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Buying a breeding queen - need breeder's advice

4K views 42 replies 18 participants last post by  HeartofClass 
#1 · (Edited)
So I kinda already feel like you will all be like "NO" but it is bugging me whether I should do it or not.

I am buying a new breeding queen and have fallen in love with this one girl. She is exactly the colour I am looking for (and I can say that I am very specific about what I want so this colour is not that easy to come across), great type, she has a great pedigree (I have studied the lines), comes from a nice breeder... Everything is great. BUT here's the catch - someone has already asked for a "temporary reservation". And I am pretty sure that, upon seeing her, they will take her (it's also some breeder that's interested), there's about 1% I feel she'll be available after a few days when they meet.

Would you be terribly, terribly isulted if you were in this situation as the breeder of the girl and were offered 20% more for her? Would you then even consider giving it to the person who would do that? Just reading this it makes me feel like a horrible person but I just don't know, it is hard to come across a girl like this, the only other one I did find so far was too closely related to my male for my liking and had even similar lines as my other girl in, which well... It would be good to add some new lines in.

I can either wait, and risk that the person viewing it will take her, which is very likely to happen... Or risk offending the breeder (although I will try to explain is as best as I can to her why this girl would be such an asset to my programme and explain that I am not trying to objectify her etc.), maybe even to the point that even if the other breeder, for some weird reason, doesn't end up taking her, this breeder won't want me to have her :( But if there is only a few chances, that this way I could get her... Then it would be worth trying.
 
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#2 ·
I wouldn't be offended (but I'm not the sort who is easily offended anyway) but I wouldn't, as the breeder, let down someone else because another had come along offering more money. And quite frankly I wouldn't want to buy a kitten from a breeder who would let me have a kitten because I'd offered more money.
 
#3 ·
And quite frankly I wouldn't want to buy a kitten from a breeder who would let me have a kitten because I'd offered more money.
I have thought about it as well because personally, if I were the kitten's breeder in this situation, I would say no. Even though the contract wouldn't been signed yet and no money exchanged as is in this case. But I can sort of justify it because, this breeder is coming from a country that is currently known to have recession issues, and I am sure more money to take care of her kittens would do her good, so if she said yes, I would think the fact that she wants to give her cats the best is the reason behind it. Although, writing this, I feel like it is just justifying.
 
#5 ·
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But I can sort of justify it because, this breeder is coming from a country that is currently known to have recession issues, and I am sure more money to take care of her kittens would do her good, so if she said yes, I would think the fact that she wants to give her cats the best is the reason behind it. Although, writing this, I feel like it is just justifying.
Sorry that's not a justification to me - it comes over to me as patronising.
 
#6 ·
^Actually, you are correct... Jesus, who am I to be judging whether a person is short of money or not. :eek: Ah, the lengths I would go to :( I might just wait and hope that the other breeder changes their mind then...
 
#8 ·
Not really offended but it would bother me that someone thought breeding was just about money and if they offer more they can get whatever they want.
Of course I don't think that - if it were about money then surely I wouldn't go to such lengths to offer more for a breeding cat whose already the price of 4 pet kittens. I would lose quite a lot actually even in the future, and there are many other breeding cats available with more regular price (but aren't what I'm looking for). And I surely don't think that this breeder would let me have just because of more money... But I do think that I can offer this girl a really nice life. (Just to clarify, I appreciate all of you guys' opinion and can see how it might come across like this, but it's far from truth).
 
#9 ·
I know this question is for breeders but I would say nothing ventured, nothing gained. What's the worst that can happen? You looked like you really, really wanted this girl? Is the breeder going to be offended....I would think he/she wouldn't be just assured that you are a passionate about the breed.
 
#10 ·
If someone tried to gazump another breeder in the manner you suggest they'd never stand a chance of getting a kitten from me. It may be different for different breeds or in different countries but as far as I'm concerned they'd join my personal permanent blacklist. Why would I want to work with someone who would do this? I might be next on their list for a knife in the back.
 
#12 ·
Thank you guys. I guess I knew this all along, I just didn't want to admit it to myself. Kinda let feelings and my wishes get in the way of my mind. I wanted to at least tell the breeder how good of a life the girl would have with me and ask them to rethink, but now I guess I will just wait and hope for a change of mind from the other breeder rather than try to "steal" her from someone else who might want her just as much.
 
#13 ·
I know this question is for breeders but I would say nothing ventured, nothing gained. What's the worst that can happen? You looked like you really, really wanted this girl? Is the breeder going to be offended....I would think he/she wouldn't be just assured that you are a passionate about the breed.
So I should sell my kittens (pet or breed) to the highest bidder? No. First come, first served. Look at the mess the housing market got into when gazumping was going on.

