Norvegian Forest Cat ~ Brown Classic Tabby
Norvegian Forest Cat ~ Chat Des Forets Norvegiennes
|
|
|
|
Norvegian Forest Cat ~ Brown Classic Tabby
|
Norvegian Forest Cat ~ Chat Des Forets Norvegiennes
|
| A peaceable wildcat with a long, thick coat The Norwegian Forest Cat has wandered Scandinavia for centuries. Many legends depict a large cat with a long, thick tail. According to Norse mythology, Thor, the most powerful god, was unable to lift this cat, and Freya's (the goddess of love and fertility) chariot was pulled by these cats. Though Norway is considered the country of origin of the "Fairy Cat", it is possible that the Vikings of the 13th century brought specimens back from Asia Minor (Caucus, Anatoly, etc.) to hunt the rats that infested their drakkars. Or perhaps Central European or Asian tribes traveling to Scandinavia before the Middle Ages introduced the cats. Cats brought in from other regions would have had to adapt to the extremely harsh climate of Scandinavia, and therefore, develop a thick, double, insulating, weather-proof coat. Their weight and size would have increased. Norwegian Forest Cats slowly moved from the wild to farms. Around 1930, Norwegian breeders began a selection program to preserve the breed and to combine hardiness and the beauty of its coat. Several specimens were shown in Oslo. The breed was recognized in 1972, and the first breed club and standard appeared in 1975. The F.I.Fe recognized the Norwegian Forest Cat in 1977. An official standard was written, then modified to avoid confusion with the Maine Coon Cat, for example the Nrcoon, a cross between a Norwegian Forest Cat and a Maine Coon. The first Forest Cats arrived in Germany and the United States in 1979, in Great Britain in 1980, and in France in 1982. Sweden is thought to maintain the highest population of Forest Cats. This breed meets great success in cat shows. Its wild, robust appearance and natural beauty are greatly admired. |
| This cat loves the outdoors and is an excellent hunter but he also loves to be petted and handled. He returns the attention and is loyal and a good companion. The Norwegian Forest Cat is social and compatible, affectionate and intelligent. |
|
Head
:
|
Triangular shape with equal length and width. Flat forehead. Straight nose. The muzzle follows the line of the head; no whisker pinch. Nose of medium length. Strong, square rather than rounded chin; never pointed. Early Forest Cats had longer heads and their profile was not as straight as it is today. |
|
Eyes
:
|
Large, wide almond, set oblique. Alert expression. All eye colors except blue permitted regardless of coat color. Blue eye color permitted in white and with white only. |
|
Ears
:
|
Medium to large, rounded at the tip, broad at base, set as much on the side of the head as on top of the head, alert, with the cup of the ear pointing a bit sideways. The outsides of the ears follow the lines from the side of the head down to the chin. The ears are heavily furnished. Lynx tips are desirable but not required. |
|
Neck
:
|
Of medium length, muscular. |
|
Body
:
|
Solidly muscled and well-balanced, moderate in length, substantial bone structure, with powerful appearance showing a broad chest and considerable girth without being fat. Flank has great depth. Males should be large and imposing; females may be more refined and may be smaller. |
|
Paw
:
|
Medium in length, muscular, and straight, with hind legs longer than the front legs, making the rump higher than the shoulders. Heavily muscled with substantial bone. Large, round paws with long tufts between each toe. |
|
Tail
:
|
Long and bushy. Broader at the base. Desirable length is equal to the body from the base of tail to the base of neck. Guard hairs desirable. |
|
Coat
:
|
Distinguishing double coat, consisting of a dense undercoat, covered by long, glossy and smooth water-resistant guard hairs hanging down the sides. The bib consists of three separate sections: short collar at neck, side mutton chops, and frontal ruff. Britches are full on the hind legs. The coat may be fuller in the winter than the summer because the dense undercoat has its full development in the winter. Softer coats are permitted in shaded, solid and bicolor cats. Type and quality of coat is of primary importance; color and pattern are secondary. |
|
Fault
:
|
Undersized,
frail cat. Cobby or extremely long body. Round or square head. Nose break.
Small ears. Small or round eyes. Delicate bone structure. Dry coat. Disqualify: severe break in nose, square muzzle, whisker pinch, long rectangular body, cobby body, incorrect number of toes, crossed eyes, kinked or abnormal tail, delicate bone structure, malocclusion resulting in either undershot or overshot chin, cats showing evidence of hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, sable, lavender, lilac, or point-restricted (Himalayan-type markings) or these colors with white. |
|
Character
:
|
This extremely self-assured cat has a well-balanced temperament. A friendly, easygoing animal, the Norwegian Forest cat is calm, though playful. He readily accepts other cats, dogs, and children, and his voice is soft. This hardy, robust, athletic cat is remarkably supple. He is a good climber and a fearsome hunter. If a Forest Cat is to live indoors, a cat tree is a must. A large yard is preferable, particularly since his coat reaches its full beauty when he lives out of doors. Forest Cats mature slowly, not reaching full maturity until four or five years of age. Regular brushing and combing will maintain the beautiful coat and avoid snarls. During shedding season (the Forest Cat sheds heavily), daily brushing is required. |
| Rare instances of flattened chest. Generally a hardy breed, although its health history is not well known in this country. |
Norvegian Forest Cat ~ Brown Tabby and White