I know I'm a newbie (I've posted an intro with pics in intro) but I've become rather curious about my Bengal's 'bloodlines' - is that the right terminology in cat breeding? I have horses so forgive me if I use the wrong words.

My Bengal is 16 years old, he is also a one cat dervlish ball of energy and rather than slowing down I actually think he's speeding up in his old age I'm also convinced when he had his op he was fully 'sorted' as he is also a territorial, aggresive nutter that is now housebound after some nasty Jarvis inflicted injuries on local cats as well as my Abby/Moggy

Anyhoo getting to the point his full name is Chudders Precious Norman, does anyone know anything about the Chudders bloodline? or where I might find out any other information? I got him in Bromley 16 years ago from a Bengal breeder but have lost the paperwork over time and housemoves. I'm not even sure if the breeder is still breeding, the only thing I remember is that his unusual name was related to the passing of the breeders husband.

So, please, is there anyone that could give me a Chudders history lesson? PM if you prefer, Thankyou

Hi Jarvis,
Just seen this post.
I have two Bengals, Misti and Ziggi, (Ziggi is alas no longer with us), who have the sire CHUDDERS GLITTERBUG (F6), who was owned by Llandar Bengals.
Misti is now 12 and Ziggi passed away after Pancreatic cancer nearly two years ago. It sounds as though your cat may well be the half brother of Misti and Ziggi, which is interesting as 16 is a fantastic age for a Bengal and it sounds as though Misti is growing young, just as your cat is - she is still like a kitten and looks fantastic! Interestingly, Misti and Ziggi’s mother, WHIZKITZ MITZICANZA is also still alive, a good strong line hopefully!

Here is their pedigree from Ziggi (Admilsh Zabari)
http://www.bengalpedigrees.com/showone. ... SEXP481764

I would also be interested to find out what happened to Chudders Glitterbug if anyone knows?
Annie
http://www.bengalcat.me.uk

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http://www.bengalcat-ziggianshowcats.co.uk

this breeder has a few offspring from the chudders line

http://www.bambinobengals.co.uk/

Ooops, my mistake, I always get Llandar and Bambino mixed up for some reason. Yes, it was Barbara B-N who owned Chudders Glitterbug.
Annie

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http://www.bengalcat-ziggianshowcats.co.uk

has the chudders line finished then? i can't find a site for the breeder

ooh my Alex is a Bambino boy

I have been trying to find out what happened to Chudders Glitterbug and presumed that he was retired as a pet or had perhaps passed away. BUT from Bengalpedigrees it seems he was still siring kittens LAST YEAR. My Misti is now 12 so he must be 12/13 now. Is he STILL working at such an age? Is it normal for breeders to be using their studs at such an age?
Annie

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http://www.bengalcat-ziggianshowcats.co.uk

I think males can go on as long as they want to, as long as they stay healthy.

My friends stallion is like this, still breeding at 15 because he has a 'perfect' genetic history.

Queens on the other hand, pregnancy takes a toll on any female

Theres a big difference between cats and horses though isn't there!
Horses can live twice as long as cats and they can also live a reletively normal life compared with a stud cat which is usually kept in an outdoor stud pen.
Annie

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http://www.bengalcat-ziggianshowcats.co.uk

It doesn't matter, it's to do with the health of the animal and it's happiness.

I've noticed you've started a thread on this. Not sure what your issue is, if the cat is happy and healthy.

A cat can live a good old long life. My aunt's cat live up until he was 24, my parent's cat is a happy 15yr old and my best mate has a fully healthy 21yr old going on 2!

I think it depends how sexually driven the cat is and how he is kept. For me, there is no excuse for a cheap little pen and run outside in the cold just because the stud's career is to be short. As far as is possible, they should have the same luxuries as any other cat. Our Aussie went 13 months between girls and never batted an eyelid. He is more than happy with his bunk bed and his spayed 'wife' (our first homebred girl) - and food! Some boys are very happy being studs and some are just too 'manic' about it. I don't think there can be a blanketed view on such a topic.

There is a dichotomy here and it is a conflicted view of many people, breeders included. People like yourself want breeders to do all they can to safeguard the breed in terms of health, mostly HCM. In order that breeders build a sufficient knowledge of their lines and status of said they must keep their cats as long as possible and continue to screen into old age. But then you think it somewhat cruel to keep them working ... so what is the answer? If breeders retired their cats young and kept them all then there would be no room to continue breeding. If they retire them young and move them on then they will never know their health status. It all depends on the individual cats and breeders.

We have also found the Suprelorin chip after having it recommended by a few European friends and I have to say I think this could be a miracle for those of us who want to keep our cats as long as possible yet still be able to maintain genetic diversity. We first used it last year and have just done so again. It basically puts the stud out of action for 18months - 2 years, and it even stopped our boy spraying so he enjoyed more of a pet life for a time. This means that we don't need as many females to cater to all the boys and we can go out to stud or bring in a new stud and alternate the use of the chip. My hope is that between the boys who don't care about female frequency and using the Suprelorin chip, we will have our boys working for as long as is possible and, in turn, be screening them as long as possible.

Steven