I wanted puddy-cat like tiger.

[sj5 4]

I wanted pet's like tiger look like but when my husband show me these news

How much is the kitty in the window? $22,000

Forget about Labradoodles, Puggles and Schnoodles. Costly crossbreed felines are the latest designer hybrid to hit the catwalk

from Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer

Photo: Lifestyle Pets

NEW YORK - Goodbye Goldendoodle. Designer dogs are so last season. Now animal lovers are clamoring for cat crossbreeds - and they are sparing no expense on the latest "it" pet.

Hybrid house pets were originally developed to create well-behaved companions that don't shed. But with unmatched cuteness and likeability, crossbreeds like Puggles, Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, and Schnoodles drove demand among the dog-loving set.

Now mixed-breed cats, with their beauty and stature, are causing a craze for those with a fondness for felines.

And for some, no price is too high for a designer kitten.

"For our customers, money is no object," said breeder Simon Brodie.

Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.

The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.

"They are very friendly, very affectionate," Brodie said.

Although an Ashera costs $22,000 (plus $6,000 for the premium placement option, which will expedite kitten delivery by about six months) Lifestyle Pets has already sold several cats to customers around the world since the pricey pet was unveiled last May.

Once an order is placed, the Ashera is hand delivered (the cost of delivery is approximately $1,500 within the United States) by a representative who remains on hand for a few days to answer questions and facilitate the transition. Asheras come fully vaccinated with a microchip identifier, a supply of kitty food and cat toys, access to an animal behaviorist, and a year of veterinary insurance included.

There's even a certificate of authenticity that includes an image of each kitten's DNA "fingerprint." But what else would one expect for a cat that costs as much as a car?

Brodie says that his company will keep the supply small, developing less than 50 cats each year to uphold its unique appeal - and high price.

Although the Ashera may be the most expensive mixed-breed offering to hit the market recently, it's certainly not the only one.

Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).

Holly Hummel, who has been breeding hybrids for 20 years, says demand for exotic blends is growing, and the pricier the pet, the more sought after it seems.

"The more expensive ones move faster than the less expensive ones," Hummel said.

Even though her top-of-the-line Habari-breed cats range in price from $10,000 to $12,000, "most of our kittens are spoken for by about two weeks of age," she said.

But does coughing up that kind of dough guarantee a perfect pet?

With any designer hybrid, "there are things to watch out for, as far as genetic defaults go," cautioned a spokeswoman from the International Cat Association.

But, generally, emerging exotic breeds are well monitored, she said. "We're very careful that there is no genetic downside."

That means pet owners can rest assured that their investment in a designer cat will not disappoint - that is until the next hot mix hits the horizon.

my husband told me "I can buy this cat for you with saddle so you can ride it"

[panamania79 2]

I wanted pet's like tiger look like but when my husband show me these news

How much is the kitty in the window? $22,000

Forget about Labradoodles, Puggles and Schnoodles. Costly crossbreed felines are the latest designer hybrid to hit the catwalk

from Jessica Dickler, CNNMoney.com staff writer

Photo: Lifestyle Pets

NEW YORK - Goodbye Goldendoodle. Designer dogs are so last season. Now animal lovers are clamoring for cat crossbreeds - and they are sparing no expense on the latest "it" pet.

Hybrid house pets were originally developed to create well-behaved companions that don't shed. But with unmatched cuteness and likeability, crossbreeds like Puggles, Labradoodles, Yorkipoos, and Schnoodles drove demand among the dog-loving set.

Now mixed-breed cats, with their beauty and stature, are causing a craze for those with a fondness for felines.

And for some, no price is too high for a designer kitten.

"For our customers, money is no object," said breeder Simon Brodie.

Brodie used a "secret recipe" to mix an African serval and Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat, to create the world's most expensive feline hybrid.

The Ashera, an exclusive product of Brodie's firm, Lifestyle Pets, resembles a little leopard and can weigh up to 30 pounds. But it's more suited for lounging than stalking prey.

