Chartreux is a pretty house cat. It is native to the country of France.
A pretty shorthair cat, Chartreux has lived in French towns and
villages for centuries though there is some controversy regarding its
origin. Some believe it was brought over to France by Carthusian monks
while others trace its ancestry to Syria. Even as it was widespread in
its native territories since seventeenth century, Chartreux numbers
plummeted during the first half of twentieth century owing to the two
World Wars. It was only through concerted efforts of breeders that the
felid was revived and the breed sustained even though the wild
populations were lost by the mid nineteen forties. The breed was
brought to United States in early seventies and gained recognition a
decade and half later. It is still not accepted in United Kingdom.
A
large yet gentle cat, Chartreux has a compact build with a deep chest
and strong shoulders. Coat is double layered, dense and water
repellent. It exists solely in shades of blue and gray. Head is round
with broad cheeks and a narrow muzzle, giving the cat a 'smiling'
expression. Eyes are rounded and occur in shades of gold, orange or
copper. Ears are medium in size.
Chartreuxs are quite rare in the
rest of Europe and North America. Majority remain as prized possessions
of French breeders and are thus difficult to obtain. Some lines have a
genetic defect amongst them that leads to dislocation of knee cap in
the young, leading to varying degrees of disability. This trait is
being bred out though and apart from the occasional teeth and gum
disorders, there are no serious medical concerns with this cat.
Quiet
and calm by nature, Chartreuxs are easygoing cats. They are not very
demanding or vocal. They don't meow, and express themselves with a
chirping voice. Some are even mute. As with other natural felines,
Chartreux cats are skillful hunters. They have a good temperament and
don't engage in physical conflicts with other pets.
