History and past breeding cats
We began breeding in 1976 with the Siamese queen Thurso Correne and the seal Burmese queen Rafoej Kara. After a few years we lost our Siamese/Oriental line and decided to concentrate on Burmese, breeding mainly seals and chocolates with a few blues and lilacs from time to time.
After Jan Parsons developed her Mandalay programme from Champion Rafoej Xustous (27) who she had purchased from us, we became interested in Mandalays as well. We subsequently extended our Mandalay breeding programme by developing an experimental breeding programme which aimed to introduce the cinnamon colour to the Mandalay breed. This programme has been very successful and the breed is now fully established and well past the experimental breeding programme stage, with several other breeders now involved. More information on the programme can be found in the report "The Cinnamon Burmese and Mandalay Programme – the first three generations".
We have achieved a number of firsts in the Mandalay breed including the first Grand Champion (the ebony Gr Ch Rafoej Midnight Caller). We bred the first chocolate self (who became the first chocolate champion), chocolate tabby, cinnamon self, cinnamon ticked tabby and the first spotted tabbies in ebony, blue and cinnamon. We were instrumental in expanding the range of colours available by introducing the cinnamon gene through a planned breeding programme in the 1990s. The caramel gene was also introduced at the same time. These genes have resulted in new colours in the Burmese range as well as in Mandalays.
Mandalays and Burmese are fully intermateable under NZCF regulations as they differ only in coat colour. However we intend to maintain a traditional Burmese line as well as a mixed Burmese and Mandalay line including the new colours cinnamon, fawn, caramel and the beautiful ticked tabbies.
An offshoot of the cinnamon Mandalay programme was our Tonkinese programme. The mating of Ch. Rafoej Almira (seal Burmese) to an ebony Oriental carrying cinnamon and Siamese produced Rafoej Panache, an ebony who was one of the foundation queens of the cinnamon programme, and Rafoej Pastiche, a beautiful seal Tonkinese. Pastiche is the foundation queen of our Tonkinese programme. A third sister, Rafoej Panatela, another ebony, has also contributed to the Tonkinese programme. Incidentally our original Siamese was a distant ancestor of the sire of these cats. Tonkinese are different in type (body and head shape) reflecting the Siamese influence and are therefore regarded as a completely separate breed. They are not intermateable with Burmese or Mandalays except in the first stages of a new breeding programme. All progeny from such matings are regarded as Tonkinese, regardless of colour. We bred some lovely Tonkinese but eventually had to give them up to make space for the lovely russet Burmese which arose as a new sport/mutation in a friend's cattery.
To help keep numbers manageable, so that the cats get the individual attention they need, we occasionally place queens from which we intend to have only one or two litters in pet homes with breeding agreements. We regard this as preferable to finding homes for adult cats. However we have occasionally rehomed very young adults that have not worked out as breeders or that have completed their breeding careers while still young. This has been particularly necessary in the Mandalay and Tonkinese breeding programmes where it was necessary to move rapidly through a number of generations to stabilise the desired breed characteristics after the original crosses to other breeds introduced the new colours.
Our previous breeding cats
Previous breeding cats are listed below. For current breeding cats, see the Burmese, Mandalay, and Russet pages.
Burmese
Burmese
Rafoej Kara (Gen. 1) (26v) 1975 - 1987
Foundation Burmese queen (homozygous seal)
Kara was a well-bred pure Burmese, purchased in good faith as a registered breeding queen. Unfortunately it transpired that her breeders were not the registered owners of her parents so she had to be registered as a Gen. 1 provisional register cat, officially of unknown parentage. Kara was a great mother, producing large, healthy litters of beautiful kittens. All our current cats are descended from her via her daughter Pyng, granddaughter Xena and great-granddaughter Mira. She was a real character and extremely affectionate but only on her terms; when she wanted attention she'd ask for it, otherwise forget it! She specialised in love-bites to the nose and chin - a few of her descendants still do!
Foundation Burmese queen (homozygous seal)
Kara was a well-bred pure Burmese, purchased in good faith as a registered breeding queen. Unfortunately it transpired that her breeders were not the registered owners of her parents so she had to be registered as a Gen. 1 provisional register cat, officially of unknown parentage. Kara was a great mother, producing large, healthy litters of beautiful kittens. All our current cats are descended from her via her daughter Pyng, granddaughter Xena and great-granddaughter Mira. She was a real character and extremely affectionate but only on her terms; when she wanted attention she'd ask for it, otherwise forget it! She specialised in love-bites to the nose and chin - a few of her descendants still do!
Rafoej Pyng (Gen. 2) (27) 1980 - 1988
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Kara's daughter by Champion Kyaba Jarvis (27c). Pyng was the mother of a litter of 10 by Gr Ch Kyaba Brigadeer Brown (27) which included 3 champions - Xena (see below), Ch. Rafoej Xustous (27), Jan Parsons' foundation queen and Ch. Rafoej Xula (27), belonging to Linda Bullas. She was also the mother of Yettie.
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Kara's daughter by Champion Kyaba Jarvis (27c). Pyng was the mother of a litter of 10 by Gr Ch Kyaba Brigadeer Brown (27) which included 3 champions - Xena (see below), Ch. Rafoej Xustous (27), Jan Parsons' foundation queen and Ch. Rafoej Xula (27), belonging to Linda Bullas. She was also the mother of Yettie.
Ch. and Pr. Rafoej Xena (Gen. 3) (27b) 1985 - 1999
(Chocolate carrying dilute)
Pyng's daughter by Gr. Ch. Kyaba Brigadeer Brown (27). Xena had only 2 litters as she suffered from temporary paralysis after giving birth to the second litter. Fortunately she recovered to live to 14 years old and all 11 kittens survived thanks to their grandmother Pyng's assistance. Mira was one of those 11 kittens.
(Chocolate carrying dilute)
Pyng's daughter by Gr. Ch. Kyaba Brigadeer Brown (27). Xena had only 2 litters as she suffered from temporary paralysis after giving birth to the second litter. Fortunately she recovered to live to 14 years old and all 11 kittens survived thanks to their grandmother Pyng's assistance. Mira was one of those 11 kittens.
Ch. Rafoej Almira (27) - "Mira" 1987 - 2003
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Xena's daughter by Ch. Rendara Bronze Jaguar (27) "Mira" was pivotal in our breeding programme. Among her offspring not in our ownership were Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata (27) belonging to Carol Gray, Champion Rafoej Gerda (27b), belonging to Garth and Heather Dickel, and Champion Rafoej Mnemosyne Minx (37b) belonging to Jan Parsons. Mira was a very successful show cat - she was twice best entire adult in show at all breeds shows but, despite that, just missed out on becoming a Grand Champion under the more competetive system which applied in those days.
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Xena's daughter by Ch. Rendara Bronze Jaguar (27) "Mira" was pivotal in our breeding programme. Among her offspring not in our ownership were Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata (27) belonging to Carol Gray, Champion Rafoej Gerda (27b), belonging to Garth and Heather Dickel, and Champion Rafoej Mnemosyne Minx (37b) belonging to Jan Parsons. Mira was a very successful show cat - she was twice best entire adult in show at all breeds shows but, despite that, just missed out on becoming a Grand Champion under the more competetive system which applied in those days.
Pr. Rafoej Excalibur (Gen. 3) (27c) "Yeti" 1988 - 1994
(Lilac)
Pyng's son by Ch. Hobineko Toki-Iro (27c). Yeti sired one litter from Ch. Rafoej Almira before being neutered. He was a huge cat and a very beautiful pale soft lilac in colour.
(Lilac)
Pyng's son by Ch. Hobineko Toki-Iro (27c). Yeti sired one litter from Ch. Rafoej Almira before being neutered. He was a huge cat and a very beautiful pale soft lilac in colour.
Rafoej Fhoebe (27) 1989-
(Homozygous seal)
"Mira's" daughter by Ch. Hegira Midas Touch (Imp UK) (27). Resident in a loving pet home Fhoebe had one important litter before being spayed. Her daughter Ch. Rafoej Heidi (27) was one of Christa Krey's foundation queens (one of Heidi's sons by Rafoej Incredible Odds was Yoyo's father - see below). Another daughter Rafoej Harmatanne (27) was bred from by Ruth Phillips.
(Homozygous seal)
"Mira's" daughter by Ch. Hegira Midas Touch (Imp UK) (27). Resident in a loving pet home Fhoebe had one important litter before being spayed. Her daughter Ch. Rafoej Heidi (27) was one of Christa Krey's foundation queens (one of Heidi's sons by Rafoej Incredible Odds was Yoyo's father - see below). Another daughter Rafoej Harmatanne (27) was bred from by Ruth Phillips.
Rafoej Galia (27) "Gogo" 1990 - 2007
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Gogo was Mira's and Yeti's daughter. Important offspring included Rafoej Incredible Odds (27) by Rafoej Gloss (27), Champion Rafoej Kehsi (27b) by Ch. Hegira Midas Touch (Imp. UK) (27) and Jane Masterton's Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f), by Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1). Rafoej Incredible Odds (27) ("Inco") was the sole survivor of Gogo's first litter of 11 kittens, which was born at least 9 days prematurely. He was hand-reared on an eye-dropper for 10 days until we gratefully accepted a very kind offer of a foster-mother. Although he was no beauty because of his difficult start in life, he was a successful and important stud cat for Rafoej and Lessentine catteries. He was owned by Christa Krey (Lessentine cattery).
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Gogo was Mira's and Yeti's daughter. Important offspring included Rafoej Incredible Odds (27) by Rafoej Gloss (27), Champion Rafoej Kehsi (27b) by Ch. Hegira Midas Touch (Imp. UK) (27) and Jane Masterton's Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f), by Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1). Rafoej Incredible Odds (27) ("Inco") was the sole survivor of Gogo's first litter of 11 kittens, which was born at least 9 days prematurely. He was hand-reared on an eye-dropper for 10 days until we gratefully accepted a very kind offer of a foster-mother. Although he was no beauty because of his difficult start in life, he was a successful and important stud cat for Rafoej and Lessentine catteries. He was owned by Christa Krey (Lessentine cattery).
Rafoej Rani (27) 1994 - 2003 (19 years)
(Homozygous seal)
A daughter of Mira and Inco, Rani had 4 small litters under the Rafoej prefix while living as a family pet. From her last litter we briefly kept Plush, Zara's mother.
(Homozygous seal)
A daughter of Mira and Inco, Rani had 4 small litters under the Rafoej prefix while living as a family pet. From her last litter we briefly kept Plush, Zara's mother.
Rafoej Yoyo (27) 1996-2002
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Mira's daughter by Champion Lessentine Koka (27b), who was bred by Christa Krey from two Rafoej cats. A very beautiful cat with a wonderful temperament who was tragically severely damaged by an upper respiratory infection while still very young. Yoyo had one litter from an unplanned mating to Ch. Rafoej Kehsi (27b). The sole survivor of this litter was Ch. Rafoej Solo Song - "Solo" - who was extremely successful in his short show and stud career.
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Mira's daughter by Champion Lessentine Koka (27b), who was bred by Christa Krey from two Rafoej cats. A very beautiful cat with a wonderful temperament who was tragically severely damaged by an upper respiratory infection while still very young. Yoyo had one litter from an unplanned mating to Ch. Rafoej Kehsi (27b). The sole survivor of this litter was Ch. Rafoej Solo Song - "Solo" - who was extremely successful in his short show and stud career.
Ch. Rafoej Kehsi (27b) 1997-
(Chocolate carrying dilute)
Now retired in a pet home Kehsi's most important contribution was an accidental one - siring Solo from Yoyo! He also sired a litter from Dinky, and for a short time lived with Jan Parsons, and sired several litters from her cats. Ch. Zanyminx Pink Panther (37f/c), sire of litters from Sabu and Dinky, is his son.
