BREEDING VERSUS PRODUCING

Are you dealing with a Maine Coon breeder or producer?

A breeder makes sure kittens are 100 % healthy and properly socialized before they leave the home, never before 3 - 3 1/2 months of age.

A producer sends them on their way asap to make room for the next litters. 

A breeder is transparent about their kittens, their strengths and weaknesses. 

A producer often hides issues, potentially lies about their health and temperament and might even send photoshopped pictures. 

A breeder does not refrain from spending a high price for a quality, well bred breeding cat for their program or will do a lease/partial trade with their mentor.

A producer often tries to find quick and cheapest deals to start the production sooner than later, often making compromises with health, quality and temperament. 

A breeder spends a ton of money on high quality food and care.

A producer will find the cheapest way to keep their cats alive and somewhat functioning.

A breeder only ever keeps their very best kitten(s) for their program, no matter what gender or colour. 

A producer often keeps several female kittens to get production going fast or sells their best kittens and keeps what's left over. Unsold, often mediocre, pet quality females then have to “pay their due” to make it worth keeping them. 

A breeder uses a male wisely, strategically and for a certain period of time. Males are kept in breeding until reliable, equal or better offspring has been obtained for the program and potentially a few other trusted programs. Then the breeder moves on to the next generation. This means the boy can become a pampered pet, while his testing can be continued. 

A producer uses a male for as long as possible, to produce as many kittens as possible and make the initial investment worth while. 

A breeder gives each of their females individually adequate breeding breaks, in consideration of what is best for their individual condition and in consideration of the breeding program. Female cats are kept whole until enough reliable offspring for the program can be obtained. 

A producer uses their females randomly until they stop producing and are worn out.

A breeder has enough females for the purpose of producing quality offspring. He/she then strives to match each female with their perfect mate, in order to continue the lines in a responsible matter. Breedings are done wisely, the preservation of the breed being a factor.

A producer often has a large number of producers and breedings are done with no consideration of correctness, structure, temperament or genes.

A breeder does regular health testing, including HCM echocardiograms, hip x-rays and DNA tests. Long drives and plenty of money spent would not a deciding factor.

A producer often does not test properly. They might do a DNA test (maybe the occasional echo when pressured or as part of a purchase or sales agreement) and then usually tell people that anything aside from gene testing is “unreliable”, "unaffordable" or “not necessary”. 

A breeder (especially during their first years) participates in cat shows, in order to make sure the cats continue to meet the breed standard. (Caution is of course needed not to base breeding decisions solely on show success). Showing is part of ethical breeding and there simply is no way around it.

A producer says shows are too expensive, too far, too time consuming or too political (which it can be but it’s not an excuse!).

A breeder has an adequate, homelike environment for all cats, with proper lighting, fresh air, warmth and lots of time to pay attention to their physical and emotional needs. 

Producers are known to keep their cats in small, dungy places but the appearance of fancy, glorified mills is greatly increasing. In order to distinguish this you need a trained eye. You'd have to either make your own assumptions or rely on others who have dealt with or/and visited the Cattery. When in doubt, walk away?

A breeder keeps their prices high enough to ensure they can breed responsibly, despite of rising costs. A breeder takes many factors into consideration when making breeding decisions. Working with Maine Coons is increbily expensive and you might be a person with really good motives reading this. There is no intent to sound mean but if funds are not available to breed ethically it might be best not to start, to reduce our numbers or to stop altogether.

A producer continues to have kittens go “on sale”, often due to mass production. A producer makes most/all breeding decisions in view of accumulation of funds.

A breeder does not strive for newest fashions and refrains from unethical breeding practices.

A producer has no regard for correctness and produces kittens of their “own taste”. He/she is always on the look-out for the rarest colors and most extreme features. This will ensure people can be offered whatever they want. 

A breeder is very selective in choosing new homes for his/her kittens. 

A producer couldn't care less, as long as kittens are moved fast and money is being received fast. A producer will often upsell you on kittens, regardless of your situation. They might not even remember where their retired breeding cats live now.

A breeder might consider selling a kitten for breeding if the kitten matches the breeding program of another ethical cattery. A breeder will get to know their lines for quite a number of years before selling into breeding.

A producer will readily sell you a breeding kitten with not many questions asked, regardless of who you are, whom you are associated with and also regardless of the quality of that particular kitten or whether or not that kitten even matches your program. :-(

A breeder spends years to educate themselves about the breed they have chosen. A breeder wants to learn from seasoned breeders and wants to do things right. He/she has a desire for obtaining future vision, is concerned about breed standard and the betterment of the breed.

A producer could not care less about history or pedigrees or breed specific education or even about being properly mentored. Note that FB groups and AI are often extremelly misleading and not a substitute for doing one's own homework!

A breeder strives to maintain good standing with organizations and other breeders, based on good values.

A producer is often not open to correction or reproach and might offend easily. He/she eventually comes to the conclusion that it's best not to care what others think about their practices.

A breeder cares about you, the new owner of their kitten.

A producer logically does not care any more about you than they care about their kittens or breeding cats.

I hope this little write-up will encourage people to chose supporting a *breeder* over supporting a producer.  Apparently there are many significant differences. Some of the statements above might not be a definite factor for distinguishing breeders from producers. All of us can improve! Also, there can be a fine line between a breeder and a producer and sometimes even good breeders are tempted to become producers over time. Producers can become breeders if they submit to good mentoring and the light goes on. let's keep our focus on breeding and what it actually means. Everyone needs to do their own homework to find breeders they can build a community with and share equal values with.

These two articles might be helpful as well:

Finding A Reputable Breeder

Pick Your Breeder Not Your Kitten