What kind of cat is a Cheetoh? |
The Cheetoh comes from
the crossing of specific registered cats from the Ocicat breed and specific registered
cats from Bengal breed. The
Cheetoh has true jungle linage from the Asian Leopard cat and is a very
muscular cat that is athletic, graceful and lithe. The Cheetoh has a
stalking, low-shouldered walk that is common both in the Ocicat and the wild
jungle cats, but is not typically exhibited in other domestic cats. The
spotted and/or rosetted spotted appearance with the large eyes and ears,
enhances this distinctive wild look. The coat of the Cheetoh, sleek and
shiny, is another of its distinguishing attributes. The fur is very short
and thick, yet soft and velvety and is quite similar in nature to the fur of
the jungle cats. |
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How are Cheetoh’s
different from other cats? |
The Cheetoh incorporates
the distinctive spotted coat characteristics from the breed of both the
Ocicat and the Bengal breeds. Notably
that of harnessing the pronounced spotting from the Bengal breed and the
taller longer legged stature from the Ocicat breed. The goal of the Cheetoh
breeding program was to create a very intelligent cat that is
considerably larger with an extraordinary wild look without adding more wild blood.......but most importantly, an extremely
social, docile and gentle natured lap cat that is safe for all family members.
We here at WildSpots will even go so far as to guarantee this nature in cats
adopted from us.
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Are Cheetoh’s safe around
children? |
The Cheetoh, though
demonstrating a very fierce wild appearance, is at all times an incredibly
social and loving cat, never aloof or showing any tendencies towards
aggressive or standoffish behavior. The males exhibit definite maternal
characteristics towards kittens and younger cats, never being hostile or
antagonistic, a mannerism exclusive to the Ocicat and very rarely seen in
other feline breeds. The gentle and mild-mannered temperament is a
dependable character trait of the Cheetoh and is safe around children as any
other properly care for domestic cat. Again, we here a WildSpots will even
go so far as to guarantee this nature in kits adopted from us. |
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How big do Cheetoh’s get? |
This cat
is
substantially different from both the Bengal and the Ocicat in that it has
been consistently larger than the foundation Ocicat or Bengal parents. Weights
range from 15-22lbs for the males and up to 15 lbs for the females. Many
have asked why would they be larger than the parents, and the only way
to answer this without having a genetics degree is to look at the Liger. The
Liger is a cross between a Lion and a Tiger and the offspring are much
larger when compared to the parents. |
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What kind of colors do
Cheetoh’s have? |
Black\Brown Spotted Sienna: Includes variations of sorrel, tawny,
golden, hot rufus and mahogany. Markings are shades of black, brown or tan.
A light ruddy ground color is preferred. Light colored markings encircling
the eyes and white ground color on the whisker pads, chin, chest, belly and
inside legs is desirable. Black markings and/or spots around eyes and on the
face are a bonus. The nose should be dark brick red. Eye color may be bronze
or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. Paw pads and tail tip are black.
Black\Brown Spotted Gold: The
underlying coat color is very light tan or tan with silver highlights. The
coat also has a mixture of black, white and shades of gray mixed together,
very similar to the coat of the chinchilla (mammal). Spots and/or rosettes
are sable brown or black in color and are very large and scattered over the
shoulders, back, sides and haunches. Black markings and/or spots on face and
around eyes are a bonus. Light colored "spectacles" around eyes are
desirable. Eyes are bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. The nose
should be dark brick red. Paw pads and tail tip are black.
Black Spotted Smoke: The
overall color is one of dark grayness, instead of silver, with black, white
and varying shades of gray mixed together. Spots and/or rosettes are
distinct. Patterns appearing on the shoulders and down the back are a bonus.
These patterns can appear as a cape on younger kittens. Light colored or
white bars across back of ears is desirable. Light colored markings encircle
the eyes. Black markings and/or spots around the eyes and on the face are a
bonus. Eyes are bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. The nose is
red hued outlined with black. Paw pads and tail tip are black.
Black Spotted Silver: The
overall color is a cool sparkling silver overlaid with intense black
markings, spots and rosettes. The degree of contrast should be intense.
Black markings and/or spots on the face are desirable. White bars across
back of ears is desirable. Gold frost or glitter can appear across the
shoulders and back. The nose is red hued outlined with black. Eye colors are
bronze or gold, copper, green, brown or hazel. Paw pads and tail tip are
black.
