Breeding hidden true recessives.

[Khea Karas]

Thank God Anna...Finally someone spoke up about this. <3

Im getting so sick of seeing TR traits bred with the second most recessive trait. People just dont understand, and what makes its worse is when these cats go for huge $$$ to newer breeders who have no idea that their chances of pulling the TR is almost impossible unless they actually have that same SHOWING TR trait in their cattery to breed it with.

Example: Snowshoe Cream hidden behind a Foxy Salty Pepper. Without another Snowshoe Cream I have no choice but to breed it with another Foxy S&P...result. Foxy S&P Kitten. There is no way of knowing if the Snowshoe Cream has passed on this kitten. Remembering a cat can pass EITHER of the parents Hidden OR Shown Fur. Therefore it might just be a PURE Foxy S&P with nothing hidden. This is what we call a dud cat, because there will never be a way of knowing if the fur has passed until it has actually proven to pass the fur by producing a kitten that is snowshoe cream.

Another thing that really irks me lately too is when people who breed these DUD kittens then resell them advertising that it REALLY HIDES THE TR. I have seen so many of these lately and from breeders who should know better. Its ok to sell duds, Im not saying that they shouldnt, but they should be clear about it to the potential buyers, that there is only a 50/50 chance the cat hides the TR.....not for certain. Otherwise its fraudulent on their behalf to advertise a DUD kitten as having the TR trait that will pass for certain and letting it go for big bucks.

Anyways I guess the best advice for newer breeders is to not get caught up into this trap. If you want to breed out that true recessive trait, make sure you buy only dominant kittens with that TR hidden, and save yourself much heartache and wasted lindens. Cats showing the second most recessive trait will not make your breeding life easy, and your chances are very slim you will ever see that TR trait from your expensive kitten.

Edit: Yes I mean Snowshoe Cream not Red...geez, tallk about *facepalm*