Re: Neva members or not

[Milkana]

I think it could be useful to discuss ceratin problems and questions with more people who are experienced and have own findings to share. I don't mind the idea. In this forum we meet catteries not only from FIFe. To breed or not to breed cp is own decision and intention. I suppose in the next 10-15 years NEM will be fully separated. One of felinology aims is to develop new breeds.

[sonja grünsteidl]

In my opinion it is allways usefull to communicate as much as possible and to learn and get to know the other sight. Except FIFe I think all International Cat associations have SIBs and CP SIBs, no NEM beside the Siberian. I only want to breed "traditional", as we call it and I do so. If we still insist in being NEM a seperate breed I think it would cause many difficulties for most of the breeders wolrdwide. Being aware of this I am far away of wanting to destroy other catteries, but it makes two Siberian breed worldwide, the one that breed traditional and perhaps FIFe members and the others, who sell Siberian Cats, who are cp-Siberian and non Cp-SIBs. I do not beleve in FIfe making the others like WCF and TICA change their minds and go for NEM besides of SIB in future.

I think that NEM need SIB for breeding and genepole. If we vote against this "crossbreeding" we may vote for destroying the breed NEM in some years. Most of our cats have Cp-carriers in their pedigree, mine too. Some NEM are georgious, some are like Sacred Birman or hardly to differentiate.
If our Forum will be open for breeders who cross SIB and NEM, like WCF and TICA allowes and many catteries, almost famous catteries do, we will get enimies for our aim to breed "traditional Siberian" because that cannot be their aim in breeding Siberian Cats.
Sonja

[Anja]

Neva cats are very nice. On photos and at aquaitances of mine I saw some really good cats. I think, however, that they are not Sibirian. There should be a clear-cut borderline, as the FIFe did it. I know of a lot of forums for both varieties, but there are extremly few for the traditional Sibirians only. Therefore we should esteem the chance to remain within our own family-like circle of people interested in traditional Sibirian cats and accept breeders of Neva and other forest cat varieties as guests only. Breeders of both varieties could become members with their traditional cats.

[catapult]

Gosh - this is a 'hornets nest'! Personally I don't want to have Neva in any breeding which I may choose to do. Having had Birmans many years ago - if I wanted a 'pointed' cat - i.e., CP - then I'd have a Birman. Someone the other day said that the Neva is a 'reject Birman'. Cruel - but in parts true. There is NO doubt that the Neva can be stunning and we do of course all have CP in our ancestors. Its whether or not we see this as a 'way forward' in terms of breeding the Traditional Siberian - OR if we feel it is a 'way forward' for the breeding of the Neva - i.e., opening up a larger gene pool.

Many breeders keep the two - the Neva and the Traditional entirely separate - but others don't - which is acceptable, providing - in my opinion - that any offspring are DNA swabbed to show whether they are CP carriers or not. I think its important that we are able to know - in the future - what we might be buying.

FIFe have the two separate. In TICA - where I show - they are together - Traditional and Neva. Its a difficult thing for a Judge to determine - IMO - as the Neva can look like a Himalayan, a Birman, a Ragdoll etc., and they are judging this alongside a Traditional Siberian.

Whether it would be good or not to have Neva breeders in the Forum - I imagine that many of them will have both - the Traditional and the Neva - and its still possible of course for any of us to 'pop' out a Neva kitten.

In truth - if we can all work together for the good of the Siberian breed as a 'whole' then it would be useful. I think in terms of the ability to discuss health issues, HCM testing etc., then again it might be useful.

I think for me - the utmost importance must be given to the ethical breeding of the Traditional Siberian - and promote unselfish attitude within the community. IF this includes using a Neva - then that is the breeders own choice - but its my belief that that should be done with care and with conviction and with the honesty to determine what the ensuing offspring are - i.e., carriers or not - and thereby we can hopefully try and keep these two separate - even though I understand that many ancestors were CP -

In essence - if we can benefit each other - in terms of the ethical breeding of cats - and can help with information and advice on health matters and discussion - then I see no hurdle in allowing them to join - We each have our own opinion - and its up to us to ensure that we ourselves to the right thing.

At the end of the day we can 'lead a horse to water, but we can't make it drink'.

[Cathrine]

The poll has stopped and we will keep the forum as It is today.