Lynx Pointed, Gold Spotted Snow:
The body is snow white with slight gray shading on back and rump permitted.
Extremities can be various shades of buff or light gray. Gold or buff
colored spots and/or rosettes cover the entire body including and belly.
Spots on legs are a bonus. The tail is black ringed. The face has gold or
buff colored markings and/or spots. Ears are light gray or buff, ringed with
black and lynx pointed. White bars across back of ears are preferred. Eyes
are a deep, bright blue. Nose is black with lighter reddish center. Paw pads
and tail tip are black.
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How much does a Cheetoh cost? |
Because of the
uniqueness of the jungle linage, the size attributes and the awesome puppy
like personality, the average price for a quality marked
registered Cheetoh is $800.
If the cat has exceptional show quality markings sometimes the price is
higher and cats with less pronounced color or markings sell for less.
Also at times we will will have older Cheetohs that would given a new
home for a much lesser price too. |
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Is
there anything special about feeding Cheetoh’s? |
You will find that all
cats, wild or domestic, eat birds, mice, rabbits, ect. as part of their
natural diet. They don't go searching fields looking different grains to
eat. Even though we feed our Cheetoh's normal quality dry pet foods we also
make sure that meat raw or cooked, is served often in their diet because it makes for a
natural healthier pet. The favorite around here is chicken gizzards which we
find is cheaper per pound that many canned cat foods, thus making it our
favorite too. We just use a pair of scissors to cut them up into bitable
chunks and a cat feast is born. Stew meat and beef tips are also
served occasionally. |
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Is the Cheetoh a registered
breed? |
Yes. The Cheetoh became a
recognized registered breed with the United Feline Organization (UFO) in
November of 2004. They are
also registered under "experimental breed" with The International Cat
Association (TICA) at this time. This is the first step necessary to having the breed
also become recognized with TICA. These are the persistent goals of the
Cheetoh breeders. WildSpots cattery is registered with UFO as an authorized
Cheetoh Breeder #2148 and is a member of (TICBA) The International
Cheetoh Breeders Association. |
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At
what age can a Cheetoh kit go to its new home? |
Most kits will be ready
between 8-12 weeks old. When a kit is ready and certain arrangements are made, some
can go to their new homes as soon as 7 weeks old. |
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What is involved in shipping a
cat? |
We now use a
personal delivery lady, thus the kit is on her person the entire flight.
When you go to the airport you don't even need to park, she will deliver
them right to you. Its the most ideal way there is. The average cost to ship
a cat in the continental USA is usually around $250-$300 |
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What type of payments do you
accept? |
We accept all forms of payment
including personal checks, money orders and cashiers checks. Most major
credit cards through
PayPal.
When a personal check is used, we
must allow time to for it to clear the bank before a cat is delivered
to its new home. Please contact us for our PayPal address. |
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General description of a Cheetoh |
The goal of the Cheetoh
breeding program is to create a cat with an extraordinary wild look and an
extremely docile and gentle nature. The Cheetoh will incorporate the
distinctive characteristics of both the Ocicat and the Bengal, but will have
its own unique attributes which includes large size, unsurpassed
gentleness of character, and a wild look that otherwise can be found only in
the jungle. The Cheetoh is a very muscular cat that is athletic, graceful
and lithe. This cat will have the stalking, low- shouldered walk that is
common both in the Ocicat and the wild jungle cats, but is not typically
exhibited in other domestic cats. The spotted and/or rosetted appearance
with the large eyes and ears, enhances this distinctive wild look.
The coat of the
Cheetoh, sleek and shiny, is another of its distinguishing attributes. The
fur is very short and thick, yet soft and velvety and is quite similar in
nature to the fur of the jungle cats.
The Cheetoh, though
demonstrating a very fierce appearance, is at all times an incredibly social
and loving cat, never aloof or showing any tendencies towards aggressive or
standoffish behavior. The males exhibit definite maternal characteristics
towards kittens and younger cats, never being hostile or antagonistic, a
mannerism exclusive to the Ocicat and very rarely seen in other feline
breeds. The gentle and mild-mannered temperament is a dependable character
trait of the Cheetoh. This cat is also extremely intelligent and curious,
often demonstrating an un-feline sense of humor.
In summation, the
overall intent for breeding the Cheetoh is to create the wildest looking
domestic cat in the feline kingdom without adding further wild blood. To
have a large, sweet natured lap cat that resembles a jungle cat, but has a
completely dependable docile nature that can be trusted around anyone,
especially children.
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