Snowshoe Cat
Introduction The Snowshoe Cat is a deliberate hybridization of the Siamese and the American Bicolor cats (cats with the white spotting factor). The breed began in 1960 in Philadelphia, USA, when Dorothy Hinds Daugherty of Kensing Cattery, noticed that three Simanese kittens in a litter had white feet within the pointing. She found the contrasting pattern appealing and decided to breed for that effect.This was an era when a number of new breeds were being created or discovered. This is a fairly rare breed (6/10 where 10 = the most rare, on my estimation).
On the basis of good breeding (including being well socialized), the American Shorthair is a gentle, amiable and very agreeable cat. They look like cats used to look. Likewise for the Traditional "old-fashioned" Siamese. The Siamese cat's character is slightly different from the American Shorthair but all the same she has a well rounded character suitable for human companionship; albeit demanding and talkative at times. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Snowshoe Cat also has all the qualities required of a fine all round domestic cat namely, friendly, calm, talkative, accepting of other pets, companionable, the intelligence of Siamese and amiability of the American Shorthair and enjoying being indoors. According to Gloria Stephens the Snowshoe cat has inherited a bit of the Siamese cat "aloofness". The voice, unlike that of the Siamese, is soft and gentle, she says.
Coat -- Appearance The fascinating aspect of the Snowshoe Cat and the cat's outstanding feature must be the coat pattern. After all, this cat is named after her coat pattern. I therefore go into some detail about the coat color and pattern despite the fact that it means discussing cat genetics, a very complex subject that is still being researched. Indeed at 2005 in an article entitled "White spotting
I deal primarily with the Bicolor Snowshoe (the photographs illustrate the Bicolor). There are mitted and pointed coats as well (see below). White Spotting GeneAs I understand it the white spotting gene causes the bicolor pattern through its interaction with a recessive allele (see below) of the agouti gene. Its action is modified by (a) modifier genes and (b) whether it is present in heterozygous form (2 copies of the gene) or homozygous form (one copy present). The white spotting gene is semi-dominant with variable expression (is this because it is modified?). Remember genes come in pairs and one of the pairs is called an allele.This gene is imported into the Snowshoe cat by the Bicolor American Shorthair. The white spotting gene interacts with the Siamese gene and overlays on top of the pointing pushing out the dark pointing caused by the Siamese gene to produce the white markings on the face, limbs and front of the cat. Apparently, some researchers have hypothesized that there are various types of white spotting gene and one of these is the direct cause of the "mittens" (snowshoes) on this cat. Himalayan GeneThe Siamese gene is called the Himalayan gene. The gene is recessive to the full color gene meaning both allele (2 copies) of the gene need to be in place for the Siamese color to be present.Interestingly the gene is also heat sensitive. It is this particular characteristic which explains the "pointing" or dark extremities. The extremities of an animal are obviously cooler than the center. Under warmer conditions the gene produces a lighter color (the Siamese body color) and under cooler conditions the gene produces a darker color. This explains why the Siamese cat is darker during the winter months (particularly is she goes out a lot) and pure cream or white without points at birth (at the moment of birth the kitten will be at internal body temperature).
The same applies to the Snowshoe cat. At birth they are white and they develop their markings over the first 3 weeks. Another interesting point is that Siamese cats get darker with age and it has been reported that the white areas caused by the spotting gene may increase with the cat's age. Is the spotting gene heat sensitive too? This would imply that the white markings of the Snowshoe Cat might expand slightly with the age of the cat and that there is greater contrast with age. The Snowshoe cat has a semi-foreign shape or body conformation. This is a muscular body but not cobby (like the Persian, for example). Males cats are medium to medium large and females medium in size (see largest cat breed). The face is a modified wedge; nearly and equilateral triangle (the Japanese Bobail has a face shape described as an equilateral triangle). Jowly stud boys may have a more rounded head. The eyes are medium sized and oval. Breeding Through selective breeding Snowshoe Cat breeders are, it seems, able to control to a degree how the white spotting gene will work. This is important as the preferred show patter is the inverted "V" on the face as illustrated in the pictures at the top of this page. This is a symmetrical pattern co-ordinating well with the Siamese points and the geometry of the face.Although, please note that the TICA breed standard does not give more points if the pattern is symmetrical. The white spotting gene is possibly (some conflicting information here) associated with deafness, blue eyes and odd eye color if it has affected the area of the ears and eyes. Note: the Messybeast author Sarah Hartwell states that this is not the case. Deafness is associated with the white gene (a different gene), however. A Mitted Snowshoe has white on the paws, chest, back legs and chin only. The Pointed Snowshoe Cat has pointing like a Siamese and no white patches. The Snowshoe Cat has full TICA registration (can be shown at competition) but is not registered by the CFA. The top UK registry, GCCF, has preliminarily recognized this cat.
History
Breeders
The content of the site will also tell people a bit about the philosophy of the breeder. I try and select individual cattery websites (as opposed to directory listings) listed in the first three pages of a Google search and add my comments. Karib's Kats Located Long Island NY, USA. Has an Alexa traffic rank of 9m (low) but at least ranked and a Google PageRank. Guess it has been around for a while - at least 10 years or more. Very small website. This is the only Snowshoe breeder's website listed in the first three pages of Google indicative of the rarity of this cat (note: there are directories, however). Snow Angels Snowshoe Cats Not sure where they are located as it's not clear from the website. They have a PageRank and 6m Alexa traffic rank. Not in first 3 pages of search. This is the only cattery for this breed listed by TICA on their website. Some UK breedersNone of these sites are listed in first 3 Google search pages.Snowshoe Cats UK (link) Listed in a directory. Nice looking site; no traffic rank and a low PageRank. Based in Plymouth, Devon (SW England) Glittakitz Hobby cat breeder located off junction 29 of the M1 near Holmewood (nr. Chesterfield). TICA and GCCF registered. Snowshoe Cat Society (link) Not a breeder but lists the above two breeders and more.
Sources:
From Snowshoe Cats to Home page 
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