(Chocolate carrying dilute)
Now retired in a pet home Kehsi's most important contribution was an accidental one - siring Solo from Yoyo! He also sired a litter from Dinky, and for a short time lived with Jan Parsons, and sired several litters from her cats. Ch. Zanyminx Pink Panther (37f/c), sire of litters from Sabu and Dinky, is his son.
Ch. Rafoej Solo Song - "Solo" 1998-2000
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Solo was very successful in his short show career with several top ten placings. He sired very nice litters from Plush, Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata (27) and Grand Champion Rafoej Midnight Caller. We kept his son Argus and daughter Zara for breeding.
(Seal carrying chocolate)
Solo was very successful in his short show career with several top ten placings. He sired very nice litters from Plush, Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata (27) and Grand Champion Rafoej Midnight Caller. We kept his son Argus and daughter Zara for breeding.
Rafoej Utena (27) - "Plush" 1999-
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Plush was a delightful cat but by the time she was 6 months old it was clear she had several faults which made her unsuitable for breeding. However we left this decision too late! She and Solo had other ideas and mated while still kittens, while being boarded in a cattery when I was away from home. At the embarrassingly young age of 8 months Plush presented us with a lovely litter of 4 kittens which she reared beautifully. From this litter we kept Zara, who had all her mother's good points and few of her faults. Plush went to live in a loving home as a pet.
(Seal carrying chocolate and dilute)
Plush was a delightful cat but by the time she was 6 months old it was clear she had several faults which made her unsuitable for breeding. However we left this decision too late! She and Solo had other ideas and mated while still kittens, while being boarded in a cattery when I was away from home. At the embarrassingly young age of 8 months Plush presented us with a lovely litter of 4 kittens which she reared beautifully. From this litter we kept Zara, who had all her mother's good points and few of her faults. Plush went to live in a loving home as a pet.
Champion Arsenios Rustic Rose
Rosie (Ch. Arsenios Rustic Rose) is a chocolate Burmese queen who we imported from Australia. She was bred by our friend Jane in Melbourne but is descended from Rafoej cats, being Argus's granddaughter. She has good type, is a lovely soft warm colour and has excellent eye colour. After retiring from breeding she went to live with Henry and a lovely human family near Dunedin. Rosebud is her daughter.
Rosie (Ch. Arsenios Rustic Rose) is a chocolate Burmese queen who we imported from Australia. She was bred by our friend Jane in Melbourne but is descended from Rafoej cats, being Argus's granddaughter. She has good type, is a lovely soft warm colour and has excellent eye colour. After retiring from breeding she went to live with Henry and a lovely human family near Dunedin. Rosebud is her daughter.
Champion Radinka Mancini (Henry)
Henry was a lilac Burmese stud, previously owned by Christa. He lived here for a year or so and sired some nice litters for me before being retired and going to a lovely home with Rosie. Rosebud is his son.
Henry was a lilac Burmese stud, previously owned by Christa. He lived here for a year or so and sired some nice litters for me before being retired and going to a lovely home with Rosie. Rosebud is his son.
Champion Rafoej Budding Rose
Rosebud is a lilac, daughter of Rosie and Henry. Her coat texture and ear set leave a bit to be desired but she is a lovely colour, has nice, well-balanced type and a very strong profile and has a delightful nature. She consistently produced kittens better than herself. She is represented via her daughters Kotchka (seal Burmese of all-traditional breeding), and Delphine (lilac Burmese carrying cinnamon). Another daughter, Ellie (Rafoej Ms Eleanor), is a breeding queen in Cairistona cattery. She now lives in retirement in Wainuiomata.
Rosebud is a lilac, daughter of Rosie and Henry. Her coat texture and ear set leave a bit to be desired but she is a lovely colour, has nice, well-balanced type and a very strong profile and has a delightful nature. She consistently produced kittens better than herself. She is represented via her daughters Kotchka (seal Burmese of all-traditional breeding), and Delphine (lilac Burmese carrying cinnamon). Another daughter, Ellie (Rafoej Ms Eleanor), is a breeding queen in Cairistona cattery. She now lives in retirement in Wainuiomata.
Champion Rafoej Zara
Zara was a seal Burmese queen with a fantastic, laid-back temperament which she passed on very reliably to her kittens. She usually had small litters of only 2-3 kittens and they were usually males! After retiring from breeding she kept Argus company. She died right at the end of 2015 at the good age of 16, of cancer.
Zara was a seal Burmese queen with a fantastic, laid-back temperament which she passed on very reliably to her kittens. She usually had small litters of only 2-3 kittens and they were usually males! After retiring from breeding she kept Argus company. She died right at the end of 2015 at the good age of 16, of cancer.
Rafoej Xarina and Rafoej Damoushka
Xarina, daughter of Zara and Henry (a lilac Burmese), lives with my friend Lizzie and her family in the Wairarapa. She had a lovely litter under my prefix, from which Diva came to me and Lizzie kept Damoushka. Damoushka subsequently produced Ming-Li from a mating to Enigma. Xarina and Damoushka are now spayed.
Xarina, daughter of Zara and Henry (a lilac Burmese), lives with my friend Lizzie and her family in the Wairarapa. She had a lovely litter under my prefix, from which Diva came to me and Lizzie kept Damoushka. Damoushka subsequently produced Ming-Li from a mating to Enigma. Xarina and Damoushka are now spayed.
Rafoej Dark Diva
Diva is a seal daughter of Xarina and the late "Ollie" (Ch. Lekcid Olhovskiy), who belonged to my friend Christa. She is a big, tall, rangy cat with stunning eye colour and lots of character. She had three beautiful litters to Argus before being spayed and retired. Unfortunately she was killed accidentally in August 2016 soon after settling very happily into her new home.
Grand Champion Rafoej Tyra
Tyra is a chocolate, daughter of Diva and Argus. She caused us much worry as she didn't thrive as a kitten. Eventually the cause was found to be a portal shunt, a vein which should have closed at birth and didn't. Fortunately surgery to close it was completely successful and she made up for lost time, growing at a dramatic rate after the surgery. She is a lovely pale warm chocolate with stunning eye colour and heaps of confidence and character. She had a lovely litter to Ming-Li (Ch. Rafoej Yahoo), before going to live with my vet Julia.
Tyra is a chocolate, daughter of Diva and Argus. She caused us much worry as she didn't thrive as a kitten. Eventually the cause was found to be a portal shunt, a vein which should have closed at birth and didn't. Fortunately surgery to close it was completely successful and she made up for lost time, growing at a dramatic rate after the surgery. She is a lovely pale warm chocolate with stunning eye colour and heaps of confidence and character. She had a lovely litter to Ming-Li (Ch. Rafoej Yahoo), before going to live with my vet Julia.
Champion Rafoej Argus
Argus was the son of two Rafoej cats, Champion Rafoej Solo Song and Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata. He was a seal, carrying chocolate. His type, and particularly his head were outstanding. At 15 years old he was still producing large litters of lovely kittens, but he died quite suddenly of acute kidney failure in June 2015. He had many lovely kittens and most of my current Burmese are his children and grandchildren.
Argus was the son of two Rafoej cats, Champion Rafoej Solo Song and Double Grand Champion Rafoej Lysistrata. He was a seal, carrying chocolate. His type, and particularly his head were outstanding. At 15 years old he was still producing large litters of lovely kittens, but he died quite suddenly of acute kidney failure in June 2015. He had many lovely kittens and most of my current Burmese are his children and grandchildren.
Champion Rafoej Lara's Theme (Lara)
Lara was a very pretty seal daughter of Argus and Diva. She became a champion and got some excellent in show placings but died after a short illness in July 2015, before she could be bred from.
Lara was a very pretty seal daughter of Argus and Diva. She became a champion and got some excellent in show placings but died after a short illness in July 2015, before she could be bred from.
Champion Rafoej Kotchka
Kotchka was a seal daughter of Rosebud and Argus. She was a particular favourite, a really delightful cat with a fabulous temperament, combining the best of both parents. She had two small litters, but none of her progeny were bred from. In early 2016 she lost a lot of weight, but veterinary examinations and tests failed to find any cause. She died suddenly on 13 February 2016.
Kotchka was a seal daughter of Rosebud and Argus. She was a particular favourite, a really delightful cat with a fabulous temperament, combining the best of both parents. She had two small litters, but none of her progeny were bred from. In early 2016 she lost a lot of weight, but veterinary examinations and tests failed to find any cause. She died suddenly on 13 February 2016.
Grand Champion Rafoej Tabari
Tabari is a seal Burmese son of Argus and Diva. He is a very handsome cat with a superb temperament, fabulous eye colour and shape, sleek coat, long legs and a very muscular body. He has a nice short blunt wedge head, but could do with more rounding on the top of the head. He carries chocolate. Tabari has been retired from breeding because his progeny were particularly susceptible to the very nasty disease FIP; a great disappointment as he produced beautiful kittens with beautiful temperaments. He now lives in a lovely home in Ohariu Valley.
Tabari is a seal Burmese son of Argus and Diva. He is a very handsome cat with a superb temperament, fabulous eye colour and shape, sleek coat, long legs and a very muscular body. He has a nice short blunt wedge head, but could do with more rounding on the top of the head. He carries chocolate. Tabari has been retired from breeding because his progeny were particularly susceptible to the very nasty disease FIP; a great disappointment as he produced beautiful kittens with beautiful temperaments. He now lives in a lovely home in Ohariu Valley.
Champion Cairistona Patchwork for Rafoej (Patch)
Patch was a lovely little seal tortie with a delightful temperament and excellent type and eye colour - many thanks to Christine and Mush for letting me have her. She was a much-needed complete outcross from my other cats. She was the first orange gene cat I've had. We were extremely upset when Patch developed a tumour on a kidney in early 2018, which subsequently killed her. We have kept her seal tortie daughter Missie from her second and last litter. She is also the grandmother of Summer, via her daughter Autumn from her first litter.
Patch was a lovely little seal tortie with a delightful temperament and excellent type and eye colour - many thanks to Christine and Mush for letting me have her. She was a much-needed complete outcross from my other cats. She was the first orange gene cat I've had. We were extremely upset when Patch developed a tumour on a kidney in early 2018, which subsequently killed her. We have kept her seal tortie daughter Missie from her second and last litter. She is also the grandmother of Summer, via her daughter Autumn from her first litter.
Champion Rafoej Risky Business (born November 2014)
Risky, like his father Ming-Li, is from entirely traditional Burmese lines. He is a seal Burmese. His mother is Gr Ch Rafoej Tyra. He doesn't carry russet but does carry dilute from his father, as well as the chocolate from his chocolate mother. I think he has one of the nicest heads I've ever bred, as well as a very nice temperament. Tragically, Risky got out of his run in early August 2018. He was seen once by neighbours a few days later, then vanished into thin air. We are still desperately hoping he will turn up, but as time goes on, have to accept that this is increasingly unlikely.
Risky, like his father Ming-Li, is from entirely traditional Burmese lines. He is a seal Burmese. His mother is Gr Ch Rafoej Tyra. He doesn't carry russet but does carry dilute from his father, as well as the chocolate from his chocolate mother. I think he has one of the nicest heads I've ever bred, as well as a very nice temperament. Tragically, Risky got out of his run in early August 2018. He was seen once by neighbours a few days later, then vanished into thin air. We are still desperately hoping he will turn up, but as time goes on, have to accept that this is increasingly unlikely.
Ch Rafoej Mixed Up Miss
Missie is the seal tortie daughter of Patch and Ming-Li. She is tested as carrying chocolate and russet. She produced really stunning kittens to our new russet boy Russell and is represented in the cattery by her seal russet Burmese daughter Poppy and red russet Burmese son Rufus from him. I also have her stunning-looking and delightful-natured seal Burmese daughter Congruence (Connie) by Shadow. Missie's breeding career was cut short by a series of nasty kidney infections. She is now spayed and very well; hopefully that will continue and she'll be able to find a forever home.
Missie is the seal tortie daughter of Patch and Ming-Li. She is tested as carrying chocolate and russet. She produced really stunning kittens to our new russet boy Russell and is represented in the cattery by her seal russet Burmese daughter Poppy and red russet Burmese son Rufus from him. I also have her stunning-looking and delightful-natured seal Burmese daughter Congruence (Connie) by Shadow. Missie's breeding career was cut short by a series of nasty kidney infections. She is now spayed and very well; hopefully that will continue and she'll be able to find a forever home.
Mandalay
Grand Champion Rafoej Midnight Caller (37) - "Midge" 1993 - 2006
(Ebony carrying Burmese and dilute)
Midge was one of our first litter of Mandalays from Mira and Jan Parsons' Champion Zanyminx Midnight Special (37). Another kitten in this litter was New Zealand's first chocolate Mandalay, Champion Rafoej Mnemosyne Minx (37b), owned by Jan. Midge had some lovely kittens but the only ones which have bred on are the foundation cats of the cinnamon Mandalay programme, the ebony ticked tabbies Rafoej Sabu (Gen. 1) and Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1). They were sired by the sorrel Abbysinian, Grand Champion Boothill Young Gun.
(Ebony carrying Burmese and dilute)
Midge was one of our first litter of Mandalays from Mira and Jan Parsons' Champion Zanyminx Midnight Special (37). Another kitten in this litter was New Zealand's first chocolate Mandalay, Champion Rafoej Mnemosyne Minx (37b), owned by Jan. Midge had some lovely kittens but the only ones which have bred on are the foundation cats of the cinnamon Mandalay programme, the ebony ticked tabbies Rafoej Sabu (Gen. 1) and Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1). They were sired by the sorrel Abbysinian, Grand Champion Boothill Young Gun.
Rafoej Panache (Gen. 1) - "Flo" 1994-2015
(Ebony carrying Burmese and cinnamon)
Flo was Mira's daughter by Double Grand Champion Pizzicato Tango (29) and one of the three foundation cats of the cinnamon Mandalay breeding programme. She had a single litter by Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1) which included Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1) (Latte), our first cinnamon ticked tabby. Flo was the much-loved pet of Bethney and Giles. She is shown together with her son Latte (Rafoej Vartek) below his entry.
(Ebony carrying Burmese and cinnamon)
Flo was Mira's daughter by Double Grand Champion Pizzicato Tango (29) and one of the three foundation cats of the cinnamon Mandalay breeding programme. She had a single litter by Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1) which included Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1) (Latte), our first cinnamon ticked tabby. Flo was the much-loved pet of Bethney and Giles. She is shown together with her son Latte (Rafoej Vartek) below his entry.
Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1) - "Simba" 1994-2014
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying Burmese, self and cinnamon)
Simba was the foundation male of the cinnamon programme. He sired the Gen. 2 cinnamon cats Dinky from his sister Sabu and Latte from Flo. He retired to live with my friend Lin.
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying Burmese, self and cinnamon)
Simba was the foundation male of the cinnamon programme. He sired the Gen. 2 cinnamon cats Dinky from his sister Sabu and Latte from Flo. He retired to live with my friend Lin.
Rafoej Sabu (Gen. 1) 1994-2009
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying self and cinnamon)
Sabu is a beautiful cat and consistently produced beautiful kittens. We kept two of her daughters, Champion Rafoej Zephyr (Gen. 2) (37b1) (Dinky), from a brother-sister mating to Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1), and Champion Rafoej Mata (Gen. 2) (37f) (Mitsi), by Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f). A son, Champion Rafoej Cupreous (Gen. 2) (37f/b1) by Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1), went to Jan Parsons and became an important breeding cat in the cinnamon programme.
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying self and cinnamon)
Sabu is a beautiful cat and consistently produced beautiful kittens. We kept two of her daughters, Champion Rafoej Zephyr (Gen. 2) (37b1) (Dinky), from a brother-sister mating to Rafoej Sahara (Gen. 1), and Champion Rafoej Mata (Gen. 2) (37f) (Mitsi), by Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f). A son, Champion Rafoej Cupreous (Gen. 2) (37f/b1) by Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1), went to Jan Parsons and became an important breeding cat in the cinnamon programme.
Rafoej Vartek (Gen. 2) (37f/b1) - "Latte" 1995 - 2007
(Cinnamon ticked tabby carrying Burmese and self)
Latte, the first cinnamon tabby Mandalay, sired three litters in quick succession before being neutered. The mating to Gogo produced Jane Masterton's Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f). The mating to Sabu produced Jan Parsons' Champion Rafoej Cupreous (Gen. 2) (37f/b1). The third mating was to Christa Krey's Ch. Lessentine Filigree (27a) who I leased for this mating. This mating produced Jane Masterton's Rafoej Eglantine (Gen. 3) (27) and Gaye Teague's Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f). Latte lived all his life with his mother in the home where he was born.
(Cinnamon ticked tabby carrying Burmese and self)
Latte, the first cinnamon tabby Mandalay, sired three litters in quick succession before being neutered. The mating to Gogo produced Jane Masterton's Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f). The mating to Sabu produced Jan Parsons' Champion Rafoej Cupreous (Gen. 2) (37f/b1). The third mating was to Christa Krey's Ch. Lessentine Filigree (27a) who I leased for this mating. This mating produced Jane Masterton's Rafoej Eglantine (Gen. 3) (27) and Gaye Teague's Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f). Latte lived all his life with his mother in the home where he was born.
Champion Rafoej Zephyr (Gen. 2) (37b1) - "Dinky" 1996-
(Homozygous self cinnamon)
Dinky, the first solid cinnamon Mandalay, won one Grand Challenge. Her first litter was to Gaye Teague's Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f) and produced a cinnamon ticked tabby daughter which was sold for breeding. From her third litter of only two kittens by Champion Zanyminx Pink Panther (37f/c) a cinnamon, Rafoej Burnt Umber (Gen. 3) (37b1), went to Christa Krey and a chocolate, Rafoej Brown Sugar (Gen. 3) (37b), went to Dorothy Horton. Sugar had several top 10 in show placings as a kitten. Subsequently Dinky also produced Ch. Rafoej Malibu from a mating to Jan's Ch. Arsenios Touch of Bronze, then Buba and Noiraud to Ch. Lekcid Olhovskiy.
(Homozygous self cinnamon)
Dinky, the first solid cinnamon Mandalay, won one Grand Challenge. Her first litter was to Gaye Teague's Rafoej Eclat (Gen. 3) (37f) and produced a cinnamon ticked tabby daughter which was sold for breeding. From her third litter of only two kittens by Champion Zanyminx Pink Panther (37f/c) a cinnamon, Rafoej Burnt Umber (Gen. 3) (37b1), went to Christa Krey and a chocolate, Rafoej Brown Sugar (Gen. 3) (37b), went to Dorothy Horton. Sugar had several top 10 in show placings as a kitten. Subsequently Dinky also produced Ch. Rafoej Malibu from a mating to Jan's Ch. Arsenios Touch of Bronze, then Buba and Noiraud to Ch. Lekcid Olhovskiy.
Champion Rafoej Mata (Gen. 2) (37f) - "Mitsi" 1998-
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying non-agouti)
Mitsi produced only one living litter of two lovely male ebony ticked tabbies very like her. One of these kittens is Jan Parson's Ugas (Ch. Rafoej Unforgettable), Mazurka's father. Mitsi never liked other cats and after being spayed got more aggressive towards them so she moved to live as the only pet in a great home in Northland.
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying non-agouti)
Mitsi produced only one living litter of two lovely male ebony ticked tabbies very like her. One of these kittens is Jan Parson's Ugas (Ch. Rafoej Unforgettable), Mazurka's father. Mitsi never liked other cats and after being spayed got more aggressive towards them so she moved to live as the only pet in a great home in Northland.
Rafoej Finally Fawn (37f/c1) - "Finn" 2000-
(Fawn caramel ticked tabby Mandalay carrying non-agouti and Burmese)
Finn, who I now believe was a fawn caramel ticked tabby rather than a fawn ticked tabby as he was registered and shown, was the first dilute kitten born in the cinnamon programme. His parents were Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f), who we leased back for one litter, and Arsenios Chocolate Charley. He was briefly a stud before being neutered and going to live with my friends Suzan and Ian. He sired Caramello from Christa's chocolate Burmese queen Maya (see below) and Kaos from Bushbaby (see below). Finn died suddenly in August 2016 after a long and happy life with Suzan and Ian.
(Fawn caramel ticked tabby Mandalay carrying non-agouti and Burmese)
Finn, who I now believe was a fawn caramel ticked tabby rather than a fawn ticked tabby as he was registered and shown, was the first dilute kitten born in the cinnamon programme. His parents were Champion Rafoej Dapple (Gen. 3) (37f), who we leased back for one litter, and Arsenios Chocolate Charley. He was briefly a stud before being neutered and going to live with my friends Suzan and Ian. He sired Caramello from Christa's chocolate Burmese queen Maya (see below) and Kaos from Bushbaby (see below). Finn died suddenly in August 2016 after a long and happy life with Suzan and Ian.
Champion Rafoej Malibu (Gen. 3) (37B1) 2002-
(Homozygous self cinnamon)
Malibu had a very nice litter to Caramello from which we kept the cinnamon spotted tabby Tabasco. Although delightful with people and other cats Malibu was aggressive with my dogs. Rather than risk injury from a serious fight she went to live with Eddie and Cheryl who bred further litters from her.
(Homozygous self cinnamon)
Malibu had a very nice litter to Caramello from which we kept the cinnamon spotted tabby Tabasco. Although delightful with people and other cats Malibu was aggressive with my dogs. Rather than risk injury from a serious fight she went to live with Eddie and Cheryl who bred further litters from her.
Lessentine Rafoej Oddity (37k/fc) - "Caramello" 2001-
(Lavender caramel spotted tabby Mandalay, carrying cinnamon, non-agouti and Burmese)
Like his father Finn, Caramello was a very obvious caramel - a colour that was extremely new to us at the time. I have found that caramel is much more obvious in tabbies than in solid coloured cats. Caramello was also one of the first spotted tabbies so the combination of two new colours suggested his registered name! He sired Tabasco from Malibu before being neutered and going to live with his half sister in a lovely home in Auckland.
(Lavender caramel spotted tabby Mandalay, carrying cinnamon, non-agouti and Burmese)
Like his father Finn, Caramello was a very obvious caramel - a colour that was extremely new to us at the time. I have found that caramel is much more obvious in tabbies than in solid coloured cats. Caramello was also one of the first spotted tabbies so the combination of two new colours suggested his registered name! He sired Tabasco from Malibu before being neutered and going to live with his half sister in a lovely home in Auckland.
Rafoej Vinka (Gen. 3) - "Buba" 2003-
(Ebony Mandalay carrying cinnamon, dilute and Burmese)
Buba lives in a pet home and had two very nice litters for us before being spayed. We kept her chocolate Burmese daughter Dream.
(Ebony Mandalay carrying cinnamon, dilute and Burmese)
Buba lives in a pet home and had two very nice litters for us before being spayed. We kept her chocolate Burmese daughter Dream.
Champion Rafoej Vivid (Gen. 3) - "Noiraud" 2003-
(Ebony Mandalay carrying Burmese and cinnamon)
Buba's brother Noiraud is another lovely ebony Mandalay. He sired a litter from Christa's Maya which included our Mindy. He has now been neutered and lives happily with my friend Kath's mother.
