January 2008 Newsletter - United Burmese Cat Fanciers

Mentoring New Breeders
An Interview With Barbara Kish,
Laki Cattery
What do you think are the most important characteristics
and abilities of someone thinking about becoming a
Burmese breeder?
Anyone can put two cats together and have kittens,
or buy a show cat, but you will never become a Burmese
breeder unless you have the love, patience, and unending
devotion to this wonderful breed. You will have to be willing
to put the cats before yourself many, many times, and
unless one is able to start out this way you will fail.
What are the best ways to find and mentor a new breeder
-- prior clients, other breeders (of different breeds), friends,
family members, people you meet at cat shows?
I do not search out a new breeder, I feel they need to
contact me. I want to get to know them, feel them out and
see if they have that special touch to raise wonderful kittens.
Thankfully I have, and the years helped super people
to become outstanding breeders. The number one thing is
that they be willing to learn, not become a know-it-all in a
few years. I can usually tell who is going to be in it for the
long haul. The saying goes if you can last 5 years you will
continue through the good and bad.
CH LAKI’S BARRELLIN BARRY, DM
Br/Ow: Barbara & Richard Kish
What should you watch for/be careful of in evaluating a
potential new breeder? What are warning signs that there
might be problems?
The biggest warning signs are “we don’t want to be big
breeders, we just want to have a few litters for our family
and friends”, or “this looks easy, I think we can do this. It
would be nice to have some kittens to sell now and then.”
And when I try to start them out in showing in premiership,
and I get an answer that says “no way, why should we
bother?”
What should you tell a potential new breeder in terms of
the realities and challenges of breeding?
I tell them the nitty gritty, the bad with the good. I
usually like to have a new breeder have some experience
with animals so they know how it sometimes can be heartbreaking
and then sometimes it is great. I feel them out in
regards to how far they would go to take care of their cats
and kittens and what their goals are.
How should you start a new breeder -- with a neutered
or spayed cat, and ask them to show in Premiership?
This is the ideal, but some people just do not want to
show, so if I think they are going into this to improve the
breed and breed top notch kittens, I will work with them.
What are the most important tips for showing a Burmese
-- preparing the cat, taking to the ring, etc.?
Great show cats are made at home, the breeding behind
it and above all the condition, and that can be the one thing
that will impress the judge. A great Burmese requires very
little care, a quick slicking down and clean the eye area,
and then into the ring you go.
What must a new breeder prove to you before they are
ready to start with a kitten -- and should it be first a breeding
female, bred to one of your males?
Their intentions and the willingness to possibly sacrifice
time and money to get the best they can to start with. I
have sold bred females, and kittens of outstanding type, and
it has worked out both ways, depends on who I am working
with.
Page 12 UBCF January 2008