What's the deal with pure breed cats?

[Adina P]

For some random reason Clark is looking at photos of Maine Coon cats on his computer right now.  No we're not getting a cat any time soon.  But I am curious about breeds with cats.  I understand buying dogs from a breeder, but is there any reason to buy a cat from a breeder vs. adopting a random cute cat from the pound?  Do pure breed cats have a slew of health issues depending on breed?  Are cat breeders as likely to be BYBs as dog breeders or is the climate different in catdom?  What knowledge or insight do my doodle peeps have on this topic?

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Adina, my little girl, Song, loves furniture and window sills. Good luck keeping her off of these, but she has her own favorite chair, loves her bed, stays off counters and tables, and has never shredded anything other than her scratching post :) Counting my blessings :)  

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Counters, kitchen and dining room tables are all off limits in our house. We do have leather furniture...it is scratched slightly where they have ran across it while playing. But thankfully, no scratching or kneading on my furniture! Like dogs, having enough cat trees and various toys, helps tremendously.

[Julie and Max]

I adore my ragdoll and probably would not get any other cat now. I also have a rescue cat. A little calico who doesn't really like us much but she tolerates us because we feed her lol. I think getting a breeder cat vs a rescue cat is pretty much the same as the reasons you would get a dog from a breeder. You want a certain kind of cat, you want to know how it was socialized, you want some health guarantees. 

Before I got my ragdoll I had got a little kitten from the pound. She had kennel cough and she died three days after I got her. It was devastating, and that's why I got a ragdoll. 

[Julie and Max]

I'm building my cats a catio this summer, so they can go outside and be safe. I agree with Joanne, males tend to be more mellow and friendly. I had a black rescue cat, a male named Dweezle, he weighed 29lbs, waddled when he walked, and he was the friendliest cat ever. He would go outside (not far) and he would go to each of three neighbors houses and tap on their windows. They would then feed him treats and snacks that he didn't need. When I asked them about it and said look at him...he doesn't need treats and snacks...they were always like but he's so friendly, we can't say no. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We had an outdoor catio ;)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I think it is 6 of one,1/2 a dozen of the other! Just like dogs and kids ....poll 20 people and you'll get a variety of answers. I had had. Loving males in the past, but at the moment, of the 3 Raggies, the 2 females are the most loving.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Funny because I would pick a male anyday but right now I have a 17 year old female I adore more than any cat I've ever had personality wise. Her sister, who we still have is my husbands cat and she lets me know this daily ;) Yep, all so different

[Sally S Miles]

I am a total cat freak - back in the 80's I bred and showed Persians and Himalayan's.     Mid to late 90s  I switched to rescue/foster for years and yes there are some deep inherited traits within breeds. temperament is breed and color related, lines really do matter a lot, health is high on priority and showing a cat is a royal gob of work.   Breeding cats meant studying genetics, health, and yes I had mentors.   Breeding cats also meant opening up a vein to the bank account.....

 Currently we have a Maine Coon and a DSH - both rescued (because I saw the MC and went to get her, turned out I got two cats that day as they are both tripods)  but I've had four MC's and they rock.  Ragdolls are incredible, it really shook me when we lost ours!    He was a rescue, but oh my what a guy.

We have traveled with Persians, traveled with an MC, back in the day we moved and our daughter walked her gorgeous white Persian on a leash, between two black dogs and it was a sight for folks to see - traffic stopper. 

Safe to say that since there is an MC currently lounging two feet from me, I'm hooked. They do like heights, but I've never had a counter surfer.  There is a tender solidity in their DNA.  Affectionate, forgiving, gentle, and easy.  What folks have done to Persians is disgusting - but the temperament should be similar to a small dog - cuddly, independent, and yet very intelligent and trainable.  Ragdolls are similar to MC, NFC's are cool, and yes - - short hair cats shed non-stop!  If you want busy, athletic - then Abyssinian, Bengal but if you prefer less fluff and less busy - a Bombay ....   it all fascinates me.

The reasons to purchase a purebred cat are the same as you would consider for choosing a dog.  A good cat breeder will put you through the ringer before you get to see a kitten :)   A good cat breeder will have you sign a contract and back up the animal no matter what.   Kittens or cats - purebred or rescue..  Why? oh specific traits, specific look, etc.    Some lines are incredibly mellow and others not so much. The reasons to rescue are the same, but it is a smidge more difficult to gage the temperament of an adult cat in such a situation. Kittens are more malleable, but still there are some guidelines.   Prices vary as well, pet vs show quality and so on - yes, I have paid thousands for cats.   

[Miss Ellie]

Personally, I will always lean toward adopting a cat from a rescue.  There are so many in need of good homes, and in our experience they have been the best, most loving, wonderful pets.  We have had four that we have rescued and just have loved and adored each one of them.  Maine Coon cats are beautiful though.  Our pet-sitter breeds them.  She has six of them. They seem very docile and very affectionate.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I would agree...except what changes when it comes to dogs? Why not only adopt rescue dogs? Lots that need loving homes.

[Miss Ellie]

Fortunately for us, where we live Ro...there really isn't a huge problem with unwanted dogs...are local rescue shelter(our older son volunteers there) very rarely has many dogs available.  Unfortunately, I can't say the same about cats...and that's why I said in our situation, I would only ever consider rescues...not because I wouldn't be thrilled to have a beautiful pure bred Maine Coon or Ragdoll, but because there is just such a great need for these precious rescues to find a 'furever' home.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I rescued a part siamese and he was so dog-like that when I decided to add a "friend" I looked for a good breeder of traditional Siamese. Misty passed over the Rainbow Bridge in December, but here is my little girl, Song.

Song and Finn are great pals.  The traditional Siamese are quieter and more laid back than the modern Siamese.  Highly trainable. Song  loves to fetch, play with any kind of a toy, and has a really sweet loving personality. She rarely talks except in the morning when she wants her breakfast and then she'll keep up a full conversation until she gets her food. With her pal, Misty, gone she's been a bit "lost" but she surprised us the other day when she batted a tennis ball across the kitchen to Finn.  Wish I had a video of Finn's expression LOL For years, she's watched us play ball so guess she decided it was time to get on the "team." IMO, the reason to choose a good pure bred cat breeder is because cats get inherited diseases just like dogs and they can also have, or be carriers of, viruses like Feline Leukemia or Feline Herpesvirus if exposed.  Different breeds of cats have different traits, just like dogs.