Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I'm really wondering. I've sometimes seen shows on TV and always found it weird, but still intriguing. Is it just showcasing your pets and determine which is the prettiest? What kind of formation do the judges have to select champions? What are their criterias? Is it some sort of spotlight moments for breeders to find new reproducers ?
The main reason I asked is because when I first saw a Bengal in person without knowing it was one, I found it so beautiful and majestic and settled my mind on wanting one. When I inquired about the race, I was a little shocked at how managed and organized it was (as well as the going rate...)
Sadly it was too late since I really wanted one to get another breed, but when calling several catteries, I was utterly pissed at some breeder's attitude. Had I seen them in person I would have seen dollar signs instead of irises and pupils in their eyes. A few went on a salespitch on how the mother is grandchampion X or daughter of renowned winner of X competition. I stopped him right away indicating I did not care at all about any of it. He seemed angry at my reaction. Is it suppose to be a big, serious thing we cannot joke about?
I think tastes are not be discussed and I see showcasing pets as a hobby like anything else. Is this why he was insulted? In any case, for this particular breed, I am a little disgusted on the current ways things are done here in Canada. It took a while to find one or two catteries who seemed genuine about their love for the race. I finally settled on a particular one, with whom I talked for a good 2 hours about its origin up to its natural immunity to leukemia. Only one cattery had agreed not to neuter or spay the kittens I would get before I picked them up. Complete hysterectomy at 3 months old is completely irresponsible in my opinion, much worse than declawing, and yet they do it nonetheless without blinking. Apparently it is to protect the race that they allow kittens to leave only when they're neutered. Truth is, they sell pets for 1500$, but the same kitten goes for 3000$ if you want reproduction rights. So are they really protecting the race, or their business and wallets? I told them I'd rather wait until they're 5.5-6 months old even if I have to pay myself for the operation and forward proof of neutering to them. One of them told me he once did it, until one used the certificate of a dead cat to pass as a a counterfeit.
Maybe I'm just seeing this from a bad angle because I'm not well enough informed. I know some of you show your furfriends, what do you think of this? Is this like this around the World as well? When I lived in France I remember catteries being popular but had never heard such stories. It's a little shocking to say the least !
The main reason I asked is because when I first saw a Bengal in person without knowing it was one, I found it so beautiful and majestic and settled my mind on wanting one. When I inquired about the race, I was a little shocked at how managed and organized it was (as well as the going rate...)
Sadly it was too late since I really wanted one to get another breed, but when calling several catteries, I was utterly pissed at some breeder's attitude. Had I seen them in person I would have seen dollar signs instead of irises and pupils in their eyes. A few went on a salespitch on how the mother is grandchampion X or daughter of renowned winner of X competition. I stopped him right away indicating I did not care at all about any of it. He seemed angry at my reaction. Is it suppose to be a big, serious thing we cannot joke about?
I think tastes are not be discussed and I see showcasing pets as a hobby like anything else. Is this why he was insulted? In any case, for this particular breed, I am a little disgusted on the current ways things are done here in Canada. It took a while to find one or two catteries who seemed genuine about their love for the race. I finally settled on a particular one, with whom I talked for a good 2 hours about its origin up to its natural immunity to leukemia. Only one cattery had agreed not to neuter or spay the kittens I would get before I picked them up. Complete hysterectomy at 3 months old is completely irresponsible in my opinion, much worse than declawing, and yet they do it nonetheless without blinking. Apparently it is to protect the race that they allow kittens to leave only when they're neutered. Truth is, they sell pets for 1500$, but the same kitten goes for 3000$ if you want reproduction rights. So are they really protecting the race, or their business and wallets? I told them I'd rather wait until they're 5.5-6 months old even if I have to pay myself for the operation and forward proof of neutering to them. One of them told me he once did it, until one used the certificate of a dead cat to pass as a a counterfeit.
Maybe I'm just seeing this from a bad angle because I'm not well enough informed. I know some of you show your furfriends, what do you think of this? Is this like this around the World as well? When I lived in France I remember catteries being popular but had never heard such stories. It's a little shocking to say the least !