Chartreux Cat

The Chartreux cat is one of the oldest purposefully bred house cats.

Origin and Breed History

Today it is also called Chartreux. Even in writings from the late Middle Ages, the blue is described as a rather long-haired cat. It is documented as the “Chat des Chartreux” or “Chartreux cat” in the oldest works of modern zoology. Perhaps it is the oldest pedigree cat beside the Persian cat. The name Chartreux may derive from their typical black-bluish coat color. It used to be reminiscent of the color of the monks’ work robes. The history of the Chartreux cat is closely connected to the British Blue, which is now listed as a color shade of the British Shorthair cat. Until the 1970s, Chartreux and British Blue formed a common gene pool.

It was entirely a matter of discretion whether a breeder offered his kittens as Chartreux and as British Blue. It stayed the same cat. Only later did the breed begin to draw a line of demarcation and proclaim two separate breeds for marketing reasons. For both new creations, certain distinguishing features were virtually devised from the hollow of the belly and have been cultivated in a targeted manner ever since. The shape of the Chartreux cat remained that of a rather slender house cat, but at the same time had a somewhat unnaturally narrow head with very large eyes. The British Blue was bred to be rather compact, stocky with a broad, round, almost plush head. When it was founded in 1949, the Fédération Internationale Féline recognized the Chartreux cat as one of its first official acts. In connection with the division of the breed into Chartreux and British Blue, the standard was revised in 1977.

Description

The Chartreux cat is a medium-sized house cat. She has a strong but at the same time slim build with a broad, well-developed chest. Male cats weigh 6 to 7 kilograms, cats 4 to 5 kilograms. The coat is glossy and lush in growth. She has a double coat with the hair standing up. The undercoat should be slightly woolly at the base. This is what the standard demands. She must always have a uniform coat color. Only shades of blue are allowed as colors, but all of them. These can range from a light to a very dark blue-gray. White hair and green eyes are not desirable. A Chartreux cat with bright yellow eyes, like its sister, the British Blue, is an extremely elegant and impressive appearance.

Temperament and Essence

The Chartreux is a very balanced cat in nature. She still has a good bit of pleasant wildness in her, is at the same time simply sweet, and seeks closeness to her people. She can develop a close bond with him. She is a real family cat. Chartreux cats like to move around in nature like any house cat, but their urge to do this is not as strongly developed. She even catches a mouse when the opportunity is right. Suitable cat toys are just as fine with her. She is very cuddly and you like to stroke and cuddle her just because of her loving, trusting appearance and fluffy fur. She likes that too. Chartreux are extremely sociable and get along with other animal housemates without any problems – provided both sides have had the chance to get used to each other.

Attitude

The Chartreux cat is an ideal house cat. It is very suitable for the home. It is ideal, but not a requirement, to add a garden or a larger area. In contrast to a normal house cat, the Chartreux will usually never move far from the house. With an uncastrated Chartreux tomcat looking for a bride, you never know that. The Chartreux cat doesn’t have to be outdoors to feel comfortable. It is undemanding and frugal with regard to its keeping conditions but needs an intimate relationship with its two-legged friends. She loves the shared experience with people or animal partners in her family.

Upbringing

The Chartreux cat is easy to train. If she comes from a reputable breeder who has looked after and socialized parent animals and puppies well, she will fit into the rules and habits of her family by herself. With a little guidance, she can be house-trained quickly and easily. Chartreux take a long time, sometimes up to two years, to really grow up.

Care and Health

The fur of the Chartreux cat can be brushed here and there; nothing more is needed. With a little feeling and skill, brushing fur can be turned into a ritual of social bonding that is emotionally good for cats and people alike.

Diseases Typical of the Breed

Inbreeding is a problem at times. Some hereditary diseases typical in pedigree cats can also occur in Chartreux cats.

Nutrition / Feed

The Chartreux is usually a problem-free border for a cat.

Life Expectancy

A Chartreux cat, bred healthy, can easily live to be 12 to 15 years old.

Chartreux Cat Buy

If you want to get a Chartreux cat, you can first look around in animal shelters. At the breeder’s site, you should make sure that parent animals and puppies grow up in good circumstances, especially with a close social connection to the human family. You should look at the family tree. No ancestor should appear twice here in order to rule out excessive inbreeding. Both parents should definitely be tested negative for the hereditary diseases common in pedigree cats. Reputable breeders indicate this on their own in their advertisements. Of course, the kittens should be vaccinated, dewormed, and chipped several times. A seriously bred Chartreux cat puppy should cost around 700 euros.