Thread: Purchasing a MC. Choosing the right breeder and right cat.

Hello, I'm in search of 'the right cat/kitten' but being new to the breed, how do I ensure I get it. No matter what I bring home, the cat will have a happy, healthy loving home for life, as all my animals have. But I would really like to ensure that if I'm spending £500 on a kitten, that I am getting one with excellent conformation, true to the breed standard with a low inbreeding coefficient and out of parents that are tested for all the usuals.

I have control over the latter as I can make sure I choose to purchase from a breeder who has their breeding stock tested and by checking the 5 gen pedigree, but how do I ensure I get a good looking cat if I am not an expert on Maine Coons. I can tell a good looking adult cat when I see one, but choosing a kitten is a different ball game.

All maine coons are lovely beasts, and I've been reading a great deal about how much time, effort, energy and money, that most breeders put into their breeding stock and raising kittens. I would hate to offend any breeder by not wanting to purchase a kitten that wasn't show quality. Especially when I wouldn't even begin to know if a kitten i was or wasn't show quality. Does anyone have any advice for me please? Thank you very much.