Chartreux Cat Chartreux
Cat - Photo
of
Spenser ©copyright
Helmi
Flick
please respect copyright 
Introduction The Chartreux was the chosen cat companion of Charles de Gaulle, a past president of France and the famous author Collette5. Farmers liked them too6 - for their hunting skills.This is possibly one of the most natural cat breeds of them all because the origins appear to go back to the 16th century (see below) and more importantly the objective of modern breeders is to make sure the breed remains as it has always been. This cat is almost the same as it was hundreds of years ago4. I think that Chartreux cat breeders deserve recognition for their foresight and almost unique actions. The cat fancy usually likes to "improve" cat breeds through selective breeding. The desire to retain the purity of the breed seems to be a thread running through the history of this breed. This is a great motivator to continue the good work and is probably why the current breeders are dedicated to the preservation of this breed in its original form. The cat's naturalness is one of several notable features of this breed. The others are that the Chartreux comes in one color or shades of one color, is a large cat, has a small voice (mute sometimes4), a permanent, apparent smile due to its strong jaws and a body that is out of proportion to its legs. The body is semi-cobby and quite substantial but the legs are slim4. This cat breed is in the mid-range in terms of rarity and therefore not one of the rare cat breeds. Although Gloria Stephens describes it as "relatively rare"4, which may be true as at 2007 there were around 20 breeders in the USA6. This cat is the native working cat of France4 in the same way the American Shorthair is for the Americans (or the Maine Coon). It is said that the only grooming that the Chartreux cat needs is a gentle stroking with your hand. How good is that! The coat is water repellant4. This is another cat breed (with the Birman) where the first letter of the name of the cat is dictated by convention depending on the date of birth. The letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z are ommitted6. A cat born in 1997 will have a name beginning with "N" (2002 = "T"6). I'll leave you to check if that adds up and to work out the others!5  Photograph
of
Spenser © Helmi Flick
History It is said that the name Chartreux is either derived from an association with Carthusian monks (a Roman Catholic Monastic Order founded in 1084) living in the Chartreuse Mountains north of the city of Grenoble, France or the Chartreuse liqueur that the monks are famous for2. But, in 1972, the Prior of the monastery apparently denied any connection on the basis that the archives contained no records7. The word "Chartreux" means a Carthusian so you can see the connection. Another possibility is that the name is derived from a Spanish wool of the same or similar name from the early 18th century4. There is an experimental breed called the Benedictine
cat Apparently Chartreux were shipped back to France from the USA to help preserve the breed in the country of its origin1. It is said that many Charetreux were killed for their coats4 reflecting the plight of the small wildcats which often suffer the same persecution. They were also killed to eat4.
Appearance/Character
The Chartreux cat has been described as "primitive" in terms of build5. On the linked page, I discuss cat breed size. They have the classic blue coat/gold copper coloured eye mix. They are quiet and some (many?) are apparently totally mute. If not mute their meow is different, being high pitched or a chirp (chirping is found in other breeds too e.g. Maine Coon). The British Shorthair has a similarly very quiet voice. Another particularity is that they are noted to be very good hunters (but not good fighters5). This may be in part due to their quick reflexes6. They have all the usual characteristics of a domestic cat if well socialized namely, affectionate, non-aggressive and playful. They are noted for being reserved, calm and devoted to their human companions. They are good climbers (legacy of their hunting skills perhaps). They need plenty of room4. The breed standard includes these selected features:
The blue-grey colour is the same for the popular colour of the British Shorthair. Although the British Shorthair has other coat colours. There has been some overlap with the Brit SH in the past. Read more here: The health, history and character of the Chartreux cat Other cat breeds confined to the solid blue coat color are the Korat, Russian Blue and Nebelung. They are all grey cat breeds  . Chartreux
cat
- photo ©copyright Helmi Flick
please respect copyright Health Patellar luxation can occur in this breed. This is a condition in which the knee cap dislocates from its normal position. This can cause the cat to be lame. This in an inherited condition and is therefore controllable by careful breeding - check with the breeder.Reported in some: close set incisor teeth (this report probably comes from a cat breeder) and possible Gingivitis (this though is a potential for all domestic cats and should be watched for)1. Despite these relatively minor health issues this is a sturdy cat which supports the admirable hunting skills. I expand on health issues on this page.  Chartreux
kittens - photo © Helmi Flick
 Chartreux
cats - photo
© Helmi Flick
Breeders These are taken from independent websites listed in the first 3 pages of a Google search. Most of the Chartreux Cat breeders are listed in directories.Chanson Bleu Chartreux The first listed and a nice site. Open and inviting with a phone number and an indication of the location plus pictures all on the home page. This site has the most comprehensive study on the history of the breed as well. Nice one. This is the only independent site listed in the first 3 pages (as at 2008). I would start here other than the major associations.  Chartreux
cat - photo © Helmi Flick
Sources other than below: 1. Medical, Genetic & Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats - edited by Ross D CLark DVM 2. Cats by Roger Caras 1985 page 108 3. Cat Fanciers Association - Breed Profile 4. Legacy of the Cat by Gloria Stephens and Tetsu 5. The Encyclopedia of the Cat by Dr Bruce Fogle 6. Wikipedia authors 7. The Chartreux Cat by Simonnet, Jean (1990). Translated by Jerome M. Auerbach. Paris: Synchro Company. ISBN 978-2-9506009-0-5. 8. Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds by Helgren, J. Anne (1997). Barron's Educational Series. ISBN 978-0764150678. 9. The Cornell Book of Cats: A Comprehensive and Authoritative Medical Reference for Every Cat and Kitten - Siegal, Mordecai (1997). The breeds. Chapter 2 in -- Second edition. Edited by Mordecai Siegal. Villard: New York. ISBN 978-0-679-44953-9. Sources:
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