Big Cats

[Louie'sDad]

I can't tell if you're just being silly or really believe what you're saying. Yes, we'll hold back a kitten we choose to keep or mark it for breeding only, but guess what? Size has nothing to do with it. As for a special price, don't you think you'd be offered a shot if someone wanted to ask more for a kitten? Why would you not be offered a chance to buy?


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This would be a case of a very unscrupulous breeder. If a prospective buyer came in ans blurted out that he wanted a big cat, then there's no stopping a breeder from separating the biggest male from the rest and offering it at a boosted price when the buyer shows up. If the buyer doesn't bite, then the breeder can put the big boy back in the pen with his litter mates when the other buyers show up.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Hide a bigger female for breeder.
Hide a bigger male for a friend/insider, or for a "special" price.

Your choice of language, i.e. "hide", leads me to believe that you think breeders don't have a right to pick and choose the animals they already own to keep as breeders or as their own pets. And if they choose to keep a cat for a family member or friend, whether the cat is freely given or sold at a reduced price what is wrong, illegal, or immoral about that? There are a number of reasons I can of think where a breeder may choose to reduce the price of a cat and those reasons are all for noble causes.

 

[Wyldthingz]

Get a dog.

 

[WitchyWoman]

This would be a case of a very unscrupulous breeder. If a prospective buyer came in ans blurted out that he wanted a big cat, then there's no stopping a breeder from separating the biggest male from the rest and offering it at a boosted price when the buyer shows up. If the buyer doesn't bite, then the breeder can put the big boy back in the pen with his litter mates when the other buyers show up.

This would also be a case of an ignorant buyer. People need to do their homework before they purchase a cat. A buyer should ask the price range of kittens and be prepared to pay within that range. The bigger the cat and/or the closer to type, the more the cat will cost.

IMHO there are two classes of breeders -- those who do it for love of the breed and who hope to break even in their costs; those who want to make money/earn a living from breeding. The ones who want to make money aren't necessarily unscrupulous. They operate according to the American business model (which I'm not saying is fair to the consumer but it's what built America) and they will charge based on demand. Then there are the unscrupulous breeders who charge a lot for their cats and the quality of those cats is, in my experience, far less than the ones offered by breeders who breed for love of the breed.

 

[Wyldthingz]

Think of it like this... the breeders' perspective... You have this hot date that you have been trying to obtain for months. She's a 10 in your eyes. You have spent a month trying to get to know her at work. Saying the right things, buying her coffee, etc. Then she agrees to a date. You get your hair cut, choose what you think you look good in, blow some solid cash on a really nice dinner, theater, whatever. You really hit it off. Then she looks at your really seriously at the end and says, "you know I really can only seriously date a tall guy- sorry." This is how it feels. All that is wasted because of inches?? So we breed for type and spots and looks, temperment, and all the heath screens, etc. We get this awesome kitten that has all that- all we worked for. Then the golden comment- I just want a big cat. Yeah, it feels like that date. That silly girl that you spent months planning- for what? Is it an insult??? Damn straight it is and don't be surprised if you get comments that are less than loving. As a breeder, if that is the only question I get, I say thanks and move on.

 

[Trish Allearz]

Ya know... I think this is why some breeders give up and start spouting lies. Because you can't win! Somehow we're the meanies for being honest? I thought it's worse to lie to potential homes than tell the truth. But joe, you make it seem as though you'd be happier with a bs response.


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[Alicia]

Sounds like I touched on a sore point, especially with Alicia.
Alicia, could you express yourself more clearly and explain your exasperation?
I was told that cats within a litter are generally close in size, so, if a cat is "big" then that means all of his litter mates are "big" as well.........................unless...................I was misinformed and a "big" cat is the anomaly.
I'd like to become better informed and not looking for a cat fight.

Sure, I can explain myself more clearly....
Here is the problem... As others said it's physically impossible to predict exact height and weight which is what you were asking for. You weren't saying anything about a breeder choosing a cat that they would guess may be bigger based on various factors, you spelled out exact measurements. That was why I said that comment, because it's absolutely impossible to build you a SV kitten that will grow to your exact specifications for size. Not until we have some sort of futuristic machine like Paige said, where we can just plug in everything we want in a kitten and out pops your perfect cat. It just doesn't make any logical sense whatsoever to request a kitten that will grow to be some exact measurements for you, and I figured you were on this forum long enough not to seriously ask for something like that.....
Though we do have some outstanding breeders and I would absolutely purchase from Sue if I were in the market. She won't guarantee size (nor will any other reputable breeder) but she WILL give you a cat that is worth the money! She is an awesome, ethical breeder.

 

[Evelyn]

YES "the BIG" savannah is an anomaly LOL Maine Coons are about the 'only' breed you will find a good ethical breeder that can say "YES" I produce BIG cats

 

[Evelyn]

Well just saw this thread we have been owned by 2 F1s and F2s BOTH our F2 boys were ABOVE average. Our F1s we have one avaerage and a tiny guy LOL The tiny guy is like a mini serval REALLY REALLY We are soo THANKFUL he IS a tiny guy LOL I am NOT a breeder personally I think F2 males are "more" apt to average out on the larger size. Hubby discovered this breed in 2005 the maine coon serval mix and then the F2 generation of that mix were the largest in pictures I had seen of SVs

 

[NikkiA]

If you don't mind me asking, why do you want such a large cat specifically?

Our F3 boy is 19 pounds of muscle. He isn't all that tall, but he is big.
My husband is 6'4, and Jarvis our F3 boy looks giant in his arms. In my arms (I'm only 5'2) he looks even bigger. To be honest, Diablo at 15 pounds (F5) and Mickey at 12 pounds (F4) are much easier for me to pick up and lug around and have (in my mind) a long leggy look. Jarvis is tough at the vet or when he is frightened. A frantic 19 pound cat is a LOT harder to deal with than a frantic 12 pound cat. BTW he was a tiny tiny kitten, 1.6 pounds when he came home.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, I'm genuinely interested.