Becoming a perfect pedigree cat breeder can be a hairy ordeal, Huang Yuli discovers

While one might suspect that pedigree-breeding programs in Beijing between felines and canines are similar in structure, the truth is, they are as different as cats and dogs. Quite unlike METRO's September coverage of the best kennels in Beijing and the discovery that each unit houses more than 100 dogs, catteries are far more exclusive, according to Hong Yan, owner of the Silver Harbor Cattery.

"Most skilled breeders look after less than 10 cats in one go," Hong said.

This was not the case a few years ago. Many breeders interviewed said they had initially tried to raise tens of cats together, but found that the results were unsatisfactory.

"Breeding cats requires care and attention, which is impossible in large groups," Hong said, adding that cats also become jealous of each other and need space.

She said the market for cats is as much as 10 times smaller than for dogs in Beijing and across the country.

Cats might not be the first choice for most animal lovers in the city, but those who do adore them definitely have a preference - shorthairs.

The top three types of cat in Beijing are all shorthairs - American Shorthair, British Shorthair and Exotic Shorthair - according to Hong, who is also deputy chief of the China Cat Fanciers club (CCF), which is a member club of world's largest purebred cat association, The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).

This quickly dispels the myth that Persian cats are the best breeds available, though they are the most expensive.

While these fluffy creatures certainly enjoy high prices as a result of their pleasant look and temperament, the majority of buyers still prefer shorthairs.

Honeypot Cattery owner Wang Ying said this was mainly because looking after a shorthair cat requires less time and energy.

"The time taken to care for one Persian could be used to look after seven shorthairs," Wang said.

There is no doubt though that while cats are being raised as pets, there is money at stake.

The easiest way to hike up the value of a cat is for the cattery to win prizes for its breeds.

American Shorthair cattery Catlife performed well in the CFA 2009-10 season with its star cat, Xiao Yin, scooping numerous awards and being ranked 4th among all breeds in Asia and Latin America.

However, these achievements have cost Catlife Cattery owner Zhang Jie heavily, from funding trips to competitions held across Asia.

"I was reluctant to participate in competitions this season because of the cost involved," she said. "I changed my mind after last season's positive results."

Zhang said she will have to pay heavily again to maintain her reputation, or else waste her previous hard work by giving up.

A similar situation faces Zhang Qi, owner of Hong Abi, a British Shorthair cattery in the city.

"I am crazy about both cats and dogs and used to raise British Shorthair cats with German Shepherds in the same space," he said.

The expensive addiction Zhang Qi felt for competitions was finally relieved after his wife gave birth to their baby. He has now turned his focus back onto a light silver British Shorthair breeding program.

"Most British Shorthairs are blue, but I fell in love with the light silver version when I first saw one 10 years ago," he said.

Zhang Qi added that the cat has a noble look, like other British Shorthairs, but is as elegant as a Persian.

In the end though, choosing a cat is usually about instant attraction, regarding looks and personality - the "purr-fect" mix.