Conference misery::feline_v1

    We don't have one, but we have a mutt that looks enough like one that 
the judge at the cat show disqualified him from the household pet division
on the ground that he looked to too much like a Russian Blue.  We have Gandalf
because my man also has a thing for Russian Blues.
    I understand that they are quiet cats, with a great personality once you
get to know them.  They are ideal for apartment life according to an excellent
book I have that describes the different breeds.  I'll try to bring it in 
tomorrow and let you have a sample of what they say about these kitties.
     I can also get you addresses of breeders in your area (if the advertise in
one of my cat magazines).  I also have the address of a kitten service.  (They
will match you with a breeder in your area. I don't know if there are any fees
or not.)  A good way to find several breeders with little trouble is to visit a
cat show.  I just went to my first one a couple of weeks ago.  They had at 
least two Russian Blue breeders.  (And that's down here in the boonies of
South Carolina.  There's MUCH more cat breeding and activity up there in New
England.  If you like I'll also see if I can see any shows coming up in your 
area.  Please let me know your area and I'll limit the ones I tell you about
to your half of the state as much as my limited knowledge of New England will
let me.

tlh

  Of course having said that about there being all kinds of activity in 
North England, I could only find one breeder and one cat show and they were 
both in NEw Hampshire.  
   On MArch 30-31 there were will be cat show in Manchester, NH at 
Trinity High School.  For more information, write or call 
    Cindy Schreiner
    196 Burrage St.
    Lunenburg, Ma, 01462  
    (617) 582-9048

What follows is the ad for the breeder:
   Road's end pets.  Russian Blues exclusively. Our kittens are hand-loved 
from birth.  THick coated beauties,bred especially for extrovert personalities.
Pet/Show/Stud  603/483-2128 RFD1, Box 273 Manchester, NH 03104

Here's the ad for the kitten referral service:
   Looking for a kitten?  Contact us for Free referral to the nearest breeder
member with the breed, sex, and color you are trying to find.  If writing,
please enclose a SASE.
   Cat Fancier's Data Center
   77 Essex Ave.
   Montclair, NJ
            07042
   (201) 744-5102

   Be aware that if you buy one as a pet, the breeder will probably hold the 
papers until your them proof that you've had the animal neutered.  That's no
problem for me.  (I rather like the idea.)  But guys in particular, I've 
noticed, sometimes have a problem with this condition of sale, especially if 
the cat is male.  (Don't flame at me folks, I'm just reporting what I've seen.)

   Some info about the cats themselves.

   The outstanding feature of the Russian Blue is it's quiet sweetness.  It is
shy and gentle, and makes a loving agreeable companion.  It will become very 
attached to its owner, is willing to please, and seems to take easily to living
in an apartment, in fact preferring an indoor life.  Its blue plush coat is 
different from that of any other breed and somewhat seal like in texture.  The
guard hairs are tipped with silver, which gives a silver sheen to the coat, 
enhancing the look of this lovely docile cat.
   The only disadvantage of this breed is that its voice is often so quiet that
breeders may find it difficult to tell when a queen is calling; but since this
cat is not prone to roam away from home, it is less likely to mismate with the 
local tom cats than many other breeds.  If it is shut in somewhere this 
quietness may prevent the cat from being rescued.

(The previous two paragraphs courtesy of "An Illustrated Guide to Cats" by
Dorothy Silkstone Richards.  An excellent book which I highly reccomend.)

tlh

Hi, I'm Cindy Schreiner, and I am the person to contact regarding
information on the cat show in Manchester.  I also know of the
breeders that you mentioned, Road's End, the names connected with
that cattery are Virginia McFarland, and Miriam Carroll.  These
people are very nice, and they have some very nice cats.  They don't
show too much anymore though.  If you are interested in the Cat Show,
let me know, I am also accepting entries for any types of cats in
the show.  Household pets may be shown, and apparent pure breed 
household pets are accepted.  Regarding .01 I have never been to a
Cat Show where they have disqualified a HHP for looking too much like
an accepted breed, I would be interested to find out what show and
what registering association would do such a thing.  

