Just on this note.. Cats do have quite a few health problems/health testing for example...
Well, you've got the "basics" - blood panel, viral screening, diseases that can be passed down such as FIV and FeLV.
http://www.cathealth.com/diagnostictests…
http://www.cathealth.com/FeLV.htm
http://www.cathealth.com/FIV.htm
Once you get past the basic tests to ensure they're in good health, you need to take a look at the possible health conditions within that breed. For example, the Maine Coon, Persians, and Ragdolls susceptible to HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
http://www.cathealth.com/FlHCM.htm
And then there's two eye problems known to affect the Burmese..
- Breeding quality kitten $1500-2000 each (same goes for dogs/cats) more so for cats of proven/champion parents .
- and just like with dogs, no good breeder of healthy cats is going to give you a kitten with breeding rights without knowing you first. So you've gotta be at shows, be around in the breed, etc... which is even more $$
- Stud fee (AI, shipping semen, buying another male cat, etc..) $$$
- General health/vet program for cats.
- The Queen must be vaccinated right before she is bred or in some cases during the pregnancy. Most high quality breeding cats are tested for FIV & Feline Leukemia prior to every breeding.
- All breeding cats must be tested for Hip Dysplasia
-The HCM screening is done annually, at around $300 per year. on ALL cats.
- Cat rearing supplies/kitten supplies.
- DNA tests for specific genetic diseases
- Vaccinating each kitten in the litter
- Feeding the kittens
- General care for all the cats (food, litter, etc..)
and that doesn't even include showing and titles..
and as for "use".. chihuahuas, maltese, toy breeds etc..etc.. are all dog breeds that are only bred for companion and show. Frankly, these days, I'd say about 40% of quality dog breeders are only breeding for companion/show (not that they don't preserve instinct.. but still, their dogs aren't working sheep or hunting for example).
doesn't make the dogs any less expensive to Ch., health test, show or breed..
Even without show or anything else, health testing is EXPENSIVE. and finding the RIGHT breeding quality (even just health/temperament wise) sire/dam is expensive, regardless of breed.
and even in the US a well bred ferret ( health testing, temperament etc...) does run about $300+ at a good breeder
just some random examples.
http://www.scarletts-happydookers.com/kits2012.html
http://www.gfxferret.com/