Selecting a cat - Pedigree or Non-Pedigree

As with any other type of animal that has been domesticated, there are those that have a recorded and detailed history or pedigree that provides the lineage of the particular cat in question. This proof of lineage allows buyers and other breeders to be confident that the cat that they are purchasing or introducing into their breeding line is purebred and only has ancestors that were also purebred. Most of the pedigree or purebred cats can trace their lineage back to the first cats registered in the breed and this is very important, especially in the more established breeds. In some of the new or experimental breeds that are just striving towards recognition as a separate breed there is often less of a pedigree or proof of lineage.

New cat owners should be aware that it is possible for a purebred cat to not have a pedigree or be registered, but it should be impossible for a registered cat not to be a purebred. Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous breeders that will not follow correct registration processes so it is important for prospective owners to research not just the breed but also the breeder. Breeders that have catteries or even just a couple of queens (female cats) that they breed will usually also be very active within the breed association as well as show their animals. Cat shows, while not a requirement of a quality breeder, do allow the breeder to compare their cats with others in the breed and help prospective buyers understand their comparison with others.

Unregistered or non-purebred cats are called affectionately known as moggies, similar to the mixed breed dogs known as mutts. It is estimated that there are approximately ten million cats living in the United Kingdom today, with less than one percent of this population being to the purebred population. Typically most cats that people find on the streets or obtain from friends, neighbours or through rescues and shelters will be mixed breed cats. These cats may strongly resemble a purebred cat, but unless their ancestory can be proven through registry information there is virtually no way to register these cats as purebreds.

One of the biggest advantages to a purebred cat is that if you wish to show, exhibit or breed the cat the opportunities are far greater. Purebred cats will be much more valuable, at least monetarily, than moggies or mixed-breed cats. For those owners that wish to start breeding cats or showing cats the investment into a purebred cat will be an important step into entering this interesting field.

Owners of catteries or kennels for cats will usually specialise in one or more breeds of cats. Typically the more championship lines that the cattery has the fewer the number of breeds that the owner will show or breed. Most catteries have two or three breeds at the most as this allows the breeder to become highly informed and develop expertise with showing, breeding and understanding the particular breed of cat. Reputable breeders are a valuable source of information on the cats and will be able to help with behavioural problems, issues with breeding in the future as well as general information questions about the specific breed of cat. They will also be of assistance in helping owners choose a more appropriate breed of cat if the cat that they are considering is not going to fit or match with the lifestyle in the house or family.

A reputable breeder will also be instrumental in explaining the registration process to new cat owners. All cats in the United Kingdom will be registered with one of two groups, the GCCF or Governing Council of the Cat Fancy or the FB, which is the Felis Britannica. The FB registry works under the umbrella of FIFe or the Fédération Internationale Féline, the largest international cat fanciers group that are dedicated to preserving and recording cat breeds around the world. These two groups, the GCCF or the FB will register each kitten in a litter, which is completed by the breeder. A recognized breeder will have a prefix that identifies them as a breeder and should be available to any potential owner. Some breeds may be recognized by one group and not the other, so it is important to do some research. New rules in both organisations have made it much easier to have cats and kittens dual registered in both associations.

The breeder must litter register the kittens and then provide the new owners with a pink copy of a transfer of ownership document. The new owner then completes the respective part of the transfer paperwork and sends it in to the governing body to be documented. It is also important to keep information on the registration up to date in the event that the cat is ever lost and returned to a breed rescue or shelter.

Purebred cats are usually not spayed or neutered but are used in breeding lines to continue the breed. Even those purebred cats that may not be show quality for some reason may still be used as breeding stock provided they are not ill or carry some genetic condition. For example, due to the genetic issues in producing a completely tailless Manx, the mother cats usually have at least a short tail or even a full-length tail. These purebred Manx queens cannot be shown in an event or exhibition, but often their offspring will be grand champions, born with no tails at all as per the breed specifications. Some cats may also have the wrong match of eye colour with coat markings or coats that are too short, too long, too curly or too straight, but they will still be purebred, registered cats of a particular breed. Often these non-standard kittens are sold for pet quality and the breeder may request that the kitten be spayed or neutered in the kitten purchase contract.

Most purebred cats will be microchipped or tattooed or both, as well as being insured and protected against loss, medical conditions and treatment as well as accidental injury. These insurance plans and schemes will be more completely addressed in the section on "Costs of Cat Ownership". When entering any shows or events be prepared to show your registration paperwork that identifies both your cat and the breeding lineage that the kitten came from.

Purebred cats, when bred with appropriate mates, can produce kittens that are in demand from other breeders and cat fanciers. Owners that wish to breed cats should consider showing their cats to increase the visibility of the line as well as highlight the cat's championship qualities. Typically kittens from championship cats will be sold or spoken for prior to their birth, but there are still additional expenses and a great deal of time and attention needed to properly care for the expecting queen and the newborn kittens. Breeding purebred cats is certainly not for everyone and is not a get rich quick scheme. Breeders must be dedicated to improving the breed and supporting the goals of the breed association.

The biggest drawback to a purebred cat is the cost of the kitten, fees for entering shows and events and the cost of breeding and caring for the queen and kittens. Typically purebred kittens will range in price from £150 to £300 with championship lines and very rare colours and markings often going for significantly higher.

