After
several years of breeding Maine Coons, we have decided to start breeding with Outcross and
(new) Foundation cats. In those years behind us we often had to learn the hard way what
problems can occur when breeding Maine coons. Of course, we know that breeding with new
foundation cats doesn't mean that all problems are solved. But the introduction of healthy
new blood, in for example the old showlines, gives us the opportunitie to reduce the known
hereditary diseases and abnormalities and thus reduce weakening of the race Maine Coon. It
still will always be necessary to test and do research, to make sure the new lines stay
healthy. We therefore keep track of the latest developments regarding health care.
Unfortunately,
it means that the foundation breedingcats that we use here must come from abroad. A
foundation cat 1st generation (F1) can only come from America. But that means for us
(sometimes much) higher prices. It depends on what degree foundation we want. We currently
breed with F4 and F5 (that is 4th and 5th generation) to keep the price acceptable.
The
Maine Coon lover who has lost his/her beloved cat to, for example, HCM or PKD will
certainly agree with me that it is worthwhile to pay (a little) more money for a tested
foundation cat. I would also like to ask you, in the interest of the Maine Coon, to only
buy a kitten from a cattery that tests on more than just FIV and FeLV. I am happy to say
that the number of catteries that test on HCM and PKD increases every day.