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Cats/bonding cat - where to find one for me??

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Expert: - 5/25/2009


Question
Hi I was wanting a pure breed cat that is very bonding and loving and dependent, Which breed should I get and where to I look for a reputable affordable source to acquire such a kitten? I am in the Dallas area. I am not big on specifics or beauty of the breed but just a best friend cat that is likely to remain loving and bondable throughout its adult years, thats why I need a pedigree which is more likely to do so based on past history..would a mixed breed be taking more of a chance? Is a ragdoll wight for me? And where can I find one?

Answer
Nick,

Ragdolls will do well, but so will Maine Coons.  In Texas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you can find just about anything.

What I would do is to go to www.cfa.org and look for show schedules and go to a cat show near you (there should be many in the area over the course of the summer).  This will do two things: (1) You will get to meet the breeds and (2) You can make contact with the breeders in person and see their cats.

One nice thing about a semi-long haired cat like a Ragdoll or Maine Coon is that, by combing them out weekly, you continually reinforce the bond.  The downside, of course, is that you have to constantly keep after their coats, especially during shedding season(s).

You are right on with the advantages of pedigreed cats over mixed breed cats.  You have a better chance of getting a known quantity with a pedigreed cat.

Another place to look for pedigreed cats is on www.breedlist.com, but I would go to a show first to get the "lay of the land".

I hope this helps, but, please feel free to come back to me with follow ups.

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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