| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 758.1 | More than body size is involved | TLE::SAVAGE | Neil, @Spit Brook | Thu Sep 10 1987 10:49 | 14 |
| Kittens are as they are not just because they are smaller than adult
cats, but because they have not yet assumed adult behaviors. To
some extent, you can retain the juvenile behavior associated with
kittenhood by continuing to treat the cat as a kitten. For example,
you can treat your cat as though you were the mother cat.
At some point, brain development starts to overpower your efforts and
an older cat ceases to act as amusing and 'cute' as will a very young
cat.
The principle of retaining an organizism forever in the juvenile stage
is called "neoteny" and genetically involves for more than small body
size. Breeding a neotonous feline is theoretically possible, but it
wouldn't be easy!
|
| 758.2 | spacetime | 3D::CHABOT | Many are called, but few are at home | Tue Sep 22 1987 14:16 | 3 |
| I don't know: kittens are sort of cute, but awfully dependent.
I like watching them grow, but for companionship and grace, they're nothing
compared to an adult cat.
|
| 758.3 | Cats-but smaller | NHL::WATKINS | | Thu Sep 24 1987 14:57 | 6 |
| It sounds superficial, but doesn't anyone breed them to stay small
like they do with many breeds of dogs, horses, etc.?
They're just so adorable like that!
Stacie
|
| 758.4 | Why mess with a good thing? | TOXMAN::MECLER | FRANK | Thu Sep 24 1987 15:28 | 8 |
| No, why mess up a beautiful animal. Many small breeds of dogs are
rather short tempered. ?Napolean complex?
Seriously, pedigree cat breeders are breeding to a show standard
which generally penalizes undersized animals. There is no incentive
for them to breed a small beastie.
Frank
|
| 758.5 | tiny cats | PARITY::TILLSON | If it don't tilt, fergit it! | Thu Sep 24 1987 16:07 | 11 |
| Frank,
I seem to remember (from some magazine, Cat Fancy or something)
reading that there *was* a breeder (in California?) who was breeding
a "miniature" cat. Seems like the breeder started with undersized
aby stock, and went from there. There were pictures of very small
aby-ish cats that went with the article. Sorry, I'm really fuzzy
on all the details, but it *is* (or *was*) being done.
Rita
|
| 758.6 | small problem | MASTER::EPETERSON | | Thu Sep 24 1987 16:16 | 5 |
| When you wish to describe an Aby that is not very big, you say they
are "refined". I once remarked to a lady at a cat show that her
Aby was "small". She really got all in a snit!
Marion
|
| 758.7 | Faux paw! | PARITY::TILLSON | If it don't tilt, fergit it! | Thu Sep 24 1987 16:18 | 5 |
| Ooops, I'm in real trouble, then. We refer to our ruddy aby as
"tiny"!
Rita
|
| 758.8 | It all in the judge's hands | 16835::MCALLISTER | It's okay to say the U___ word! | Thu Sep 24 1987 16:36 | 9 |
| Regarding breeding to standards ...
The current Maine Coon standard in at least 3 associations calls
for a medium sized cat.
My "medium sized" champion currently weighs 24 pounds, with little
fat.
Dave
|
| 758.9 | | 3D::CHABOT | Many are called, but few are at home | Sat Sep 26 1987 00:46 | 9 |
| Whoah! 24 pounds sounds "stately" rather than "refined". Or do
they have another euphemism :-) for it? (Of course, with a Maine
Coon, how much of that is fur! :-) ) How big is a large sized cat?!
I guess I like a cat big enough to keep small children pinned, but
I was also quite fond of my sister's rat-cat lilac point (never
thought I could love a non-apple head).
What might be an idea, if you like tiny cats, is to ask for the runt
of the litter.
|
| 758.10 | Barn Cats | SQM::MURPHY | Is it Friday yet? | Mon Sep 28 1987 09:19 | 6 |
| Most "barn" cats that I've come across are small and stay small
due to their only diet of rodents and insects. However, once you
get them into a loving home and get them on a balanced diet of cat
food, they might get a little bigger.
|