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Chartreux Cat

chartreux cat
Chartreux Cat - Photo of Spenser ©copyright Helmi Flick
please respect copyright




Have experiences of this cat breed? Or knowledge that you'd like to share? Love to hear from you. Please go

 here for a simple form to fill in

Introduction

This is probably the most natural cat breed 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. 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.

Her naturalness is one of several notable features of this breed. The others are that the Chartreux comes in one color, is a large cat and has a small voice. More on this below. This cat breed is in the mid-range in terms of rarity and therefore not one of the rare cat breeds.


Chartreux Cat
Photograph of Spenser © Helmi Flick



History

Date Event
13th or 16th Century Alleged stocky feral mountain cat imported from Syria during the Crusades, thought to be the possible origin of this breed. The Crusades occurred in from 1095-1291 and during the 16th Century.
1558 First written record of a grey cat that looked like this breed. A certain Joachin de Bellay refers to a dead Chartreux (?) in a poem. The poem refers to the cats rat catching skills.
17th Century The word "Chartreux" began to be used for this cat breed
18th Century
(1723)
Written evidence in a French "dictionary" of the breed name "Chartreux" for a blue cat. Apparently the cat's fur was used by furriers. This seems to mean that there were wild populations and colonies at this time, up until the end of the 2nd World War.
1747 A cat having the appearance of Chartreux painted by Frenchman. Painting now at JP Getty Museum USA
1747 - 1880 The Chartreux Cat referred to in a number of books from France and Europe.
from late 1920s Cat Shows in Europe exhibit the Chartreux Cat
Circa 1945 Breeders recognize the worth of protecting this breed of cat and preserving the genetic make up. After WW2, the population of this cat in the wild (I presume feral) was very low.
1970 (or 1971) Imported into the USA
1987 CFA grant full (championship status to this breed)
Present Full status with all major associations in US and Europe. Note that the US associations and FiFe don't allow out crossing so it's always Chartreux to Chartreux. The GCCF doesn't recognize this breed.



Appearance/Character

Chartreux cat
Photo of Amethyst: © Helmi Flick
The Chartreux Cat is large and muscular except it seems their legs which are short and fine boned (the photograph doesn't support this though). 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). The British Shorthair has a similarly very quiet voice.

Another particularity is that they are noted to be very good hunters.

They have all the usual characteristics of a domestic cat if well socialized namely, affectionate, non-aggressive and playful.

The breed standard includes these selected features:
  • large cat - full size is 12-16 lbs
  • smiling expression
  • rounded head
  • robust medium-long body - erect posture
  • medium short coat with dense undercoat and protective topcoat
  • color: any shade of blue-gray :)
  • rounded open expressive eyes
This is a really nice looking cat for me. Reference to a blue coat means blue-grey. Its the same for 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
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)

Despite this relatively minor health issues she is a sturdy cat which supports her admirable hunting skills. I expand on health issues on this page.


Chartreux cat
Chartreux kittens - photo © Helmi Flick

The name - Chartreux

The name means a Carthusian. So, what is a Carthusian? :) A Carthusian is a member of a Roman Catholic Monastic Order founded in 1084 in the Charteuse region of France (South East). The name originates it seems from these monks on the basis that they kept large blue cats.

There is no record of this happening although if one was being a bit flippant the silent nature of the Chartreux cat indicates that he is under the vow of silence. There is an experimental breed called the Benedictine cat , keeping the same monkish theme. This cat is a long haired Chartreux. Another name for the Chartreux cat is the Carthusian cat.


Chartreux Cats
Chartreux cats - photo © Helmi Flick

1

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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My Life with a Chartreux Cat  starstarstarstarstar
When I was a little girl before, I turned three, I was at my grandma's house. When we came inside to get refreshments I saw a little pink box and it said ...

Chartreux owner  starstarstarstarstar
I have 2 Chartreux cats, a male and a female. After purchasing the first one from a breeder in my state we loved him so much that we purchased a female ...

Jerry the Cozy Chartreux Sleeps Like a Turkey!  starstarstarstarstar
Jerry was adopted last thanksgiving, with his little sister, when their Mother was hit by a car. We estimated their age at about 4.5 weeks and their BDAy ...

Chartreux Shaking Steven  starstarstarstarstar
I got Stevie, who is now 3-4 years old, from the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - a big UK animal charity). The first time ...

THOMSON - THE LUCKIEST CHARTREUX CAT  starstarstarstarstar
I got my cat, Thomson, from a rescue centre 2 years ago. He was 9 years old at the time and was blind in his left eye and also had a hip replacement!! Why ...

My Chartreux Cat Sterling Silver  starstarstarstarstar
I adopted little Sterling from the Humane Society in Phoenix, AZ. He was 8 months old at the time and had just come from a foster home the day I adopted ...

Health History and Character of the Chartreux Cat  starstarstarstarstar
There are some interesting aspects of the health, history and character of the Chartreux cat. On the main page I mentioned that this cat breed can suffer ...

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. I would start here other than the major associations.


Chartreux cat
Chartreux cat - photo © Helmi Flick





Sources:
  • Cat fanciers
  • Wikipedia
  • Online dictionaries
  • Cat breeders
  • Chanson Blue Chartreux

From Chartreux Cat to Home page


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