cats the most that they are independant and do whatever they please and we better just deal with it.

Originally Posted by sharky

Dont take this wrong but have you ever had a cat???

Cats can be trained but they arent dogs , they respond when and if they desire... hense dogs have owners , cats have servents...

The cats mentioned will be more dog like but they arent dogs..

Click to expand...

Nice!