- Joined
- Jan 11, 2006
- Messages
- 6,482
- Purraise
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How do people decide what is or is not a breed? For instance, I would say my cat is a "mutt" (what is the word for a cat like that?). But, when a vet has to mark down her breed they put American shorthair or Domestic shorthair. Depending. (thats her in my sig).
I understand that some breeds develop naturally, on an island or remota area. I also understand breeding dogs for certain characteristics. Are cats bred for characteristics in the same way? What sort of characteristics, aside from appearance?
How come some new cat breeds are immediately accepted whereas others are not? How do new breeds come into existence? Do cats get the same breed-specific medical problems that some breeds of dogs do?
I hope I'm not stepping on any toes, I'm really just curious. I don't have any experience with cats aside from regular old tabbys and such, all former strays / ferals.
I understand that some breeds develop naturally, on an island or remota area. I also understand breeding dogs for certain characteristics. Are cats bred for characteristics in the same way? What sort of characteristics, aside from appearance?
How come some new cat breeds are immediately accepted whereas others are not? How do new breeds come into existence? Do cats get the same breed-specific medical problems that some breeds of dogs do?
I hope I'm not stepping on any toes, I'm really just curious. I don't have any experience with cats aside from regular old tabbys and such, all former strays / ferals.