What do you think of Cat Breeders?

Fire_Fox

karenbi wrote: »

You could argue that human beings in today's society are treated as commodities- spending most of their working hours doing soul destroying jobs, for little remuneration, respect or appreciation. Many people have little or no control over their lives, they are unable to alter their circumstances.

Excellent point, assume you are speaking about the third world.

karenbi

sandy71 wrote: »

The silly thing is he is a really dark charcoal colour and looks stunning. I must say though I would never show either of them, I think they are too lazy anyway
I missed the kitten stage, one was a year old and the other was 8 when we got them, I was quite relieved actually.

I took on an adult cat when we moved into our new home about 8 years ago. She died in 2009. I really respect someone whp is happyy to miss out on the cute kitten stage to adopt an adult.

karenbi

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Excellent point, assume you are speaking about the third world.

Maybe a little about my job!! Only joking- it could be worse...xxx

karenbi

Snowshoes (my breed) have certain patterns that are show patterns- i.e. they must have white feet. Peanut (my little girl) hasn't got white feet but is beautiful, athletic and has a boomproof personality. Cats without white feet have the same chance as breeding kittens with them as a cat with whie feet (if that makes sense!). To me the health and personality is of paramount importance.. Not too bothered about showing- it's more for the humans than the animals.

karenbi

lostinrates wrote: »

Actually, though we often talk about pet and show quality, a lot of people talk about pet, breeding and show quality. Ideally the the latter two are crossover. But, say for example, you had an exceptionally healthy female animal, sound and from a healthy line, but, her eyes were an unfavoured shade....so she'd never win at a show, probably be consistantly 3rd or fourth. Her health and genetic variance make her a valuable contribution to the breed, more than an unhealthy animal with the right colour eyes, IYSWIM. A show animal should be both healthy and as close to aesthetically perfect (but as we know health problems slip through: judges jusge the outside). A breeding animals MUST be fully healthy, and very close to type, but might not be show ring close to type.
QUOTE]

Thanks for great explanation! Although I am just learning about genetics I just want to breed good, healthy pet cats. There'll be good show cats in there too but mostly I'm bothered about varied lines and healthy kittens.

xx

sleepymy

karenbi wrote: »

I suppose that most animals are treated as commodities- whether it's a dairy cow, a horse or a fish from a pet shop. You could argue that human beings in today's society are treated as commodities- spending most of their working hours doing soul destroying jobs, for little remuneration, respect or appreciation. Many people have little or no control over their lives, they are unable to alter their circumstances. When I think of handing my kitten, loved and played with 'till 15 weeks, to a family I've got to know and like, who can't wait to get their new baby home- it doesn't seem as bad somehow.

No, you could only argue that about human slaves. Having to work to support yourself is nothing like being deliberately impregnated and having your babies taken off you sold for money.

karenbi

sandy71 wrote: »

I may be wrong but I think it's hard to tell whether the kittens will be show quality. Both parents might be but the kittens might not be and vice versa.

Plus not all people (and cats) want to show- it's an acquired taste. My girl was fine at her frirst show but hated her second- we retired her at that moment ( my boyfriend thanked his lucky stars!) . xx

karenbi

sleepymy wrote: »

No, you could only argue that about human slaves. Having to work to support yourself is nothing like being deliberately impregnated and having your babies taken off you sold for money.

Anyone who has had a cat in season knows they are totally compliant! They are a total pain until they get their way. At the moment you cannot stroke Gretel without her "assuming the position!" When their kittens go at 15 weeks they are happy as anything (I would question much earlier)! Gretel is still waiting for her daughter, Peanut, to leave home. To be honest I was the only one crying when they went...

Sagz_2

Not heard of the Snowshoes breed before so had a google, Wiki says:
"Despite having existed for 45 years, Snowshoes are rare due to the difficulty of reproducing exactly the coat markings. These are based on recessive genes for the color points and on the co-dominant but variably-expressed piebald pattern gene, making it difficult to predict the appearance of offspring."

So I guess there are a lot of kittens born who don't make the grade because of colouring? Doesn't that make breeding a bit hit and miss?

My worry is would there be enough buyers for the poor little 'by-products' who are born the wrong colour.

sleepymy

karenbi wrote: »

Anyone who has had a cat in season knows they are totally compliant! They are a total pain until they get their way. At the moment you cannot stroke Gretel without her "assuming the position!" When their kittens go at 15 weeks they are happy as anything (I would question much earlier)! Gretel is still waiting for her daughter, Peanut, to leave home. To be honest I was the only one crying when they went...

If they were spayed it wouldn't be a factor, it would also protect them from the stress of their seasons not producing litters. Why ask what people think if you're just going to move the goalposts to suit your own view?