Some Thoughts on Advertising Terminology

[Malicia Python]

Mind that most of the breeders around know their cats and make rightful claims about their cats‘ potentials. Those will be able to provide any proof to verify their cats. But there have been some cases of false advertising that may have burnt some of the newer breeders, either made out of ignorance or maybe even to mislead on purpose. I noted some of the most common „promises“ and tried to point out what truth they contain and how to verify the cat‘s potential. In case of doubt, it is best to contact the seller and ask, ask, ask.

pure:
Usage: Both parents had this trait, too
Implies: This kitten has both genes of the mentioned trait
Truth: If not bred to the most recessive end of the parents‘ potential, the seller cannot really grant the hidden trait being the shown, too. This statement can be especially doubtful if the seller does not own the grandparents. Recessive traits often skip several generations and only show with the right partner.

Actually, this term is quite outdated from the times,the trait hierarchy was not commonly known and ppl feared the more dominant trait would show again (mistaking when the more dominant trait of the other parent showed.) When the trait is the most recessive around at the time being it is rather redundant - or even wrong if some undiscovered trait may be in the hidden. Usually finding a more recessive trait is a nice thing, but if it is an undesired one to the person buying the cat, it can be annoying to them - esp. when this is about a new trait.

hides:
Usage: One of the parents has this trait, shown or hidden
Implies: This is the hidden trait of the cat in question
Truth: Usually analyzing the pedigree against the dominance chart proves this claim right or wrong. Though often you find that the claimed trait simply cannot be in the cat because it is the hidden trait of the parent that gave the trait shown in the baby. Thus, if it is the more recessive trait of the parents, the parent who had the advertised trait may have passed their hidden trait. If the claimed trait is nowhere to be seen in the pedigree, the claim can be rightfully made, though. An honest breeder will provide the proof.

in BG/ ancestor has:
Usage: there is some trait in the background, usually the grandparents
Implies: The baby may have this trait, too
Truth: This is honest but wishy-washy. If the mentioned trait is more dominant than the shown, it wont ever show again in the offsprings (if not brought by another mate). if it is a very recessive trait, it may be there or no. If all the offsprings of the claimed in BG trait show a more dominant trait there is a chance the more recessive trait was dragged along. Even a genesis trait might hide the mentioned trait. The only chance to really know is to breed out this cat with a suitable partner.

sibling has:
Usage: Obviously to state the siblings traits, one or both parents have passed this trait
Implies: This cat has the same trait hidden
Truth: Again, an analysis of the pedigree and the dominance charts can show if the promised trait can be there. When you have the more recessive as the desired trait in one of the parents, you have this or a more recessive in the baby, if both parents have the desired trait as a hidden, there still is a chance. Ask for the siblings pedigree and check carefully, again an honest seller will provide the proof.

Parents‘/Grandparents‘ names in the pedigree
Some people name the cats for their traits and rightfully do, but there is a chance these names can be made up, too. A name change whenever made shows in the pedigree. Mind any differences in the cat‘s info and the pedigree page.