Variety:
Chausie cat
Country of origin:
Egypt
Colours:
Black, speckled brown or speckled silver (other colour combinations may also occur, but are not yet confirmed)
Character:
Intelligent, affectionate, playful, sociable
Weight:
4,5-11,3 kg
Longevity:
12-14 years
Other names:
Chausie cat, Nile Cat
Litter size:
From 4-6 kittens
Chausie cat – is a descendant of the wild cat, which is very active and friendly. This breed of cat cannot tolerate loneliness and boredom – the cat’s inexhaustible energy keeps its owners thinking of something to occupy the cat. These are very curious cats who will explore every corner of the house and always find something interesting. The Chausie cat is only suitable for people who are not intimidated by mild chaos at home. Although these pets can be calm and affectionate, be prepared – they will definitely want to turn your home upside down.
History of the variety
The Chausie cat – is a very recent breed. In the 1980s, attempts were made to crossbreed the domestic cat with the reed cat (Felis chaus), but these efforts failed until a breeding programme was developed. It is speculated that the first crossbreeds between the reed cat and the domestic cat may have been born in Egypt several thousand years ago, and from there travelled to South-East Asia, India and the Middle East. Cats are known to have been kept as pets in Ancient Egypt, and reed cats were not uncommon along the Nile, so it is thought that they may have interbred with each other. However, it was not until the 1960s that purposeful crossbreeding between reed cats and domestic cats began. It was a long and responsible job – breeders had to prepare a breeding programme and its objectives. The effort really paid off – in 1995 the breed was granted the status of a new breed and in 2013 the breed was recognised by the International Cat Association (TICA). However, the &bquo;Cat Fancier‘s“ Association still does not recognise this cat breed. the World Cat Federation (WCF) is currently seeking recognition.
Chausie cat: appearance
The Chausie cat resembles a wild cat and is quite large: males usually weigh between 6,8 and 11,3 kg, females between 4,5 and 6,8 kg. The body of the Chausie cat is long and graceful and the chest is deep. The hind legs are longer than the front legs and are very strong. The eyes are large, very expressive and oval in shape. Ears are large and erect. Coat short, silky texture. Three coat colours are allowed: black, mottled brown or mottled silver (other colour combinations may also occur, but are not yet confirmed). Black Chausie cats may be born with some markings, but they eventually turn solid black. If the cat spends a lot of time outdoors, sunlight may cause the black colour to lighten. As Chausie cats are descendants of wild and domestic cats, only cats of the fourth generation and beyond are eligible for shows – they must be as far removed as possible from their ancestors.
Chausie cat: character
The character of a Chausie cat depends on how far removed it is from its ancestors. Chausie cats are usually at least fourth-generation descendants, so their character is quite similar to other domestic cats. The most important thing to know is that this breed cannot tolerate loneliness, so a Chausie cat will not be suitable for people who are away from home all day. Chausie cat adapt quite easily to changes in their environment, so it is possible to take them on trips. These cats are very intelligent, quickly learn to walk on a leash, and easily learn the rules of the house. However, the Chausie cat sometimes resists the temptation to break the rules – especially if the cat is bored. It is very important for this cat to have plenty of activities: he will enjoy climbing the stairs, playing with interactive toys, fetching a dropped ball, etc. This cat needs to