Researching cat breeds

[Abby]

As most of you know I said farewell to my 15yo cat a few days ago. I know that I want another cat.I miss that lump that gets in the way on my bed, the purr that makes me know that he's somewhere in my room happy and content and tripping over him already. I do know that I'm not ready yet. What I'm doing is basically getting some research out the way. It's not kitten season here atm so the theory is know what breed and who I'm buying from then when I am ready I can go straight there. It may be 6 months or longer before I'm ready, only I will know that. I'm certainly not jumping in to replace the un-replaceable.

I'm not getting a cat from a rescue or a moggy from out the paper so don't even go there. I would prefer to support a registered cat breeder who sticks to a strict set of policies in regards to breeding and health. I want a cat that will be content inside, doesn't really do much, has less of those hunter instincts and is happy just to curl up somewhere warm, either my lap, the heater, sunshine or a bed next to me. Yes kittens play but I could do without lets play kill the expensive exotic birdies (I've also spoken to the cat people about this hence the breeds I've narrowed down to). Cat will be inside with a secured outdoor area to protect it.

I've narrowed it down to either a Chinchilla persian (no the furr and maintenance doesn't bother me) or a Birman. These are 2 breeds that seem to fit my requirements (having spoken to the cat associations and explained what I'm looking for) and both have always grabbed me with the eyes. Same reason I ended up with an African grey was those eyes just got me from the moment I met my first.

So what I'm asking in my normal long winded essay type way <sigh> is has anyone had experience with Birmans or Chinchillas and their thoughts?

[loyallyroyal]

Have you checked this out?
Animal Planet :: Guides :: Cat Breed Selector

Can I ask why you are opposed to getting a kitten from a rescue?

[Abby]

Originally Posted by loyallyroyal

Can I ask why you are opposed to getting a kitten from a rescue?

I thought I had alluded to this already but...

I want what I want. I'm looking at a very specific breed personality type. I've already had to discount Australian tiffanies (long haired recognosed breed that combines burmese and chinchilla) due to the hunting type personality of the burmese. I had a wonderful breeder explain this to me and her concerns of teh risk with this type of cat wheras a pure chinchilla does not have the hunting instincts of a cat such as a burmese.

With the birds that I have I cannot risk a cat that has that inherrent hunter instinct due to its breed. This is why i will not go through a rescue where the kittens background is not 100% known. I would much rather support a breeder who is registered and takes the time to socialise, desex, microchip and vaccinate their kittens rather then some idiot who has gone oops my cat is pregnant because I couldn't be stuffed getting them desexed then dumped the kittens on the rescue.

This isn't something I really wanted to discuss but there ya go. if people think less of me because I won't rescue a kitten then so be it. I think I have the right to decide on exactly what type of cat I want for the next 15 years plus.

We decide on bird species for different traits, why is it so different to decide ona cat species. With birds it's a little easier to tell if they're pure (ie an RB2 versus a sun conure) with cats it's a little harder.

[Abby]

Just tried the animal planet thing (thanks for that btw) and top 2 results were persian and birman closely followed by himalayan. Looks like animal planet thinks I'm on the right track with what I'm looking for too.

[Ashling]

You do seem to be on the right track, but I can't add any insight to the breeds you're looking at sorry. Personally, when I was researching kittens I couldn't stop lingering on the maine coons- if I had any chance or choice I'd get one of those.

[becca623]

I have to warn you birman can be quite aggressive and moody. My parents have one. She has killed many mice and a couple hamsters I had. I used to show cats and spent a lot of time with birman owners and breeders. The birmans, gorgeous creatures) can be unpredictable. I noticed you mentioned persians. You might want to consider a long haired scottish fold. I have a 10 yr old straight eared male and my folded eared male passed away last yr when he was 7 1/2. Persians used to be used to widen the gene pool of folds. Female scottish folds can be temperamental but the males tend to be very easy going and sweet (I'm sure there are female lovebugs too). Neither of mine thought/think twice of attacking my birds. They never attacked anything larger than a spider. Male folds are such sweethearts. Vinnie has the look of a doll face persian with beautiful chinchilla gray markings. Actually, he has some tarnishing that one judge remarked could make him a calico. He looked like a cotton ball when he was a baby. People at shows used to say that he was too pretty to be a male. I had multiple persian breeders tell me they wished they could get his coloring in their lines. The short haired folds are a little more energetic and ornery than the long haired folds which are sometimes referred to as highland folds rather than scottish. I love the sweet, easy going nature of male folds. They are extremely loving and gentle. Vinnie loves anyone who comes through the door. Elliott was much shier around strangers but wanted to be on or near Mel and me almost 24/7. Straight eared folds are not able to be shown. Since breeders have to breed a straight eared to a folded eared to lessen the chance of a fatal defect some litters produce only straight eared babies. The straight eared babies usually cost a great deal less than the folded eared babies because breeders need less of them than their folded eared counterparts. At one time it was common practice in the U.S. to drown the straight eared babies. :( Anyway, you might want to look into them. I highly recommend them for someone wanting a somewhat docile but still playful baby.

[Abby]

Elsa (my sons cat) is a semi long haired tabby. Beautiful cat, shame about the b attitude. She's our mouse hunter which works well with having aviaries. Silly cow caught a mouse last night that she had to bring inside and then spent 5 minutes whining because it wouldn't move anymore (it's dead you twit). I've seen this cat take down pigeons but, she leaves my birds alone. She's learned to respect the beak having had her paw bitten when she was younger. Would I trust her with any of the babies, definitely not. Even when the the big companions are out she's watched.

I don't need a show standard cat. What I might do is visit a few Birman breeders, check out the persian people and I'll see what the story is with Scottish folds here in Australia too.

[Ashling]

haha Elsa sounds like a character!
Becca do you have a pic of Vinnie?

[catschair]

I have a friend that raised Birmans--I will see if I can look her up. I have had mostly "mutts", I did have one Persian (yes he was a used cat) who was the sweetest thing ever. He wasn't the brightest bulb, but what a darling. You know me..I have that Pied Piper thing going on and my animals just find me! I will let you know what I find out.

Are there any breed rescues around you (that may be a US thing)? May be able to get good information and get a friend for your new baby as well

[Kachina]

Have you looked into ragdolls? Their standard is very similar to what you're describing, and my Vinnie fits that to a T. If you'd like an older cat, ask around once you find a breed breeder you like and see if any of them have any cats retiring soon. We got Vinnie as a retired breeder/show cat at 8 years old and love that he's been there done that and is happy to lie on a lap or fight for space in the bed.

Best of cluck, whatever you decide.