Of uncertain origin, but undoubtedly one of the oldest feline races in the world, the Chartreux cat has shared its history over the centuries with important figures, such as General Charles de Gaulle and the Templar monks of the main monastery of France.Of origin, the cats of the Chartreux breed are undeniably adorable, docile and affectionate and who win the heart not only of their caregivers but also of all those they know.
In this peritoAnimal file we will explain everything you need to know about the Chartreux cat, showing you its main characteristics and curiosities, as well as highlighting the necessary care and the main health problems.
- There are several versions about the origin and history of the Chartreux cat.
- The most accepted today is that this breed of cat comes from western Siberia.
- Where it existed for millennia.
- For this reason the chartreux cat is considered one of the oldest breeds of cats in the world Knowing that they are native to Siberia.
- It is also possible to understand why the fur is so thick.
- Which was used to protect and isolate the rest of the animal’s body from the cold of the region.
Another story, this explains the origin of the name of this feline, is that the breed of cat lived with the monks in the French monastery Le Grand Chartreux, it is believed that these cats were created from a selection of Russian blue cats in order to obtain animals that they have just remembered, so that they do not distract the monks in their prayers and tasks.
It is said that the monastery was founded in 1084 and is believed to have arrived at the site around the thirteenth century, as it was at this time that the monks returned to continue their life of prayer after fighting in the Holy Crusades.were of such importance to the residents that they were nicknamed the place.They had fundamental roles in the monastery, such as protecting the manuscripts and temple facilities of rats.Another origin of the name of the cat Chartreux is that in France there was a variety of wool called “Chartreux stack”, whose appearance was very similar to the fur of this breed of cat.
What we can say, for sure, is that it was not until the 1920s that the Chartreux Cat participated for the first time in the feline exhibits, in addition, during the Second World War, this breed of felines was on the brink of extinction.This allowed controlled crossbreeding of the Chartreux cat with the British Shorthair cat.And it was not until 1987 that the TICA (International Cat Association) officially recognized this breed of cat, followed by the FIFE (International Feline Federation) and the CFA (Cat Association of Fanciers) in the following years.
The Chartreux cat has considerable variations in weight and size, this is because there are large differences between females and males of this breed since the Chartreux cat has a sexual dimorphism much more marked than other feline breeds, so males generally have medium to large size with specimens weighing up to 7 kilos, while females are almost always medium to small in size and weigh no more than 3 to 4 Kg.
Whatever the genus, the Chartreux cat has a robust and muscular body, but at the same time agile and flexible, the limbs are strong but thin, proportional to the rest of the body, and the legs wide and rounded.The type of jack has a medium length and the base is wider than the tip, which is also rounded.
The head of a Chartreux cat is shaped like an inverted and expensive trapeze, soft contours, large cheeks, but with a marked jaw and a smile that never appears to come out of the face by the silhouette of the mouth.That’s why this breed of The Cat always seems cheerful and smiling. The ears of the Chartreux cat are medium-sized and rounded at the ends. The nose is straight and wide and the eyes are large, round and always golden, which results in a very expressive look.On chartreux is that puppies are usually born with bluish-green eyes that turns golden around 3 months. The fur of the Chartreux cat is dense and double, which helps this breed of cat to isolate the cold and moisture of the body, but short and in silvery blue tone.
The chartreux cat is a docile, gentle and delicate breed that adapts very well to any environment and coexists without problem with children or other pets, although it is more affectionate with the caregivers and their family, this cat is very sociable and open, always friendly visitors.The animal is also known for enjoying games and playing.
Due to certain behaviors, the Chartreux cat has been repeatedly compared to dogs, as it usually follows caregivers around the house, wanting to be with them at all times.For this reason, the Chartreux cat likes to spend hours lying on the knees of the people closest to him, in addition to sleeping with them.Knowing this, if you tend to spend a lot of time away from home, adopting a cat of this breed might not be the best idea.
A feline of this type is also very intelligent, has a balanced personality and an almost infinite patience, being practically impossible to see a Chartreux cat behave aggressively.you can go through a situation, disappear or hide until you see that the atmosphere is calmer.
Due to the dense and double fur of the Chartreux cat, it is necessary to pay attention to the care of your pet’s fur, a daily brushing to avoid the formation of hairballs, which can lead to serious problems, such as intestinal obstructions.It is not necessary to bathe your Chartreux cat, but when necessary, it is strongly recommended to be careful when drying the feline, as it may appear that the fur is dry, but only superficially, which can cause colds and even pneumonia…
The other important precautions to take with your Chartreux cat are to always maintain a healthy and balanced diet and not forget to exercise them with appropriate games and games.Your cat’s mouth and ears should also be checked frequently for the overall welfare of the animal.
The Chartreux cat breed is quite healthy, but it is important to be attentive to it, it has been proven that this breed of cat tends to accumulate earwax in the ears, so it is important to ask the veterinarian what is the best way to clean your cat’s ears, in addition to the most recommended ear cleanser.Special attention to the ears of the Chartreux cat can prevent the development of infections.
Another disease that usually appears especially in this breed of cats is the patellar dislocation, which also affects the Bengal cat and attacks the feline patellas, which facilitates their movement in Chartreux cats, so don’t forget to get tests and frequent radiological tracking.
As for food, it is also important to pay attention to the amount of food you give your Chartreux Cat because these cats are usually very sweet and usually develop overweight or even obesity, both harmful to the health of the cat.Don’t worry: with a healthy and balanced diet and regular play and exercise sessions, this problem can be avoided.