Conference misery::feline_v1

    Well, the first thing that you should do is study your cat's pedigree
    and get to know a bit about her lines.  You can do this with help from
    your breeder.  That way, if the owner of the stud asks you questions
    about your cats pedigree, you will be prepared.  
    
    Next thing I would do is determine what your cats best features are 
    and what her faults are. Then you would want to determine what faults 
    you wish to improve on, and set out to find a male who could improve 
    those faults.
    
    Once you figure out what you want to try and correct, you can talk with
    the owners of different studs and explain to them what you are trying
    to correct, and whether they feel that their male can do it.  The stud
    owner will probably be experienced enough to be able to guide you a
    bit.  At this point, you may want to try and look for a stud owner that
    is willing to be a mentor for you.
    
    Also, you will have to send your female to the male for breeding, not
    the other way around.  I think that you are right to start your stud
    search now if you plan to breed her in the fall.  It may take time to
    arrange everything.
    
    Another idea, join the national breed club if you haven't already.
    
    Jo

I hope this isn't a stupid question, but I would be interested in
joining he national breed club, but how? where?

Enquiring mind needs to know!

And thank you for your reply!

Cheryl (& kids)

First you decide which association you want to know about.  If it is CFA, then
go to note number 666 and get their new phone number and call them.  They can
refer you to the secretary of the national club.  Then either call or write the 
secretary to find out what you have to do to become a member, and whether they
put out a newsletter or not.  Your breeder should also have this info.  You may
save time and money by asking her first.


Jo

Thought of some more information for you...

The April Alamanac has the minutes of the last board meeting (CFA) and that was
the meeting that they voted on standard changes.  There were some changes to 
the Korat Standard.  

KORAT  

Total members: 15	60%: 9

1.  Change the COLOR section as follows:
	
	REMOVE "the more silver tipping the better" and REPLACE with
	"the silver should be sufficient to produce a silver halo 
	effect.
				Yes: 9	No: 2
 	
	RATIONALE: The present description may suggest we prefer more silver
	showing than blue, wheas we want the contrasting color.

BOARD ACTION: Question called and CARRIED.

2.  Add the following under COLOR (add immediately after "the more silver 
    tipping the better."):

	"The hair is usually lighter at the roots with a gradient of blue
	which is deepest just before the tips which are silver."

				Yes: 9	No: 2

	RATIONALE: The root color is not mentioned in our present standard.
	Because of this, some judges may be downgrading our Korats with
	proper root color.

BOARD ACTION: Question called and CARRIED.

3.  Change the COLOR section as follows:

	REMOVE "without shading or tabby markings" and REPLACE with "The
	kitten may show some markings which gradually fade, the mature cat
	must have clarity of coat."

				Yes: 10	No: 1

	RATIONALE: porposed wording is required for kittens and immature
	cats.

NOTE: If all three of the above proposals are accepted the COLOR section would 
read as follows:

COLOR: silver blue all over, tipped with silver, the silver should be sufficient
to produce a silver halo effect.  The hair is usually lighter at the roots with
a gradient of blue which is deepest just before the tips which are silver.  The 
kitten may show some markings which gradually fade, the mature cat must have 
clarity of coat. Where the coat is short, the sheen of the silver is intensified
... (continue as currently written).

BOARD ACTION: It was commented that this type of statement seemed written just 
to win.  Why deviate from the original purpose; i.e. to describe the ideal cat.
It was also mentioned that the problem here is not with the standard but a 
matter of educating judges through seminar types of situations.  The definition
of a mature cat is not absolutely clear to us so the word mature just doesn't
mean anything.  When is it mature? When it hits 8 months is that mature or is a
mature cat three years old?  We don't know, so using that word mature just 
doesn't work.  Question FAILED.

4.  Change the EARS section as follows:

	REMOVE "set high on head" and REPLACE iwth "the proper ears set is
	a continuation of the heart-shaped face."

					Yes: 10  No: 1

	RATIONALE: the present wording is misleading and could cause confusion
	when judging the proper ear set.

BOARD ACTION: It was felt that the statement was too vague and could cause
problems.  Question FAILED.

5.  Do you accept the three cats in Seattle as Korats as outlined in attached
    documents?

					Yes: 11  No: 0

BOARD ACTION: Question called and CARRIED.


__________________________________________________________________________

Just thought I would pass this stuff along in case any of these changes would 
affect your evaluation of your queen and any prospective males.  These changes
are mostly wording though.  Also, I wasn't sure if you get the Almanac and would
get a chance to see how the board works.  One thing is for sure, just because 
a breed counsel wants a change doesn't mean they are going to get it. :^)

Thanks so much! I sent in my subscription to the Almanac, (when
Gracie got her Championship) but haven't gotten my first 
issue yet.

Thanks for the info!

Cheryl & kids.