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.
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