Anyway, I show cats every weekend, and Road's End is the only 
cattery that I know of breeding household pets, they may be showing
at the Chalet show in Manchester since they are members of that cat
club.  That is one of the few shows that they go to, if you want
to call me mid-march I can let you know if they are going to bring
any Blues to the show.  My home number is 617-582-9048 for any info
on the show.  


many purrs


Cin

WHOOPS!!!!!   Road's End is breeding Russian Blues, not Household
Pets.....Sorry!!!!!!!

  Wow! it's a small world!  I had no idea that the name I was typing in was
someone who'd be seeing it minutes later.  Ain't technology great?
  As for the disqualification...  Perhaps I used the wrong word.  He was not
Officially disqualified.  After the judgin was over and we were gathering up
our cats and the Ribbon that Merry won,  one of the judges came up to us and 
asked us if we knew why Gandalf (our russian Blue look alike) had not won any
prizes.  Since he had been hissing and so on we said "sure.  Cause he was a 
real pain in the ass."  (I had to get him out of the cage to be judged.)
The judge said no, it was because he looked too much like a pedigreed Russian
BLue.  Since the judge who had actually judged the cat had asked me while I 
was getting him out of the cage if he was pedigreed, (I said no, he's a humane
society special.  THe judge said he looks like a pedigreed cat.) it seemed 
reasonable.    

  SInce it's all in fun anyway, we didn't really mind one way or another.
Besides, Merry won 4th place out of about 35 or so cats!  It was a lot of fun.
Especially if you go into it with the right attitude of we're here to have fun
and who cares whether or not we win any thing.  We just liked seeing everyone's
kitties and having people see ours and say nice things about them.

tlh

I can't believe my luck!!!  I LIVE in Manchester, NH.  My guy is going
to be ecstatic when he finds out all this information.  I can't thank
you both enough.. I fully intend to drag him along (or maybe he'll
drag me) to the cat show.  

Russian Blue's sound from your description like they would be the
perfect cat for him.  My only concern would be if they would get along
with my already established gang.  Mine appear to allow new additions
fairly easily, but if they are shy, might they not be intimidated?

Ellen

I don't think you will have to worry about the new addition all that
much, after the initial first 2-3 days of growling and hissing, they'll
probably be just fine.  New kittens from catteries don't have much
problem adjusting to other cats and kittens because most have had
a lot of exposure to different cats for a good part of their lives.

When you go to the show, look me up...I breed persians, himalayans,
and my new breed, exotic shorthairs (got my first one this weekend).
I will be showing a great big huge Red Tabby Persian Male, and a 
pretty White persian, plus two kittens.   Hope to see you there.

purrs...Cin

    I really *have* to add a note about Road's End in New Hampshire!
    
    My two 8 year old Russian Blues are one generation away from 
    Road's End, so when I wanted another, it seemed only reasonable
    to go to them -- they are the closest; I live in Cambridge.
    
    The end of the story (as those of you who view "last unseen" know)
    is that the kitten died.  Virginia McFarland, the breeder, fulfilled
    her part of the legal contract:  the kitten passed her physical
    exam within the first 24 hours and there was no apparent problem
    for 2 weeks.  Six months later (this week) she died.
    
    Having no reason to be upset with Ms. McFarland (especially as I
    could not be more pleased with my other two cats), I called her
    to tell her what had happened.  (We had chatted occasionally over
    the phone during the previous half year, before and after purchase,
    about cats, breeding, etc.)  She had only 2 males, so I asked if
    she would let me know when she had another pregnancy or female
    kittens.  That would have been approximately a 50 cent phone call,
    and I am certainly a real buyer.  To my astonishment, she replied
    that she couldn't be bothered, that I would have to continually
    call her!
    
    I have since phoned many other breeders all over the country, and
    two of them had negative things to say about the treatment of cats
    at Road's End.  (It was, indeed, true, that ALL her kittens are
    kept in cages all the time.  When I noticed that I made a mental
    note that I would never do that.  It turns out that it is not at
    all the norm.)  Several breeders have offered me cats or suggested
    others who have females available, and we have discussed my screening
    my two older cats to minimize the chance that they caught anything
    from the kitten who died.
    
    Several breeders expressed surprise that Ms. McFarland did not offer
    me a reduced rate for another kitten, even though she was, of course,
    in no way obligated to do so.
    
