Breeders Profile

Cathmawr Maine Coons

Name:

All photos courtesy of Margaret McCrirrick

Tell us a bit about you:
I have always loved animals, especially cats, and have always had a pet of some kind. When my beloved tabby and white DSH left us at the beginning of 2004 my partner, Mike, suggested that we had a Maine Coon. Apparently he had wanted one for a long time although I didn’t know anything about them. Mike found out that Rose and Eddie were looking to re-home a 15 month old neuter boy and we went to see him. Rozeecoonz Hiawatha (Tiny - above right, with Margaret) is a large mackerel tabby boy and we both fell in love with him. Rose and Eddie were also expecting kittens and I decided that I would have a girl for breeding as the idea of having baby cats in the house was very appealing. However, there was one boy among the girls and I just couldn’t get him out of my mind. He was such a cheeky, jaunty little chap and he came home with us too. As his character developed we said that his ways reminded us of my eldest grandson and he was named Al after Alex, also known as Rozeecoonz Black Ice (below left).

All the cats are first and foremost pets, who spend all their time either in the house or their garden run. Except for Al they are allowed into the other part of the garden which is fairly secure, but he has to be supervised as, although I tell him not to, he takes it into his head to do his own thing and try to escape. No-one else seems to realise that it is possible!

Why did you choose your breed(s)?
Mike introduced me to the Coonies.  I was really impressed with their size and physical characteristics, which are so lovely: their beautiful square muzzles, lynx tips, their ruffs and gorgeous tails to name but a few.  And some of those big sturdy legs and paws are amazing.  I also love their characters: so gentle and loving, but also cheeky and often innocent looking.  .

Why/how did you start breeding?
When I first met Tiny I had not really considered breeding, but gradually realised that it would be a wonderful opportunity.  I just love the cats and wanted to be able to have baby ones.  I waited until I thought Emmy (Rozeecoonz Spirit of Freedom, below right, with 2nd litter kitten Little Tom) was old enough and had her mated.  We enjoyed her first litter so much that we were hooked and hope to have one or two litters each year.

Why did you choose your prefix?
Again Mike’s idea.  Mike is Welsh and so are the cats, so he thought that they should have Welsh names.  Cathmawr is Welsh for big cat.  All our kittens, so far, have been given Welsh names. 

I try, if I can, to give a name that fits the kitten.  For instance, Louie’s full name is Cathmawr Llewellyn.  Llew is Welsh for lion, and with his colouring and coat he sometimes really does look like one.

When she was born, Violet was virtually identical to her brother, Owain.  To distinguish her we put a violet coloured nail varnish on her back claws.  Her pedigree name is Cathmawr Fioled (Violet - below right).

When were your most memorable occasions as a breeder?
One of the most memorable was when Emmy had her first litter.  She had, sadly, lost the only kitten from her first pregnancy.  The last one to be born looked a bit different and I thought he was rather pale.  For some reason I was surprised to see that he was red (although Emmy is a tortie) and he is now my beloved Lou Lou (Louie - above and below left).

The most traumatic occasion was waiting at the vets while Emmy had a caeserian last summer.  Emmy was fine, but we were presented with a rather weak looking kitten who I thought we would lose on several occasions.  I called him Little Tom (above right, with Mum Emmy) after my beloved tabby and he too thrived and will always have a special place in my heart.  Five days later Violet had seven big bouncing babies and it was lovely to see her and Emmy sharing the feeding and cleaning.

Another great occasion was when Louie won BOX two days running at the Swanley show in October 2007.  I was so proud of him.  We have also had two BIS kittens which was lovely.

Who were/are the most memorable cats you've had?
All of them are so special and memorable.  But Al is still my cheeky kitten and loves me dearly.  Lou has to have a special mention too.  He was the most adorable baby cat and grew head and shoulders bigger than his litter mates.  At two he is the most enormous boy and I could have found a home for him ten times over.

I also have to mention my tabby and white DSH.  I had Tom from the RSPCA and he chose me.  He took over the house from the minute he entered, then he became unwell and I spoilt him..  Consequently he thought I was his and for the rest of his 18 years he was madly jealous of anyone else (feline or human) who tried to get my affections.

What are your hopes for the future of your breed/your breeding programme?
To breed happy healthy kittens.  I hope that the breed does not lose its rugged, original look, with strong boning, and that breeders continue to produce cats that will have healthy lives.  That is certainly my aim and I try to ensure that the kittens I breed will be strong and healthy.

Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
There are two particular things that make breeding so special for me. One is when someone who has had a kittens, e-mails or ‘phones to say that their new boy or girls is such a special kitten, with a loving temperament a great character and thanks for letting them have him or her.  The other is when people comment that they can see immediately that I only breed the cats because I love and care about them.

Finally I would like to say thank you to Rose and Eddie for letting us have our first wonderful coonies.  Also to say thank you to the owners of the beautiful stud boys who have been fathers to our kittens.

Margaret McCrirrick

www.cathmawr.co.uk

June 2008

PS This has been prepared with the help of Alys, Violet’s daughter (left), who has pressed no end of ‘wrong’ keys!