(Ebony Mandalay carrying Burmese and cinnamon)
Buba's brother Noiraud is another lovely ebony Mandalay. He sired a litter from Christa's Maya which included our Mindy. He has now been neutered and lives happily with my friend Kath's mother.
Champion Lessentine Rafoej Mindy
Mindy (Ch. Lessentine Rafoej Mindy) was a very nice chocolate Mandalay carrying cinnamon and Burmese and possibly dilute. She was bred by Christa Krey from our male Champion Rafoej Vivid (now neutered and retired); her mother was a chocolate Burmese, Maya. Mindy has been spayed and is now the loved pet of a retired couple in Paraparaumu.
Mindy was the mother of Uno (fathered by Argus), a chocolate Burmese carrying cinnamon who spent a while in Melbourne with Jane and is now living in Northland with my friend Carol. He and Dream were the parents of Hudson and Hollie . Mindy is shown below with her last litter (she only had one or two kittens each time).
Mindy (Ch. Lessentine Rafoej Mindy) was a very nice chocolate Mandalay carrying cinnamon and Burmese and possibly dilute. She was bred by Christa Krey from our male Champion Rafoej Vivid (now neutered and retired); her mother was a chocolate Burmese, Maya. Mindy has been spayed and is now the loved pet of a retired couple in Paraparaumu.
Mindy was the mother of Uno (fathered by Argus), a chocolate Burmese carrying cinnamon who spent a while in Melbourne with Jane and is now living in Northland with my friend Carol. He and Dream were the parents of Hudson and Hollie . Mindy is shown below with her last litter (she only had one or two kittens each time).
Lessentine Sua "Tiger" 2007-
Tiger (Lessentine Sua) was a short-term resident, bred by Christa Krey. We got him for our programme to breed strongly patterned spotted and hopefully classic tabby Mandalays. He is a seal ticked tabby Burmese, carrying spotted tabby, non-agouti, dilute, and either chocolate or cinnamon. He could also have the caramel (dilute modifier gene). He has a very extrovert, confident personality. He now lives as a much loved pet in Titahi Bay. We kept his daughter Ophrah and son Ophir from Hope.
Tiger (Lessentine Sua) was a short-term resident, bred by Christa Krey. We got him for our programme to breed strongly patterned spotted and hopefully classic tabby Mandalays. He is a seal ticked tabby Burmese, carrying spotted tabby, non-agouti, dilute, and either chocolate or cinnamon. He could also have the caramel (dilute modifier gene). He has a very extrovert, confident personality. He now lives as a much loved pet in Titahi Bay. We kept his daughter Ophrah and son Ophir from Hope.
Rafoej Hope "Hope" 2007-
Hope, a daughter of Tabasco and Mazurka. is an ebony golden spotted tabby. Unfortunately the golden (wide-banded) undercoat tends to detract from the clarity of the spots and vice versa. We hoped to breed kittens from her which had her lovely spots but without the wide-band effect. However, she had only two surviving kittens from a litter of seven. We kept both of them, a dark ebony ticked tabby daughter named Ophrah and a son named Ophir coloured very much like her. Hope was spayed and now lives with a Christchurch family.
Hope, a daughter of Tabasco and Mazurka. is an ebony golden spotted tabby. Unfortunately the golden (wide-banded) undercoat tends to detract from the clarity of the spots and vice versa. We hoped to breed kittens from her which had her lovely spots but without the wide-band effect. However, she had only two surviving kittens from a litter of seven. We kept both of them, a dark ebony ticked tabby daughter named Ophrah and a son named Ophir coloured very much like her. Hope was spayed and now lives with a Christchurch family.
Champion Rafoej Tabasco
Champion Rafoej Tabasco was a cinnamon spotted tabby Mandalay. He had a fabulous temperament and was a beautiful rich colour with clear markings. He also carried the classic tabby pattern. He sired several litters. He died relatively young of acute kidney failure.
Champion Rafoej Tabasco was a cinnamon spotted tabby Mandalay. He had a fabulous temperament and was a beautiful rich colour with clear markings. He also carried the classic tabby pattern. He sired several litters. He died relatively young of acute kidney failure.
Champion Rafoej Wasian "Wasi"
Wasi is a very handsome spotted tabby Mandalay son of Tabasco and Mazurka. He was to have been my next Mandalay stud replacing his father Tabasco, but he produced only one kitten from several attempts to three different queens, so that obviously wasn't going to work. He went to live in a loving home in Crofton Downs.
Wasi is a very handsome spotted tabby Mandalay son of Tabasco and Mazurka. He was to have been my next Mandalay stud replacing his father Tabasco, but he produced only one kitten from several attempts to three different queens, so that obviously wasn't going to work. He went to live in a loving home in Crofton Downs.
Champion Zanyminx Mazurka
Mazurka was bred by Jan Parsons and sired by Champion Rafoej Unforgettable who was bred by us and owned by Jan. Mazurka is an ebony ticked golden tabby and carries the cinnamon and dilute genes. She had several lovely litters to Tabasco and Argus, and is now spayed and retired.
Mazurka was bred by Jan Parsons and sired by Champion Rafoej Unforgettable who was bred by us and owned by Jan. Mazurka is an ebony ticked golden tabby and carries the cinnamon and dilute genes. She had several lovely litters to Tabasco and Argus, and is now spayed and retired.
Champion Rafoej Dream Weaver
Dream is a chocolate Burmese bred from our cinnamon Mandalay programme and carries the genes for cinnamon and dilute (lilac/fawn). She had some lovely cinnamon and chocolate Burmese kittens. She is now spayed and lives with a family in the Wairarapa.
Dream is a chocolate Burmese bred from our cinnamon Mandalay programme and carries the genes for cinnamon and dilute (lilac/fawn). She had some lovely cinnamon and chocolate Burmese kittens. She is now spayed and lives with a family in the Wairarapa.
Rafoej Hudson
Hudson is a very handsome chocolate Burmese, carrying cinnamon, the son of Dream and Rafoej Uno (owned by Carol in Northland, a son of Argus and Mindi). He is the father of Delphine. He now lives as a loved pet in Northland.
Hudson is a very handsome chocolate Burmese, carrying cinnamon, the son of Dream and Rafoej Uno (owned by Carol in Northland, a son of Argus and Mindi). He is the father of Delphine. He now lives as a loved pet in Northland.
Rafoej Hollie
Hollie (Porsche) is a litter sister of Hudson, and is the pet of Lynne. Porsche had several litters before being spayed, and is the mother of Honey and Ninja, and also of Ninja's sister Navaho, who lives with Lynne and Porsche and is also being bred from occasionally under my prefix.
Hollie (Porsche) is a litter sister of Hudson, and is the pet of Lynne. Porsche had several litters before being spayed, and is the mother of Honey and Ninja, and also of Ninja's sister Navaho, who lives with Lynne and Porsche and is also being bred from occasionally under my prefix.
Grand Champion Rafoej No-one Else
Solo is a daughter of Dream's chocolate Mandalay sister Rafoej Dreamtime and fathered by a full brother of Tabasco. She lived for a while with Christine and Mush, then came back to join the Rafoej line-up. She is a lovely coppery cinnamon ticked tabby, carrying classic pattern, non-agouti and Burmese. She had several lovely litters, but then for several years failed to get pregnant after matings to different studs. She died of sudden acute kidney failure at the beginning of 2017.
Solo is a daughter of Dream's chocolate Mandalay sister Rafoej Dreamtime and fathered by a full brother of Tabasco. She lived for a while with Christine and Mush, then came back to join the Rafoej line-up. She is a lovely coppery cinnamon ticked tabby, carrying classic pattern, non-agouti and Burmese. She had several lovely litters, but then for several years failed to get pregnant after matings to different studs. She died of sudden acute kidney failure at the beginning of 2017.
Champion Cairistona Rafoej Classical Solo
Classy, Cairistona Rafoej Classical Solo was the daughter of Solo and Wasi. She was the first ever classic tabby Mandalay. Classic tabbies are the tabbies with bold swirling patterns on the body rather than vertical stripes or small spots. Classy was a real sweetie, and I'm very grateful to Christine and Mush for breeding her and letting me have her. Both her parents are Rafoej cats, and I had been quietly trying to get classic tabbies for more than 10 years. Unfortunately Classy had just one small litter, and none of her offspring were bred from. To our great upset and disappointment Classy died when she somehow broke her neck in an unexplained freak accident in the cattery.
Classy, Cairistona Rafoej Classical Solo was the daughter of Solo and Wasi. She was the first ever classic tabby Mandalay. Classic tabbies are the tabbies with bold swirling patterns on the body rather than vertical stripes or small spots. Classy was a real sweetie, and I'm very grateful to Christine and Mush for breeding her and letting me have her. Both her parents are Rafoej cats, and I had been quietly trying to get classic tabbies for more than 10 years. Unfortunately Classy had just one small litter, and none of her offspring were bred from. To our great upset and disappointment Classy died when she somehow broke her neck in an unexplained freak accident in the cattery.
Rafoej Wyandotte
"Pebbles", an ebony spotted tabby Mandalay, was the pet of my friend Jenny, but had one litter before being spayed. From that litter I kept Nina and Eddie.
"Pebbles", an ebony spotted tabby Mandalay, was the pet of my friend Jenny, but had one litter before being spayed. From that litter I kept Nina and Eddie.
Champion Rafoej Eponine
Nina was born at my friend Jenny's place in the only litter from "Pebbles" (Rafoej Wyandotte - daughter of Mazurka and Tabasco), sired by Henry. She is a chocolate spotted tabby Mandalay, carrying everything possible! She had some lovely kittens and I have kept her chocolate silver daughter Callista. Nina now lives in a lovely home in Plimmerton with her grandmother Mazurka.
Nina was born at my friend Jenny's place in the only litter from "Pebbles" (Rafoej Wyandotte - daughter of Mazurka and Tabasco), sired by Henry. She is a chocolate spotted tabby Mandalay, carrying everything possible! She had some lovely kittens and I have kept her chocolate silver daughter Callista. Nina now lives in a lovely home in Plimmerton with her grandmother Mazurka.
Champion Rafoej Everest
Eddie is a very dark ebony ticked tabby, a litter brother to Nina. He has a fabulous affectionate temperament. Eddie sired Rafoej Velvet Elvis (owned by Debs) from Porsche, before being retired and going to live with a family in Pauatahanui. He also sired Eddie and Cheryl's Elsa, a very lovely lavender caramel ticked tabby Mandalay.
Eddie is a very dark ebony ticked tabby, a litter brother to Nina. He has a fabulous affectionate temperament. Eddie sired Rafoej Velvet Elvis (owned by Debs) from Porsche, before being retired and going to live with a family in Pauatahanui. He also sired Eddie and Cheryl's Elsa, a very lovely lavender caramel ticked tabby Mandalay.
Champion Rafoej Ophrah
Ophrah was the daughter of Hope and Tiger. She was an ebony ticked tabby Mandalay carrying Burmese and dilute. Her type was excellent, her head stunning and her coat lovely and soft and sleek. She was affectionate with loads of character, but didn't like strangers. She died in late 2013 of lung cancer. Her line lives on through her granddaughter Banjora.
Ophrah was the daughter of Hope and Tiger. She was an ebony ticked tabby Mandalay carrying Burmese and dilute. Her type was excellent, her head stunning and her coat lovely and soft and sleek. She was affectionate with loads of character, but didn't like strangers. She died in late 2013 of lung cancer. Her line lives on through her granddaughter Banjora.
Lessentine Gip-Sie
Gypsy was bred by my friend Christa, and sired by my Hudson. She was an unplanned aquisition - I just thought she was too lovely to disappear into a pet home. She was my first cinnamon Burmese breeding queen. Gypsy had just one litter, all of which were males and all went as pets. She subsequently failed to get pregnant despite numerous attempts and has now been spayed and lives in a loving pet home with Leon.
