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The reason why health checks are so vital is due to the size of the gene pools with many pedigree breeds, most are very inbred no matter how much breeders try to outcross and include new blood as remember most breeds are descended from the original tiny amount of breeding stock.
With Moggies their gene pools tend to be much larger but that doesn't mean they don't have issues its it can just be less pronounced and unlike with pedigrees people don't know the symptoms of conditions and what to look for so they often go undiagnosed and also moggie people who breed/own moggies don't always rush their cat to the vet over the smallest issue. You tend to find with pedigree animals because you pay a lot to get them you are more vigilant with issues. That said most people start with moggies and there are always different types of owners but if a moggie has an issue and many do its not viewed as an issue with all moggies it's just their cat is sick.
The thing about most breeders who breed Bengal crosses is they often cross with another Pedigree breed that has its own set of health issues. They often don't know the history of their cats, don't health test them and don't check them. Also most of the cats they use to breed where sold off the breeding register due not just to not being up to breed standard looks wise but it can also be due to carrying health conditions or having a health problem themselves. So with someone breeding cross kittens they pay for pet quality cats which are cheaper, they don't health screen, they don't usually have a full Cattery set up and don't care if the cats get out, they don't keep the kittens longer they home them at 6-8 weeks so it costs them less.
Also you will find any good breeder rarely makes any money from breeding pedigree cats, showing cats is expensive to get titles, the building of runs and special housing for the cats is expensive. The feeding and nutrition of queens and kittens is expensive. Buying in new blood good quality cats for breeding programs is expensive. Remember to buy a breeding cat/show kitten is easily £1200+ that's twice what a pet kitten should cost. Also you get the additional expenses of lost litters, c-sections, medical issues with cats and kittens. Health screening yearly costs a lot of money the HCM scans and PKdef tests with bengals aren't cheap. All of this adds up to £10000's to run a decent breeding program. Then all good breeders pay to raise kittens until 13 weeks they don't just home them as early as possible. Any breeder who goes much more than breaking even with their cats isn't a good breeder who is putting enough money back in. Also any good breeder will give the new owner a contract where the cats are covered for all genetic health issues, they will take the cat back at any stage in their life if you can't keep them and they are always available for help and advice no matter the age of the cat. You don't just buy a cat with papers you buy a whole support network as well. You get a kitten at 13 weeks who is fully vaccinated, weaned well adjusted and vet checked. You also often get a kitten pack with them containing food, litter, toys and extras from a breeder including their paperwork and contract.
A good pedigree breeder does it to better the breed and make the cats closer to the breed standard that's why people show. Showing has nothing to do with pretty cats its to do with breeding a cat that is closest to that breeds standard and those are the once who win. The same also goes for temperament in the show ring it a cat is vicious or bad mannered it won't win anything, show cats need to be happy being handled by multiple people and temperament is bred in to the cats so they cope with the show bench. A decent breeder breeding for show wouldn't use vicious or bad tempered cats in their breeding stock because there is a chance that would pass down to the kittens and then they wouldn't win anything, you can have the most beautiful typey cat but if they attack the judges they won't win anything. If breed standards didn't exist and cats being bred to them then breeds wouldn't exist. Pedigree papers have nothing to do with bragging rights and everything to do with knowing the history, health and type of cat you are buying.
I can accept whoops litters happen and those people usually give those kittens away or sell for the normal price of a shelter adoption. Why would I pay £150 for a cat where someone hasn't done any health checks or invested into the cats and their breeding program, to me that's just putting money into their back pocket which won't be used on the animals. There is no such thing as a cheap Bengal or a cheap Bengal cross you will usually just pay for it later at the vets.
The reason why poorly bred bengals and Bengal crosses being purposely bred are an issue is just take a look at animal shelters and rescues these days they are full of them! Talk to vets they where amazed about how friendly and well mannered my bengals all have been because they meet so many these days who are poorly bred and act pretty much feral, these cats then eventually end up dumped at places like battersea dogs home.
If you want a cheap Bengal go to rescue and get on from there, there are tons of them that need homes because they came from bad breeders who didn't care about the temperament of the cats they bred or buy ex breeding stock most breeders will sell them to you for the price of a neuter nothing more. Then at least you can the feel like you saved money and in the case of rescuing one gave money to a good cause. A Bengal cross shouldn't cost you more than a moggie kitten because that's what it is it's a moggie it's not purebred so anyone charging extra money for a cross cos of some pedigree blood is taking advantage of you.
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- Sarah
Arya 24/04/16 - Seal Lynx Point Rosetted Bengal
Griffith 16/04/16 - Silver Seal Lynx Point Rosetted Bengal
Mina (in my avatar)- 1999-2016 - Seal Mink Spotted Bengal (Snow) - run free at rainbow bridge
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