Greetings, I would like to be a breeder...

[StefanZ]

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

And females should not be bred more then twice a year (even if they are in season more often).

In the big european cat association FIFE the rule is at most 3 litters in two years. Although you may ask for some extra litter. Say if the litters were small.

 

[StefanZ]

You got a lot of good advices.

One more advice for a wanna-bee breeder is you work with your local shelter or rescue organization. Try to be a fosterer. Preferably try to house homeless pregnant females. Who give birth at your place, and you raise and foster the kittens.

This gives you very much higly useful experience. And also puts you in network with other cat-knowleable persons.
AND some homeless cat moms do get the ah so very necessary help, and their kittens a wonderful start in the life.
A win-win situation.

Of course, be sure you clean and decontaminate everything before your purebreeds do come. You dont want take any risks with your queens / studs nor your cats you are travelling to shows with. Be they purebred or being moggies participating in the pet class.

 

[northernglow]

Originally Posted by StefanZ

Not to mention the scandinavian russian blue ("the scandinavian look") Although the american influence gets more popular nowadays in some circles.

Finland is also rabies-free AFAIK. And some of the best scandinavian RB are breed in Finland.

Agreed. I've heard many breeders complaining about the 'american style' ruining the original scandinavian type because judges are favouring them even though it's not the right type according to the FIFÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] standard (and FIFÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] is still the main organisation here).

 

[cjh27]

Hi,

what hasn't been mentioned here are genetic diseases. As a breeder your priorities should be health-> character-> looks

When looking for a future queen make sure the parents of your car have been negatively tested for HCM, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, wich is a heart disease that leads to cats dying at an early age. The cats should be tested via an echocardiographic test befor the first litter and then every two years.

Don't be fooled by the gene test for HCM- it doesn't tell you which cat will develop HCM and which will not:

http://www.mainecoon-kittens.co.uk/hcm.html

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/conten...wxhx.alexandra

..... and even if it could it only covers two genes of possibly hundred responsible for HCM.

http://pawpeds.com/healthprogrammes/hcm.html

Also watch out for HD, hip dyspasia

http://pawpeds.com/healthprogrammes/hd.html


A lot of Maine coons also seem to have bad gums and teeth at an early age, so watch out for this when buying a cat.


By the way- you'll probably find the pawpeds web site an interesting read, they've also got a corner for beginners with some interesting topics covered:

http://pawpeds.com/pawacademy/beginn...eedingalitter/

http://pawpeds.com/pawacademy/beginn...nganimals.html

http://pawpeds.com/pawacademy/beginn...er/ethics.html


regards,

christine