Hi everyone

I am looking for advice, I currently have two bengals and was looking for my third - but this time I am really looking for a special kitten of show/breeding quality and was wandering if anyone can advise an exceptional breeder based in the UK?

I am really looking for a wild type brown rosetted female?

And before I get bombarded with questions re "am i ready for breeding" yes i have done my research and i'm also under the wing of a breeder who is going to guide me

I'm only looking for everyones opinion on where I should be getting my next wee special girl from?

p.s money and time is not a deciding factor.

Fanx

Hi and welcome o the forum

If you are under the wing of your breeder would it not be possible for you to home your first breeding cat from them? Are they a registered and established breeder willing to mentor you from your queen’s first call until your kittens have found new homes?

Also, what are your goals with breeding Bengals? Do you have any basic knowledge of genetics or health issues within the breed? Have you studied pedigrees at all? Have you spoken to other breeders and visited shows?

I'm sorry for all of the questions but it is apparent to me that more and more new breeders are coming into this breed without even the most basic knowledge of kittening let alone knowledge of the breed itself which is a concern to a lot of established breeders including myself.

Bengals are similar to any other pedigree cat, and knowledge of the lines you are using, knowledge of the health issues within this breed are so important if you are serious with breeding these cats. It is not something to be taken lightly and it can potentially bring you a lot of heartache and expense if you really haven’t done your proper research. Research is everything and you can never learn enough with breeding cats, BUT, a basic requirement must be at least knowledge of your goal within your breeding program and awareness of any genetic/health defects that may potentially affect future matings/kittens. This really can make all the difference to your kittens and the breed’s future.

Too many new breeders are coming into this breed in the hope of making money or at least making their money back from kitten sales. This is sadly not the case, and many unwanted kittens are left being advertised on the free ad sites just because the owners hadn’t undertaken the proper research or they had fallen for the oh so common ‘sales pitch’ from breeders who are just too willing to make that breeding kitten sale and who will sell to just about anyone.

Please, please research as much as you can before you take the plunge, as has been said on here dozens of times before, breeding is a LOT more than just putting two cats together. They and their offspring will depend on you for their future wellbeing. NEVER forget that.

Please ask away on here for any advice you need, or PM me personally. But PLEASE do not make the mistake of other new breeders and run before you can walk. This breed deserves the most passionate and dedicated people to help it progress in a healthy and positive direction.

_________________
Best Wishes,
Maddy

Hi Tally-Isham

Thanks for your reply, what a long post!!! ok let me get on with my responce...

There is no reason why I could not home my first breeding queen from the breeder which is looking after me, however I would prefer a queen from another breeder to introduce new lines to Scotland, also I had intended using one of her studs providing they would be suitable for my queen.

She is also willing to mentor me for my whole breeding career should I need any advice as she is also my friend!! So we will be in close contact for the whole duration!

I have never bred pedigree cats before and as you are probably aware I have much to learn, I have however studied the bengal cat for almost 2 years now and have dreamt of breeding bengals since I can remember, I love everything about the cat and to answer your question on what i wish to achieve - All I aim to do is breed the highest quality bengals possible with the best temperments - I am well aware breeding is not going to be easy but i have been warned and warned again and seen what my friend has ben through when times have got tough but nothing deters me.

Please be assured I am not jumping into anything yet as I am still trying to gain as much knowledge as possible to help me.

As for my knowledge, I do know about health issues and i know a hell of alot about genetics as I studied genetics at college and I am still constantly researching - I've started to run out of things to read re bengals as anythign I read now I already know!

I hope this answers all your questions and perhaps you can tell me anything else you think i need to know before i take the "plunge"

I hope this responce is up to standard!!

Thanks again

[quote="elm1988"]

I've started to run out of things to read re bengals as anythign I read now I already know!

Hiya,

Actually I agree with that comment there are very few books related to Bengals specifically, I've read all the ones I can find too....although the little devils are soooo different I don't think if I spent forever researching I'd ever know everything but for me (petowner) I still want to learn as much as possible.... so if anyone has any good recomendations for info please could you let us know?

I

_________________
Diane & The Posse

_________________
Best Wishes,
Maddy

Congrats on deciding to breed! Remember experienced breeders, you were once a "newbie" as well and we all have to start somewhere, and OP you sound very ready and have experience, as well as a breeder to help guide you. Good luck and keep us posted on your kitty decisions.

_________________



Miki & My Beloved Bengals http://mybelovedbengals.blogspot.com/

Shiloh, Darcy, Rudy The Roodster & Ozzy...

_________________



Miki & My Beloved Bengals http://mybelovedbengals.blogspot.com/

Shiloh, Darcy, Rudy The Roodster & Ozzy...

_________________
Diane & The Posse