Ashera cats - tigers room for 22,000 U.S. dollars

On 5 January 2007 I have for the first time about the company Lifestlye Pets and your "product" that Annual Allerca GD cat allergens reported. Pets now waits lifestyle with a new fashion accessory: The Ashera cat.

For the proud prize of 22,000 U.S. dollars to get a as the "rarest and exotischte domestic cats breed" advertised ... mongrel. Spiegel Online reported in a video about this new "breed", so new is actually not at all.

The Ashera, a stately size and reach up to 14 kg, is derived from crosses between the Asian leopard cat ( "Leopardette"), the Serval and the domestic cat, emerged. These crossings are neither new nor are they in the hands of beginners. Even the Bengal and Savannah go to similar projects crossing back. Here are some background information.

Bengal

The Bengal Cat is the result of crossing the Asian leopard cat (German: Bengalkatze, Asian leopard cat, Latin: Felis bengalensis, Prionailurus bengalensis, English: Asian Leopard Cat ALC, Leopardette) with house -
Racial or cats and is thus a hybrid race dar. breeding goal was a cat with the gentle nature of a compatible house cat and the wild exotic
Appearance of a wild cat to get.

The first crossings of this type have been around 1960 by Jean Mill (later Sudgen) performed. For personal reasons, gave Jean Mill Rückverpaarung despite the successful breeding program at first. Only in the'70s led it to the University of California as part of a study on genetics program of the Asian leopard cat, from which they received Whereas polka girls, continued. Since 1983 Bengal Cats can be bred at the Association TICA officially registered and were adopted in 1985 for the first time under a TICA show a wide audience. Like any breed cat gets a Bengal registered a family tree, in which the ancestors - as far as possible at a Foundation - can be tracked.

For breeding of Bengalkatzen found the following notice:

The F1 generations of Bengal are at the latest after the onset of sexual maturity cuddle cats no longer belong in the hands of specialists. Often, these even for denMenschen not particularly nice feature, like the wild prototype, the Felis bengalensis, just in the water to try to solve, so the cat does not accept. (Source: Savannicas Savannah Cat).

Savannahs

Savannahs are the results from intersections of home and breed cats with the Serval (Latin: Leptailurus serval).

The first documented Verpaarung between a Serval and a Siamese was already in 1980 by Judy Frank performed. For racial breakthrough was then
Joyce Srouve of BJ Game Farm, New Horizon and A1-Savannah negotiations, which, despite the significant size difference was the first F1 generations to breed in the F2 and continue to lead. Meanwhile, there are in the U.S. estimated 30 breeders this race. In addition to the Siamese were already Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Oriental Kruzhaare and Maine Coon and Bengal in the race eingekreutzt.

Meanwhile, there are also for the Savannah at a standard breeding Association TICA and the animals can be registered. Savannah also registered thus receive a family tree, which - if possible - the ancestors can be tracked.

Ashera Cat

The Ashera Cat is lifestyle, according to Pet a mix of African Serval, Asian leopard cat and domestic cat. Moreover, as these cats were verpaart each other and to how many generations the "end product" of the Foundation is already removed, there is no information. When we think of the words that just F1 Bengal after the onset of sexual maturity does not love pets more competence, it is here under circumstances caution. Because of the highly scientific Hinweishilft not continue if I get a wild-14kg cat in my home sitezn have the means, he would have every corner apartment with his urine and the mark despite castration Katzenklo not used:

"The Ashera is unique in that a genetic monitoring has been used for breeding to unify and to ensure that the determining characteristics of the Ashera are exceptionally stable." (Lifestylepets)

Ask what is that supposed to mean? Genetic monitoring sounds great, but what it helps me, if I do not even know what percentage of my cuddle kittens now a wild animal with instincts undomestizierten is? Not for nothing was the Bengal far in professional circles as difficult and not suitable for laymen. And now, a Ashera the perfect animal to cuddle?

"Full, the Ashera socialized with children and other domestic animals cope well and can - unlike other cats - like the leash to lead." (Lifestylepets)

And what happens if my Ashera now, for whatever reason is not fully socialized? Because it certainly many designer dresses in tatters and the Schönheitschiruge must be one or the other scratches supply. How well that the animals cost 22,000 U.S. dollars and only 50 per year to be sold.

But what really is truth to this "rarest and exotischte domestic cats breed?

Nothing. To put it briefly to say. Until that time, to my knowledge no breeding association Ashera recognized as a breed. So is therefore in the true sense, not even a race, but the undefined product of a hybridization - a mongrel. It is the Ashera is not even unique. Even under the Savannah found animals, both Asian Leoparendkatzen both their ancestral Serval in the list. And Savannah are in comparison to Ashera almost cheap ...

I would like to conclude the comment of a Savannah-breeder:

[The race Savannah] has structure, a well-defined standard [...] carefully thought out breeding programs, many breeders stand by the Savannah Cat Club and the Savannah Breed List section in the dialogue, [she] studies, tests and a Dsikussion on Health and genetics, a major breeding Register (TICA), the pedigrees of our new race for more than five years documented.

What is the difference between a Savannah and Ashera?

I would say that Savannah is like a well-bred race horse or a dog show - whose lines can be carefully tracked and their breeding was meticulously planned.
The Ashera is more like a Goldendoodle [Note: The intersection between Golden retriever and poodle] or a Shitzypoo [Note: The intersection between Shi-Tzu and poodle]. Not registered, no exhibitions, no standard - but the whim of a few people who thought this could be fun. And people pay top dollar for these bastards? Strange, huh?

(Source: All images come from the Wikipedia Commons and are licensed under GNU Free Documentation License, public domain or Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5)

Update of 5 February 2008: breeders and Dutch authorities Allerca Lifestyle Pets in question