British Shorthair kittens - why so expensive?

[Isyourclockorange]

We have two moggies, much loved, with no desire to add to their number, but I love British Shorthairs so I now and again check the litters for sale just to look at all the luffly kittens. Why are breeders asking up to £700 per kitten? Is it just because they can or am I missing something? Even those 'for pet homes only' are advertised at a huge price.

Can any breeders shed some light?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd imagine it's because they can. People are obviously paying it.

I've seen Bengal kittens advertised for £1200.

[GRW]

My neighbours moved in last year with two beautiful 10 year old British Shorthairs. I was concerned they might be stolen when they started going out, but they don't wander far and everyone round here knows where they come from. My big ginger boy howled and attacked the Tom at first, but he is tolerating them now. I'm not sure how much kittens cost though.

[Isyourclockorange]

They are so round and cuddly looking. I bet they wouldn't be murderous like ours, they look too slow and ungainly.

£1200 for a kitten...Lordy.

[CMOTGilbertBlythe]

My BSH used to supplement his generous diet with a regular assortment of wild birds and mice. He was soft as butter at home, and an unrepentant terror on the street. They might look like Bagpuss, but do not be fooled by this!

[chickydoo]

I had a British shorthair for 15 years, lovely girl, not very cuddly though, liked to be close but not too close. She was expensive way back then
I have had Persians ( they were given to me as owners couldn't look after them....too much grooming) they were wonderful! But high maintenance. They both died fairly young (9 & 10)
I now have 4 Bengals, 2 that I purchased 8 years ago. So friendly, & 2 rescue Bengals from people who couldn't cope with their naughty ( destructive) behaviour. Pedigree cats are beautiful, but can be high maintenance ( if you love your home, furniture, ornaments Bengals are not for you) if you want a lap cat don't get a British shorthair, if you want to spend hours grooming & removing hair from everything then go for a Persian.

[Fluffycloudland77]

You have four bengals in one house?. I'm surprised it's not a feline hunger games.

I met a chap at a Bengal show who had 9. He said they worked in teams.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

The sort of proud owner of a half BSH. The product of a pedigree BSH queen who had a night on the tiles with the local Tom.
He is a colourpoint, super rare BSH colour, looks stunning, sadly looks are deceiving and he is an evil sod.
He will sit on you, but only when he deems appropriate and if you shift at all he bites HARD often drawing blood.

[tabulahrasa]

Pedigree cats are partly the price they are just because that's the going rate...but partly it's to reflect the cost of breeding, the mother should have had health tests, which cost a fair bit, they'll have been charged a fair bit to use a decent stud, then there's the costs of actually raising a litter, food, worming and vaccinations - it doesn't add up to as much as they charge for a kitten, but it's not a small amount either.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Was it posh boy whose a blood donor though? That's sort of altruistic.

Bet you're really glad you worked so hard to save him when a canine sinks into your flesh.

[shaska]

"He said they worked in teams"

Isn't there a line that goes something like that in Jurassic Park, about the velociraptors?

[MinimalistMommi]

My Ragdoll was £500 so it doesn't surprise me!

[RubbishMantra]

That does seem awfully expensive though. Is that for a kitten registered with the GCCF as registered as active?

I've got a quite rare breed (Devon Rex), and he wasn't as much as that. He's registered as non active/pet only with the GCCF though.

I bet it's because of that chocolate digestive advert. More demand for them.

[lucyjordon]

They charge it because people pay it! Much like dog breeders - yrs it is expensive yo breed a good litter but if everyone stopped paying these high prices there would be a massive drop in the amount of pups and kittens up for sale. It is simply supply and demand.

[YouveCatToBeKittenMe]

I had a Persian, she died in January. She needed a lot of grooming and had lifelong pissing everywhere toilet issues. But I loved her and miss her a lot. She was £65 from the yellow pages
I probably won't get another as I have since learned they are notorious for toileting issues
I would also like a British Shorthair though, I love their round faces.

[UptownFlunk]

My British Blue was £375 three years ago and he has all the relevant pedigree papers. I'm amazed they've gone up in price so much. Mind you, we do live in the north so it's possible they're cheaper up here than in the south.

I love my boy but they aren't lap cats although they are very affectionate in their own way. They like to keep an eye on you at all times, usually from a 'perch' like on the arm of a chair. Mine is the most chilled out, laid back cat you can get, never destructive, never mean in any way and not interested in roaming far. They're beautiful cats and just his round, smiley face is enough to make me smile.