Meet Savannah, my Domestic Shorthair.

Outcrossing is something that one should not take lightly.  Fortunately, until 2015, the Cat Fanciers' Association is allowing breeders to outcross to the Domestic Shorthair, and to the American Shorthair to increase genetic diversity for hybrid vigor.

An outcrossing program should always incorporate the following:

1)  Testing for feline health.  Savannah has been DNA tested to ensure good genetic health. 

2)  Heart health.  Savannah has been ultrasounded negative for cardiomyopathy.  She is at least 5 years of age, according to my veterinarian.

3)  Good temperament is essential to outcrossing, as I believe much of temperament is inheritable.  Savannah is very sweet, and loves to be cuddled.

4)  Good type.  Savannah exhibits the very best type for a domestic shorthair.  She is medium sized, and has a strong muzzle.  Her ear set is excellent, and her eyes are open and lemon-shaped.  She has a very strong chin.

5)  Good dentition.  Sound teeth and gums are essential to good feline health.  Savannah's teeth are perfectly straight and she has no signs of gingivitis, a problem we see in felines that is definitely an inheritable trait.

History

Outcrossing isn’t something I ever really wanted to do personally, because I do not have a large cattery, and an outcrossing program is an enormous project.  The first generation is all coated, and kittens that are not kept should be altered and placed as any other kitten in the program.  I would like to share with others my experience with outcrossing, and would be glad to guide anyone that has an interest in outcrossing to the DSH. 

First of all, I found a Domestic Shorthair at a local shelter.  She had 2 kittens with her that had just weaned and were fabulously healthy.  The kittens would have no problems being adopted, but I was told the mother would most likely be put to sleep due to the fact that she was an older adult.  She had really super ear set, and a very good, square muzzle.  Lots of hair – a tortie.  She was not a friendly cat, but I was able to handle her.  Her timidness soon changed when I brought her home with me.  I believe she was grateful for the rescue.

Vetting, grooming, blood work, DNA testing, cardiologist

I found out a lot about the DSH I named “Savannah.”  Her DNA profile came back clear of any disease (thanks to catgenes.org, we now have this ability), and she had A/a blood type (another plus).  My veterinarian said she was approximately 5 years of age.  She was given her innoculations, wormed, etc., and I kept her for a year before breeding her with Bradley.  Her cardio check came back sound.  She never has had any problem physically, and looked better and better the longer I had her.  Her coat came into a luscious condition, and she was more friendly than ever.  Now that she’s 6 years old, and has given me her one litter of kits, she was spayed.  Due to her age, her ovaries were full of cysts, something we discovered when she was spayed. 

All 3 of Savannah's kittens were girls, so I was especially lucky.  I spayed one and gave her a pet home.  The other two girls were bred to Tobias (see below), and from those breedings I had my F-2s – 5 hairless, and 2 haired in one litter, and 2 hairless and one haired in the other!  I don’t regret having this outcross program now that I see the benefits for the breed.  The vigor and robustness is so evident in these kittens, one could only imagine!  Not to say that Sphynx kittens aren't robust -- they are!  But these have unusual robustness -- all 10 have been strong and active since the very first day, and never had a sniffle, or any problem whatsoever.  I also never had to supplement (something I am very very surprised about, as there are 7 of them in one litter -- poor Harriett!).

BREEDING WITH THE DSH

I decided to use Bradley with the breeding to Savannah.  Bradley's father is Skinzin Tommy 2-Tone, and has fathered many beautiful, and healthy kittens which seem to follow his type.  Bradley's mother GC WrinklesofLove Nova of Skinzin.  She has very large ears, which she gave generously to her kittens.                     

                                                                                          This is Skinzin B-B-Bad2DaBone (Bradley)

Savannah and Bradley had 3 kittens.  I kept two of them -- both are girls (now placed in their forever home). 

             Harriett is pictured above.                                                   Maude is pictured above.

Both these girls were bred to CH Angelfire-TN Don't Stop of Skinzin (Tobias)  This resulted in a total of 10 kittens.  Harriett had 7, and Maude had 3.  100% survival, with no intervention.  Harriett had 5 hairless, and 2 coated; Maude had 2 hairless and 1 coated.

Angelfire-TN Don't Stop of Skinzin (Tobias)

The following kittens are from Harriett and Tobias (only the hairless are shown here)

The following are the three kittens from Maude and Tobias

Restrictions need to be imposed on those that desire to outcross, because here in the States, we never can police catteries completely, and you never know what someone's true ethics are until you watch what they do instead of just what they say.  But for the most part, you simply have to trust that those that are endeavoring to outcross, are doing the right things, and being honest when placing the progeny of outcrossing.