Now that you feel ready to become a responsible owner, you must proceed to the selection of the best possible breed for you. And yes, for you, because no one else has the same requirements. As you probably already know, cats exist in a large variety of color and temperament. Each breed possesses his own distinguishing traits, his particular needs, his small whims. Finally, each individual, of the same breed has his own character that we must learn to accept.
We don't intend to describe each of the breeds since we don't pretend to know them as well as those that have chosen and raised them for many years. We want however to give you a guide to allow you to ask the correct questions in order to restrict your selection to some breeds. Thereafter, we suggest that you pursue your investigating further with your readings and by meetings with breeders that seem to suit you best.
You can not choose a breed only because you like his physical aspect, the color or the length of his fur, or because one of your uncles had one that was so nice and gentle, that one would say it was nearly human. You can't choose a breed while thumbing through a book or looking at photos. Imagine choosing your spouse the same way, results would probably be similar.
To choose the right breed requires research. We are first attracted by the appearance of a breed, as we are by a person.. As with people, common interests very often begin a healthy, friendly relationship. Before making your choice, examine your own lifestyle, your interests, your tastes, what you like or don't like in a cat, etc. These are the basics to guide your selection. Love at first sight is often short-lived, whereas relationships established on a strong basis are long lasting.
If you are tranquil people and you don't want to be disturbed too much, opt for a tranquil breed. You travel a lot and want to take your cat with you, the adaptability of a breed will help you. You may want an active cat who plays with everyone, choose a breed of this kind. . Well, if you have a commerce at home or if you have people coming and going at your home, don't expect the cat to know the difference between friend or intruder. The fact that the doors are often open and shut in the same day are a great source of concern. Just imagine what can happen if your small friend decides to investigate the outside of the house without permission�! Here again, what will guide you will be your good sense.
Will your cat have to live indoors or outdoors�?
If you are looking for a cat that will spend his life outside without much ceremony or attention, please plant a tree. All breeders will tell you that cats should be an integral part of your family. In this way, you will avoid behavioral problems often associate with injuries. Moreover, you minimize the risk of contamination by other sick animals or the chance to catch some undesired parasite. Anyway, the conscientious breeder, will refuse to sell you kittens if this is your intention.
Evidently, everybody would want a breed of cat that doesn't lose his hair. With the exception of certain breeds of cat that have no hair, all cats are going to lose hair. 
The cats are going to lose their hair normally twice a year, during the spring and autumn molts. Nevertheless during the year they will lose some hair. Still other breeds will lose hair regularly and it can become disturbing to you. It is generally breeds with long and thick hair, they will require much more brushing. This brushing removes the dead hair and prevents it from falling on the floor on your furniture. Then unless you are indeed indifferent to the vacuum cleaner, the brush will be helpful to you.
The question that you will probably put to a breeder is�: Is this a good breed for children? When you should be asking yourself: How will my children be with the cat�? You should pay as much attention to the education of your children towards the cat, as the behavior of your cat towards your children.
Some breeds are recognized as being better than others with children and with humans in general. Well here again there is no general rule, you should avoid the breeds recognized for their possessive temperament. The breeds either nervous or impatient, who have the bad habit to show it with a little panic attack or with a little hit with is claw or even some breeds that look more like trinkets than good companion must be forgotten.
Contrary to popular myths, dogs and cats do, most of the time, get along. With good training, the dog eventually comes to consider the cat as part of the decor and ignores him almost completely. However if your young child has a preference for a small rodent, such as a guinea pig that runs free in the house, you should reconsider your choice. Some cats are very good rodent hunters. So, whatever your choice, keep to it, but ask about its compatibility to competent people before getting an unwelcome surprise.
Have you had a cat and disliked some of its characteristics? Does a friend or a relative have a cat that has bad habits that you really hate? Are there essential things that your cat must or must not have. Now is the time to ask yourself these questions. This will permit you to avoid many problems, either in selecting the right breed, or in learning to accept the things you can not change.
In general, males are bigger than females of the same breed. According to certain authors, they would also be more outgoing. Others think that females are more loving, more affectionate with children and stay more attached to the home. Whichever, remember that every animal has its own temperament. In order to avoid a lot of problems, an animal not intended for reproduction or conformation competitions should be sterilized. You will avoid the small disagreements that are caused by the female cycle of reproduction. In fact, she can disturb you a lot, with her meowing that can continue for many days and nights. The fact that the cycle can happen every 3 to 4 week is another important factor and you should also consider the health of the female that can be altered by this repetitive cycle..
For males, problems are something else. A male not sterilized will have the tendency (per instinct) to head invariably toward all females in heat. It causes wandering, running away, etc. With a male not sterilized, you will have to put up with the problems of unceasing marking of its territory. Of course, you could have a male that doesn't do it but your chance are very small. Since it is proven, that the sterilization doesn't affect the development of the animal (not physically or psychologically), why not take advantage of sterilization. To encourage sterilization, there is a special category for showing these cats in competition.
We already know that each animal has its own character. However, the advantage of the pure breed, is its predictability. 
Pure breed kittens are born with a more stationary gene stock and one can have a good idea of what that will be as an adult. Mixed breeds on the other hand are a surprise package and it is difficult to foresee what it will be like. It is generally acknowledged that in any given pure breed, one can foresee with more certainty what will be the temperament of the adult animal. It avoids a good deal of disappointments. One is also able to foresee what this cute kitten will look like (weight, type, color, etc.) once an adult. These advantages are unavailable with a mixed breed. You commit yourself toward the unknown even more if you haven't seen the parents. Will the cat take after the mom or the dad for its character, size, etc. Do you want to take this risk? The logical choice is: a pure breed kitten.
When you will visit breeders, you will certainly ask for the differences between types said show quality , breeding quality and those of pet quality . A show quality kitten, means that the kitten has no problems in show to be classed with the top one of all different breeds. The Breeding quality means that the kitten is exempt of disqualification defects in conformation competition and has enough quality to be able to get enough points to obtain his championship. The Pet quality kitten can present the physical qualities permitting good results in the competition rings but he is not designated to be a show cat or to be breeded. He is designated to be a companion for his new masters. It would be wiser to speak of potential for the competition, since obviously one can not be assured of the development of the animal that one chooses.
Several people not interested in doing competitions will require of the breeder a quality of show for their animal, thinking thus to have a better subject. All these kittens come from the same litter, have the same mother and the same father, receive the same care, the same food, the same affection on behalf of the breeder etc.
In fact, the only valid reason to ask for a quality show, is your intention to either breed or do conformation competition. Then, you will look for the animal coming closest to the standard of the breed. That the animal has ears a little higher, a little too much white on its paws, the nose a little too long, won't influence the performance of the animal as a companion, not more than it will influence its health or its behavior. The serious breeder, will sell you their pet quality kitten under a contract of no reproduction. It means that these cats will not be allowed to reproduce, and the breeder will also ask that he be neutered before he gives the registration certificate.
You ask, why a registered cat, since you want neither to reproduce nor to do competition�? The advantages are numerous, you will have all the exact information known about your animal, date of birth, parents, color, name and address of the breeder etc. Besides, you will be assured that this animal is truly a pure breed and is a recognized breed in Canada. If your cat becomes later a superb representative of the breed, and if you decide at this time, for any reason, to enter him in show competitions, you need this certificate. If these activities came to interest you, impossible without the registration papers.
You believe you have found the right breed, here is a small test that will permit you to verify what you know. You should answer yes to each of the following questions before going any further: At this stage�:
