Types of Breeders

There is always a lot of debate about what makes a Breeder a “Good Breeder” or a “Backyard Breeder.” To me, it’s not that cut and dry; there are many degrees of commitment to breeding cats and respect should be shown to each variation. The different types of Breeders have more in common than you may realize with intention being perhaps the most obvious, yet unseen, difference. As I see it, there are four types of Breeders:

The Retail Breeder:

• A person who breeds cats for for the soul purpose of financial reward.
• Has no interest in breeding their cats to a professional set of standards established by registry associations.
• Does not show their breeding stock or its offspring in registry association sponsored shows because their cats do not fit their breed's Standard and are therefore considered "pet quality".
• Are generally known to keep their cats in a retail environment (warehouse, outbuilding, outside kennel, etc.).
• Sell their cats to pet stores, research labs, and in general, anyone who will pay their price.
• Traditional and Classic Breeders never purchase breeding stock from Retail Breeders because the cats do not fit a registry standard and therefore do nothing to improve their bloodline.

The Pet Breeder:

• A person who breeds cats strictly as pets for emotional and financial reward.
• Has no interest in breeding their cats to a professional set of standards established by registry associations.
• Soes not show their breeding stock or its offspring in registry association sponsored shows to attain titles for their cats because either they do not like showing or their cats do not fit their breed's Standard. Their cats are what is considered to be "pet quality".
• Keep their cats in a home environment.
• Does not have a specific breeding program where efforts are made to improve their line to conform to their breed’s written Standard as stated by a formal registry association.
• Are selective as to whom they sell their cats and do not sell to pet stores, research labs, or Retail Breeders.
• Traditional and Classic Breeders never purchase breeding stock from Pet Breeders because the cats do not fit a registry standard and therefore do nothing to improve their bloodline.
• Pet Breeders mostly buy their breeding stock from other Pet Breeders although some Traditional Breeders do sell to them.

The Traditional Breeder:

• A person who breeds cats for emotional and financial reward.
• Shows their cats in registry sponsored shows and have some cats with titles.
• Most of their cats are sold as pets, some as breeder quality with a few that are occasionally sold as show quality to other breeders who are working to improve their bloodline.
• Keep their cats in a home environment.
• Has a breeding program wherein lie specific goals and objectives to improve their bloodline to conform to their breed’s written Standard as stated by a formal registry association.
• Shows their breeding stock and its offspring in registry association sponsored shows as they acquire and breed show-worthy cats in an effort to attain titles for them.
• May or may not travel very far from home to show their cats, opting for local shows or those within a few hours drive and may only attend a few shows each year.
• Are selective as to whom they sell their cats and do not sell to pet stores, research labs, Pet Retail Breeders, or most Pet Breeders.

The Classic Breeder

• A person who breeds cats for emotional and financial reward.
• Some cats are sold as pets, but most are sold as breeder and show quality to other breeders who are working to improve their bloodline.
• Has a breeding program wherein lie specific goals and objectives to improve their bloodline to more closely conform to their breed’s written Standard as stated by a formal registry association.
• Keep their cats in a home environment.
• Shows their breeding stock and its offspring in registry association sponsored shows as they acquire and breed show-worthy cats in an effort to attain titles for them.
• Are generally known to travel great distances to attend shows as well as attend shows in their local area.
• Attend a large number of shows each year; some attend shows nearly every weekend when they are busy acquiring points for specific titles on their cats.
• Are selective as to whom they sell their cats and do not sell to pet stores, research labs, Retail Breeders or Pet Breeders, preferring to sell their cats only to other Classic Breeders or Traditional Breeders.

All Breeders have many things in common and most Breeders fall somewhere in the concept of what I call the Traditional Breeder. Everyone does what they want to do in regards to breeding cats and as long as they stay within the boundaries of the law and maintain their cats in compliance with what is decent and humane, there is nothing wrong with any of the above classifications. It’s not about how many cats you have, how many shows you attend, what titles your cats have, who you know, or how much money you have; it’s about personal choices and private decisions that meet an individual's specific beliefs and needs.

The terms "backyard breeder" and "kitten mill" are derogatory terms that are generally used to discredit a breeder. They have no real meaning other than what we put on them but they generally mean, to most people, someone who breeds cats without regard for their health, physical appearance (not bred to a registry standard), and are only in operation for financial gain. These breeders will generally fall into the Pet Retailer category. They are likely to sell to pet stores and to companies who exploit the cat’s well being in exchange for only monetary gain. Although these unscrupulous people do exist, most breeders do not fit this stereotype and should not be confused with what I call the Pet Breeder. Remember there are degrees in everything and it is up to you to do research, make phone calls, visit facilities, and use your best judgment when you purchase any pet.



 

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