Is pedigree breeding causing feline elitism?

I was pondering this matter the other day; the obsession humans have with altering aesthetics of an animal to appeal to them that “little bit more.”

Why is it deemed necessary? Surely, cats have always had an appeal and charm of their own, without human assistance?

And why, when there are clearly health ramifications for some of these pedigree breeds, do people still insist on perpetuating the line and continue breeding them on purpose? What about other aspects, such as behavioural issues that may arise from hybrids? Meaning the resultant cats are pretty much incapable of being allowed the degree of freedom some people may wish to give them? (But may do anyway, due to the lack of knowledge on a breed type.)

It seems to me that there’s a superiority complex with people sometimes. We feel it acceptable to alter aesthetics, and in turn sometimes, a cat’s behaviour. Many times it’s to the detriment of the cat.

The main examples that spring to mind for me are the Persian, who regularly suffers breathing difficulties that require an operation to open nasal passages, and Bengals, who are a domestic/wild cat hybrid and tend to exhibit their wilder behavioural traits if left to free roam in a built up area. I’m not saying I dislike either breed; I have met examples of both breeds that were most definitely wonderful characters. I am however, of the opinion, that it may not have been to the feline species advantage that we decided to step in and tamper with a natural breeding process.

When you look at the vast array of colouration that naturally occurs within feline society; and the accompanying personalities that are equally as diverse, it begs the question “why?”

I’m told, the reason for pedigree breeding is predominantly for “the love of the breed and to keep the bloodlines pure.” My response to that reasoning is this: isn’t that a form of feline eugenics? Pedigrees, although mostly stunning to look at and wonderful characters are in fact to me, perpetuating a form of feline elitism that we’d find most unsavoury if someone tried to apply the same theory to our own species.

                   
Natural feline diversity….