{"id":407,"date":"2024-02-05T22:24:14","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T03:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heartfallsiberians.com\/?p=407"},"modified":"2026-08-16T17:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T22:10:21","slug":"one-breeders-philosophy-nothing-basic-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heartfallsiberians.com\/?p=407","title":{"rendered":"One breeder’s philosophy\u2014nothing basic here."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Breeding is basic<\/em>.  Putting two cats of the opposite sex together for a litter of kittens isn\u2019t complicated. This is a basic breeder<\/em>.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t want to be basic <\/em>anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conversely, what it takes to be a conservation breeder is complex.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conservation relies on an individual\u2019s ability to simultaneously change the breed while safeguarding the original characteristics.\u00a0 It is adjusting breeding pairs to improve bloodlines while increasing genetic diversity, screening out preventable diseases, and removing carriers with undesirable traits.\u00a0 It is performing socializing techniques that provide enough distinctive sounds, touch, and interactive combinations that aid kittens as they grow into well-adjusted adults that are nearly bomb-proof.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This translates to working with breeders who have cats that possess temperaments suited for breeding.  This endeavor involves partnering with others who share the same integrity, ethics, and goals for their programs.  This effort requires knowledge, copious research, and endless trial and error throughout the years, to build a successful and consistent program.  This methodology cannot be supported by a fly-by-night breeder (albeit a basic breeder<\/em>) who breeds cats to sell kittens.  It requires an investment of time, energy, and vast resources to build a breeding plan that is sustaining, despite the external pressures, changing landscape, and environment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n

A breeding plan requires a road map.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Most destinations can be reached by multiple routes, however, the shortest route isn\u2019t always the fast lane.\u00a0 A good plan highlights the ideal, or “critical path” to reach success. A great plan includes contingencies if the design is not working as planned. As conservation breeders, we develop exigency plans in advance. Having to stop to collect data, opinions, and expertise and determine a new path once a plan is underway is costly and consumes valuable resources, not to mention can impact the overall destination.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a conservation breeder, I am committed to pedigree Siberian Cats. Siberians have the unique advantage of a diverse gene pool and if well-bred, they will be consistent in type, offer sound temperaments, and offer predictable looks in both shape and size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have the same things in mind that most seasoned breeders do however, I have a long-term vision of what I want to achieve.  One of my mentors reminded me, \u201cYou only get out of breeding what you put in.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producing nice cats consistently is an art, backed by science.  This marriage combines the study of foundation cats\u2019 pedigrees with genetics, based on statistics and probability, with a dash of supposition on how to breed the male or female, to produce the highest quality offspring. What a breeder seeks to produce, the model that she formulates is self-expression \u2013 the fulfillment of a creative urge, and therein lies the joy of cat breeding.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all want to breed cats that fit the standard.\u00a0 But to be a conservation breeder, you must place an unwavering priority on form, temperament, health, and breed character.\u00a0 All enduring conservation breeders leave a nearly invisible signature behind that identifies their lines from other catteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prospective cat guardians, your Siberian should look like a Siberian, and not a poor imitation, nor should they resemble any other breed.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every serious breeder should have Mission, Vision & Philosophy that articulates the core tenets of their breeding program and answer your questions.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Why are they breeding?  What do they hope to achieve?  What principles do they follow?  What will be their legacy after they have closed their doors?  At the end of the day, were they forgettable or a memorable footnote?  It all depends on the road map they used and what they did consistently, year over year. Establishing our Mission, Vision, and Philosophy (MVP) sets the blueprint for what I hope to build and plots a path to the future while allowing me to change direction as needed. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Mission:<\/strong> To provide the highest quality Siberian Cat as a companion first, ethically bred with a sound temperament, health tested, and bred true to type that conforms to the Siberian breed standard (CFA\/TICA), and lovingly raised to meet or exceed client expectations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vision:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0To become a conservation breeder, embodying that trademark sweet expression in every kitten with consistency in temperament and type, while preserving breed health and improving genetic diversity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philosophy:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0While my breeding practices will always be grounded in efforts as a conservationist, ultimately, I am progressive.\u00a0 While I want to keep the “historical” breed type alive, I want to improve on structure, health and solid character. Always remember, you are breeding the entire cat, both good and bad traits, those seen, and unseen, will always be part of that recipe.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. I want to leave the breed better than I found it.  It is akin to building a house (I\u2019ve designed and built two), I want a foundation that is fundamentally strong on all sides and will weather the storms.  That translates to our four cornerstones:  health, type, temperament, and longevity.    <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. I want to put my stamp on the breed without doing harm.   <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      We chose the Siberian because they are the epitome of health, diversity and beauty.  <\/strong>We are also members of the Siberian Cat Health Association (SCHA)<\/a> we believe transparency<\/strong> is important.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Siberian Cat Health Association (SCHA) is made up of conservation breeders who are dedicated to maintaining the Siberian Cat as a healthy, vigorous breed.\u00a0 SCHA accepts test results from breeders, pet owners, and fanciers who are willing to share their cat\u2019s results publicly.\u00a0 We believe there is value in the exchange of information, and we can\u2019t do that while breeding in a vacuum \u2013 we need as much data as possible to make informed, ethical decisions for the generations that come after us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      That’s why being a member of the Siberian Cat Health Association is critical to breeding healthy and sound cats.  If you are actively searching for a kitten, ask the breeder if they are a member, and if they aren’t apart of the Siberian Cat Health Association, ask them why not?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \ud83d\udda4\ud83d\udda4\ud83d\udda4\ud83d\udda4 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Breeding is basic.  Putting two cats of the opposite sex together for a litter of kittens isn\u2019t complicated. This is a basic breeder.    I don\u2019t want to be basic anything.  … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[23],"class_list":["post-407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-a-breeders-philosophy","latest_post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t