Karin Cramer of Karina cattery, specializing in chocolate and lilac Bi-Colors Persians.

When did your love for these colors begin?

During my visit at a cat show more than 10 years ago I fell totally in love with my favorite colors of persian kitties.

Do you have a mentor, if so who?

My very good friend Janet Tyra from Tyland Cattery was and is there for me and my (partly) stupid questions at any time I need her and that 24 hours per day !!! And I would like to say "Thank you, my dear Janet" on this way for all friendship and confidence during the last 6 years!

Do you remember your very first chocolate/lilac brought into your program?

Yes, of course. My first lilac-white male "Krümel" arrived as a member of my family in 1992. He was already two years of age when he came to us. His breeder lived in Starnberg, near Munich/Germany and I had only a very very small and old car.... so he came by airplane to Hannover... and I was soooo excited when I picked him up there. He was more than "only" an animal - a real friend - very very sensitive: he nearly cried when I was sometimes in a bad mood; he was a good "father" - sometimes better than the dam itself. It was more than a good luck having him with us.... and the very best decision to go on breeding within these colors!!!

Do you have a favorite color division? (bi-color, himalayan, solid, calico, smoke, van)

Yes, I am specialized in breeding bi-colors in chocolate and lilac. I made my decision already very early and so I have built up pedigrees which allow also further breeders to reach bi-colors very soon. But it is not possible to breed only with bi-colors in chocolate and lilac - I also have carriers in blue-tabby and chocolate self.... and I am so happy to get a new chocolate male at the end of February - his name is: CFA-Ch. QDPies Downbrown of Tyland.

Do you have any particular favorite cats in your program?

Oh - no - I really love them all and every kittie has its special sence for my personal breeding program. And please note: I never "kicked" my retired kitties out of the door - I always kept the older neutered or spayed cats as long as they were on this side of the hills.

Do you have any advice when distinquishing a pale blue from a lilac Persian?

Up to now I could always identify if it was blue or lilac - I never needed to look under the paws if they are dark or light pink - I assume that the total pedigree lines I use for breed are already "telling" that there are arising no problems of that kind. But I had another problem of color identification I would like to talk about: my last litter looked like beeing tabbies (the dam is a blue-tabby) or bi-colors in blue and lilac (the sire is a lilac-white one). My German Club inferior was so kind to assist me concerning the color determination as follows: I "played" to be a hairdresser, took a part of the coat between the first and the middle finger (just as a hairdresser does when he wants to cut over his fingers!!). Then I had to look for horizontal stripes (e.g. tickings) in dark or light lilac and blue. In my case: there were only vertical stripes visible the indivdual hair is absolutely regularly from top to buttom - that means: no tabbies but ghostmarks. (Hope you understand my poor English)

At what age do you determine their quality (pet,breed,show)?

I prefer doing that not to early because I also consider if the teeth are correct grown and how the kitties are developing during their first weeks of age. There is only one exception: if the color devision does not allow a new owner to go with these kittie to a cat show.

What is the most difficult part of working with these colors?

I think to improve the type, to reach good clear and regular colors, the eye color should also be "super"-copper, the bi-color devision has to be also settled.... and the total appearance should also be nearly "perfect". As you could see it is not so easy.

What is the most rewarding experience working with these colors?

I think the world-wide acceptance from other breeders - after more than 10 years of hard work (also against negative influences from other impolite "humans") - what I would like to say is that I always went my own way of breed, made my own decision .... and made my own experience as well.

What is your most important advice about these colors you'd like to give?

Please allow me to submit my personal advice for the handling of every creature we humans are caring the responsibilty for: Please be kind to your animals, love and respect them, accept them.... ONLY than you will get back more love, more tenderness etc. as you have invested.

Is working with these colors for everyone? Do you have any advice to offer anyone just starting with these colors?

Yes, of course but just the improvement of bi-colors in chocolate and lilac is a task for life - everybody should consider that: there are not only successful times of breeds but also back-strokes - than: don't give it up - together with "your kitties" you will always find a way out of such a bottom of a valley!!