Gypsy was bred by my friend Christa, and sired by my Hudson. She was an unplanned aquisition - I just thought she was too lovely to disappear into a pet home. She was my first cinnamon Burmese breeding queen. Gypsy had just one litter, all of which were males and all went as pets. She subsequently failed to get pregnant despite numerous attempts and has now been spayed and lives in a loving pet home with Leon.
Rafoej Calista
Calista is a chocolate silver Mandalay daughter of Nina - the first silver I have bred. My main interest in introducing silver was to see how it behaved in combination with Russet, but the silvers are very lovely cats in their own right. Calista had one very nice litter before being spayed and retired to live as the pet of Chalese.
Calista is a chocolate silver Mandalay daughter of Nina - the first silver I have bred. My main interest in introducing silver was to see how it behaved in combination with Russet, but the silvers are very lovely cats in their own right. Calista had one very nice litter before being spayed and retired to live as the pet of Chalese.
Champion Rafoej Delphine
Delphi is a lilac Burmese carrying cinnamon, a cousin of Honey and from the same Oriental-free line. Delphi's parents are Rosebud and Hudson. One of her sons by Enigma has gone to be a foundation stud for Anna; I hope to get a cinnamon-carrier kitten back from him in due course. Delphi herself has gone to help a new breeder near Auckland get established.
Delphi is a lilac Burmese carrying cinnamon, a cousin of Honey and from the same Oriental-free line. Delphi's parents are Rosebud and Hudson. One of her sons by Enigma has gone to be a foundation stud for Anna; I hope to get a cinnamon-carrier kitten back from him in due course. Delphi herself has gone to help a new breeder near Auckland get established.
Champion Rafoej Honeybee
Honey is the chocolate Burmese daughter of Tabari and Porsche, a chocolate Burmese carrying cinnamon who lives with my friend Lynne. Honey carries cinnamon, and continued a line of cinnamon carriers which go back via Dinky (Ch. Rafoej Zephyr) to the Abbysinian outcross which introduced cinnamon to Mandalays and Burmese, but don't have any Oriental in their background. Honey has now been retired from breeding and has a lovely home to go to in Hawkes Bay, where she will live with one of her cousins. She will be replaced in the breeding programme by her son by Ming-Li, a seal Burmese boy who carries both cinnamon and russet.
Honey is the chocolate Burmese daughter of Tabari and Porsche, a chocolate Burmese carrying cinnamon who lives with my friend Lynne. Honey carries cinnamon, and continued a line of cinnamon carriers which go back via Dinky (Ch. Rafoej Zephyr) to the Abbysinian outcross which introduced cinnamon to Mandalays and Burmese, but don't have any Oriental in their background. Honey has now been retired from breeding and has a lovely home to go to in Hawkes Bay, where she will live with one of her cousins. She will be replaced in the breeding programme by her son by Ming-Li, a seal Burmese boy who carries both cinnamon and russet.
Rafoej Whirl Of Chocolate
Whirl is an extremely attractive colour - a clear, well-defined spotted tabby pattern (with longitudinal flow) on a warm buff background. He has lovely eye colour. Unfortunately his head isn't so strong, and unlike all his littermates he's a little shy, like his father. He's from Happy and Kismet. I hoped he would pass on his good points and not his weaknesses - and he did! He had a lovely litter witth Caramela, from which I've run on two girls, a lavender caramel ticked tabby Mandalay and a chocolate ticked tabby Burmese. Whirl has now been vasectomised to become my new "teaser" stud.
Whirl is an extremely attractive colour - a clear, well-defined spotted tabby pattern (with longitudinal flow) on a warm buff background. He has lovely eye colour. Unfortunately his head isn't so strong, and unlike all his littermates he's a little shy, like his father. He's from Happy and Kismet. I hoped he would pass on his good points and not his weaknesses - and he did! He had a lovely litter witth Caramela, from which I've run on two girls, a lavender caramel ticked tabby Mandalay and a chocolate ticked tabby Burmese. Whirl has now been vasectomised to become my new "teaser" stud.
Bammtz Summer Loving
Bred by Anna, Summer is the absolutely gorgeous chcocolate Burmese daughter of two Rafoej cats, Rafoej Vantage Zion (a son of Delphi and Enigma) and Rafoej Colours of Autumn (a daughter of Patch and Tabari). She was DNA tested as a cinnamon and russet carrier. She is extremely pretty with a very short, velvety coat, a light golden chocolate colour, and lovely eye colour. She also has a really delightful temperament. Photo soon. She is represented in the cattery by her lovely ebony daughter Regret, and seal russet son Justice.
Bred by Anna, Summer is the absolutely gorgeous chcocolate Burmese daughter of two Rafoej cats, Rafoej Vantage Zion (a son of Delphi and Enigma) and Rafoej Colours of Autumn (a daughter of Patch and Tabari). She was DNA tested as a cinnamon and russet carrier. She is extremely pretty with a very short, velvety coat, a light golden chocolate colour, and lovely eye colour. She also has a really delightful temperament. Photo soon. She is represented in the cattery by her lovely ebony daughter Regret, and seal russet son Justice.
Russett programme
Champion and Premier Boloni Enigma Variation
Enigma was one of the first representatives of a new colour that has popped up in Burmese. I am extremely grateful to Bob and Nicki Mackenzie for letting me have the first of these new colour kittens to be left entire, and being willing for me to do some experimental matings to work out the inheritance and expression of the colour. Enigma sired several lovely litters. He is now retired and neutered and is living with my friend Sy and his daughter Qitarah.
Enigma was one of the first representatives of a new colour that has popped up in Burmese. I am extremely grateful to Bob and Nicki Mackenzie for letting me have the first of these new colour kittens to be left entire, and being willing for me to do some experimental matings to work out the inheritance and expression of the colour. Enigma sired several lovely litters. He is now retired and neutered and is living with my friend Sy and his daughter Qitarah.
Champion Rafoej Leonel
Leon is a chocolate ticked tabby Mandalay son of Enigma and Solo. Mated to his paternal half-sister Qitarah, he produced the first russet Mandalays, including the first tabby russets; we kept his son Xanthus. He was neutered and retired from breeding in late 2013. Leon now lives with Gypsy in a loving pet home.
Leon is a chocolate ticked tabby Mandalay son of Enigma and Solo. Mated to his paternal half-sister Qitarah, he produced the first russet Mandalays, including the first tabby russets; we kept his son Xanthus. He was neutered and retired from breeding in late 2013. Leon now lives with Gypsy in a loving pet home.
Rafoej Laila
Laila is a seal Burmese litter sister to Leonel, with her father's stunning eye colour. She has produced seal russet kittens to the Mackenzies' Bernard (3/4 brother to Enigma), and I have kept her daughters Fae and Faline. Laila has been retired and is happily settled with a new owner in Paraparaumu.
Laila is a seal Burmese litter sister to Leonel, with her father's stunning eye colour. She has produced seal russet kittens to the Mackenzies' Bernard (3/4 brother to Enigma), and I have kept her daughters Fae and Faline. Laila has been retired and is happily settled with a new owner in Paraparaumu.
Rafoej Qitarah
An ebony ticked tabby daughter of Ophrah and Enigma, Qitarah produced the first russet Mandalays, including the first tabby russets from a litter to Leonel. She then produced the lovely ebony tabby Banjora from an accidental mating to Tabari when he was still a kitten. She was retired in late 2013 and has gone to live with her great grandfather Ugas and my friend Sy.
An ebony ticked tabby daughter of Ophrah and Enigma, Qitarah produced the first russet Mandalays, including the first tabby russets from a litter to Leonel. She then produced the lovely ebony tabby Banjora from an accidental mating to Tabari when he was still a kitten. She was retired in late 2013 and has gone to live with her great grandfather Ugas and my friend Sy.
Champion Rafoej Xanthus (born 2012)
Xanthus is an ebony ticked tabby russet Mandalay, carrying cinnamon. Along with his brothers he showed that the russet gene has similar effects in Mandalays as in Burmese, and in tabbies as in genetically solid coloured cats. He is a lovely rich reddish tan colour, similar to but also subtly different from cinnamon or red tabby. He has now been vasectomised to become our new "teaser" and keep the girls happy when they come into season at times we don't want kittens from them.
Xanthus is an ebony ticked tabby russet Mandalay, carrying cinnamon. Along with his brothers he showed that the russet gene has similar effects in Mandalays as in Burmese, and in tabbies as in genetically solid coloured cats. He is a lovely rich reddish tan colour, similar to but also subtly different from cinnamon or red tabby. He has now been vasectomised to become our new "teaser" and keep the girls happy when they come into season at times we don't want kittens from them.
Rafoej Navaho Mau
Nav is a lovely chocolate ticked tabby Mandalay (heterozygous, with pattern on her legs, face and tail, and "trout spots" on her body) carrying russet, cinnamon, non-agouti and Burmese, She is a daughter of Xanthus and Porsche and litter brother of Ninja. She lives with Lynne and had a litter under my prefix, but then had to be spayed after she fractured her pelvis in a run-in with a car.
Champion Rafoej Quite Special (November 2014 - late 2016)
Special was a seal Burmese, carrying russet and cinnamon, a son of Argus and Faline. He was a small cat like his mother, compact in build and very well balanced. He had an absolutely fabulous temperament. He died young after a short illness and was never bred from.
Special was a seal Burmese, carrying russet and cinnamon, a son of Argus and Faline. He was a small cat like his mother, compact in build and very well balanced. He had an absolutely fabulous temperament. He died young after a short illness and was never bred from.
Rafoej Thistledown Tabby
Thistle was an ebony silver spotted tabby daughter of Calista and Hector ( a seal ticked tabby Burmese son of Enigma belonging to Eddie and Cheryl). Twilight is her litter brother. She carried Burmese, dilute and russet from her father and chocolate and maybe even classic pattern from her mother. She was a real sweetie who had a single lovely litter. Unfortunately she died young (April 2017) after a short illness.
Thistle was an ebony silver spotted tabby daughter of Calista and Hector ( a seal ticked tabby Burmese son of Enigma belonging to Eddie and Cheryl). Twilight is her litter brother. She carried Burmese, dilute and russet from her father and chocolate and maybe even classic pattern from her mother. She was a real sweetie who had a single lovely litter. Unfortunately she died young (April 2017) after a short illness.
Grand Champion Rafoej Banjora
Banjo is a very stylish ebony ticked tabby Mandalay, carrying russet and non-agouti, and is heterozygous for ticked patterned tabby. She is the daughter of Qitarah and Tabari, from an accidental mating that happened when Tabari was less then 5 months old! She produced just one surviving kitten, Esam, who we kept. Banjo has been spayed and is now living with Andrea in Christchurch.
Banjo is a very stylish ebony ticked tabby Mandalay, carrying russet and non-agouti, and is heterozygous for ticked patterned tabby. She is the daughter of Qitarah and Tabari, from an accidental mating that happened when Tabari was less then 5 months old! She produced just one surviving kitten, Esam, who we kept. Banjo has been spayed and is now living with Andrea in Christchurch.
Champion Rafoej Yahoo (born 2012)
Ming-Li was a big, handsome, laid-back affectionate seal Burmese son of Enigma and Diva's blue Burmese sister Moushka. He carried dilute, chocolate and russet. He was from entirely traditional Burmese breeding. He was famous for being an escape artist. We lost him in 2020 after a long battle with pancreatitis.
Ming-Li was a big, handsome, laid-back affectionate seal Burmese son of Enigma and Diva's blue Burmese sister Moushka. He carried dilute, chocolate and russet. He was from entirely traditional Burmese breeding. He was famous for being an escape artist. We lost him in 2020 after a long battle with pancreatitis.