"They are very friendly, very affectionate," Brodie said.

Although an Ashera costs $22,000 (plus $6,000 for the premium placement option, which will expedite kitten delivery by about six months) Lifestyle Pets has already sold several cats to customers around the world since the pricey pet was unveiled last May.

Once an order is placed, the Ashera is hand delivered (the cost of delivery is approximately $1,500 within the United States) by a representative who remains on hand for a few days to answer questions and facilitate the transition. Asheras come fully vaccinated with a microchip identifier, a supply of kitty food and cat toys, access to an animal behaviorist, and a year of veterinary insurance included.

There's even a certificate of authenticity that includes an image of each kitten's DNA "fingerprint." But what else would one expect for a cat that costs as much as a car?

Brodie says that his company will keep the supply small, developing less than 50 cats each year to uphold its unique appeal - and high price.

Although the Ashera may be the most expensive mixed-breed offering to hit the market recently, it's certainly not the only one.

Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).

Holly Hummel, who has been breeding hybrids for 20 years, says demand for exotic blends is growing, and the pricier the pet, the more sought after it seems.

"The more expensive ones move faster than the less expensive ones," Hummel said.

Even though her top-of-the-line Habari-breed cats range in price from $10,000 to $12,000, "most of our kittens are spoken for by about two weeks of age," she said.

But does coughing up that kind of dough guarantee a perfect pet?

With any designer hybrid, "there are things to watch out for, as far as genetic defaults go," cautioned a spokeswoman from the International Cat Association.

But, generally, emerging exotic breeds are well monitored, she said. "We're very careful that there is no genetic downside."

That means pet owners can rest assured that their investment in a designer cat will not disappoint - that is until the next hot mix hits the horizon.

my husband told me "I can buy this cat for you with saddle so you can ride it"

You must admit,that is a beautiful cat.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Whatever works.

[sj5 4]

my husband told me "I can buy this cat for you with saddle so you can ride it"

You must admit,that is a beautiful cat.

it is.. I didn't know it cost alot.

[sj5 4]

Whatever works.

"cat loan?"

[Flames9_RN 358]

wow, an extra $6000 for the premium option,lol

[pedroh 21]

u can also get an ocicat, they are not as expensive and look very cool

[AnewKINDofFEELIN 0]

I want either a savannah cat or a serval. I'd prefer a serval, but I'll take what I can get.

[GaryC 7]

The Filipina ladies need to change the way they refer to pu$$y cats on VJ.

Edited March 19, 2008 by GaryC

[Sister Fracas 5]

Other popular hybrids include the Bengal (part Asian leopard mixed with a house cat), Savannah (part African serval, part house cat) and Chausie (part jungle cat, part house cat).

hmmmm, wonder what I could fetch for my Bengal cat???

Seriously though, the problem with these hybrid cats and I know from experience with ours is that they do require a bit more attention than your average domestic housecat. That is why our Bengal was given away to us, because his former owners couldn't handle him. You really have to know what you are getting into when you have a cat that still has some wild blood running through them. Yeah, they are gorgeous (of course I'm not biased...hehehe), but they can require more work and attention.

I LOVE my Bengal though!

[almaty 19]

i can catch you an old tom cat that lives in the park...about the size of a tiger....see him every night along with the raccoons in my trash cans

[eau_xplain 2]

hmmmm, wonder what I could fetch for my Bengal cat???

Seriously though, the problem with these hybrid cats and I know from experience with ours is that they do require a bit more attention than your average domestic housecat. That is why our Bengal was given away to us, because his former owners couldn't handle him. You really have to know what you are getting into when you have a cat that still has some wild blood running through them. Yeah, they are gorgeous (of course I'm not biased...hehehe), but they can require more work and attention.

I LOVE my Bengal though!

