Norwegian Forest Cat

From Pet Encyclopedia

Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian Forest Cat

Origin of Breed

Norway

Breed Nick Names

Wegie

[edit] Introduction

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient breed of cat, having changed little from it's origins in Norway. Over numerous centuries, the Norwegian Forest cat has evolved and adapted to survive in the sometimes hostile Scandinavian climate. It is semi-long hair, slightly smaller than the Maine Coon Cat

[edit] Origin and History

The NFO can be traced back to the 1500s, but it's history is much longer than this. There are many references to large cats in Norse mythology, with descriptions that can only describe the NFO. These myths were developed from the storytelling and songs of great feats that were recounted around the 7th, 8th and 9th centuries). Freya, the Norse god of love, had a chariot that was drawn by two huge grey cats. It is likely that these cats were what we know today as blue, although accounts differ. Some believe that they were white, but this is likely to be a confusion caused by early Norse translations referring to 'large grey cats, covered in frost', this translating to white cats as the myths were passed from mouth to mouth (remember, these accounts were rarely written down, but passed from generation to generation by mouth. Most written accounts would not have appeared until the 15th century or so. In 'Nordiske Mytologi' it is written that when the giant Utgard-Loki challenged Thor, a great grey cat ran up across the floor. Thor put his hand under its belly, but no matter how much he tried, the cat arched its back, and he could do no more than make the cat lift one of its paws off the ground.

By the 20th century, this magnificent cat was becoming a rarity and at risk of becoming extinct. During the mid 1930s, the Norwegians began to make plans to ensure the future of their national cat, and a few NFOs even appeared at cat shows during this time. Unfortunately, the outbreak of hostilities in Europe, in the form of WWII, put a stop to these activities, and the Norwegian Forest Cat once again became largely forgotten. It was not until the 1970s that the Norwegians once again recognised the risk to one of their national treasures, and once again a move was made to protect the NFO and a special breeding program was instigated. After much hard work in Norway, the Norwegian Forest cat was finally recognised as a distinct pedigree cat in 1977. Since then the breed has gone from strength to strength and is now extremely popular in many countries, particularly Scandinavia, where as many as 200 Norwegian Forest Cats can be seen at a cat show, often making it the largest single breed represented.

[edit] Appearance

Size - large

Head Shape - Triangular, where all sides are equally long; with good height when seen in profile; forehead slightly rounded; long, straight profile without break in line (no stop)

Chin - firm

Ear Shape - Large, with good width at the base; pointed tips; with lynx-like tufts and long hair out of the ears

Ear Placement - High and open, so that the outer lines of the ears follow the line of the head down to the chin

Eye Shape - Large and oval, well opened, set slightly oblique

Eye Expression - Alert expression

Eye Colour - All colours permitted, regardless of coat colour

Body Structure - Long, strongly built; solid bone structure

Legs - Strong, high on legs, hind legs higher than the front legs

Paws - Large, round, in proportion to the legs

Tail - Long and bushy, should reach at least to the shoulder blades, but preferably to the neck

Coat Structure - Semi long. The woolly undercoat is covered by a water repellent upper coat which consists of long, coarse and glossy hair covering the back and the sides. A fully coated cat has a shirtfront, a full frill and knickerbockers

Coat Colour - All colours are permitted, including all colours with white; except pointed patterns and chocolate and lilac, cinnamon and fawn. Any amount of white is allowed, i.e. a white blaze, white locket, white chest, white on the belly, white on the paws, etc

Faults General

Too small and finely built cats

Head - Round or square head; profile with a break (stop)

Ears - Small ears, set too widely apart, set too close together

Legs - Short legs, thin legs

Tail - Short tail

Coat - Dry coat; knotted with lumps, too silky

[edit] Temperament

Norwegian forest cats love to explore, if you have any bookcases or shelves they will be up on top of them seeing if anything is going on that they should know about! They also love to play not just as kittens but as adults as well, they will look to their human companions for games and love it when you chase them about. They are also sweet affectionate cats that love humans and to interact with them. Most Norwegian Forest Cats will happily sit on your lap and cuddle you until you move, they are very family orientated and great with children and other pets.

Norwegian Forest Cats do not require as much grooming as other long haired breeds, their coats are pretty much self maintaining, they do require a little extra grooming when moulting out their winter coat. They tend to be happy and healthy most of the time. Affectionate, intelligent and playful are the best describe the Norwegian Forest Cat.

[edit] Health

Norwegian Forest Cats don't have any particular health problems and often live to a good age. However like all cat breeds, they should be taken to the vet to have their yearly boosters and health check and to also to have their teeth checked and have yearly liver and kidney checks from about 8 years on.

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