There are many different advantages to a mixed breed cat or moggie, with one of the biggest being the amazing variety of colours, coats and eye colours that are available in these kittens or cats. Often a mixed breed may look identical to a purebred, but will be much less expensive. This is an ideal option if you just wish to have a particular type of cat but do not intend to breed or show the animal. It is always highly recommended that all mixed breed cats be spayed or neutered as soon as possible to prevent any unwanted pregnancies and more kittens to find homes for.

Because domestic cats have been so diverse in their breeding, there are an amazing number of colours and marking that are not allowed in purebred cats. Many of the calico, tortoiseshell, Jellice and tabby patterns are not found in any breed, but are very common in mixed breed cats. In addition mixed breed cats may be short or longhaired and may be high or low energy cats, simply depending on the influences of the traits of the queen and the tom. With many mixed breed cats the father is often unknown, so it may be a bit of a mystery as to exactly what characteristics the kittens may have.

Mixed breed cats are no more or less susceptible to diseases and genetic conditions than responsibly management purebred cat lines. Some purebred lines that have used inbreeding or breeding fathers and daughters to enhance a trait have experienced genetic problems in the past but this practice is avoided by reputable breeders today. Some people believe that the hybrid or mixed breed cat is healthier overall than a purebred, but there is actually no research that indicates that this is anything other than a myth.

Mixed breed cats and kittens can often be obtained from rescues and shelters for very limited cost. Most shelters ask for a small donation of less than £50, which will include spaying or neutering and all vaccinations up to date. In addition the rescues or shelters will also indicate what type of home the cat or kitten is best suited to as well as give owners an idea of the family or pets that the cat does well with. The money from the donations are used to provide further services to other cats that are found on the streets or are turned into the rescues because owners can no longer care for them.

In most larger cities and even in the countryside there are feral cats, which are wild domestic cats that live off the scraps and vermin that are found around any major human living environment. Feral cats are different than strays, although strays can become feral cats if they do not have any human contact and revert back to their wild state. Feral cats can be a large problem in the constantly increasing number of kittens in some areas as these animals are largely intact makes and females that breed continuously year round.

Feral cats can be caught and domesticated although it does take special patience and understanding to work with these wild animals. Many feral cats carry diseases such as feline leukaemia, respiratory infections and other potentially dangerous and highly contagious diseases. If you are working to bring a wild or feral cat into your home be sure to keep other domestic cats separate from the wild cat until it has been examined by a veterinarian and has been vaccinated. Children should not work with feral cats until they are calm in the presence of humans as they can be very aggressive when cornered or when they feel threatened.

The major disadvantage to a moggie is that it is difficult to determine the exact characteristics of the mature cat based on the appearance of the kitten, especially if the father or mother cat is not available for comparison or hreference. It is also important to remember that with both purebred and mixed breed cats the exact colouration for the adult cat may be very different than that of the kitten. Many breeds such as the Siamese, Birman, Ocicat and Bobtail cats do not get their full colouration until they have reached maturity at the age of one year to eighteen months. Many of the "wild" breeds or those that are bred to look more like their wild ancestors take up to two years to completely develop their marvellous coats.

Mixed breed cats can make wonderful pets, just as loving and affectionate or as aloof and independent as purebred cats. Often temperament can be a big factor in choosing a mixed breed over a purebred or vice versa. A look alike to a very aloof purebred breed of cat can often be found at a local shelter or rescue that has all the temperaments and traits of a highly social and companionship breed. The reverse can also be true and often makes mixed breeds very desirable.

Remember that before making the decision on a mixed or purebred cat, especially if you are planning to have the cat as a loving pet, consider the health risks to breeding, showing and travelling with your cat. Cats that are not spayed or neutered or female cats that have a litter of kittens have higher risks for most types of cancers, reproductive tract infections and other tumours and health concerns. Cats that are taken to shows have a greater risk of being exposed to potentially dangerous illnesses by other cats, although this risk is relatively low. More information on the benefits of spaying and neutering cats will be covered in a later article on "Spaying and Neutering".

There are many cats and kittens in rescues that are looking for good, loving homes. If you have never owned a cat before it may be a good idea to start with a mature cat from a shelter that is already litter trained and socialised as a way to prepare yourself, your home and your family to having a cat. Once you are comfortable and adjusted to the new pet it would then be easier to consider a purebred and keep the older, spayed or neutered pet as a companion to the kitten. Typically cats are very easy to adapt to new animals in the house, especially if they are properly socialised as cats from a rescue usually are. The rescue staff can assist in finding a cat that does well with other pets to minimise any concerns with bringing a new kitten or cat into the house at a later date.

Most people find that once they have one cat they seem to somehow end up with two. While one cat will provide love and attention, laughs and enjoyment, two cats can provide almost limitless entertainment, playing with each other and cuddling with each other on a favourite piece of furniture. Socialised cats will also accept dogs and other pets into their circle of friends with equal attention or blissful ignoring.

Whether you choose a purebred cat or one of the many mixed breed kittens or cats available it is important to have your home kitten or cat proofed as well as have all the basic supplies needed when your cat or kitten first arrives. The article on "Settling In" will help you prepare your house for your cat or kitten and make their first experiences in their new home as positive as possible for both you and your new pet.