Please Be Carefull !!

[Nocshadue Balbozar]

I agree this issue crops up usually with a big collection kitty release which draws in lots of new breeders. And, I've seen a lot of people trying to clear up misinformation in KC chat, as well as here in forums, but we can't be everywhere all the time. I wish there was a better way of getting the correct info into the hands that need it. I've also seen that some working under mistaken assumptions are pretty sure they are right, so trying to help there really doesn't do much good. But that is why I started the "New Breeder Q&A" notecards which I drop on folks that are new and asking questions in KC chat lol. I've had a few IM me and say it was very helpful, others may simply discard it, but at least I try to get a reference into their hands with links to the forums, trait charts, the KC online manual, and various other info.

I think part of the confusion there is a misunderstanding betweeen the concepts of "can hide" and "is recessive enough to let *insert trait* show". For example, someone breeding a cat with fussy tail to a cat with curious tail, getting stubby and thinking that must mean the fussy tail "hid" stubby, not understanding how recessiveness works. Which can get confusing if say they had a pedigree for the cat that didn't show stubby at all on the side it must have come from, and perhaps on the fussy side one of the cats did show stubby. That is where the trait charts come in...they really go hand in hand with pedigrees. If you open a cat's pedi, and compare it to the trait charts, you can learn A LOT all on your own.

If you are a new breeder and are reading all this, the one thing I really hope to stress is this; Breeding should be FUN. We were all confused at first about some things, even now I sometimes look at a box my cats made and think "where did THAT come from?" and off I go digging through pedigrees and the trait chart! So don't let stressing over pedigrees and charts take the sheer fun away from you, but balance that with some care and research if you decide to sell some of your cats. And please don't be afraid to ask questions in chat or IM any of the people that have stated in this thread they'd be happy to help. None of this is meant to be judgemental, only to help dispell some myths that are not helping anyone. And use caution if you choose to buy as well, if you feel unsure that you're actually going to get what is being advertised, ask someone to help you look over the pedigree. And may the FLUFF be with you!