Big Cats

[Brigitte Cowell]

So it's "buyer beware", as no breeder will freely share what they know with a typical buyer. Let's say that someone were to place a pre birth deposit and guaranteed first pick of the litter of their choice. There's no stopping a breeder from culling the best animal before showing the litter to the prospective buyer. Or, if the breeder is more trustworthy, he/she wouldn't give sound advice on which animal to pick as being the biggest from a non-culled litter.

Same old story..............it's who you know................

Unfortunately, a typical buyer like me would have to depend more on luck than on actual knowledge, since the tricks surely take a long time to learn.

I don't at all think that all breeders are as dishonest as you portray them. Maybe the very large-scale breeders that run "elite" lines might do that, I don't know.

But if a breeder has told you that you have first choice then I would think you do. I NEVER give first pick to anyone but me, personally there's no reason for me to produce a litter unless I can select the best kitten IF I want to. I don't keep a kitten from every litter but I always reserve my right to as breeder. That doesn't mean I then sell my choice but then I don't keep formal lists either. I prefer to match kittens to homes, the right personalities etc.

The issue to me is really that most breeders would prefer to have a litter sold earlier than you might be able to determine which kitten is going to be a large one. Generally you need to wait until maybe 8 weeks of age...so then you would be asking a breeder to hold off selling ANY kitten from a litter until then and it seems most breeders want their homes decided sooner. Some of us (me included) prefer to wait until that age to really decide whether a kitten is breeder or show quality so that would work for you also, but I don't breed F1s.

 

[Carykd7kau]

NikkiA It's a phone thing. A computer will be fine....

 

[bxrpwr]

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.

I don't want to be involved with any of the argument, just wanted to provide MY perspective. I have two F5 SBT's from the same litter; they are litter mates. My male F5 SBT is 7.1 pounds at 4 months, and my female is 5.3 pounds, at the same age (obviously-they are the same age afterall..hehe..). I believe out of the litter, our kitten is currently the biggest, the others being closer to my females size.

Just wanted to comment the size difference between my two babies.. it's actually quite different. My male is much taller and longer. I'm with W.W. .... comes down to Mother Nature herself

** I know you don't want F5's.. but rather F1's.. I'm just commenting what I found with my F5 savannah litter mates!

 

[Rafiki]

Heheh......I think that any mention of "size" or "raw" seems to push buttons. Personally, I find the debates so enlightening that I cannot imagine taking offense. I learn something from every discussion on this forum.

 

[Carykd7kau]

Size isn't everything.... oh wait. better not go there.

 

[Louie'sDad]

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.

So, are you saying that people are looking for a sickly, ugly cat but will pony up big money as long as it's big?

 

[Louie'sDad]

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is a question of ethics.
Someone mentioned above that there are 2 types of breeders. So, how do you really know one from the other? REALLY? It comes down to what I said before..........it's who you know.

Of course anyone spending the kind of money that fetches an F1 Savannah needs to be very careful. If I wanted a big cat, then I'd look for a Serval at less than half the cost of an F1 (don't pile on if this isn't completely accurate, but you get the idea).

A breeder who is "courting" a prospective mark......er, customer......will always be dripping honey. Unless you are a very good judge of character, have inside info, or were warned against certain breeders by friends who KNOW THE SCORE, then you're basically screwed.

 

[Carykd7kau]

That was NOT what was said! What Wyldthings said was that a breeder is assured a person wants this beautiful cat that is ALL Savannah. The person has been courting the breeder and sounds really serious about the purchase. But then when the person sees the cat, they say " No thanks. I want a big cat." It is an insult to the breeder. And a total waste of the breeder's time.

 

[Louie'sDad]

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

Here is where the confusion comes in for me: can you tell me AROUND what size range the breeder male Serval is in breeding F1's. I Wikipedia Serval and see that males are more than 20 pounds........up to 40.

Am I getting the picture, correctly that only the smallest male Servals are suitable to breed with an F3 female?

 

[admin]

Joe, I have not a clue as to why you are persisting after you have been given all the info you need. I gave you the name of a wonderful, honest ethical F1 breeder, so that takes care of your "who you know", you have been given many different answers on the size bit and so you really think breeders know how large their Servals will get? Unless, they buy an adult and most buy kittens...I think this thread is going to come to an end...w are not going.to discuss Servals or the breeding of F1s...