Faux Puff - Cobalt! NEW FUR

[Songdog Woolley]

I totally agree with you about the term "solid", even though I've found myself using it often. I consider it a "weasel word" which is ambiguous at best, and has been inserted into the jargon to the detriment of the community. Except in certain circumstances, it's not easy to make a pure cat, and even if you have a good line going, it can take a LONG time. I do try to say "appears solid" in order to highlight the uncertainty. No "SOLID" cat can be considered pure without proof. Purity requires strict rules and proofs. And I find most either don't understand the difference nowadays, which makes the use of the word worse.

(02-07-2026 05:37 AM)Sara Franco Wrote:  Thank you for your input.

I think it is difficult to be sure of anything because there are different possibilities.
You know your cats better, but as an outsider looking at the pedigree, I can't tell what Joscelyn is hiding because a solid cat is not necessarily pure and I have no idea what Moniqua is hiding and could have passed instead of the Burmilla - Lilac Shaded.

I personally do not care much for the concept of solid trait, because a solid trait could be as non-pure as a non-solid trait. It has a chance of a pure but not certainty.

I either try to make a pure with certainty (like mating two hiders together) or I treat my solid trait as a possibility of a pure only, so can't use it to prove a placement.
We all have had traits that were solid for generations that turned out not to be pure.

I also think a solid trait can be confusing in a pedigree when it comes to deciding hiders and that a sure proven hidden recessive trait is more helpful in placing a trait.

[Sara Franco]

I agree . The word "Solid" seems to have double meaning now.
It can be confusing especially to new breeders.

And even experienced breeders can forget while working with a solid trait that something else could be hidden there, and that leads to disappointment.

I hardly use the word as I fear that breeders who buy my cats may feel cheated if I claim my trait is solid and it gives something else because they assumed an almost certain purity which I could never guarantee in this case.

Pure is difficult to work on yes, but what I find even more difficult is proving Purity to interested buyers if they do not know how it works and if I am selling in my store and not in an auction. Why would they take my word?

Even the traits that were the most recessive at some point so it was easy to prove they were pure, are not most recessive now, and not everyone remembers they were at some point. Like I had made many Flowerchild Goodvibrations when I discovered the eye and they were the most recessive for some time. Who would believe now they are pure? Hard to calculate exactly how long they had been most recessive unless you study the history document.
Many breeders have pure Flair Tail cats now, and soon not many will remember it was the most recessive for long, therefore pure at the time.

However, I am excited to start making some pure lines. I did not feel the need before, but I think it will be fun to work on something so challenging.

(02-10-2026 12:19 PM)Songdog Woolley Wrote:  I totally agree with you about the term "solid", even though I've found myself using it often. I consider it a "weasel word" which is ambiguous at best, and has been inserted into the jargon to the detriment of the community. Except in certain circumstances, it's not easy to make a pure cat, and even if you have a good line going, it can take a LONG time. I do try to say "appears solid" in order to highlight the uncertainty. No "SOLID" cat can be considered pure without proof. Purity requires strict rules and proofs. And I find most either don't understand the difference nowadays, which makes the use of the word worse.