FWIW I remember reading a long time ago that Cheetahs actually make very good house pets (obviously if you raise them young). Can be trained like a dog and act more like a dog than cat. I know nothing about getting them, just remember reading that.
I am going to need a reputable article... it has taken many thousands of years to domesticate dogs fully and I am supposed to believe a wild animal like that would make a "pet"? Don't get me wrong, I would be the first person in line to get one if it were true, but they have instincts that they cannot suppress. If you are on the ground and look weak or have your back turned, sometimes the switch gets flicked and they will pounce on you and bite the back of your neck... EDIT: it seems this website agrees with you, though I wouldn't trust it around children if I had any... http://www.exoticcatz.com/speciescheetah.html
Im going to look at Pixie-Bobs on Friday. Anyone have one ? I want a large and unique looking cat but dont want to pay $2k+.
My favorite cats are the Maine Coon Cat and the Norwegian Forest Cat. Of the two, I prefer the Norwegian, and I bet they'd like a 500-acre spread to play in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Forest_Cat
So yesterday I adopted an F2 Chausie. He is 12 weeks old and we have named him Mowgli. I cant pick him up until the 25th but I will post pics once I do. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chausie
He was $1200. Initially went to look at Pixie-Bobs but this Chausie kitten stole our hearts. He is adorable. I really liked the Savannahs but the F1/F2s were too pricey for my blood...
We're doing the slow introduction. Mowgli is staying in the spare room and they are sniffing each other from under the door. A couple times per day I bring him out and hold him while someone else holds Mac (my dog) and we just let the get used to being in the same room. Im thinking it will be a couple weeks before they are allowed to be alone together.
He is currently sleeping next to me while I work. So far he's like most other kittens and goes from being super hyper/playful to snoozing. He and my Great Pyrenees arent friends yet but they do tolerate each other. There havent been any incidents yet. He alternates from meowing to a kind of chirping. Very vocal. His patterning is starting to come in nicely. I dont think he looks very exotic yet but most people think he does. Could be Im used to seeing him. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Maine Coons are hard to go wrong with. BIG, healthy cars. Mine is 25lbs and not an ounce of fat on him. his paw is 3/4 the size of my hand (will post a pic soon). LARGE cat. Very loving.
Just getting around to this thread after a month off.......yeah, I can't say I disagree with you about not wanting to have one. I think it would be awesome for 99% of the time, the other 1% of course being a horrible, bloody death. At some point they're all animals and if they go crazy for some reason I at least want a chance of being able to get it off me or someone else.
Old thread.......We have a pure bred Siberian (loosely related to Coons and Norweigen Forrest Cats). Large, very friendly, rare (vet goes nuts everytime she goes in), and can get show cats for $2k. Ours is from Tomsk Russia.