XPost: alt.cats, rec.pets.cats.health+behav 
 From: XYZ@XYZinvalid.com 
  
 On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 21:38:56 -0700, Matthew Montchalin 
  wrote: 
  
 >On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 XYZ@XYZinvalid.com wrote: 
 >|The rescue people don't realize how much purebred cat owners and 
 >|reputable breeders HATE the backyard breeders. 
 > 
 >Hm.  Do reputable breeders actually take their cats' offspring to 
 >veterinarians for DNA testing?  I'd think their reputations actually 
 >depend on more than just a wink and a handshake, but on independently 
 >verifiable credentials. 
  
 I am not a breeder. I have not yet heard of DNA testing. Maine Coon 
 breeders carefully check their studs and queens for cardio and hip 
 problems. The whole idea is to try to eliminate genetic defects that 
 are common to the breed. I am totally ignorant of how " new " breeds 
 are created. 
  
  
 >|The problem is with a certain " militant " type of rescue worker 
 >|who can't deal with the idea that some people ONLY want a certain 
 >|type of purebred. 
 > 
 >I wish I had my purebred albino tabby back...  It's a long story... 
 > 
 >|They take the position that every home given to a purebred is one 
 >|less home for a moggie. In their eyes , you are a " cat killer. " 
 >| 
 >|I suspect that is the main reason for the proposal of 
 >|rec.pets.cats.breeds. 
  
 >|The real question: Are there enough owners and breeders to support 
 >|the group NOW? Over the years many people have left newsgroups 
 >|because of the hostility encountered over this issue. Will they 
 >|come back? I guess we will find out if and when there is a vote 
 >|for rec.pets.cats.breeds 
 > 
 >It will produce an interesting result.  I was thinking of abstaining 
 >until Arthur said he'd probably vote yes, so I am tempted to vote 
 >yes, too.  I still am uncertain how these organizations maintain 
 >their registries, though.  Are they judging these cats on their 
 >genetic makeup, or on whether they are winners of cat shows? 
  
 Genetic makeup, as I understand it. Once a breed has been accepted 
 into one of the organizations , it must conform to certain standards. 
 Breeders take the cats that they think will win to the shows. ALL 
 purebred cats are in the registry. There is little difference in looks 
 and no difference in temperament between " show " cats , breeder cats, 
 and pet quality cats. Unless a buyer is planning on breeding or 
 showing , all the cats that are sold are pet quality. 
  
 Very few people want to get involved in breeding or showing. It is an 
 expensive and time consuming endeavor. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)