ok, so im still researching bengals . . . bought and read books on the breed and cat breeding in general and still really want to go ahead with breeding. The only problem is we live in a row of houses and therefore have neighbours on either side, ive been on youtube to listen to a bengal queen calling and it is quite loud (i suppose this depends on the individual though), our house is a new build and the walls are quite sound proof but do you think that it will bother the neighbours? does anyone else live in a terrace sort house, ever had any problems?

Also, have discussed with a few friends and family about wanting to breed and to be honest they havent been entirely supportive (they are not cat lovers like me), its upset me a bit and put a dampener on the whole thing . . . did anyone else experience anything like this when they were starting out?

xxx

(p.s - researching so much i now see spots when i close my eyes )

hiya Bengals are VERY loud! Have woke me up all night long & my girl has started to call again and she is reallyyyyyy loud!

All my friends are breeders so I have only had good comments & help

None of my family are into animals and just keep calling me the crazy cat women

when I bought my girls I was asked about my neighbours who are fine about it as I spoke to them the kits have woken them up very early playing, not sure how! But they did!

They cant complain really their dog barks 24/7 as they are never home!(luckily!)

Have you got a girl yet? If you need any help with anything/advice/girls/pedigrees/birthing/shows/studs pm me I know some great people

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crazy cat lady! thats what they call me too . . . shouldnt let it upset me really i suppose they are just not that interested because they are not into cats.

My neighbours all work and they are lovely and have never had any problems with them before but a calling queen in the early hours . . . dont know if that would change

Still looking at the moment, like i say still researching and dont want to rush things . . . would like to go to a show and visit a few breeders to get a feel for what were after, will defo take you up on your offer and pm you when ready to buy, thank you xx

I think it can be a problem with neighbours, they can tolerate crying children but barking dogs and noisy cats is a different thing, especially if you are breeding them "for money", it can cause friction.

If you do decide to go ahead. You need to go to loads of shows and meet a whole lot of breeders and look at loads of cats on websites both here and in the States where you will find some really fantastic cats. World Bengal Cat Breeders

Many breeders may offer to help but some are not that experienced themselves and others may have another agenda. Breeders are often highly competitive under the thin skin of friendliness. They are also trying to be the best and sell their kittens, so it is not in their best interests to point you in the direction of a better kitten from another breeder. You need to take in a lot of info, some of it as you progress you will find was rubbish, other tips will stick with you for years. Don't take everything as gospel there are some lovely people out there but there are also a lot of bulls*****rs and lowlifes in breeding.

You need to have a good idea of what a good Bengal looks like yourself before you buy any kittens.
You need to do that research on your own, be aware of where the breed is going, who is doing well at shows both here and in America and try and find the best kitten you can to start your program. Know your pedigrees, know about genetics, know about health.

You may say that you only want to sell pets but I feel as a breeder, in order to justify not just adding to the rescue population, or bringing down the quality of the breed, you need to be producing good kittens.

You need also to suss out your friends and family as well, are they totally against the idea or just a bit worried, it is best to have family on board as you will need them to help at times. If they are non-supportive then you will find it very hard. Breeding well, can be a 24 hour job, 7 days a week. If you have no rest or cannot count on others to relieve you, so you can have a life, then you may need to think again.

Is your spouse supportive? If not then it sounds dramatic but many marriages/partnerships have suffered due to breeding. Many men can tolerate one or two cats but cats all over the place, the mess, the smell, the noise, the damage, which is the reality really after a few years, can really challenge a marriage. You may say you are clean and tidy but your husband may not want to see you spend hours cleaning up after cats/kittens, or on the internet looking at cats or spending his weekends at cat shows. Spending vast sums on cats too can also cause arguments, as well as the little income from all this work.

Good Luck

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Lauren

Don't Shop Adopt! - Stop Puppy Farming

Battery Farmed Dogs Campaign (Puppy Farming)

Great post! Very informative & laying out the reality of breeding!

Bengalbeauty I have to say it is so nice to read about a possible new breeder doing as much research as possible! I wish you the very best of luck & hope it all works out well for you

Please keep us updated on your progress!

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www.abooksigunbengals.com

Hi Lauren,

thanks for all the advice! am still a bit in the dark with the genetics side so more research needed there . . .

My family and friends were all for me going ahead until i told them how much i was thinking of spending on a breeding girl and the fact that i most probably would never make any money from breeding . . . unfortunately they couldnt understand my other reasons for doing it. On the other hand my partners parents are really supportive and after discussing bengals at length with his mum ( best way to test how complete your knowledge is i reckon) wants one herself already!

My patner thankfully is very supportive and it was a joint decision to look into breeding bengals. He is passionate about the early generation cats and his dream is to gain enough knowledge and experience to eventually own an F1. I can see how strain would be put on a relationship if it is just one of the couple into breeding . . .


Just one more question, do male neuters ever have the desire to mate, obviously they cant produce offspring but does neutering discourage the act itself? Say I had a young queen who started calling at 5/6 months, would Lucius (my 2 year old neutered male) respond to her calls? I wouldnt want him to hurt her . . . Only ask because when i was listening to the calling queens on the computer Lucius was searching for the sound, checking at windows etc.

xxx

I think it depends on the cat, they say that a neutered cat who has been entire and "done it" in the past is more likely to continue that behaviour.
It seems that some cats are more likely to mount other cats even when neutered early, it could be a social or a dominance thing. I doubt if he will hurt her, just keep an eye on them for a while when you get her.
Entire cats male and female do tend to be less stable in their behaviour than neuters, more territorial, more fighting and generally picking fights, sexual behaviour, spraying, territorial peeing in corners etc. It's the hormones. Though saying that some entire cats are very laid back.

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Lauren

Don't Shop Adopt! - Stop Puppy Farming

Battery Farmed Dogs Campaign (Puppy Farming)

Hi

I have three neuter boys ranging from 3 years to 11 years and none show absolutely any interest in my girl when she is calling despite her best efforts to entice them...lol see below

YouTube - Popyance


However I have a breeder friend who always knows when her two "silent callers" are calling as her neuter boy tries to mount them!

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Kaz

For kittens, joy is for the asking and smiles are for the giving

Hehe funny video Can I ask a totally random question... How old can cats be on till? Do they get to a certain age and reach menopause like we do?

I have 2 neuter boys one moggy one Bengal. The Bengal has never been a stud boy but will more than oblige when my girls are in call!! The moggy shows no interest at all. Have to say the girls do encourage my Bengal neuter the little floosies!!

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www.abooksigunbengals.com