Portraits of popular breeds in our country and abroad: Chartreux cat

This bulky blue short-haired cat is often mistaken for the British cat. It's no wonder, as they are very similar in both appearance and nature, and they used to be interbred. They're a great, modest companion with a beautiful blue coat.

The origin of the Chartreux is not known, but there are a few theories. What we do know for sure is that there are references to blue short-haired cats from the 16th century in Rome and France. In the 18th century the name Chartreux regularly appeared in books and articles in conjunction with blue cats from Paris. 

It is said that this breed comes from the isolated hilly region of France called the Grande Charteuse, where the Carthusian Order lives; this Order has kept blue cats in its monasteries since time immemorial. The difficult accessibility of the region could really explain the population of closely related, similar cats, but there is no evidence.

The Chartreux cat really resembles the British Shorthair cat. Their greatest differences are the shape of their head and the position and size of their ears. The Chartreux cat has large and quite pointy ears. It is a medium-sized to large, bulky cat with a robust appearance. Its large round eyes have a golden-yellow copper to amber color. Its shiny coat stands slighty up and feels soft to the touch. It is only blue, but it can come in all possible shades of blue. At birth, most kittens have a faint pattern on their fur that slowly disappears as they grow up. 

The Chartreux cat is also similar to the British cat in nature. It's a friendly, good-natured cat with a balanced and calm disposition. They like to play and climb, but they are not as active as other breeds. They tolerate other cats and dogs well, and can make a great friend for children. When they don't like something, they will leave rather than show their claws. They also rarely use their soft voice. The Chartreux cat is not a cat that needs company all day long. You can go to work and leave it at home with a clear conscience. 

You could say that its balanced, uncomplicated nature makes the Chartreux cat suitable for first-time cat owners. It's a very modest, independent companion. You certainly won't be bored with it thanks to its playfulness and friendly nature, but it also won't require your attention and will let you go to work. You won't notice its arrival as dramatically as with certain other breeds. Moreover, unlike other cats, it handles change very well, whether that is a move or the arrival of a new (animal or human) family member. It's a shame that the Chartreux cat is mostly popular in France and Belgium, because its personality is really great.

 

Related articles

FeLV – Feline Leukaemia Virus

Besides FIP and FIV, FeLV is another fatal virus disease of cats. It is often called cat leukaemia because leukaemia is one of the common symptoms of the disease. How can your cat get infected, how can you recognize and treat it?

How to Pick the Best Meat Can for Your Dog

Would you like to give the best to your dog but there is so many brands and types of cans on the market that you get confused? I’m coming with a few tips how to choose, what shouldn’t be missing in the can and what shouldn’t be there at all.

Long Hair is Good for Dogs in Summer

In summer, we throw off one piece of clothes after another. Especially in the last few years when the temperatures go up to tropical values. You may say that the fur of your pet must be terrible and it will be better to cut it. Is that really true?

Rabbits’ Body Language

Not only dogs and cats communicate with us non-verbally. Even rabbits tell us what and how they feel with their non-verbal expressions such as postures, gestures and sounds. It helps us understand what mood they are just in. Let’s look at expression...

Feline Spring Fever

It is a well-known fact that cats love bright and warm spots, they like to relax on warm windowsills. Therefore, even though they are famous sleepyheads, they get new energy with the spring coming, they are more active, more sociable and more joyful....

AIDS of Cats Called FIV

FIV is a feared viral infectious disease of cats. It causes a slow disruption of immune systems, similarly to human virus called HIV. What is the cause and the progress of this malicious disease and what does its terminal stage look like?...