Breeding for termperment?

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(Pete Cresswell) - 02 May 2005 17:09 GMT

Are any breeds of cat selected for temperment?

Just plain "100% Cat" cats seem to vary so widely that selecting one for a
housepet seems like a significant gamble.

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Orchid - 02 May 2005 17:55 GMT

>Are any breeds of cat selected for temperment?

Bengals are, but they are not appropriate pets for many people. :)

>Just plain "100% Cat" cats seem to vary so widely that selecting one for a
>housepet seems like a significant gamble.

Temperament appears to have a significant genetic influence -- from
the father's side. So, if you can, meet the father of the kittens --
if he's friendly and confident, his kittens are likely to be as well.

Early socialisation is also key to a cat's finished personality -- you
want a kitten that has been positively handled from a very young age.

Finally, never underestimate the damage that getting a kitten too
early can do to a kitten's psyche. Kittens should not leave their mom
and littermates until at least 12 weeks of age. They are physically
capable of being seperated earlier, but it's very damaging to their
later confidence and behaviour.

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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Loe Pine - 03 May 2005 00:00 GMT

You should define what temperment you wish to look for.

I love my BENGAL but she would not be for everyone!!!
My elderly relatives would not necessarily enjoy being awakened in the
morning by a cat touching them gently on the lips and nose.

\

>>Are any breeds of cat selected for temperment?
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
>Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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(Pete Cresswell) - 03 May 2005 00:10 GMT

Per Loe Pine <>:

>You should define what temperment you wish to look for.

Maybe "termerment" was to grandiose a word.
I'd say something that likes to be touched - as opposed to merely tolerating it,
or being irritated by it.

Also, something that will socialize with other cats - as opposed to trying to
kill them.

>I love my BENGAL but she would not be for everyone!!!
>My elderly relatives would not necessarily enjoy being awakened in the
>morning by a cat touching them gently on the lips and nose.

I don't even know what a Bengal is. I assumed the prior reference was in jest
to the Asian species of tiger.

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rpl - 03 May 2005 01:38 GMT

> Per Loe Pine <>:
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Also, something that will socialize with other cats - as opposed to trying to
> kill them.

There's no particular breed that specializes in affection or sociability.

>>I love my BENGAL but she would not be for everyone!!!
>>My elderly relatives would not necessarily enjoy being awakened in the
>>morning by a cat touching them gently on the lips and nose.
>
> I don't even know what a Bengal is. I assumed the prior reference was in jest
> to the Asian species of tiger.

Nope, they're referring to a crossbreed between Asian Leopard Cat and a
standard domestic, aka "Bengal"; check Orchid's URL.

pat

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(Pete Cresswell) - 03 May 2005 14:37 GMT

Per rpl:

>There's no particular breed that specializes in affection or sociability.

>Nope, they're referring to a crossbreed between Asian Leopard Cat and a
>standard domestic, aka "Bengal"; check Orchid's URL.

I just found http://www.fanciers.com/breeds.html.

Seems to be a pretty good resource.

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Kalyahna - 03 May 2005 18:15 GMT

> Per rpl:
> >There's no particular breed that specializes in affection or sociability.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Seems to be a pretty good resource.

You will always have individuals of any breed that don't match up the breed
stereotype. If you're looking for a people-and-cat-friendly-cat, please
consider looking at your local humane society. The staff and volunteers
there could probably list a half dozen cats that meet both criteria. If you
really want a specific breed... well, you can still try your local humane
society. They really do get all sorts. Or ask them about breed rescue
groups. Cat breed rescue isn't usually as widespread as dog breed rescue,
but it does exist. Or check to see if any of your local breeders are
retiring a queen or tom.

petfinder.com is always an excellent resource.

~J

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Orchid - 03 May 2005 15:29 GMT

>> Maybe "termerment" was to grandiose a word.
>> I'd say something that likes to be touched - as opposed to merely tolerating it,
>> or being irritated by it.

Your best bet would be an adult cat then -- one whose
personality is already formed. While temperament is an important
block in building personality, it is not the be-all and end-all.
Socialisation is very important, and if you want an absolutely known
quantity adult is the way to go.

>> Also, something that will socialize with other cats - as opposed to trying to
>> kill them.

This is asking more of a cat than is strictly fair. Cats are
highly territorial. Dogs enjoy things like dog parks, cats are not
designed to like that kind of interaction.
Now, if what you mean is a cat that can have other cats in the
same house, realise that the key to that success is how the *human*
handles the introduction.

>There's no particular breed that specializes in affection or sociability.

But there are breeds where temperament, especially
human-interaction temperament is specifically bred for. Bengals,
Ragdolls, Siamese -- these are all highly human-interactive breeds
because that trait has been selected for.

>> I don't even know what a Bengal is. I assumed the prior reference was in jest
>> to the Asian species of tiger.
>
>Nope, they're referring to a crossbreed between Asian Leopard Cat and a
>standard domestic, aka "Bengal"; check Orchid's URL.

Bengals are not direct crosses -- they are the result of a
cross, many generations later. A cat cannot be considered a Bengal
until at least four generations fater a cross -- the F4 generation.
Most Bengals today are 10-12 generations away from a cross.
IOW, they're not dangerous wild hybrids. :) They're domestic
cats.

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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