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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v354/Jennlee823/TinyTye.jpgAs some of you know, I'm really starting to get into this "show" thing. And IMO only a show quality cat should be bred. Now, since I'm also starting the breeding thing, how old do kittens start showing their show possibilities? I'm asking because in my litters, I will have 10 weeks from birth to decide which kitten I will keep and which ones go back to the breeder. I would love to produce a perfect seal bi-color that has show/breeder qualities. But what if the qualities don't show up by 10 weeks old? What if I send the wrong one back because it didn't show the prospect of show quality at 10 weeks but at 12 weeks was the perfect show quality? I know, I'm a pain, but it's an important thing to know and none of my Ragdoll books say when their full coloring comes in. They all say 2 years old. Well, I can't keep all the kittens til they're 2 years old obviously, so how will I know which one stays and which ones go?
Thanks in advance!
Jenny
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Show Quality? How old do they have to be???
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#2
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- Gender:Female
- Location:South Australia
- Interests:My Ragdoll cats are my full time interest, I have now been breeding 12 years. <br />Im the longest breeder of Ragdolls in S.A <br />Im Registered with both governing bodies here in S.A. GCCFSA and FASA<br />
Posted 30 July 2004 - 07:20 AM
:) Hi Jenny,
I breed ragdolls, and you will see if a kitten is show marked by there tenth week for sure, but its not only the the paint job that makes a kitten show/breed quality, it also has to show signs of good show standard ie: size, boning, tail length, ear placement, profile etc: you will need a copy of the standards for ragdolls... and do a lot of looking at kittens and cats and talking to breeders, to get a good perspective of what to look for in a kitten, some times this can take some time, as not everyone has the same opinions on show standards, so going along to shows watching the judging and listening and lots of it too LOL!
Ragdolls are a large heavy boned breed of cat... and size has been lost in many lines these days, so getting size..is important, also ragdolls are slow maturing in there size, and it can take a few years before you can see if your getting your breeding program on the right tracks... but also remember temprement, its no good breeding from a cat that just looks good...you need the right temprement in the cats you choose to breed from.
I wish you well in your in venture ;) Eils
I breed ragdolls, and you will see if a kitten is show marked by there tenth week for sure, but its not only the the paint job that makes a kitten show/breed quality, it also has to show signs of good show standard ie: size, boning, tail length, ear placement, profile etc: you will need a copy of the standards for ragdolls... and do a lot of looking at kittens and cats and talking to breeders, to get a good perspective of what to look for in a kitten, some times this can take some time, as not everyone has the same opinions on show standards, so going along to shows watching the judging and listening and lots of it too LOL!
Ragdolls are a large heavy boned breed of cat... and size has been lost in many lines these days, so getting size..is important, also ragdolls are slow maturing in there size, and it can take a few years before you can see if your getting your breeding program on the right tracks... but also remember temprement, its no good breeding from a cat that just looks good...you need the right temprement in the cats you choose to breed from.
I wish you well in your in venture ;) Eils
#3
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Posted 30 July 2004 - 09:40 AM
Hi Jenny,
When you get the answer to that question about how to tell the show kitten by 10 weeks tell me.lol. I am still making glaring mistakes in choosing but it is a bit like picking a beauty queen from a room full of toddlers.
In another time period I bred Collie dogs for exhibition and once I kept the 5 females in the litter - selling a couple of them at 5 months old - you guessed it - these were the best puppies in the litter even at that age they looked the worst.....no real guarrantees.
I am sure that if you get another breeder to help you select your kitten you will get a nice one to keep back that is at least Breeder potential. Sometimes there is no short cut to gathering experience....if the breeder that you are getting your kitten from is now back to being friendly and co-operative maybe she will be your mentor and help otherwise go to shows, make connections and with a lot of respect for the olds in the breed start your apprenticeship.
I fully agree with Eils comments - and she has had a lot of experience in breeding Raggies. I might add if all things are equal keep the kitten that you are fond of as a personality.
Good luck.
When you get the answer to that question about how to tell the show kitten by 10 weeks tell me.lol. I am still making glaring mistakes in choosing but it is a bit like picking a beauty queen from a room full of toddlers.
In another time period I bred Collie dogs for exhibition and once I kept the 5 females in the litter - selling a couple of them at 5 months old - you guessed it - these were the best puppies in the litter even at that age they looked the worst.....no real guarrantees.
