The best for me would be to get my queen from someone who HCM screens and have that kind of relationship where I can use their boy/s. I realise I may sound 'idealistic' but if I can't have high aims and a desire to do things the best possible way why bother? I just want to do things right, being told "there's no point, can't be done, give up" isn't really helpful. I really am just trying to learn. I'm starting at the very beginning. I wasn't even wanting to get into any of these issues when I started this thread, I was just curious what other breeders are trying to do with their programmes, I really don't have the knowledge yet to discuss these issues intelligently.

Ok, I never said I *wanted* to give kittens away for free, it's not my plan, I was asked if I could take the financial hit if I *had* to. The answer was yes. I don't want just 1 queen, I want to start with one, then think about moving to two and then see where it takes me.
You're right that I don't have the knowledge to be discussing those things, I didn't start this thread wanting to talk about those things, I'm JUST starting to read and get others opinions and experiences of those things. I never said "oh I'll just do xyz" I was just talking about the various things I'd been reading about, this isn't the only place I'm getting info or opinions, I've heard good and bad experiences of bc for queens, I've no fixed ideas about it.

Yes, it is Linda. She told me yesterday she is close to getting a boy to 8 HMC screened clear (not open tho i dont think) and she knows of a couple of others not too far behind her (again open or not I don't know), but these cats are comming up, I'm happy to wait.

I'm really not expecting it to be easy, or 100% wonderful. But I started this thread to find out what aims people have in their breeding program's, not to discuss issues I really am not ready for yet, I'm just starting out and I'm very curious and I just wanted to know more. The first thing I want to work out is a clear idea of what my aims will be. All the other more complex issues I'm just starting to research and think about and I'm taking my time over that. I'm not planning on starting any breeding until I'm as informed and clear about all these issues as possible.

I guess I just feel a bit jumped all over. I really don't know much, I'm very happy to be honest and say that. I asked a question and I got much more than I expected. I'm sorry if it comes across that I think it's all easy or all it takes is plenty of money. I really don't think that. Not at all.

She's a breeder in Scotland. She's been kind enough to make herself available to answer my questions and give me advice. She also added me to some very informative fb groups so I can connect with other people who have a wealth of knowledge. Her boy I think is not open but she really knows about who is HCM screening and where the healthiest cats are coming from. Hopefully there will be more and more screened cats coming through in the future.

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Best Wishes,
Maddy

Thank you. That's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to approach it in a step by step way. Firstly I want to get a clear set of goals and aims for any program I might have. Then researching and thinking about the best way to mange my queen/s, for example how many litters I want them to have per year. Finally researching where to get the best, healthiest queen/s and how to access the best, healthiest studs. Whilst along the way making as many contacts as I can with people who have the knowledge and experience I'm hoping to gain.

Definitely the best way to go about it I think. I made a good few contacts in the breeding/showing world - spoke to them in depth about certain pedigrees etc and was able to make more informed decisions about things when the time was right.

Sometimes breeders can sell to a new breeder with no intention of helping them or guiding them the correct way so its really important to get a mentor (who will help genuinely) and really important to do as much research as possible - its really fabulous to have someone who is doing that as I truly believe the breed needs it

It seems to me that the really good breeders are fighting a war on two fronts, trying to raise awareness and combat health issues on one side and trying to save the breed from the mediocrity that byb would bring it down to. There are few really good breeders and many prepared to close their eyes to health issues and many more byb producing low quality kittens. What I want is to boost the numbers of the really good breeders, fighting to get a healthy, distinctive, beautiful breed.

I am Linda

I think it's great that Karla is taking the time to do all her research now before she makes any decisions about breeding bengals. I wish I had done more before I started. Most new breeders do not even know what HCM is or what other health issues exist in our breed. For me this is a really refreshing discussion to see posted here on BCF

Well done Karla!

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www.supernova-bengals.co.uk