Siamese ~ Thai ~ Wichien-Maat

BEST PRACTICE SERIES:  What Other Breeders Won't tell you about becoming a New Breeder (DRAFT)

By Amy Adolph (May 2008)

Let me cut to the chase and help you get started.  You see, you are commodity, a rare person who actually wants to take on a tough hobby that at times can drain you emotionally and financially.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of benefits, but in reality there just aren't' enough strong hobbyist who last past five years. Yep, that is right, most breeders never make it past five years.

My hope is to write this section to get you started successfully in the hobby of breeding. Ready?

There are two categories of Siamese breeders:  Smart and Stupid.  I am only going to highlight the Smart parts of breeding as I don't have the time to explain the other half, and I want you set up as a successful Smart breeder.

First.  Don't buy breeding cats until you do all of the following steps listed.  If you already have breeding cats, either wait to breed them or spay them.

Second.  There are three golden rules to breeding that all ethical breeders respect.

1.  Work with other breeders who know your cats lines.
2.  Work with lines that you have researched and understand.
3.  Work with healthy cats

To accomplish those things you must:

1.  Join a breed club.  A breed club is focused specifically on your breed of cat and provides education.

2.  Use a reputable Major Registry.  A Major Registry is a part of the World Cat Federation.  In America pick one of these three:  TICA, CFA, and  ACFA.

3. Have a goal.  This goal must include everything in the Second part plus your specific agenda.  Be prepared to defend you goal, and understand 'personality' and 'health' are fundamental.  When your talking with other breeders, we want to hear beyond the basics, so have some substance to what you want to accomplish.

Third.  Keep your opinions to yourself.  Honestly, no one cares that you disagree unless you make it to your fifth year.  After that mile marker, you can pretty much get away with anything, but until then: collect friends, stay out of the fire of rumors, and listen to those who have made it past the fifth year mark.

Fourth.  Make yourself smart.  Buy books that all great breeders have on their shelves - and don't worry if you don't understand everything at first.  We will be so impressed that you have dished out the money to get started, that almost any breeder is very willing to answer the multitude of meaningful questions that will come from those books alone:

Breeding Pedigreed Cats
by Carolyn Vella & John McMonagle, Jr.

Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians
by Carolyn M. Vella (Editor), Lorraine Shelton, John McGonagle (Editor)

Feline Husbandry Diseases and Management in the Multiple Cat Environment
by Neils Pedersen.

The Merck Veterinary Manual (8th Ed)
by Susan E. Aiello, Asa Mays (Editor), Merck, Co, Merial limi

Fifth.  Understand the breed standard and genetics of your breed.  This is not an easy task but if you work with other breeders who understand the 'history' and the technicalities of the breed, then this part isn't so difficult.  We expect new breeders to struggle in this area, but we are impressed and willing to help if we know you are educating yourself and asking specific questions from books and research materials.

Six.  Don't email us looking for a breeding cat.  Chances are, if you don't hang out in ethical breeding circles and have not done your home, then likely you will get one of two replies:  1.  Sorry we don't sell breeding cats and/or  2. Our breeding cats are $1000 - $40000.  As soon as a new Siamese breeder tells us they bought a cat for that price, we KNOW what lines they are, and likely will never work with you.  Sorry, it's true!  Spending that much money on a cat DOES NOT make it a good cat, and there are breeders who have registered cats out there that will bank off of your lack of experience.  It is well known that when breeders feel they know and trust you, they will HELP you get your cats!  Those who breed, know how expensive the journey to breed and show can cost and aren't' out to bleed your dry.

Seven.  Join a local Cat Club.  You need this because it is important to actually meet real breeders and SEE how things are done.  Most Cat Clubs are formed from Show Breeders, but don't let that discourage you because now the Old Style Siamese can be shown in many of the Major Registries.  You will need friends when things get difficult.  When I started out, I worked with a Cat Club that wanted nothing to do with my cats, but eventually became my friends, and when I had problems they helped and still do. 

Eight.  Find a local vet that will work with you.  Many vet offices are Animal Rights Advocates who are against breeding.

Nine.  Join online forums that will help you learn more.  Much of what is posted are from new breeders who are full of opinions.  But, there are some professionals who are there to help.  REMEMBER - Breeding is NOT an INTERNET Social club, you need to have real live breeders that you know, as this is a REAL hobby and a faceless society is not as supportive as those who will hand you a tissue when your first kitten dies.

Ten.  Follow this list and the door to breeding will open up.  Breeding is more then just cats having kittens.

Welcome to Breeding! 

Amy