Norwegian Forest Cat

Exceptions are the Points badge, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn.

The Norwegian Forest Cat (Norwegian: Norsk Skogkatt ) is a very original, created over long periods of time without selective breeding influence regional domestic cat of Norway and is therefore attributed to the "natural breeds ". It is sometimes also referred as Norwegians. The Norwegian Forest Cat is large, sturdy and has semi long fur with a distinctive bushy tail and a distinct ruff.

History

We Know About the origin of the mutation for long hair there is not. Maybe sailors who once brought Angora cats as ship cats from the south, who mixed with indigenous robust domestic cats and led over the centuries to the present type. Also an independent mutation in Norway itself is possible. A genetic proximity to the wild cat but there is no, because it is not native to Scandinavia.

The selective breeding of these Norwegian national cat began in 1930, when a breeding program was set up for the first time. 1938 was first seen at an exhibition in Oslo, the Norwegian Forest Cat. Due to the second World War, however, the breed came to a halt. Early 1970s was a second attempt for the breeding of the Norwegian Forest Cat. In September 1972, the Norwegian Forest Cat finally got a provisional standard, it has been accepted by the Norwegian clubs for the first time as a separate breed in 1972 and even named the Norwegian National Cat. The name was officially Norsk Skogkatt. The first breeding cats in 1975 registered in FIFe. 1977 was awarded with Pans Truls, a three-year hangover, the first Norwegian Forest Cat, full championship status at the FIFé. Also in other European countries caught " the cat that came out of the woods " interest. After recognition by the FIFé but only cats from the fourth generation were initially approved for export. Since the 1980s, the Norwegian Forest cat enjoys throughout Europe and also in Germany increasing popularity.

Description

The Norwegian Forest Cat is one of the semi-longhair cats and is adjacent to the Maine Coon and the Ragdoll Cat one of the largest breed cats. Her appearance owes the Norwegian Forest Cat in the extreme climate of their Scandinavian homeland. She is tall, powerfully built and muscular, sturdy and has a double-layered coat of dense undercoat and from strongly water-repellent outer coat, which is supported by a thin layer of still longer guard hair that is fine with the fur ( this looks like a third Hair layer). Like almost all cats from temperate and sub-polar regions also changed the Norwegian Forest Cat in the changing of the seasons their fur. The Norwegian Forest cat wearing in winter as well as the Siberian cat a characteristically thick winter coat, it is provided especially long and dense undercoat under the belly, neck, chest and tail so they also bitter cold of minus 30 degrees and rainy weather defying. The long, glossy guard hairs are slightly oily at the Norwegian Forest cat ( as opposed to the Maine Coon ), therefore, difficult falling down and therefore water -repellent, so that no moisture can to the skin. The fur of the Norwegian is not as silky as that of the Maine Coon, but looks rather a bit shaggy. Between the pads of the paws are as with all long-haired cats tufts of hair. In the forest cat breeds these so-called " snow shoes " are particularly pronounced desired. In summer, the lower coat is usually developed very sparse, often leaving only the long tail hairs close to a semi-longhaired cat. For non- neutered cats of the difference of Winterfell to summer fur is much larger. Neutered cats also show in the summer still quite lush coat.

Than more commonly in our short-haired form of the European domestic cat the Norwegian Forest Cat is usually greater, mainly mackerel or black - with and without white - typical with white gloves. Among the still existing unregistered semi- longhaired cats farm predominate in the northern regions, especially tabby cats, the gray cliffs, the Norwegians Cats are often of black coat color with or without white portion. There is a Norwegian Forest Cat but in all domestic cats colors.

The Norwegian Forest Cat has an elongated body, but appears long-legged than the Maine Coon and the Siberian cat. The standard requires explicit their hind legs higher than front legs. However, this is principally the case in all cats. The face of the typical Norwegian cat is triangular. The ears are placed high, inside with strong tufts of fur and often also provided at the tips with lynx -like hair brushes. The very long whiskers emphasize the triangular shape of the face, the neck brace should be well developed on the legs bear the Norwegian Forest Cat Knickerbocker. The tail is long and bushy. The profile shows no stop. It is long and - in contrast to the Siberian Cat and the Maine Coon - perfectly straight. The chin is firm. The Norwegian Forest Cat is fully grown at the age of three to four years. Only then it has achieved its final weight and its full size.

As Norwegians long time naturally evolved, they have rarely reproductive problems. Premature births, live weak pups, stillbirths and birth disorders within the meaning of difficult births, as they are common in some, long- Raised breeds or those with a very small gene pool, rarely occurs.

The Norwegian Forest cat can climb extremely well and jump very high and deep down because of their size and smoothness. However, upside down climb vertically on trees, as is often claimed, it can be purely anatomically ( no backward curved claws ) just as other cats. The impression but can easily arise, as they coped tree descents quickly first with legs spread wide and paws spirally climbing the side, then jumping down from a considerable height, and usually without having to climb backwards. In her home country she is even used to climb on slippery rocks.

Behavior

Norwegian Forest Cats are very gentle and good-natured. They are by their very nature as a simple and playful and develop a close bond with the people. Norwegian cats are sociable and usually accept other cats in their area or in the home.

Breed Standard

To breed standard we offer are the following features:

• Head: triangular shape, all sides of equal length, high profile, forehead slightly rounded, long straight profile without break (stop)
• Chin: Strong
• Ears: form large, broad at the base, pointed, with lynx-like hair brush (hair tips of the ears ends ) and long tufts of hair in the ears
• Eyes: large and oval, well opened, slightly oblique, all colors allowed regardless of coat color
• Expression vigilant
• Body: long structure, solid bone
• Legs: Strong, high, hind legs higher than front legs
• Feet: Large, round with " snowshoes "
• Tail: Long and bushy, reaches to the shoulder blades, better to the neck
• Coat: medium-length structure, woolly undercoat is covered on the back and flanks of water-repellent outer coat, outer coat of long coarse and ( occasionally slightly bluish) shiny guard hairs. A fully coated cat has a shirtfront, a full frill and knickerbockers.
• Color: All colors are permitted, including all colors with white, except pointed badge, chocolate and lilac, cinnamon and fawn. Any amount of white is allowed, for example, a white blaze, white locket, white on chest, white on the feet, etc.

When FIFé and many voluntary organizations, the Norwegian Forest Cat is also recognized in the colors amber and amber light since 1 January 2005. This is an apricot or zimtähnlichen hue which comes fully only in the adult advantage. Animals of this color are born with a powerful high-contrast tabby pattern that fades to amber with age. 2007 identified Marc Peter Schmitt from France in his doctoral thesis coat color Amber as an independent mutation of the black pigment. It is located on the cats for the first time discovered Extensionlocus. He demonstrated the fact that Amber is not caused by introgression of foreign breeds variant of cinnamon, but an independent and occurring exclusively at the Norwegian Forest Cat color.