Any Tom, Dick or Harry can come into the Bengal breed now and buy x amount of breeding cats from some established breeders without having one crumb of knowledge, experience or having done even 5 minutes of research. I feel that too many established breeders are encouraging the 'new wave' of novice breeders by letting them buy breeding cats far too easily without important questions being asked first, let alone insisting on mentoring them. I think this is very irresponsible, but I guess the extortionate prices charged for breeding cats is too attractive to turn down for some. I despair when I see some newbies 'mentoring' other newbies. How can you possibly 'mentor' a new breeder when you have very little knowledge & experience yourself???
I would always discourage any new breeder from buying more than one or two breeding queens for at least the first two years of breeding. I would also discourage a new breeder from buying a stud cat until he/she had 2 or 3 years worth of experience being in the breed. Buying in too many cats when you first start out breeding is utter madness, and if anyone thinks it's for any other reason than to make money, then they are being naive. Any breeder who is eager to sell kittens to a novice who has absolutely no experience of the Bengal breed or breeding in general, is being irresponsible in the extreme. If you take on a new breeder then MENTOR them. Ask them questions:
Why do they want to breed? Have they carried out any research in the breed incl health/genetics/standard etc..? Is their house large enough to cater for breeding cats/litters? Do they realise the sheer hard work, time and money breeding entails? Encourage them to start SLOWLY. Buy one breeding girl in the first year and gain experience FIRST. Suggest that they visit shows first and talk to breeders, and meet some Bengals. Make sure they are aware of all the health problems in the breed. Encourage them to study pedigrees, and make sure they are willing to health test their cats. And so on and so on......
These questions should be asked BEFORE a breeder even contemplates selling cats to a novice breeder IMO, and yet time and time again, I see cats being sold too freely without any vetting or questions being asked by the breeder selling. A good mentor should be there every step of the way for a novice breeder. They need support 24/7 - whether that's help with kittening at 3am, or help finding an open stud. A mentor should have years of experience with the breed in general, but also experience with health/genetic issues in the lines, birthing issues, mating issues, health problems etc etc...
If some established breeders carry on selling cats to newbies at the drop of a hat, with no questions asked, then they are doing the breed a grave disservice, and ultimately it is the cats that will suffer. There is more to 'caring' about the breed than producing x amount of kittens, or even health testing. Breeders must start acting responsibly and CARE about the next generation of breeders, and make sure the breed will be in good hands. I personally don't see this happening any time soon, which is very sad.
_________________ Best Wishes,
Maddy
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