Sister Fracas, I've been looking at Bengals while secretly hoping hubby will allow me to have one more cat. I've seen a website that showed some rescue or retired Bengals but none that's near me. How much more difficult (compared to other breeds) are they to take care of?

[anya-D 8]

I just adopted an adorable half Bengal but you would never know he's half!! and he only cost me $100. and he's very very pretty and cool looking. he's so much fun but only at night and most of the time try to wake us during the night to play... so we havnt have a good night sleep since we got him.. and we have to keep our dog lock up so she wont run after the cat at night all night!!

Before you go "buy" some fashinable cat or dog, try visit shelters or look through rescues.. amost of the time you can get the breeds you want and also help safe lives...

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

that's some expensive poosy.

[Sister Fracas 5]

hmmmm, wonder what I could fetch for my Bengal cat???

Seriously though, the problem with these hybrid cats and I know from experience with ours is that they do require a bit more attention than your average domestic housecat. That is why our Bengal was given away to us, because his former owners couldn't handle him. You really have to know what you are getting into when you have a cat that still has some wild blood running through them. Yeah, they are gorgeous (of course I'm not biased...hehehe), but they can require more work and attention.

I LOVE my Bengal though!

Sister Fracas, I've been looking at Bengals while secretly hoping hubby will allow me to have one more cat. I've seen a website that showed some rescue or retired Bengals but none that's near me. How much more difficult (compared to other breeds) are they to take care of?

They have a lot of energy that needs to be taken care of. They are extremely curious and intelligent and love interaction with others in the house, be it pet or human. Our Bengal is 8 years old and acts as if he is still a kitten. We literally have to run the energy out of him everyday or he will yowl around the apartment. We let him run up and down our apartment building halls. He absolutely LOVES to be chased and is really fast. Not only does he like to be chased, he likes to chase us and will run and jump at our legs as if he's taking down some big prey or something. LOL If we don't let him run down up and down the halls we have a laser pointer that he chases all over the place, anything to keep him engaged and active. I've lived with several cats and have never had to play with them quite as much as I have to play with him.

He is very strong, muscular, and often doesn't know his own strength and because the people who had him before us declawed him, he has become a biter and when he bites it is like a snake bite puncture.

He loves running water and will come tearing into the bathroom when one of us goes in there, fly over the toilet and onto the sink, waiting for one of us to turn the faucet on so he can drink from it. We partially solved this by getting a running water fountain, but he still likes fresh water from the tap best. And because he comes flying in, he's almost splatted into the toilet because he got so excited.

One bad thing is that we have another cat and the relationship is NOT good, primarily because she doesn't want to have anything to do with him. I think it started out with him being curious, she hisses and because he takes that as aggressive, he constantly stalks her. And this is when I really see the wild in him come out. I've never seen a housecat stalk the way he does, completely focussed on his target (her), and she is no match for him. She's older and doesn't have near the same amount of strength to fight him off. We also rescued her from former owners who had declawed her and I sometimes wish she had claws to scratch him once in the face so that he'd learn to leave her alone. As it is, we have to keep up a 5 foot pet gate to keep them separated when we aren't there to watch them.

When we first got him he was kind of quiet but as his confidence grew, so did his voice and he is very chatty. Because my husband has slight allergies to cats, we keep the cats out of the bedroom and at first it was a source of woe for McCloud (the bengal). He would yowl for ages in front of our door. I knew the worst thing would be to get up to see what was wrong with him, that he'd get use to it, but it took awhile and there were nights where I really had to get up, let him sit in my lap for awhile and then he'd be quiet. He's a big baby for such a big strong cat (16 pounds of pure muscle).

This is just our experience, but I DO know the high energy, high curiosity, high intelligence, love of running water are traits common to Bengals.

Don't get me wrong, he's a handful, but I wouldn't trade him for the world. He provides hours upon hours of entertainment and he is very loving and well as lovable (even when he bites). I know his former owners didn't mistreat him in anyway (well, except for declawing), but I'm glad he became too much for them to handle.