    I learned a lot, quickly and the hard way, and I hope that others
    don't experience the same trouble.  Other breeders are willing to
    bring kittens with them to New England when they come up to show
    their cats, so distance is not all the trouble it might seem to
    be.
    
    Some day, I'll be breeding Russian Blues, but I am rather afraid
    that I'll end up keeping all the kitties!
    
    My experience with my two older females has been just what I was
    led to expect:  *very* affectionate, quiet, and beautiful.
    
    	Penelope

    Unforunately, that is the hard way to learn.  The best way to find
    a breeder is by word of mouth.  Look also to see if there is an
    approval by other breeders (yes, you will run into some petty stuff),
    but you'll get the gist of if.  If you see a breeder at a show,
    ask the breeders of the same breed their opinion (hard to do with
    minority breeds like blues).  If possible, ask to see the place
    the cats/kittens were raised (VERY important).  Ask for references
    if you wish, I usually had a list of 6 people to call. Ask the vet's
    name and contact him for history of the breeder. I've only had that
    happen once.
    
    My cats were raised underfoot (and overfed), and were very loving
    and trusting.  My first female was raised apart from people and
    still doesn't really trust us. (I didn't breed her, obviously).
    
    By all means, have your cats screened.  It would have been good
    to have an autopsy done on the kitten, as it is unusual to have
    that happen.
    
    Good luck.
    Dave

    Although I would not recommend it - my cats spent their time at
    the breeder's in a cage too.  Not much exposure to people. They
    love woman. (The breeder was female!)  Their cat mother did a
    great job of potty training though - they would even stop playing
    when the other entered the litter pan - i.e. I could just hear
    'mommy says don't tackle sibling while in the potty' running thru
    kitties mind.  I think the female kitty was the breeder's favorite
    as it was the most socialized - and remains that way even now.
    (could also be differences between male and female...she is also
    much more adventuresome!)
    
    Anyway the point of all this is that while I don't like cages -
    kitties *can* be ok if you get them early enough! (7 weeks)
    
    \sjm

	This topic has been inactive for awhile, but maybe one of you noters can
help me with this one!  My fiance and I have just purchased a home that lacks
one element to make it purrfect -- a pair of Russian Blues.  We were hoping to
find a male and female, both of pet quality only (to be spayed, of course),
but I don't really know where to begin.  As former replies to this note point
out, Russian Blues are a minority breed, and the one breeder mentioned in this
note makes me nervous -- I would prefer a breeder that treats the little 
darlings better.  

	So, what's the best way to locate a pair of these beauties?  Cat shows?
Magazines?  Or does anyone have a personal recommendation to share?

		- Todd

    
    	Contact Penny Greene, she may have kittens...
    
    	Sherry
    

    Yes, Penny lives in Arlington, Mass.  I will send you her cattery
    information off-line.
    
    /Roberta
    

    I've seen Penny's cats....*G*O*R*G*E*O*U*S* kitties!
      Nancy DC
    
    

    TODD:
    If Penny Greene does not have any kittens, you may want to try the
    breeder from whom I've gotten 2 Russian Blues.  She is:
    
    Mrs.Ekengren		508-649-7020
    Shady Ridge Kennels
    Groton Road, 
    Dunstable MA
    
    She raises the kittens in the house.  They even sleep with the family!
    Our two males are very affectionate and I feel it is because of
    the way they were raised from kittenhood.  
    
    Seamus, born in 1982, was $25.  Dickens, born in 1987, was $100.
    
    Good luck.  You might also want to contact Sue Denham up at Spitbrook.
     She recently got a female from Mrs. Ekengren.        
    
    Anne       
  

    You can reach Pennie by VAXmail at GLINKA::GREENE, or DTN 223-7322.  
    
    I think Pennie's kittens may be a bit more than $100, I've never heard
    of a Russian Blue being sold at that price.  
    
    Her kittens are very silvery blue with intense green eyes.  Russians
    should have green eyes, not gold or yellow.  
    
    Good Luck
    cin
    

    I think the price from Shady Ridge Kennels was low because they
    Blues do not have papers and Mrs. E. is still working on improving
    the lineage.  I would imagine that the price would be more from
    other breeders.