I am sure that if you get another breeder to help you select your kitten you will get a nice one to keep back that is at least Breeder potential. Sometimes there is no short cut to gathering experience....if the breeder that you are getting your kitten from is now back to being friendly and co-operative maybe she will be your mentor and help otherwise go to shows, make connections and with a lot of respect for the olds in the breed start your apprenticeship.
I fully agree with Eils comments - and she has had a lot of experience in breeding Raggies. I might add if all things are equal keep the kitten that you are fond of as a personality.
Good luck.
#4
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- Interests:Cats of course.<br>I have 1 husband (more than enough)<br>3 children (also more than enough)<br>We live in Langwarrin, Victoria.<br>With the childrens activities, showing and breeding the cats it's a bit difficult to fit a lot more in.<br>Other activities I enjoy are reading, eating out and the company of goods friends.
Posted 30 July 2004 - 10:18 AM
Yes do let us know if you find the magic formula. I don't think there is one, we all use our best judgment and sometimes just a gut feeling and we all sometimes get it wrong.
I second what Eils said about the going to shows. Go to and listen to the judging look at as many cats and kittens as you can. I think this is the best way to get your "eye in". Take the breed standard with you and refer back to it. It is sometimes difficult to get a picture in your head when you just read the standard. If there is something in the standard that you are not sure of ask someone.
The markings you will easily be able to see by 10 weeks. It is all the other things that make up a good show cat that are the more difficult. As cats grow they also can sometimes grow out of proportion or their ears may look too big, their head to narrow etc etc. Ask other breeders of the best time to compare the kittens. I know with Birmans at about 4-6 months they often go off and you can think oh no, but then they will usually grow out of this stage and develope nicely.
In the end it is only through experience that you will gain the eye and the knowledge to confidently pick which kitten to keep. And as Heather said it can still be a bit hit and miss. Temperament is of utmost importance - no good having the best looking cat if it does not have the correct temperament.
Have fun.
Debbie.
I second what Eils said about the going to shows. Go to and listen to the judging look at as many cats and kittens as you can. I think this is the best way to get your "eye in". Take the breed standard with you and refer back to it. It is sometimes difficult to get a picture in your head when you just read the standard. If there is something in the standard that you are not sure of ask someone.
The markings you will easily be able to see by 10 weeks. It is all the other things that make up a good show cat that are the more difficult. As cats grow they also can sometimes grow out of proportion or their ears may look too big, their head to narrow etc etc. Ask other breeders of the best time to compare the kittens. I know with Birmans at about 4-6 months they often go off and you can think oh no, but then they will usually grow out of this stage and develope nicely.
In the end it is only through experience that you will gain the eye and the knowledge to confidently pick which kitten to keep. And as Heather said it can still be a bit hit and miss. Temperament is of utmost importance - no good having the best looking cat if it does not have the correct temperament.
Have fun.
Debbie.
#6
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Posted 30 July 2004 - 11:38 PM
Hi Jenny, It would pay you to keep an eye open for a GOOD blue eye colouring as that is also something else on top of what Eils listed.
Brian. ;)
Brian. ;)
#8
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Posted 31 July 2004 - 05:46 PM
Hi Jenny,
As Eils said get a copy of the standard and then go and visit shows and listen to judges this helps fix the standard in your mind. And you need to look at lots of cats and kittens.
Also remember that kittens can either grow in perfect proportion or all over the place. Some of the kittens that are growing in spits and spats can look decidedly not show quality whilst growing but can finish their growth and be outstanding. So it pays to know what to look for in your particular bloodlines.
And if you want to show then a show temperamnet is important - a cat or kitten can be outgoing and friendly at home but be fearful or aggressive at shows. What you want is a little showman who is happy to play up to the judges and audience and you won't know this till you go to a show. Also it is best if you get kittens use to baths, crating and cages so none of it is a big deal for them.
Goodluck. Jo
As Eils said get a copy of the standard and then go and visit shows and listen to judges this helps fix the standard in your mind. And you need to look at lots of cats and kittens.
Also remember that kittens can either grow in perfect proportion or all over the place. Some of the kittens that are growing in spits and spats can look decidedly not show quality whilst growing but can finish their growth and be outstanding. So it pays to know what to look for in your particular bloodlines.
And if you want to show then a show temperamnet is important - a cat or kitten can be outgoing and friendly at home but be fearful or aggressive at shows. What you want is a little showman who is happy to play up to the judges and audience and you won't know this till you go to a show. Also it is best if you get kittens use to baths, crating and cages so none of it is a big deal for them.
Goodluck. Jo
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