Hey Jord - As a breeder I'm offended by your comments above!
You've no idea how much it costs to produce bengal kitten to a high standard, and to be perfectly honest I can't even be bothered explaining the facts to you after reading your last posts on this thread.
Sure I will agree with you that there are "some" breeders out there who'll extort you out of your money for a inferior/cross breed or as you put it "fake" bengal, but if you were willing to do just a little research you'd be able to sort the good out from the bad. What are your reasons for getting a Bengal exactly, have you read about the breed and do you know anything of the history behind the breed.....what are your motives for owning a bengal?
Also I don't understand what you mean by your comment about the price of a kitten even though it'll never be shown. It shouldn't make a bit of difference to the price at all as its still the same kitten regardless....even if its just going to be a family pet. Show cats don't just sit in cages 24/7....they have families that love them too you know!
However I do understand your point about not being able to afford or justify £500-600 on a family pet, but you'll just be kidding yourself if you buy a cross-breed and think it'll be anything like a bengal in its nature!
If you really want a bengal then just save up your money a little longer, do some research and get the real deal, you won't regret it.....ask anyone on this forum and they'll say the same.
Also one last thing, don't tar all breeders with the same brush.....some of us actually care about the breed and work towards the future for the bengal breed, you whinged about a 90 mile round trip to see kittens....just the other weekend I went to a meeting/AGM regarding bengals which was a 6 hour round trip not to mention the 4 hour duration of the meeting itself, this is something we do every 3 months.....There was atleast one other breeder from this forum there also too, so I'm sure they're equally offended with your comments.
Just because you can't or won't justify the cost of a pure bred animal doesn't mean we're all bad to the core like you imply.....We don't make money from our breeding, it all goes back into our cats futures whether it be showing or welfare.
You don't know what happens behind the scenes to keep the bengal breed alive and moving forward in the uk!
on another note - whilst I personally don't want to offend anyone both human and feline....I must point out that this is the
Bengal cat forum!
Thank you and good night......"cue the Elsa"