Breeders Profile

Topmarx British Shorthairs

Name:

Photos courtesy of Sheila Beevers (right, with Floyd), except the pro pics, which are courtesy of Bob Fox

Tell us a bit about you:
I had had cats throughout my life but when I met my first British at a show I was smitten - I just had to have one!  BUT me being me and knowing the nature of the beast (me), I would want to breed them.  So I spent the year before I got my first cat reading everything I could and talking to everyone I could, to try to be on the right track before I started.  I have been learning ever since and there is always something new.  I try to be ever receptive to new ideas and theories - you can never know enough!

My cats are my pride and my passion.  I breed Blue, Cream, Chocolate and Lilac, and I particularly love the Lilac and Chocolate series.  I worked for a long time trying to better the quality of these colours and eventually felt that I had gone as far as I could in this country and had to import my Lilac Boy to take me that bit further. 

My gamble paid off as my kittens are now getting the type and bone I wanted with the lovely eye colour; like Topmarx Princess Anna (above left), a lovely lilac tortie girl who gained her GCCF championship at 10 months old and in three straight shows.  I am now getting what I want to from my breeding programme.

Why did you choose your breed(s)?
I love the size - British are BIG cobby cats and their temperament is wonderful, so laid back they could fall over.  When they look at you with those big Amber eyes you just melt (left and right - Topmarx kittens demonstrating this, albeit with baby blues!).

Why/how did you start breeding?
I started breeding because I fell in love ... with the British Shorthair.  Years ago I bred dogs, so I guess breeding animals is second nature to me.  I have been tracing my family tree and it seems there are quite a few husbandmen, etc in my background, so it must be in the blood.  I love being surrounded by animals and now, of course, I have the showing bug!

Why did you choose your prefix?
Choosing a prefix is no easy task.  I was looking for something that was personal to me.  It took ages before I came up with TOPMARX, because it described what I wanted to achieve, and also it will keep me on my toes!

When were your most memorable occasions as a breeder?
There have been many!  My first litter, for instance, which could have been my last - the mother, Blanche (Kaleidoscope Topaz, a black tipped girl) de-hydrated overnight and finished up on a drip, but thankfully she and her kittens pulled through. 

Finding my Darling Floyd (GCCF IGC and FIFe IC DJ Pink Floyd Fietten, lilac, above with Sheila) and making him up to GCCF IGC in straight shows. I am showing him with FIFe now.  He is a delightful boy who just loves to be on the bench.  Last year I won the most trophies ever, since I started showing, and it was all down to him.  He was also voted "Cat of the Year" by The Colourpointed British Club!  I am so very proud of him!

Who were/are the most memorable cats you've had?
I have to say of course my first girl Phoebe (Mewsos Living Doll, a blue cream girl who really was a living doll!  She was my first breeding Queen and produced lovely kittens for me, but she unfortunately would not tolerate other cats. Eventually she had to be found a pet home as an only cat, which suited her fine as she loves people.

My Floyd who is so special and his sons TICA Quad Grand Champion Topmarx Lancelot (lilac, now owned by Sue Howson - above left), TICA Supreme Grand Champion Topmarx Merlin, who got his title at just 11 months (lilac - below left), Topmarx Arthur Pendragon (chocolate - now with Pam at Mewsos, above right), Excalibur (cream - now with Emma at Hot Chocolate, left) and Wizard (chocolate - right) who I have high hopes of, for future British lines.  By the way, the King Arthur name theme came about because Floyd's father is called Galahad!

Floyd has also produced some lovely girls - such as Topmarx Lady of the Lake (bottom left), a lovely lilac with really good bone and eye colour, and Topmarx Morgan Le Fay (below right), a chocolate with, again, good eye colour. 

What are your hopes for the future of your breed/your breeding programme?
To carry on producing healthy happy kittens who are true to type.  Bringing happiness to people by giving them healthy pets to love. To continue to enjoy what I am doing!  My biggest dream would be to have the first GCCF Chocolate Champion as I had the first Lilac.

Also, I want to introduce another line to my breeding programme to incorporate Cinnamon and Fawn. My next plan is to work with these colours to try to make improvements on type. There has been a lot of work done by dedicated breeders but we are not quite there yet.

Is there anything else you'd like to mention?
I would like to take this time to thank all of the people who have helped me along the way - they know who they are.  In particular, I would like to mention Pam Beardsmith, who trusted me with my first British girl; and my new friends in Holland, Petra and Sophie, who have helped me find the right boy and get him home - I am very lucky to have the friends I have.  We are always there for each other and it is good that we all have the same goals.

I would also like to thank Rose and Eddie Kitching, who have guided me through the steps of moving over to FIFe.  I had no idea where to start and they have been so patient.  Also to all of you lovely FIFe breeders who have made me welcome.

I also want to say thank you to the many people who have adopted TOPMARX kittens over the years, for keeping in touch and sending photos. They are always lovely to receive. And to say "Never forget, I am always at the end of the phone if there is anything you are not sure of or worried about. I am always available to talk ...!"

Sheila Beevers

www.topmarxcats.com

May 2008

Update: August 2008

You know how I had a dream, to have the first GCCF titled chocolate British?  Well - I DID IT!!  At the Gwynedd Show 2009 Topmarx Arthur Pendragon became a GCCF Champion - and his owner and I are VERY proud!!