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My name is Terry Bruno, and I used to breed Himalayans. For many reasons I have retired from breeding, some of which I'd like to share with any of you who may think they'd like to try this hobby.
My first piece of advice is-----DON'T DO IT!
There are so many unwanted kitties languishing in shelter cages, that I felt I could no longer be a participant in a business that takes homes away from innocent creatures, whose only crime was in having irresponsible owners. For every kitten that you 'help' to create, a shelter kitty may be euthanised.
If that doesn't bother you, as a catlover, consider this:
You will need, first and foremost, to have a mentor, someone with a lot of breeding knowledge and experience that they are willing to share with a future competitor.
You need to have gobs of money to purchase top quality queens and studs. You need your own male(s) because it is rare to find an owner of a high-quality male who is willing to 'stud-out'. So you get your own, or you settle for a poor quality stud who will produce inferior kittens. Please note, that I do not mean that these kittens are truly inferior, but only as examples of their breed.
You will need the patience of a saint, and very good earplugs to put up with at least a year of unending howling while your queen is in heat, but too young to breed. Ideally the female should be 18 months or older.
Be prepared to live in a house that smells of cat urine as it is quite likely that your males AND females will mark territory by spraying pungent urine on your belongings and home.
Be prepared to stay up nights with your females as you wait hours for them to birth, just in case they need veterinary intervention at three a.m. You'll also need deep pockets to pay for such care, as well as routine vaccinations and care for all the kittens and their parents.
Be aware that you could lose your females due to difficult birthing, or Pyometra (uterine infection).
You could have to break your own heart by giving up on a weak kitten, after spending sleepless weeks handfeeding it.
Be aware that is not so easy to find really good homes for the kittens, let alone give up these babies to anyone with a chequebook.
Still want to be a breeder? I hope not.
There are already more than enough kitties to go around. Just look at what happens to millions of them every year:
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