Champion Syadalnam Ebony Gigi
Gigi was an ebony Mandalay daughter of Enigma from a blue Mandalay queen. She had several litters to Ming-Li, which we hoped would produce the first dilute (blue and perhaps lilac) russets. However, she had only one or two kittens each time, and never any dilutes or russets. She died in 2021 from a uterine infection resulting from an undiagnosed uterine deformity.
Gigi was an ebony Mandalay daughter of Enigma from a blue Mandalay queen. She had several litters to Ming-Li, which we hoped would produce the first dilute (blue and perhaps lilac) russets. However, she had only one or two kittens each time, and never any dilutes or russets. She died in 2021 from a uterine infection resulting from an undiagnosed uterine deformity.
Champion Rafoej Ninja Mau
Ninja was a cinnamon ticked tabby (heterozygous, with pattern on his legs, face and tail, and "trout spots" on his body) carrying russet, non-agouti and Burmese, a son of Xanthus and Porsche. He died in 2020 of kidney failure.
Ninja was a cinnamon ticked tabby (heterozygous, with pattern on his legs, face and tail, and "trout spots" on his body) carrying russet, non-agouti and Burmese, a son of Xanthus and Porsche. He died in 2020 of kidney failure.
Rafoej Twilight
Twilight was an ebony smoke son of Calista and Hector ( a seal ticked tabby Burmese son of Enigma belonging to Eddie and Cheryl). His underlying tabby pattern was homozygous ticked, so he has no shadow barring. Thistle was his litter sister. He carried Burmese from his father and and has been DNA tested as a russet and cinnamon carrier. He was a real character and super affectionate. He sired some stunning kittens but I foolishly didn't keep any of them and they're all de-sexed pets. He died very unexpectedly after a short illness in early 2021.
Twilight was an ebony smoke son of Calista and Hector ( a seal ticked tabby Burmese son of Enigma belonging to Eddie and Cheryl). His underlying tabby pattern was homozygous ticked, so he has no shadow barring. Thistle was his litter sister. He carried Burmese from his father and and has been DNA tested as a russet and cinnamon carrier. He was a real character and super affectionate. He sired some stunning kittens but I foolishly didn't keep any of them and they're all de-sexed pets. He died very unexpectedly after a short illness in early 2021.
Rafoej Red Hot
Red was a lovely cinnamon russet Mandalay. He escaped from his run in October 2021, and I thought nothing of it; he'd quite often got out and just played around the garden until I put him back. I was late for a trip to the airport and thought I'd easily catch him and put him back when I got home. I never saw or heard of him again despite online advertising and flyer drops.
Red was a lovely cinnamon russet Mandalay. He escaped from his run in October 2021, and I thought nothing of it; he'd quite often got out and just played around the garden until I put him back. I was late for a trip to the airport and thought I'd easily catch him and put him back when I got home. I never saw or heard of him again despite online advertising and flyer drops.
Rafoej Esam
Sammy was the very handsome son of Banjo and Eddie and Cheryl's Australian import cinnamon-carrier lilac caramel Burmese Mojo. He was an ebony ticked tabby (homozygous ticked), with a golden undercoat, carrying russet, dilute, chocolate, non-agouti and Burmese. He was also masking caramel - as his daughter Caramela proves. He had a super short fine coat, nice type, and a fabulous temperament. Unfortunately, despite our very best efforts to save him, he died from acute kidney failure on 5/6/22.
Sammy was the very handsome son of Banjo and Eddie and Cheryl's Australian import cinnamon-carrier lilac caramel Burmese Mojo. He was an ebony ticked tabby (homozygous ticked), with a golden undercoat, carrying russet, dilute, chocolate, non-agouti and Burmese. He was also masking caramel - as his daughter Caramela proves. He had a super short fine coat, nice type, and a fabulous temperament. Unfortunately, despite our very best efforts to save him, he died from acute kidney failure on 5/6/22.
Rafoej Subtle Caramel
Caramela is a stunning colour - a lilac caramel ticked tabby. Her colour just glows in the sunlight, with a very warm buff undercoat and iridescent lilac ticking. She's a litter sister of Shadow. I've run on four of her daughters; two from Swirl and two from Happy - they are all so beautiful it's extremely hard to choose which to keep long term. Caramela is spayed and now lives very happily in Waikanae with Carolyn and a small dog. This picture doesn't do justice to the warmth of Caramela's background colouring.
Caramela is a stunning colour - a lilac caramel ticked tabby. Her colour just glows in the sunlight, with a very warm buff undercoat and iridescent lilac ticking. She's a litter sister of Shadow. I've run on four of her daughters; two from Swirl and two from Happy - they are all so beautiful it's extremely hard to choose which to keep long term. Caramela is spayed and now lives very happily in Waikanae with Carolyn and a small dog. This picture doesn't do justice to the warmth of Caramela's background colouring.
Rafoej Fae and Grand Champion Rafoej Faline
Fae and Faline are very beautiful seal russet Burmese litter sisters, both carrying cinnamon. They are the offspring of Laila and Bernard, a seal russet Burmese belonging to the MacKenzies, the original breeders of the russet mutation. Faline has had several breeders awards of merit. Fae has outstanding type and a lovely temperament but has not been shown because she shows the heterozygous ticked tabby pattern, with pattern on her legs, face and tail, and "trout spots" on her body. She is not a tabby, but the russet pattern overrides the nonagouti gene, allowing the underlying tabby pattern to show through extremely clearly. It does tend to fade as the cat gets older and loses melanin from its coat - another effect of the russet gene. Neither Fae or Faline were very successful breeders - they had very small litters, then stopped breeding completely. I kept Special from Faline, and was pretty devastated when he died before he could be bred from. I very much regret not keeping another kitten from her, but thought she would continue breeding longer than she did. Fae went to live with Gwen in the Wairarapa, then unfortunately died from kidney failure. Faline is now spayed and is going to take her place.
Fae and Faline are very beautiful seal russet Burmese litter sisters, both carrying cinnamon. They are the offspring of Laila and Bernard, a seal russet Burmese belonging to the MacKenzies, the original breeders of the russet mutation. Faline has had several breeders awards of merit. Fae has outstanding type and a lovely temperament but has not been shown because she shows the heterozygous ticked tabby pattern, with pattern on her legs, face and tail, and "trout spots" on her body. She is not a tabby, but the russet pattern overrides the nonagouti gene, allowing the underlying tabby pattern to show through extremely clearly. It does tend to fade as the cat gets older and loses melanin from its coat - another effect of the russet gene. Neither Fae or Faline were very successful breeders - they had very small litters, then stopped breeding completely. I kept Special from Faline, and was pretty devastated when he died before he could be bred from. I very much regret not keeping another kitten from her, but thought she would continue breeding longer than she did. Fae went to live with Gwen in the Wairarapa, then unfortunately died from kidney failure. Faline is now spayed and is going to take her place.
Tonkinese
Tonkinese
I had to give up breeding the lovely Tonkinese to make space for the russet Burmese and Mandalays. Tonkinese are a distinct breed developed from a Burmese x Siamese cross. They are more elegant in build than Burmese but nowhere near as extreme as modern Siamese. This moderate elegance appeals to many who liked the Siamese of the 1960s and 1970s, and some of the kittens also have the striking coat colour contrast and blue eyes of the Siamese. The temperament is typically closer to the Burmese than the Siamese side of the ancestry - they tend not to talk constantly as many Siamese do. Tonkinese still have a very small gene pool in this country so can still be out-crossed to Burmese and Siamese. For the first three generations, the (Gen.) annotation after each cat's name records the number of generations since the last such out-cross.
They come in many coat colours, and in three degrees of contrast between the body colour and points colour:
- Sepia - similar to their Burmese ancestors in colour, but usually with greener eyes, sepia Tonkinese have the body colour only slightly lighter than the points.
- Mink - this is the colour contrast seen in the first cross of Siamese x Burmese - the body is coloured, but distinctly paler than the points, and the eyes are ideally blue-green to light blue.
- Pointed - the strongly contrasting points and pale body seen in the Siamese can also be found in pointed Tonkinese. They have bright blue to deep blue eyes.
Please consult the NZCF Tonkinese Standard of Points document (Word doc file) for more information on the Tonkinese breed standard.
Rafoej Pastiche (Gen. 1) 1994 - 2007
(Seal mink)
From the mating of Ch. Rafoej Almira (27) to an ebony Oriental carrying cinnamon and Siamese, Pastiche was a beauty and a very strong character! She always wanted to be top cat of the household and after she was retired from breeding we found her a home by herself where she can get undivided attention. She had several litters of lovely kittens but only one daughter, Rafoej Yindi by Rafoej Belfrey, was bred from. In January 2000 she had a single seal mink male kitten which had to be delivered by caesarian and Pastiche was spayed. The son, Rafoej Himself Alone, went to my friend Sue in Upper Hutt and sired "Bailey" from "Blossom". Bailey in turn is the sire of excellent litters from Kaos and Jasmine. Pastiche died of cancer in late 2007.
(Seal mink)
From the mating of Ch. Rafoej Almira (27) to an ebony Oriental carrying cinnamon and Siamese, Pastiche was a beauty and a very strong character! She always wanted to be top cat of the household and after she was retired from breeding we found her a home by herself where she can get undivided attention. She had several litters of lovely kittens but only one daughter, Rafoej Yindi by Rafoej Belfrey, was bred from. In January 2000 she had a single seal mink male kitten which had to be delivered by caesarian and Pastiche was spayed. The son, Rafoej Himself Alone, went to my friend Sue in Upper Hutt and sired "Bailey" from "Blossom". Bailey in turn is the sire of excellent litters from Kaos and Jasmine. Pastiche died of cancer in late 2007.
Rafoej Panatela (Gen. 1) - "Spider" 1994-
(Ebony carrying sepia)
Pastiche's sister Spider lives with one of her sons with our good friends Katryna and Kelvin. She had two litters - one to Simba, which proved she did not carry cinnamon and therefore unfortunately had no place in the cinnamon Mandalay programme, and the second to a chocolate classic tabby Oriental. This litter was important for two reasons. Firstly, it produced our lovely Belfrey. Secondly, since it contained ticked, spotted/mackerel and classic tabbies from a classic-patterned father, it confirmed that the unbarred gene, which produces ticked tabbies and Abbysinians, is separate from the tabby pattern gene, which produces mackerel or classic tabbies.
(Ebony carrying sepia)
Pastiche's sister Spider lives with one of her sons with our good friends Katryna and Kelvin. She had two litters - one to Simba, which proved she did not carry cinnamon and therefore unfortunately had no place in the cinnamon Mandalay programme, and the second to a chocolate classic tabby Oriental. This litter was important for two reasons. Firstly, it produced our lovely Belfrey. Secondly, since it contained ticked, spotted/mackerel and classic tabbies from a classic-patterned father, it confirmed that the unbarred gene, which produces ticked tabbies and Abbysinians, is separate from the tabby pattern gene, which produces mackerel or classic tabbies.
Rafoej Belfrey (Gen. 1 Oriental) 1996 - 2007
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying non-agouti, sepia and chocolate)
Belfrey was from a mating of Pastiche's ebony litter sister Panatela to a chocolate classic tabby Oriental. Although we chose to register Belfrey as a PR Oriental rather than Tonkinese, in the end the Oriental programme we had planned came to nothing and Belfrey's important contribution was to the Tonkinese breeding programme through his daughters Yindi and Mehitabel. Belfrey was a huge cat with a beautiful, calm, soft, loving nature, and stayed with us as a much-loved pet after his breeding career ended. He died of cancer, and is very much missed.
