CATALOG OF BREEDS
170
A CAT WITH DRAMATIC LOOKS, A GORGEOUS COAT, AND A COLORFUL PERSONALITY
SOMALI
This astoundingly beautiful breed is a longhaired relative of
the Abyssinian (p.83). Neither the Somali nor its short-coated
relative have any proven links with Africa to justify their names.
The eye-catching coat of the Somali comes in a variety of rich
colors and is exceptionally fine-haired. Most striking of all of
the cat’s features is its immense, bushy tail. Lively and insatiably
curious, the Somali makes an amusing and engaging pet. Though
highly affectionate and family friendly,
this is not generally a lap cat; the Somali
has too much energy to sit still for long.
Eyes encircled
by lighter color
Fine-haired,
ruddy coat
with very soft
texture
Muscular yet
graceful body
Almond-shaped
eyes have
dark rim
Rounded
muzzle
Rich-colored coat
known as “ruddy,” with
distinctive ticking
Slightly
arched back
Large,
round-tipped
ears set well
back on skull
Dark markings on
cheeks and brow
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1960s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 8–12 lb
(3.5–5.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Various colors, some with
silver tipping; tortie
pattern; silver hairs
always ticked.
Long, bushy tail
resembles a
fox’s tail
US_170_171_Somali_Longhair-British_Longhair.indd 170US_170_171_Somali_Longhair-British_Longhair.indd 170 11/02/21 7:11 PM11/02/21 7:11 PM
171
LONGHAIRS
THIS CHUNKY, HANDSOME CAT HAS A LONG, FLOWING COAT
BRITISH LONGHAIR
This cat, known as the Lowlander in the US and the
Britanica in Europe, is the longer-haired cousin of the British
Shorthair (pp.68–77). The two are identical in body shape,
sharing the same sturdy build, massive head, and round face,
and both come in the same range of colors. Not all pedigree
cat registries regard the British Longhair as a separate breed.
Regardless of its official status, this cat makes an excellent
pet, since it has a calm, easygoing, people-loving
temperament. The long coat
needs moderate grooming
to keep it tangle-free.
Place of origin UK
Date of origin 1800s
Breed registries TICA
Weight range 9–18 lb (4–8 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Same colors and
patterns as recognized
in the British Shorthair.
Full neck
ruff
Large,
round paws
Lighter
chest and
underparts
Medium-long,
dense cream coat
Long breeches
on hindquarters
Skull slightly
flattened between
widely spaced ears
Large, round gold
eyes set well apart
Short, thick,
brushlike tail
Short, well-
muscled back
Prominent
whisker pads
Short, broad
nose
US_170_171_Somali_Longhair-British_Longhair.indd 171US_170_171_Somali_Longhair-British_Longhair.indd 171 11/02/21 7:11 PM11/02/21 7:11 PM
CATALOG OF BREEDS
172
AN AFFECTIONATE BREED THAT LIKES A SECURE ROUTINE AND IS SHY WITH STRANGERS
NEBELUNG
Developed in Denver in the late 20th century, the Nebelung is
an outcross from the Russian Blue (pp.66–67), deliberately bred
to recreate the longhaired blue cats that were popular in the
Victorian era. The breed’s name, taken from the
German word nebel, meaning haze or mist, is
appropriate to its softly glistening coat. Naturally
reserved and preferring a quiet environment, this
cat may not settle well in a family of boisterous
children. However, with sensitive handling, the
Nebelung makes a devoted pet, anxious to keep
its owners in sight and loving a lap to sit on.
Large ears continue
wedge-shaped
line of head
Heavily
plumed tail
Shorter fur
on lower legs
Feathering
behind ears
Long,
graceful
body
Ruff
around neck
Prominent
whisker pads
Silver-tipped
blue coat has
soft sheen
Hair tufts
between toes
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1980s
Breed registries GCCF, TICA
Weight range 6–11 lb (2.5–5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Blue, sometimes silver-tipped.
Slightly oval
yellowish-green eyes
US_172-173_Nebelung-NorwegianForestCat.indd 172US_172-173_Nebelung-NorwegianForestCat.indd 172 11/02/21 7:11 PM11/02/21 7:11 PM
173
LONGHAIRS
THIS CAT IS BIG, TOUGH, AND BURLY BUT ALSO GENTLE AND WELL-MANNERED
NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT
Cats have been known in Scandinavia since Viking times,
being kept as useful pest destroyers in homesteads and
villages. The Norwegian Forest Cat cannot claim direct
descent from these ancestors, since the breed was developed
fully only in the 1970s, but its characteristics are recognizably
those of the cats familiar for centuries on Norwegian farms.
This magnificent cat’s long double coat, a natural
insulation against bitter northern winters, may
become much thicker in colder months as
the undercoat reaches full density.
Surprisingly, this does not mean extra
winter grooming for owners, although
shedding is likely to be heavy in spring.
White
markings on
chest, face,
and legs
Well-muscled,
powerful body
Triangular head
Silver
tabby coat
Long,
plumed tail
Almond-shaped
green eyes
Short,
strong neck
Nose straight
in profile
Broad-based ears
rounded at tip
Thick tufts
between
toes
Thick silver
patched-
tabby coat
Place of origin Norway
Date of origin 1950s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 7–20 lb (3–9 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Most solid colors, shades,
and patterns.
US_172-173_Nebelung-NorwegianForestCat.indd 173US_172-173_Nebelung-NorwegianForestCat.indd 173 11/02/21 7:11 PM11/02/21 7:11 PM
NORWEGIAN FAVORITE
Legends abound about the origins of the
Norwegian Forest Cat. Its ancestors may
or may not have sailed with the Vikings,
but the breed is a true native of Norway
and particularly popular in Scandinavia.
US_174-175-Norwegian_DPS.indd 174US_174-175-Norwegian_DPS.indd 174 11/02/21 7:11 PM11/02/21 7:11 PM
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.