If I was the breeder I would be offended and it certainly wouldn't increase the buyers chance of getting the kitten, it would probably terminate it.
 
#14 ·
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a breeding cat whose already the price of 4 pet kittens.
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Jez what a markup. My breeding girl cost me the same as a pet would have from that breeder, and by a large other breeders do that though they are of course very fussy about who will get a registered active girl. Boys do cost more, and are even harder to get.
 
#15 ·
I register with FIFe and am based in EU, I know most breeders of my breed based in the EU that register with FIFe and WCF and I can assure you I haven't met anyone who would sell pet kittens for the same price as breeding kittens. As for who will get the breeding cats, most breeders fall into two extremes - breeders who are extra fussy and won't sell breeding cats even to a long-time, well known good breeder and breeders who will sell to just about anyone as long as it's not a first-time breeder. Even all the breeders of other breeds that I know from my country do it like this (so I know it's not breed-specific) - one price for pet, one price for show/breed - even for same kitten. I would have thought this is completely the norm had I not been a member of this forum. And I must say I agree with your logic more - I can say that it costs me the same to rear pet kittens and those who will be breeding kittens, so... I would rather be extra fussy about who will get it, rather than set up a really high price. But it is the norm.
 
#18 ·
I can assure you I haven't met anyone who would sell pet kittens for the same price as breeding kittens.
Doesn't usually happen here either, breeding cats tend to be 2-3 times pet price. Show neuters tend to be the same price as pets, but there are breeders who charge more for them also.

Have you spoken to the breeder, is she even willing to sell you a breeding cat? Ask about future plans, maybe she can recommend another breeder with the lines and colours you're after.
 
#19 ·
If it is meant to be, it will be. If it isn't, perhaps that girl, when she is bred, will have just the right color for you and you can buy her kitten from the breeder who has her, instead.
 
#20 ·
I suppose you have your answer already. I agree with the others.

Here, breeding cats from good breeders go for the same price as pet kittens. If selling to a foreign country, breeders usually charge much more (reason is because foreign breeders also sell to 'us' for such high prices). Silly but that's how it is
 
#21 ·
So I should sell my kittens (pet or breed) to the highest bidder? No. First come, first served. Look at the mess the housing market got into when gazumping was going on.

If I was the breeder I would be offended and it certainly wouldn't increase the buyers chance of getting the kitten, it would probably terminate it.
So you would say no, but would you avoid the buyer in future?
 
#22 ·
Have you spoken to the breeder, is she even willing to sell you a breeding cat? Ask about future plans, maybe she can recommend another breeder with the lines and colours you're after.
Of course, I was assured I would have had it had this other breeder not reserved it. Ah recommendations - in this small breeding world I have researched so much I know 99% of catteries that have the possibility of this colour. Either they aren't planning a mating, I know how they keep their cats and won't buy from them, I don't like the type, I don't like the pedigree, the breeder doesn't health test parents, or the kitten is too far away (and my standard for this are low, since this girl is about 3 hours plane flying away). This girl would've been perfect. But I'll guess I'll have to wait along. I don't really believe in faith explanations e.g. "if it's meant to be it'll happen". I was simply too late, and will now have to look elsewhere. It happens. The best advice I have been given is to be patient, sometimes it can take A LONG time to find exactly what you're looking for.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I don't think so. Buying a kitten as a pet, the only thing that would really matter to me, is the personality and health. Colour would really just be optional. Me not selling kittens to pet buyers who are "THAT colour or no kitten" is really a personal choice, so. As a breeder, it is important to me to add new lines, as well as the colours to my breeding programme. It is about moving forward as a breeder. I wouldn't question breeders looking to buy a speficic colour with me (if all other boxes tick).

And unfortunately, it is also to some extent due to the buyers' demands, as I am having extreme difficulties, as well as other breeders I know, finding homes for solid black kittens. And most kittens go to pet homes, after all. It would be pointless breeding to me having to lower my standards for who can get my kitten because some of them are less wanted because of the colour. It is easy to roll your eyes not knowing the whole picture.
 
#25 ·
Ah recommendations - in this small breeding world I have researched so much I know 99% of catteries that have the possibility of this colour. Either they aren't planning a mating, I know how they keep their cats and won't buy from them, I don't like the type, I don't like the pedigree, the breeder doesn't health test parents,
Note the bit I've emboldened. Your words and ones you would do well to keep in mind. If you get a name for trying to do the dirty to other breeders you'll find your choices become even more limited.
 
#26 · (Edited)
I have already made my decision to not do it. It's a bit frustrating, but I'll keep looking and waiting. Indeed reputation means a lot among breeders, besides trying to do what I was thinking of being immoral. The irony is, had this happened to me with someone purchasing one of my girls for breeding, I would never accept it. Yet I came so far to think about doing it. Glad I posted here first :)
 
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