One of the most important advantages of purebred pets is that each breed has a distinctive, predictable temperament, as well as other predictable characteristics. Yet many books and articles give general and vague descriptions, not saying much more than "a perfect family pet and wonderful companion." Other publications may fail to mention concerns that a buyer should be aware of, such as anesthesia sensitivity, predisposition to dental problems, etc., or conversely, may go overboard in ascribing problems to breeds.
The Breed FAQs are intended to give a balanced and informative picture of each breed and its distinctive characteristics. The main purpose is to help people make informed decisions when they are thinking about acquiring a purebred kitten. Most Breed FAQs also summarize the breed standard and include interesting background information about the breed. Finally, they give answers to commonly asked questions about each breed, such as "How can I tell if my cat is a Maine Coon" and "Is the Japanese Bobtail related to the Manx."
The Korat Breed FAQ is a good example of an informative FAQ. This is a breed with a distinctive temperament that some people love and some people find difficult. The FAQ helps buyers to understand the Korat temperament and how a Korat would fit into their household. It also gives advice on socializing Korats, and explains how Korats learn show behavior. The bottom line is that owners that understand the breed will be more satisfied and have better relationships with their pets.
Breed FAQs are written by people who have extensive experience with the breed, usually experienced breeders. The author puts together a draft of the new Breed FAQ, and the draft FAQ goes through an informal review process on the Fanciers List so that breeders of that breed, judges, and breeders of other breeds can give input on the FAQ. Most FAQ writers also solicit input from other breeders that are not online. Some of the FAQs, for example the Maine Coon FAQ, have been written by committee, and this can work well and produce an excellent FAQ.
Once the FAQ is written, it goes up on the Web. If a breeder is not prepared to convert the FAQ into HTML or needs Web server space, we are happy to set it up on the Fanciers site. Then we set up links from the Fanciers site. Cindy Tittle Moore makes the arrangements for periodic posting on rec.pets.cats and sets up a link from the rec.pets.cats FAQ archive.
We encourage new breed FAQs! If you are writing a Breed FAQ or considering writing one, or if you want to propose revisions to an established Breed FAQ, please contact us so that we can assist you and coordinate the writing and review process with the Fanciers list.
The purpose of the Breed FAQs is to get factual information about each breed out on the Net. If you are building a Web page about cats or about a specific breed, we encourage you to link to the Breed FAQs from your Web site. Please link to the information rather than copying the information into a page at your site.
If you want to redistribute a Breed FAQ by email or give out printed copies to your friends, we ask that you reproduce the entire FAQ complete with its copyright notice, and that you make sure that the author(s) are properly credited.
If you want to include a Breed FAQ, or part of a Breed FAQ, in a published work, please contact the author(s) for permission.
Orca Starbuck
with input from Fanciers List members
January, 1996
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