A stud cat from a top line, with a clear health test history and a record of producing quality kittens, is one of the most valuable assets a breeder can own. Stud fees are a meaningful income stream. Visiting queens build relationships with other serious breeders. And a stud with an established reputation compounds in value over time — his progeny out in the show ring become ongoing advertisements for his quality.
Most studs are chronically underadvertised online. The stud owner posts occasionally on Facebook, lists the cat on one or two breed-specific databases, and waits for enquiries. Some come. Many more do not, because queens’ owners who are searching for the right stud cannot find the information they need to make a decision, and they move on to a stud where the information is laid out clearly.
I am a Full GCCF Judge and have been breeding pedigree cats since 2004. I have built stud cat pages for clients and I have used stud directories myself as a breeder. The difference between a stud page that generates consistent enquiries and one that does not is almost always the same thing: information. The studs with full, well-structured pages work harder than the owners who list them.
What queens’ owners are actually looking for
A breeder looking for an outside stud for their queen has a specific and detailed set of requirements. They are not simply looking for a male of the right breed. They are evaluating health test history against their queen’s line, checking for line-breeding clashes, considering colour genetics if colour is relevant, assessing the stud’s type against the queen’s strengths and weaknesses, and forming a view about the stud owner’s standards and approach.
All of this evaluation requires information. The more of that information is available online, the further through the decision process a potential visitor can get before they make contact. A breeder who can see the stud’s health test dates, his pedigree, his show titles, his colour genetics, and photos of him and his progeny is a breeder who may be ready to make an enquiry. A breeder who can only see a name, a photo, and a phone number is a breeder who has to make a phone call to find out the basics — and many will not bother if a competing stud’s page answers those questions without requiring a conversation.
What a proper stud page includes
A stud page that generates serious enquiries provides the following as a minimum:
Full pedigree name and prefix. Not just “our boy” or a nickname. The full registered name under which the stud appears in GCCF records, so that potential visitors can look up his pedigree independently.
Breed, colour, and pattern. Including the genetic notation if colour breeding is relevant to the breed. Breeders who are planning colour-specific matings need this information before anything else.
Show titles and awards. Every title the stud has earned, with the relevant shows and years. Show titles are verifiable, independent assessments of type and quality. They are the most credible form of evidence available and should be displayed prominently.
Health test results with dates. For every test relevant to the breed, listed by test name, outcome, and date. Not “health tested” — that is meaningless. “HCM clear, cardiac ultrasound, October 2024, tested by [veterinary cardiologist name]” is meaningful. The name of the specialist who performed the test is worth including where available, because it confirms the test was carried out by someone qualified to perform it.
Pedigree information. A four or five generation pedigree, or at minimum a list of notable ancestors. Queens’ owners are checking for line-breeding depth and for specific names they know. If his sire or dam has won at National level, that is worth stating explicitly.
Photographs of the stud himself. Multiple photos, including a clear head study and a full-body shot that shows type. Photos that show him in the ring, if available. Recent photos — if the most recent photo is three years old, it may not reflect his current condition and development.
Photos of his progeny. If the stud has produced kittens that have gone on to win in the show ring or that demonstrate the qualities the stud passes on, those photos are the most compelling evidence available. Progeny photos are often the deciding factor for a breeder considering a first-time use.
Stud fee and terms. The fee, what it includes, whether a return mating is offered if no kittens result, and any conditions the stud owner places on visiting queens (vaccination requirements, health test requirements, acclimatisation period). Publishing this information prevents the enquiry that goes nowhere because the fee is significantly higher than the visitor expected.
Contact details and how to enquire. A direct email address and phone number. A note on typical response times. If there is a preferred contact method, say so.
The SEO opportunity most stud owners miss
A dedicated stud page on a properly built website will rank in Google for search terms like “[breed] stud [region]” or “[breed] stud available UK.” These are searches made by breeders who are actively looking for a stud and are ready to consider specific options. A well-structured stud page with the right terms and the stud’s location noted clearly can attract enquiries from breeders who have never heard of the cattery, from regions that the stud owner has no personal network into.
This is an opportunity that Facebook listings and stud databases miss almost entirely. A Facebook post advertising stud availability is visible to followers and to people in specific groups. A properly indexed web page is visible to anyone in the country who types the right search terms.
What a stud page says about the stud owner
Beyond the specific information it contains, a thorough stud page communicates something about the breeder’s approach. A stud owner who has taken the time to compile dated health test results, show records, progeny photos, and clear terms is demonstrating the same attention to detail and transparency that serious breeders want to see in the owner their queen will be visiting. The page is not just an advertisement for the stud. It is a representation of the stud owner’s standards.
Breeders who are particular about where their queens visit — and responsible breeders are particular — are more likely to contact a stud owner whose page reflects a meticulous approach. The quality of the enquiry that results is higher because it is coming from a breeder who has assessed the information and made a considered judgement.
If you would like a stud cat page built as part of your cattery website, get in touch via the contact form below.
Frequently asked questions
Should I have a separate page for my stud cat on my cattery website?
Yes, if you offer him at stud. A dedicated page gives the stud his own presence in Google search results and allows queens’ owners to find detailed information about him without navigating through your broader cattery content. It also signals that you take his stud career seriously, which is a credibility signal in itself.
What is the most important information to include on a stud cat page?
Health test results with dates are the single most important item. A stud with excellent titles but no listed health test results will be passed over by careful breeders who require current testing. Health tests should be listed by name, outcome, and date, with the test updated every time the stud is re-tested.
How do I show progeny on a stud cat page?
Ask queens’ owners to send you photos of kittens from matings, particularly those who have shown. A small gallery of progeny photos with the queen’s name and a brief note on any titles earned creates a compelling picture of what the stud produces. Always get permission from the queen’s owner before publishing photos of their cats.
Should I list my stud fee on the website?
Yes, or at minimum a clear indication of the range. Breeders who are doing preliminary research on stud options will often not proceed to contact a stud owner if the fee is not indicated and they have to make a phone call to find out. Transparency about fee is a sign of a professional approach and saves time for both parties when there is a significant difference in expectations.
How do stud databases compare to a dedicated website page?
Stud databases serve a different purpose from a dedicated page. They are directories where breeders search for available studs by breed. A listing on a stud database is useful for discoverability. A dedicated website page is where serious enquirers go to evaluate the stud in depth. The two complement each other: the database listing directs traffic to the dedicated page, where the decision is actually made.
How often should a stud page be updated?
Whenever a significant change occurs: a new health test result, a show title, a notable progeny win, a change in fee or terms, or an availability change. A stud page that shows health tests from two years ago raises the question of whether the stud has been re-tested since. Current dates signal current commitment to health screening.
Can a stud page on a cattery website rank on Google?
Yes. A well-structured page that mentions the breed, the stud’s location, and relevant terms will index for local and breed-specific stud searches. This reaches breeders who are searching online for a suitable stud rather than relying on personal networks, and typically generates enquiries from breeders the stud owner has no prior connection to.