(Ebony ticked tabby carrying non-agouti, sepia and chocolate)
Belfrey was from a mating of Pastiche's ebony litter sister Panatela to a chocolate classic tabby Oriental. Although we chose to register Belfrey as a PR Oriental rather than Tonkinese, in the end the Oriental programme we had planned came to nothing and Belfrey's important contribution was to the Tonkinese breeding programme through his daughters Yindi and Mehitabel. Belfrey was a huge cat with a beautiful, calm, soft, loving nature, and stayed with us as a much-loved pet after his breeding career ended. He died of cancer, and is very much missed.
Rafoej Mehitabel (Gen. 2 Oriental) (29z) 1999-2000
(Chocolate mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti)
Mehitabel was Belfrey's daughter from Champion Nodrog Earline, a Havana brown Oriental who we leased to mate to Belfrey. Mehitabel had one Tonkinese litter from which we kept Bushbaby and sold Rafoej Charmander (Gen. 1) ("Mandy") for breeding to Sandy Bowker, who owned their father. Our plans for an Oriental breeding programme based on Mehitabel were tragically ended when she was killed on the road.
(Chocolate mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti)
Mehitabel was Belfrey's daughter from Champion Nodrog Earline, a Havana brown Oriental who we leased to mate to Belfrey. Mehitabel had one Tonkinese litter from which we kept Bushbaby and sold Rafoej Charmander (Gen. 1) ("Mandy") for breeding to Sandy Bowker, who owned their father. Our plans for an Oriental breeding programme based on Mehitabel were tragically ended when she was killed on the road.
Rafoej Yindi (Gen. 1) 1999-2005
(Ebony carrying sepia)
Yindi, daughter of Pastiche and Belfrey, lived with Henri near Auckland and had two litters before being spayed (she was later unfortunately killed on the road). The first litter of ebonies and seal sepias by Champion Lekcid Olhovskiy (27) included "Blossom" (Rafoej Gypsy (Gen. 1)), owned by Sue, who we have also bred from under lease. The second litter of ebonies and seal minks was sired by a chocolatepoint Siamese and included the seal mink Emily (Rafoej Quattro (Gen. 1) who had one litter for us.
(Ebony carrying sepia)
Yindi, daughter of Pastiche and Belfrey, lived with Henri near Auckland and had two litters before being spayed (she was later unfortunately killed on the road). The first litter of ebonies and seal sepias by Champion Lekcid Olhovskiy (27) included "Blossom" (Rafoej Gypsy (Gen. 1)), owned by Sue, who we have also bred from under lease. The second litter of ebonies and seal minks was sired by a chocolatepoint Siamese and included the seal mink Emily (Rafoej Quattro (Gen. 1) who had one litter for us.
Rafoej Charisma (Gen. 1) - "Bushbaby/Whitebait" 2000-
(Seal mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti and chocolate)
Bushbaby lived with Sue and David near Blenheim. She is the daughter of Mehitabel and Jolichat Nemesis (Gen. 1). Before being spayed she was mated first to Vendredo Raven's Reiki (Gen. 2) to produce a litter which included our Jasmine, then to Finn to produce a litter which included Kaos.
(Seal mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti and chocolate)
Bushbaby lived with Sue and David near Blenheim. She is the daughter of Mehitabel and Jolichat Nemesis (Gen. 1). Before being spayed she was mated first to Vendredo Raven's Reiki (Gen. 2) to produce a litter which included our Jasmine, then to Finn to produce a litter which included Kaos.
Rafoej Jasmine (Gen. 2) "Jasmine" 2000 -
Jasmine was a beautiful seal mink ticked tabby with fabulous, truly aqua eyes. Her parents were Rafoej Charisma (Gen. 1), a seal mink ticked tabby, and Vendredo Raven's Reiki (Gen. 2), a seal mink. She retired to live near Auckland with my friend Sally's parents. She had several lovely litters, from which we kept Bester, by Blossom's son Bailey, and Likely and Lace, fathered by Billy.
Jasmine was a beautiful seal mink ticked tabby with fabulous, truly aqua eyes. Her parents were Rafoej Charisma (Gen. 1), a seal mink ticked tabby, and Vendredo Raven's Reiki (Gen. 2), a seal mink. She retired to live near Auckland with my friend Sally's parents. She had several lovely litters, from which we kept Bester, by Blossom's son Bailey, and Likely and Lace, fathered by Billy.
Rafoej Kaos (Gen. 1) "Kaos" 2001-2007
Kaos was a striking-looking seal mink queen carrying cinnamon, dilute and the caramel/dilute modifier gene. She had several litters for us before her extremely sudden and unexpected death. We kept a lovely lilac daughter ("Lilly") from Billy and her, but unfortunately she had to be spayed as a result of pyometra and was then found a great home. Kaos's direct line has therefore been lost. However, her chocolate mink son Rafoej Zed (Gen. 1) (sired by the seal Burmese Ch. Lekcid Olhovskiy) sired one litter which included Mitsuesmemory Chocolate Rocket (Gen. 2), Meringue's father.
Kaos was a striking-looking seal mink queen carrying cinnamon, dilute and the caramel/dilute modifier gene. She had several litters for us before her extremely sudden and unexpected death. We kept a lovely lilac daughter ("Lilly") from Billy and her, but unfortunately she had to be spayed as a result of pyometra and was then found a great home. Kaos's direct line has therefore been lost. However, her chocolate mink son Rafoej Zed (Gen. 1) (sired by the seal Burmese Ch. Lekcid Olhovskiy) sired one litter which included Mitsuesmemory Chocolate Rocket (Gen. 2), Meringue's father.
Rafoej Quattro (Gen. 1) - "Emily" 2002-
(Seal mink carrying chocolate and classic pattern)
Emily, the pet of my friends Clare and Janice, had one litter by Tabasco before being spayed. From that litter we kept Xmas for breeding.
(Seal mink carrying chocolate and classic pattern)
Emily, the pet of my friends Clare and Janice, had one litter by Tabasco before being spayed. From that litter we kept Xmas for breeding.
Mitsuesmemory Rafoej Billy (Gen3)
Billy is a bluepoint, bred by the Wallers. He lived with us for a short time before being neutered and going to live with an Auckland family. While he was with us he sired litters by Jasmine and Kaos. We kept his son Likely and daughter Lace from Jasmine.
Billy is a bluepoint, bred by the Wallers. He lived with us for a short time before being neutered and going to live with an Auckland family. While he was with us he sired litters by Jasmine and Kaos. We kept his son Likely and daughter Lace from Jasmine.
Rafoej Bester (Gen.3) "Bester"
Bester is a seal mink ticked tabby carrying chocolate who is a lovely little cat with a superb temperament. He is a son of Rafoej Jasmine (Gen. 2) (see above) and Rafoej New Boy Bailey (Gen. 2), a chocolate mink who is owned by Sue in Upper Hutt. Seen below top left with his brother and sister. Unfortunately we had problems with collapsed chests in a number of Bester's kittens from different mothers, so they and Bester were all neutered and spayed, and he is now enjoying his retirement with a family in Island Bay.
Bester is a seal mink ticked tabby carrying chocolate who is a lovely little cat with a superb temperament. He is a son of Rafoej Jasmine (Gen. 2) (see above) and Rafoej New Boy Bailey (Gen. 2), a chocolate mink who is owned by Sue in Upper Hutt. Seen below top left with his brother and sister. Unfortunately we had problems with collapsed chests in a number of Bester's kittens from different mothers, so they and Bester were all neutered and spayed, and he is now enjoying his retirement with a family in Island Bay.
Rafoej Xmas (Gen. 1) "Christmas"
Xmas lives with our friend Sue. She is an intense chocolate classic tabby, carrying the pointing gene, cinnamon, non-agouti and possibly dilute. As far as we know she is the first classic tabby registered in a Tonkinese breeding programme in New Zealand. Her father was a Mandalay (Tabasco) and she has inherited her full-intensity colouring from him. Her mother was a seal mink cat Rafoej Quattro (Gen.1) who had a single litter for us while living in a pet home. The mating was approved as an experimental programme to help establish the cinnamon colour and the classic pattern in Tonkinese. Intense colouring is not recognised in the Tonkinese breed so we chose pointed and mink offspring to continue breeding in the next generation. Xmas is thriving despite having to have a hind leg amputated following an accident. This also necessitated her retirement from breeding.
Xmas lives with our friend Sue. She is an intense chocolate classic tabby, carrying the pointing gene, cinnamon, non-agouti and possibly dilute. As far as we know she is the first classic tabby registered in a Tonkinese breeding programme in New Zealand. Her father was a Mandalay (Tabasco) and she has inherited her full-intensity colouring from him. Her mother was a seal mink cat Rafoej Quattro (Gen.1) who had a single litter for us while living in a pet home. The mating was approved as an experimental programme to help establish the cinnamon colour and the classic pattern in Tonkinese. Intense colouring is not recognised in the Tonkinese breed so we chose pointed and mink offspring to continue breeding in the next generation. Xmas is thriving despite having to have a hind leg amputated following an accident. This also necessitated her retirement from breeding.
We kept two entire offspring from Xmas, a chocolate tabby point son Rafoej Gabriel, sired by Billy, and a chocolate mink daughter Ch. Rafoej Meringue, sired by Mitsuesmemory Chocolate Rocket (Gen. 2).
Champion Rafoej Likely Lad (Likely)
Likely is the very handsome chocolate point son of Jasmine and Billy. He has very deep blue eyes, a warm pale cream coat with deep chocolate points, and a lovely affectionate nature. He is now retired and living with a young family along with his cousin Meringue.
Likely is the very handsome chocolate point son of Jasmine and Billy. He has very deep blue eyes, a warm pale cream coat with deep chocolate points, and a lovely affectionate nature. He is now retired and living with a young family along with his cousin Meringue.
Champion Rafoej Meringue
Meringue is a chocolate mink, who carries the cinnamon and classic pattern genes. She is a daughter of Xmas and Mitsuesmemory Chocolate Rocket (Gen. 2), who is also the father of Rocky. She went with Likely to a lovely new home after retiring from breeding.
Meringue is a chocolate mink, who carries the cinnamon and classic pattern genes. She is a daughter of Xmas and Mitsuesmemory Chocolate Rocket (Gen. 2), who is also the father of Rocky. She went with Likely to a lovely new home after retiring from breeding.
Mitsuesmemory Sir Didymo "Rocky"
Rocky is a handsome blue mink great grandson of Kaos. He carries the cinnamon gene. He came to me when his breeder Donna decided to take a break from breeding and sired several litters including the breeding cats Rafoej Rock Me Gently (blue point male) from Gucci and Rafoej Murneau (Gen. 3) from Angistri Zoebelle (Gen. 2). An attempt to settle him in a new home in Hawkes Bay didn't work, despite endless patience and kindness on the new owner's part, so he came back here to keep the older queens company. He died suddenly in mid 2017, of a suspected stroke.
Rocky is a handsome blue mink great grandson of Kaos. He carries the cinnamon gene. He came to me when his breeder Donna decided to take a break from breeding and sired several litters including the breeding cats Rafoej Rock Me Gently (blue point male) from Gucci and Rafoej Murneau (Gen. 3) from Angistri Zoebelle (Gen. 2). An attempt to settle him in a new home in Hawkes Bay didn't work, despite endless patience and kindness on the new owner's part, so he came back here to keep the older queens company. He died suddenly in mid 2017, of a suspected stroke.
Rafoej Murnau
Murnau is a cinnamon mink son of Rocky and Angistri Zoebelle, a cinnamon mink I bred one litter from with the help of her owner Henri. Murnau is a lovely rich cinnamon with striking pale aqua eyes. He sired some very nice litters before being neutered in 2013. I have his daughter Lily and my friend Sue has a son, a daughter and a granddaughter, so his lines are well represented. Murneau died of kidney failure in August 2016.
