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About the Cheetoh

Other than a copyright infringement, Cheetohs are supposed to be a unique, new breed blending Ocicat and Bengal. Unfortunately, it's not unique, new, or a breed. The Cheetoh is just a mutt. It is provisionally recognized by one tiny registry, and is no different genetically than a Bengal, albeit an unregistered one, because the Ocicat was used to develop the Bengal.

One of the claims for the Cheetoh is that it's larger than both parent breeds. It shows an remarkable ignorance of genetics for the breeders to think it will be sustainable. All hybrid (crossing of two different breeds) animals tend to be larger than the parent breeds. However, it's not something that will be maintained without continuing to do the foundation cross. So it is not something that will be able to be a characteristic of the "breed", it is only a characteristic of the foundation cross.

It's unlikely the "Cheetoh" will become a recognized breed. When recently proposed as a breed to a larger, more ethical registry, even acceptance into the process of recognition was denied. It will be difficult to establish any type of distinction between this breed and either the Ocicat or the Bengal, particularly if the breeders have to continue to do the cross of both breeds to maintain their size rather than actually developing it by breeding the hybrids to each other. However, it certainly hasn't stopped its creator and associates from asking 2 to 3 times the price of an Ocicat or a Bengal for "Cheetoh" kittens.

As P. T. Barnum said, there's one born every minute!

1998-2008

April 21, 2008

   

Copyright by Catiators Ocicats

Anne McCulloch/Denise Clark