The Chartreux cat breed is an old, natural cat breed. The first documentation of this cat breed is in the sixteenth century. Like with many cat breeds, the origin of the breed is shaded with more folklore and legend than facts.
Some people believe that the Chartreux cat breed lived with and was named after the Carthusian monks in France. Others believe it simply got its name from the resemblance of the texture of its coat to Spanish wool of the same name. This old cat breed was accepted to championship status of the CFA as recently as 1987. Pedigreed Chartreux cats are from lineage that is from Chartreux cats of the French countryside and not artificial attempts to populate the breed by breeding Chartreux cats with British shorthair cats or Persian cats as was a common practice in the past.
The body shape of the Chartreux cat is unique. Chartreux cats have thick, sturdy bodies and fine, short legs. The characteristic fur is blue, medium length, and wooly in texture. The wooly double coat should not be brushed. Some cat owners run their fingers through the cat’s hair instead.
The most remarkable characteristic of the face of the Chartreux is the way that the forehead tapers to its narrow muzzle giving it an appearance of a smile. The eyes of the Chartreux are rounded and gold or yellow which provide a striking contrast against the blue coat. The ears are medium in height and width.
Chartreux cats often have behavior that is more typical of dogs. A Chartreux cat may follow the cat owner from room to room. They may fetch and play like dogs. They become significantly attached to their family. Although generally quiet, Chartreux cats may chirp instead of meow.
Chartreux kittens are traditionally named by breeders according to the year during which they are born. Each year, all the Chartreux kittens are given names that begin with one of twenty letters of the alphabet. The letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z are omitted from the sequence of letters for naming Chartreux kittens. Chartreux cats are difficult to find outside of France.
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