Murnau is a cinnamon mink son of Rocky and Angistri Zoebelle, a cinnamon mink I bred one litter from with the help of her owner Henri. Murnau is a lovely rich cinnamon with striking pale aqua eyes. He sired some very nice litters before being neutered in 2013. I have his daughter Lily and my friend Sue has a son, a daughter and a granddaughter, so his lines are well represented. Murneau died of kidney failure in August 2016.
Champion Rafoej Chanel
Chanel was a very sweet and pretty seal mink ticked tabby, who reminded me a great deal of her grandmother Jasmine. Her parents were Likely and Quant. She died in late 2013 of pancreatitis and kidney failure. None of her kittens have been bred from.
Chanel was a very sweet and pretty seal mink ticked tabby, who reminded me a great deal of her grandmother Jasmine. Her parents were Likely and Quant. She died in late 2013 of pancreatitis and kidney failure. None of her kittens have been bred from.
Champion Rafoej Quantum Leap
Quant was a seal mink classic tabby. Her mother was "Blossom", a daughter of Yindi and a seal Burmese, and her father was Gabriel, a son of Xmas and Billy. Her pattern could do with more clarity, but it was a good start! Unfortunately Quant died in 2014 of acute kidney and heart failure, and none of her descendents are left entire.
Quant was a seal mink classic tabby. Her mother was "Blossom", a daughter of Yindi and a seal Burmese, and her father was Gabriel, a son of Xmas and Billy. Her pattern could do with more clarity, but it was a good start! Unfortunately Quant died in 2014 of acute kidney and heart failure, and none of her descendents are left entire.
Rafoej Quilla
Quilla is a chocolate mink spotted tabby litter sister of Quant. She has lived all her life with Sue, but had some lovely Rafoej kittens, including Dora, who we have kept for breeding. Quilla is now retired.
Quilla is a chocolate mink spotted tabby litter sister of Quant. She has lived all her life with Sue, but had some lovely Rafoej kittens, including Dora, who we have kept for breeding. Quilla is now retired.
Champion Rafoej Lacie
Lace was a very pretty chocolate ticked tabby point, with light blue eyes and absolutely no barring - a very subtle colour. She was from the same litter as Likely. She was a real sweetie. She died extremely suddenly in June 2015 of acute pancreatitis.
Lace was a very pretty chocolate ticked tabby point, with light blue eyes and absolutely no barring - a very subtle colour. She was from the same litter as Likely. She was a real sweetie. She died extremely suddenly in June 2015 of acute pancreatitis.
Champion Rafoej Gucci
Gucci is the daughter of Meringue and Likely. She is a chocolate mink, and had some lovely kittens in a range of colours. She is represented in my pedigrees by her daughter Lina and her son Rocky II. She died early in 2017 of heart failure after developing a tumour on her heart.
Gucci is the daughter of Meringue and Likely. She is a chocolate mink, and had some lovely kittens in a range of colours. She is represented in my pedigrees by her daughter Lina and her son Rocky II. She died early in 2017 of heart failure after developing a tumour on her heart.
Rafoej Rock Me Gently (Rocky II)
Rocky II is a son of Gucci and Rocky. He came back home for a short while after being retired from stud duties at Angistri cattery. Since coming home he has sired Dora from Rafoej Quilla (who lives with my friend Sue) and Wichita from Elle (another short-term visitor). He is now retired and living happily with my friend Janet.
Rocky II is a son of Gucci and Rocky. He came back home for a short while after being retired from stud duties at Angistri cattery. Since coming home he has sired Dora from Rafoej Quilla (who lives with my friend Sue) and Wichita from Elle (another short-term visitor). He is now retired and living happily with my friend Janet.
Champion Purrano Flyhigh Lily of Xanthe (Lily)
Lily is a very pretty lilacpoint Tonkinese, a daughter of Murneau, so a carrier of cinnamon. On her mother's side she goes back to the seal Burmese father of the first russets, but a DNA test showed her not to have inherited the russet gene. Lily has gone to live with Maree, the breeder of her mother, after failing repeatedly to get in kitten.
Lily is a very pretty lilacpoint Tonkinese, a daughter of Murneau, so a carrier of cinnamon. On her mother's side she goes back to the seal Burmese father of the first russets, but a DNA test showed her not to have inherited the russet gene. Lily has gone to live with Maree, the breeder of her mother, after failing repeatedly to get in kitten.
Elle and Charlatan
These two are Australian imports, who came here for a short stay to provide much-needed outcross lines for my Tonkinese breeding programme. They are now retired and will be de-sexed and be looking for a forever home together in the near future.
These two are Australian imports, who came here for a short stay to provide much-needed outcross lines for my Tonkinese breeding programme. They are now retired and will be de-sexed and be looking for a forever home together in the near future.
Champion Rafoej Pandora (Dora the Explorer)
Dora is a very sweet little lilac mink ticked tabby kitten from Rocky II and Quilla, with lovely temperament and lovely type. She lives with Sue. She was retired from breeding and spayed after developing feline asthma. Her daughter Melody continued her line.
Dora is a very sweet little lilac mink ticked tabby kitten from Rocky II and Quilla, with lovely temperament and lovely type. She lives with Sue. She was retired from breeding and spayed after developing feline asthma. Her daughter Melody continued her line.
Rafoej Oleta (Lena)
Lena is a cinnamon sepia classic tabby daughter of Gucci and Surocotonk Mercury (a seal mink ticked tabby son of Murneau - see below). Her type is good and her colour and pattern really striking, but she has a rather thick coat and a tendency to squint. She had two lovely litters to Zanzi before being retired with Zanzi to a lovely home in Nelson. A son and daughter from her last litter went to Europe to help establish classic tabby Tonkinese there.
Lena is a cinnamon sepia classic tabby daughter of Gucci and Surocotonk Mercury (a seal mink ticked tabby son of Murneau - see below). Her type is good and her colour and pattern really striking, but she has a rather thick coat and a tendency to squint. She had two lovely litters to Zanzi before being retired with Zanzi to a lovely home in Nelson. A son and daughter from her last litter went to Europe to help establish classic tabby Tonkinese there.
Champion Rafoej Zanzibar
Zanzi is a blue tabby point son of Elle and Sue's blue mink classic tabby Mackintosh. He's a big boy with lovely type and a superb temperament, but could do with a shorter coat. He and Lina are happily retired together in Nelson.
Zanzi is a blue tabby point son of Elle and Sue's blue mink classic tabby Mackintosh. He's a big boy with lovely type and a superb temperament, but could do with a shorter coat. He and Lina are happily retired together in Nelson.
Rafoej Faking It
A son of Lina and Charlatan, Faker was named because he initially looked blue. Actually he doesn't even carry dilute; he is a chocolate sepia. He would have carried cinnamon and classic tabby pattern from his mother. He has very nice type and an extremely affectionate personality. In the end he wasn't bred from, and he is now neutered and living happily with a lovely family in Wellington.
A son of Lina and Charlatan, Faker was named because he initially looked blue. Actually he doesn't even carry dilute; he is a chocolate sepia. He would have carried cinnamon and classic tabby pattern from his mother. He has very nice type and an extremely affectionate personality. In the end he wasn't bred from, and he is now neutered and living happily with a lovely family in Wellington.
Rafoej Just My Melody
Melody is the very sweet daughter of Dora and Charlatan; she is a seal ticked tabby point. She is now living happily in retirement in Newlands.
Melody is the very sweet daughter of Dora and Charlatan; she is a seal ticked tabby point. She is now living happily in retirement in Newlands.
Champion Rafoej Where's Wichita
Wichita, a blue mink, is a lovely daughter of Elle and Rocky. She had some lovely kittens, and has now been spayed and has gone to live with Glenys in the South Island.
Wichita, a blue mink, is a lovely daughter of Elle and Rocky. She had some lovely kittens, and has now been spayed and has gone to live with Glenys in the South Island.
Rafoej Ikale
Ikale is an unexpected bonus from Gucci and Charlatan; born after we thought Gucci had retired herself from breeding. He is a seal mink, with an underlying "trout spotted" heterozygous ticked tabby pattern, indicating that he may carry classic as his mother did. After failing to sire kittens with Rada, he went to live for a while with the breeder I got his father Charlatan from, but unfortunately he proved to be completely sterile, so came home to be neutered and found a good forever home. He has gone to live with Pamela in Khandallah, nd has settled in very happily.
Ikale is an unexpected bonus from Gucci and Charlatan; born after we thought Gucci had retired herself from breeding. He is a seal mink, with an underlying "trout spotted" heterozygous ticked tabby pattern, indicating that he may carry classic as his mother did. After failing to sire kittens with Rada, he went to live for a while with the breeder I got his father Charlatan from, but unfortunately he proved to be completely sterile, so came home to be neutered and found a good forever home. He has gone to live with Pamela in Khandallah, nd has settled in very happily.
Rada, Tabasco and Sacha
These three are Angistri cats, who came to me when their breeder Jenny decided to take a break. They are all really lovely, and Rada and Tabasco have my lines behind them; I'm particularly delighted that they give me the opportunity to get back Quant's and Lace's lines, which I'd otherwise lost. They had lovely kittens for me, some of which have gone to new breeders to continue heir pedigree lines. Rada went to live with Zanzi in Nelson after Lina was tragically killed on the road and Zanzi was pining; they immediately loved each other and Rada has settled in very happily. Tabasco and Sacha are currently settling down after being neutered and will be looking for a forever home together in a few months' time; they have always lived together.
These three are Angistri cats, who came to me when their breeder Jenny decided to take a break. They are all really lovely, and Rada and Tabasco have my lines behind them; I'm particularly delighted that they give me the opportunity to get back Quant's and Lace's lines, which I'd otherwise lost. They had lovely kittens for me, some of which have gone to new breeders to continue heir pedigree lines. Rada went to live with Zanzi in Nelson after Lina was tragically killed on the road and Zanzi was pining; they immediately loved each other and Rada has settled in very happily. Tabasco and Sacha are currently settling down after being neutered and will be looking for a forever home together in a few months' time; they have always lived together.
Rada with kittens.
(Above) Tabasco - cinnamon ticked tabby point. A lovely looking boy with a lovely nature.
(Above) Sacha (chocolate mink) - suspicious of the camera.
Surocotonk Tonkinese
The Surocotonk line of Tonkinese was developed by Sue from a registered Gen. 1 seal mink ticked tabby Tonkinese cat and her unplanned litter of kittens by an unknown Burmese-cross father. Sue bred the cats for many years without realising that they could be registered as an experimental breeding programme progressing to full registration as Tonkinese. This was later achieved with the registration of the cats under the Surokotonk prefix, which we owned jointly, but the prefix is no longer active. These cats live with Sue. Sue bred lovely cats in a wide range of colours, but particularly specialised in strikingly patterned classic tabbies.
Some Surocotonk breeding cats which were also behind some Rafoej Tonkinese were:
Some Surocotonk breeding cats which were also behind some Rafoej Tonkinese were:
Surocotonk Mercury
Mercury is a very nice seal mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti, cinnamon, dilute and classic pattern. He is a son of Murneau and Victoria. He was the father of Lina and also of a nice litter from Wichita. He was neutered but soon after that he developed cancer and declined rapidly.
Mercury is a very nice seal mink ticked tabby, carrying non-agouti, cinnamon, dilute and classic pattern. He is a son of Murneau and Victoria. He was the father of Lina and also of a nice litter from Wichita. He was neutered but soon after that he developed cancer and declined rapidly.
Surocotonk MacIntosh
Toshi is a blue mink classic tabby. He was Zanzi's father, and is now neutered and retired and living with Sue.
Surocotonk Victoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an example of the striking seal classic tabbies Sue used to specialise in.
Victoria's Secret is an example of the striking seal classic tabbies Sue used to specialise in.