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?

[Brittney & Cally]

I will definitely be following this! I was just thinking this same thing the other day and it occurred to me that my family has always had rescue cats but my family and I always get dogs from breeders.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have no clue when it comes to cats so I will be watching this - it will be interesting, I hope someone chimes in!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Me too. Just curious but since I'm allergic I won't be getting cats.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yep me too, I get hives. :-(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's just like dogs. There are champion cat breeders who show their cats at cat shows just like dog breeders and earn points toward their championships. (Although I doubt they compete in agility or obedience, lol) There are breed standards. There are diseases that run in certain breeds of cats that don't affect other breeds. There are breed clubs. (Here's a link to one for Himalayans: http://www.himalayan.org/topcats.php) There are breed registeries. There are pedigrees. There are BYBs and kitten mills, and there are reputable breeders. There is genetic testing.

There is the CFA, which is kind of like the AKC: http://www.cfainc.org/

There are people who want a particular breed of cat with specific coloring and features and a health warranty and they buy from a breeder, just like someone here might want a particular type of doodle in a specific color with a health warranty and buys it from a breeder. In both cases, they want to raise their pets from babyhood and don't want to take a chance on the unknown. Exactly the same.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My sister bought two ragdoll cats from a top breeder, one a "mitted seal point" and one a lilac point. She had previously had a shelter cat who died at 6 years old from a genetic heart condition.  

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

And I had a "accident" from a pure bred Siamese and unknown dad that lived to twenty-three, yes 23, years old and her litter mate who lived to 18 years old.  You never know.  : )

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

BYBs are just as rampant in the feline world as in the canine. I have 3 Ragdoll Purebreds... I actually never realized, like different dog breeds, cat personalities vary greatly. For instance, my Raggies are very much like the canine Golden Retriever. They follow us everywhere, always want to be close, love water...not very " catlike" at all. When you think about it, why would it be any different in purchasing a kitten from a reputable breeder, than buying a puppy? . There are two registries...CFA is equal to the canine of AKC. The other is TICA. Most breeders will register in both registries. CFA is USA. TICA is International.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ro, what color are your ragdolls? 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

It's been awhile since I researched this for my Siamese but I think the CFA requires that the breeder meet certain conditions to keep the designation.  Song's breeder had her basement redone with a nursing room, a kitten playroom (more like a gym for kittens), and a room for her two studs--all spotless!  OMD what a lot of work!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Runnng a full Cattery is a nightmare! Intact cats?????? Ahhhhhhhhh! Males spraying and females yowling...I couldn't be paid enough! No way, no how!

[Pat and Traveler]

Zak is a Ragdoll--one of my daughters got him from a breeder.  We did visit the 'cattery,' which wasn't too impressive--basically several pens in a woman's basement.  But I've never met a cat like Zak.  He looks pi**ed off all the time, but he's never scratched or bitten anyone, even the kids who carried him around like a sack of flour.  He's big and has huge paws!  An amazing animal.