Questions About Buying A Silver Shaded British Shorthair

[rogerniris]

I fell in love with silver shaded British Shorthair a while ago and am thinking buying one from a breeder. It'll be a long process. I just started searching and want to get an idea of the general price range. However, most breeders do not provide prices on their websites. What I understand from my very limited search is that this particular breed and color may take around $1500 - $2500 within US, but somewhat cheaper in Europe, around 800-1000 Euros (not counting the shipping fees). Are these reasonable ranges for these cats?

I was thinking if buying and shipping from Europe takes a lot less money I may consider doing that. Even if I bought one within the US, there might not be nearby breeders that offer a cat that I like, so I may end up with shipping anyway. So do you think buying a cat from Europe is reasonable, or do you recommend buying from nearby breeders?



BTW I already have two sweetest cats that I adopted from shelter. I just fell in love with the color, the chubby face and the mellow personality of a silver shaded British Shorthair and I really really want to have one of my own (I love many other cats too, mixed or purebred, but this is the one that I really want to have). If I can adopt a cat that has silver shaded coat I will, but it is just too rare. This makes me want to buy one from a breeder and therefore this post.


(Not sure if this is the right place to post this question. If anyone knows a better place to go please let me know. Thanks!)

 

[Columbine]

I have never bough a cat from overseas, but I do know someone who has. I honestly wouldn't recommend it, unless your plan was to fly out and meet the breeder and their cats in person. Websites, and even conversations can be very misleading. The breeder my friend went to was very reputable and highly respected, but the cats really weren't very well socialised (and this even with videos of the cats and breeder and their setup being available). Early socialisation is crucial, and those first three months can never be got back.

Putting that to one side for a moment, I would also be very, VERY reluctant to buy (or indeed adopt) any animal that I hadn't met 'in person'...especially when it comes to cats. My experience, time and time again, is that the cats choose you, not the other way around. Buying overseas totally removes you from that experience, and that isn't something I'd want to lose.

Now, if you were a breeder looking for a potential stud or queen, there can be good reason for travelling further to find the right cat for your cattery, but from what you say you're looking for pet kitties.

How To Choose A Cat Breeder
Adopting Mouse - The Experience Of Buying From An Ethical Breeder

 

[rogerniris]

I have never bough a cat from overseas, but I do know someone who has. I honestly wouldn't recommend it, unless your plan was to fly out and meet the breeder and their cats in person. Websites, and even conversations can be very misleading. The breeder my friend went to was very reputable and highly respected, but the cats really weren't very well socialised (and this even with videos of the cats and breeder and their setup being available). Early socialisation is crucial, and those first three months can never be got back.

Putting that to one side for a moment, I would also be very, VERY reluctant to buy (or indeed adopt) any animal that I hadn't met 'in person'...especially when it comes to cats. My experience, time and time again, is that the cats choose you, not the other way around. Buying overseas totally removes you from that experience, and that isn't something I'd want to lose.

Now, if you were a breeder looking for a potential stud or queen, there can be good reason for travelling further to find the right cat for your cattery, but from what you say you're looking for pet kitties.

How To Choose A Cat Breeder
Adopting Mouse - The Experience Of Buying From An Ethical Breeder

Thanks for the good suggestions.

Yes I agree that I should meet with the cat before I buy/adopt it. I remember I adopted one of my cats the first time I saw her (because her shelter is a bit far and we don't want to drive there multiple times), and she turned out to show some behavior issues once she got home. I definitely want to know as much as I can about my future cats.

I live in upstate New York and I did some research on breeders nearby. There seems to be very few breeders that offer silver shaded, and usually the price, if it is shown on the website, is on the high end of the range ($1700-2500). Is that a reasonable price? Or maybe it is always the case that cats with explicitly price tags are more expensive? Maybe if I ask around different breeders I can get a better idea of the real range?

 

[Columbine]

I can't speak as to US prices, as I'm in the UK. What I do know is that well bred kittens from reputable, ethical breeders are generally similar prices to pedigree, well bred puppies. At least in the UK, this means that there's a real rise in kitten mill type breeders who are just in it for the money.

I would do some research into reputable breeders and contact a few to get a sense of their prices. Find a great breeder who you feel good about, and be prepared to wait for your kittens. I went to meet my boys' breeder before they were born, just to meet her and her cats and see her setup. Well bred, healthy, well socialised kittens are always worth the wait

 

[posiepurrs]

I am not familiar with the breed, but if anything like shaded silver Persians, it is going to be tough to find one. Silver can be a difficult color to work with. While not your preferred breed, have you considered a Burmilla? Here is the link to the breed profile. I think there is a Burmilla breeder in Pennsylvania. He works with long haired Burmillas (also has short haired) and approached me about using my Camie as an allowable outcross. Breed Profile: The Burmilla
I, too would hesitate buying based just on videos and photos. I did get my last cat that way. I saw him in person the first time when I picked him up BUT I have known his breeder for about 15 years.

 

[Columbine]

I've just done a little research on silver shaded BSH cats, as I'd not heard of that colouring before in that breed (I've had four BSHs in the past - three creams and one blue-cream). It seems like the silver shaded variant is pretty rare, and that will push the price up a bit (as does any rare colouring or breed).

I'll also add that cardiomyopathy can be a congenital issue in BSHs of any colour. One of my boys had it, and its a truly horrible condition. This is definitely something to be aware of and ask the breeder about, too.

 

[rogerniris]

I can't speak as to US prices, as I'm in the UK. What I do know is that well bred kittens from reputable, ethical breeders are generally similar prices to pedigree, well bred puppies. At least in the UK, this means that there's a real rise in kitten mill type breeders who are just in it for the money.

I would do some research into reputable breeders and contact a few to get a sense of their prices. Find a great breeder who you feel good about, and be prepared to wait for your kittens. I went to meet my boys' breeder before they were born, just to meet her and her cats and see her setup. Well bred, healthy, well socialised kittens are always worth the wait

I watched some kitten mill videos yesterday. It's TERRIFYING! I had nightmares last night. Definitely will go for breeders that I can personally visit. Yes I expect a long wait, but that's totally fine. As you said, a good kitten is always worth the wait

About cardiomyopathy, yes I read that on some articles. Definitely will check with the breeders. Thanks for all the good advises!

 

[rogerniris]

I am not familiar with the breed, but if anything like shaded silver Persians, it is going to be tough to find one. Silver can be a difficult color to work with. While not your preferred breed, have you considered a Burmilla? Here is the link to the breed profile. I think there is a Burmilla breeder in Pennsylvania. He works with long haired Burmillas (also has short haired) and approached me about using my Camie as an allowable outcross. Breed Profile: The Burmilla
I, too would hesitate buying based just on videos and photos. I did get my last cat that way. I saw him in person the first time when I picked him up BUT I have known his breeder for about 15 years.

I love the color so I checked Chinchilla, silver shaded Persians, SS exotic shorthair, SS ASH and SS BSH and finally settled on BSH, because their chubby faces are so precious I just knew Burmilla because of your post. I'll check out that too (the longhair ones look a lot like Chinchilla without the flat face. Love it!). I'd imagine it's even harder to find Burmilla breeders cause it doesn't seem to be a well-known breed. But I'll put that on my list. Thanks for the info!