- Joined
- Dec 16, 2014
- Messages
- 398
- Purraise
- 670
So I've got my first male and female. Since I'm going for ethics here, I'm only breeding females twice a year, which means I need at least two males (and I'll get more males per female). Now it's time to expand the gene pool! I've been looking at two males, though a third has just been born that I'm first in line just by virtue of being a breeder, and being something of a friend to this breeder. Two are from Europe and will need transport. The newborn is not just in the USA, but in my state, 3-4 hours away. All are kittens, which, I know, I should stop looking at, but no adult or older kitten I've seen has had both good features and a desirable coloring. I did find one very nice boy, but he is white with black spots, which tend to make a lot of spot coloring babies, and it doesn't seem like there's much of a market for them. So, I have 4 options, the fourth of which being to wait for another older male.
Alaska's breeder is the one with a newborn, who has me at the front of the line on an option to see how this kitten matures. He is bred from Alaska's mom and a stunning red with white male with no relation to Alaska's father, with the kind of outstanding ruff I've been looking for. Mom's ruff is no slacker either! My adorable, feisty new girl kitten's breeder uses one of his sons as a stud (Jesse, at JinxysDen), and her standards are very high. He isn't related to Diamond, though. She was sired by JinxysDen's Russian male, Chili Pepper. The only male from ArtCityClaws' new litter is a red, but, again, was just born yesterday, so I could get an option to watch him grow. I will get a photo of him tomorrow, and ads it to the thread. Still, a bit can be learned about features from pictures taken when the kitten is <2 weeks old. Alaska's chin stuck out like a sore thumb at that age (and I have photos to prove it!) and normalized as he went towards 1-2 months, only to resume its prominence as an adult. If needed, since this boy is so young, I can show you each kittens' parents as a point of reference. Since his father is completely American (though you can't tell from looking at him) and mom is only 50% European, he'll only be 25% European, but honestly, I care more about quality than what nationality is on the pedigree. I'm about making something new, beyond European and American both.
The second kitten is from Siberia, Russia. His father is a carrier for HCM, though it is not active. I can at least appreciate them telling me this. She has agreed, at no extra cost, to test the kitten for the HCM gene, as I will have none of that in my cattery. So, in this hypothetical, let's assume he comes up negative, as that's the only way I'm buying him. I am demanding paperwork as well, as proof. I've seen paperwork from the same area, and have an eye for forgeries. I'll ensure it's all legitimate. He is between 2 and 3 months.
The third kitten is French. They're supposedly a premier breeder and this is the pairing of their two most award winning cats. I show a bit of skepticism because the male appears to be lacking in the coat department. This kitten is the most expensive by $1,000 USD, so the real question is, "Is he worth it over the two cheaper babies"? He is 2.5 months old. His cattery prides themselves on males weighing 27 to 29 pounds. I have been wanting a black stud, as I find black Maine Coons to be really beautiful. But is he worth the price? Is he fluffy enough? I also worry about those lynx tips, though both of his parents have very nice ones. He may just be too young for them to shine just yet?
The fourth option, obviously, is to wait for an older male who's proven his meddle.
Alaska's breeder is the one with a newborn, who has me at the front of the line on an option to see how this kitten matures. He is bred from Alaska's mom and a stunning red with white male with no relation to Alaska's father, with the kind of outstanding ruff I've been looking for. Mom's ruff is no slacker either! My adorable, feisty new girl kitten's breeder uses one of his sons as a stud (Jesse, at JinxysDen), and her standards are very high. He isn't related to Diamond, though. She was sired by JinxysDen's Russian male, Chili Pepper. The only male from ArtCityClaws' new litter is a red, but, again, was just born yesterday, so I could get an option to watch him grow. I will get a photo of him tomorrow, and ads it to the thread. Still, a bit can be learned about features from pictures taken when the kitten is <2 weeks old. Alaska's chin stuck out like a sore thumb at that age (and I have photos to prove it!) and normalized as he went towards 1-2 months, only to resume its prominence as an adult. If needed, since this boy is so young, I can show you each kittens' parents as a point of reference. Since his father is completely American (though you can't tell from looking at him) and mom is only 50% European, he'll only be 25% European, but honestly, I care more about quality than what nationality is on the pedigree. I'm about making something new, beyond European and American both.
The second kitten is from Siberia, Russia. His father is a carrier for HCM, though it is not active. I can at least appreciate them telling me this. She has agreed, at no extra cost, to test the kitten for the HCM gene, as I will have none of that in my cattery. So, in this hypothetical, let's assume he comes up negative, as that's the only way I'm buying him. I am demanding paperwork as well, as proof. I've seen paperwork from the same area, and have an eye for forgeries. I'll ensure it's all legitimate. He is between 2 and 3 months.
The third kitten is French. They're supposedly a premier breeder and this is the pairing of their two most award winning cats. I show a bit of skepticism because the male appears to be lacking in the coat department. This kitten is the most expensive by $1,000 USD, so the real question is, "Is he worth it over the two cheaper babies"? He is 2.5 months old. His cattery prides themselves on males weighing 27 to 29 pounds. I have been wanting a black stud, as I find black Maine Coons to be really beautiful. But is he worth the price? Is he fluffy enough? I also worry about those lynx tips, though both of his parents have very nice ones. He may just be too young for them to shine just yet?
The fourth option, obviously, is to wait for an older male who's proven his meddle.
