I decided about a year ago that in the future I will start a small cattery. I've read as much as I can find, but I still feel extremely intimidated. I went to my first cat show a few weeks ago and I was in awe. So many beautiful cats. So many people seemed to know each other already. They even seemed to have some kitty gossip among themselves. So I'm going to list my concerns and hopefully you guys can help dymystify things for me...
--Are breeders cliquey? Is the new breeder on the block not seen as a welcome sight? As competition?
My breed of choice (bengal) seems to be dominated by a single cattery in my location (although there is a small handful of bengal breeders this breeder seems to be the only one that shows frequently.)
--Bengals seem to have more variables to consider than other breeds. Not only do you have to worry about temperment and type, but you have to worry about the quality of the pattern. Is this a lot to consider for someone as green as myself, or am I blowing it out of proportion?
--I understand that I'll be lucky to make a slim profit breeding. But will I drive myself in to financial debt? What happens if I muss things up and I get a lot of untypey kittens that are hard to sell for the discerning purebred buyer.
--Most of the bengal breeders in my area have numerous cats out of the same ALC line. So it barely takes six degrees of seperation to find out a lot of bengals here are related. Cousins, half brothers, etc. Is it worth the investment to get a cat from a new line sent by air (across country borderlines) I dunno I've always felt a bit weird about having a cat *mailed* to me. How can you tell if your cat is a winner by pictures and biased breeder descriptions?
--Will a fresh ALC bloodline increase the desirability of my kittens?
I have more questions but I'll spare you for now. If you guys could give me any insights it would be greatly appreciated. My plans wont come in to effect for a minimum of a year, as I'm still apartment dwelling. But I still like to plan ahead, and it's nice to have a goal to work towards.
--Are breeders cliquey? Is the new breeder on the block not seen as a welcome sight? As competition?
My breed of choice (bengal) seems to be dominated by a single cattery in my location (although there is a small handful of bengal breeders this breeder seems to be the only one that shows frequently.)
--Bengals seem to have more variables to consider than other breeds. Not only do you have to worry about temperment and type, but you have to worry about the quality of the pattern. Is this a lot to consider for someone as green as myself, or am I blowing it out of proportion?
--I understand that I'll be lucky to make a slim profit breeding. But will I drive myself in to financial debt? What happens if I muss things up and I get a lot of untypey kittens that are hard to sell for the discerning purebred buyer.
--Most of the bengal breeders in my area have numerous cats out of the same ALC line. So it barely takes six degrees of seperation to find out a lot of bengals here are related. Cousins, half brothers, etc. Is it worth the investment to get a cat from a new line sent by air (across country borderlines) I dunno I've always felt a bit weird about having a cat *mailed* to me. How can you tell if your cat is a winner by pictures and biased breeder descriptions?
--Will a fresh ALC bloodline increase the desirability of my kittens?
I have more questions but I'll spare you for now. If you guys could give me any insights it would be greatly appreciated. My plans wont come in to effect for a minimum of a year, as I'm still apartment dwelling. But I still like to plan ahead, and it's nice to have a goal to work towards.