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If
you are considering a pixiebob to breed, then
you should concentrate on the lines and background of
the kitten you are in love with. Strong blood, old lines
wellknown for their strength and beauty are a must.
Having a dam line tracing right back to Pixie is a rare
case that a few breeders may be able to propose. Rare
and probably expensive. Make sure that you have a contract
that makes you the official and complete new owner of
the cat you are buying. Some contracts contain some
abusive restrictions. Get some advises of wellknown
breeders before signing such contracts.
If
you are considering a pixiebob to show at cat shows,
then you should concentrate on physical characteristics.
If
you are considering a pixiebob as a pet, then
you should concentrate on the pixiebob’s personality.
The “right” personality will create a long-lasting
bond with your pet that will last the life of the pet,
and creates the most happiness.
Some
people become side-tracked by having a pixiebob with
the perfect tail. The first pixiebob (Pixie)
actually had a long tail. The reason there is a pixiebob
breed is because of Pixie’s (first pixiebob)
personality. Carol Ann Brewer (creator of the pixiebob
breed) was so enthralled with Pixie’s personality
she wanted to create a thousand cats like her.
I
strongly believe that, as a minimum, as responsible
breeders we have to: If a kitten is to have
the best chance to be happy in your home, he must be
hand-raised with lots of attention and love in a home
setting. It's impossible to do that if you're mass-producing
kittens. Many good breeders limit themselves to one
or two litters a year (depending, of course, on the
size of the litters) but NOT from the same mother. AVOID
Breeders advertising "kittens always available"!
That means lots of litters per year.
Breed pixiebobs with a view to breeding better pixiebobs
than their current breeding stock, in accordance with
the TICA standard. Before contacting any breeder, you
should read the breed standard and know what it says
about color, eyes, legs and so on. Check our page: Standard
Ensure that all breeding stock and off-spring are registered
with TICA (check our page: Our lines and Types)
Consider the health of the pixiebob and follow the good
policy, regarding the maximum age and number or frequency
of litters;
Permanently identify breeding stock by microchip
Make use of health screening testing, relevant to the
pixiebob breed, on all breeding stock: DNA HCM testing
Have their vet check their kittens the week prior to
them going to their new homes.
Give in the contract their vet references.
Adequately socialize the kittenss and provide advice
on future training;
Provide a written contract
Provide written advice on feeding and suggest vaccine
programmes
Provide a written record of the immunization measures
taken
Can explain genetic disorders in the breed. (when backyard
breeders can't explain, or worse yet, never heard of
genetic disorders in the breed)
Responsible breeders do genetic testing precisely to
make responsible decision in their breeding programmes.
Scientific testing is now so far advanced there is no
reason to make breeding choices blindly. Breeders that
don't test don't know what health issues they are dealing
with and likely don't care.
Can show you the health checks on the parents that should
have been done before the breeding ever took place.
Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice
Re-home the pixiebob if required at any time during
the pixiebob life.
What
makes a pet quality kitten and why they are different
than that of a show or breeder quality kitten.
The standard calls for a very wild bobcatty appearance.
It takes several, several characteristics together to
make this look. Some kittens get ALL the characteristics
needed to complete this wild look. These would be on
the more rare side, and thus, because of their wonderful
appearance, are the standard, because they FIT the standard
so well, because they look more wild than domestic.
Then there are other kittens who are missing some of
the bobcat characteristics, some so much so that they
look more domestic than wild. That would be a pet QUALITY
kitten, because the appearance is compromised, and the
wild look may be lost to an extent, and even in some
catteries, "the look" is altogether missing.
I know that some breeders have more of a purist attitude
I
have allowed myself to be mentored for almost 3 years
by Carol Ann so that I can get the complete history
and genetics information from her (which she now keeps
close to her) and to purchase wonderful breeding cats
from her...and because they are such wonderful cats
I rarely see a pet QUALITY kitten born.
HOWEVER,
we do allow breeder/show kittens to be placed as pets,
and this is what most people call us for...kittens who
LOOK like the bobcat as much as possible yet areplaced
in family homes as PETS. They qualify to be in the ring
and to be producing future kittens for the breed but
are allowed to go to special homes to be a companion.
And as Carol Ann always says, a pet home is the best
home!
So,
if you are looking for a lower priced kitten, one who
doesn't look quite as wild in appearance, another breeder
may show you a kitten like this....but I am truly not
sure that this is what you are looking for.
Feel
free to let me know what you think, regarding the direction
in which you wish to go, and I will do my best to help
you find the kitten of your dreams.
The
health & personality of the pixiebob are the keys
to a great pet. Some have different personalities, so
find one that fits you and your family. Don’t
be side tracked by, “I must have the perfect purebred
to be happy” syndrome. Most reputable pixiebob
breeders want their pixiebobs to go to the right homes,
so ask the breeder for suggestions and help with selecting
the perfect pixiebob for you.
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