use for breeding. There will be additional contracts involved. Many breeders will sell unaltered cats only to other breeders. One breeder I know won’t sell pet-quality cats until they are four to five months old and can be spayed or neutered before they go to their new homes.
Expect to pay from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a pedigreed cat, depending on the breed and the kitten’s quality. Understand that quality is based on how closely the kitten meets the breed standard. A pet-quality cat who has some flaws according to the standard should still be a healthy cat. “Pet-quality” should never mean that a cat is sickly or deformed.
A great way to see many different breeds and to talk to people about their breeds is to attend a cat show. This will give you a chance to find out more about a breed before you invest in a cat. Don’t be surprised if people are willing to talk but won’t let you touch their cats. It’s nothing personal.
Maine Coons are among the largest domesticated cats.
They just don’t want germs spread from one cat to another. If they do let you pet their cats, don’t be offended if they offer you hand sanitizer before they let you touch. They are protecting their cats.
You can find lists of breeders on the cat associations’ websites. While a breeder’s membership in an association does not guarantee her honesty or the quality of her cats, most breeders who join associations do so because they want to improve their breeds and produce the best cats possible.
BREEDER SEARCH
How to find breeders affiliated with the various cat registries:
• Cat Fanciers Association: Go to www.cfa.org and click on the Secure CFA tab to create an account and access the breeder referral service.
• The International Cat Association: Go to www.tica.org and click on Find a Kitten on the lefthand menu.
• American Cat Fanciers Association: Go to www.acfacat.com and click on Breed Directory.
• Canadian Cat Association: Go to www.cca-afc.com, click on Breeds, and then choose Breeders from the drop-down menu.
Maine coons have long, bushy tails and tufted paw pads.
7
Popular Cat Breeds
Here, we will take a closer look at some of the breeds that consistently rank among the most popular: the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Devon Rex, Exotic Shorthair, Maine Coon Cat, Persian, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold, Siamese, and Sphynx.
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is an elegant, muscular cat that many people feel looks a bit like the African wildcat that is the common ancestor of domestic cats. It is believed that the breed originated along the Indian Ocean, in parts of Southeast Asia. The breed was refined in England, resulting in an elegant, intelligent companion.
Abyssinians are social, inquisitive, and constantly moving; they jump, climb, and explore. If you want a cat who can learn some tricks, the Abyssinian is the cat for you. If you’d like a silent cat, however, keep looking; the Abyssinian is not shy about voicing his opinion.
Abyssinian
SOMALI
If everything about the Abyssinian sounds ideal, but you’d prefer a longhaired cat, consider the Somali, a longhaired breed that is the result of a recessive gene in the Abyssinian.
Abyssinians weigh between 6 and 10 pounds (2.7–4.5 kg) and have a life span of between nine and fifteen years. They are often seen in a distinctive reddish color with darker ticking, but they also come in chocolate, cinnamon, blue, lilac, fawn, and a silver version of them all.
Abyssinians are healthy cats but they can develop a hereditary condition known as pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. This is caused by a recessive gene, and DNA testing can determine whether a cat is normal, a carrier, or affected by PK deficiency. A responsible breeder should test her cats before breeding.
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair’s ancestors probably came over to the United States on the Mayflower. This breed is an all-around good cat—generally healthy, agreeable to people of all ages and other pets, and talented as a rodent killer. These medium-sized cats weigh between 6 and 15 pounds (2.7–6.8 kg), with males on the larger end of the spectrum. The breed has a life span of fifteen to twenty years and a risk of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is another good-sized cat, weighing between 8 and 20 pounds (3.6–9.1 kg), depending on whether you have a male or female; males are typically larger. This breed comes in many different colors and patterns and has an easygoing personality, generally getting along well with both adults and children. However, British Shorthairs aren’t always happy being carried, so any children in the family should not make a habit of lugging the cat around. The British Shorthair can be a bit clumsy at times, so you should move priceless antiques to safe locations.
This is a generally healthy breed but is prone to HCM as well as hemophilia B, a hereditary bleeding disorder that can be identified with a DNA test. British Shorthairs can live from twelve to seventeen years. The British Longhair is the same breed, but with long hair.
Devon Rex
The Devon Rex has big ears, big eyes, and a big personality. A Devon Rex is always ready to play or just to help around the house with whatever chore you might be doing. Give him a ride on your shoulder or offer a cozy lap, and he’s happy with that, too. If you are gone for long hours every day, consider a different breed because the Devon Rex is very social and likes company. The Devon also likes food and will not only clean his plate, but will also offer to help you with yours.
American Shorthair
British Shorthair
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