Although many legends and traditions associated with cats have been preserved in the national Irish epic, this people never acquired their own breed. This is all due to the defeat of the independence fighters at the end of the 18th century, which ended with annexation to the British crown.
Along with the lands, local domestic animals also came under the rule of the empire. Since then, the term “Irish cat” has ceased to refer to one breed, but has become a collective image that combines several ancient breeds.
History of the Norwegian Forest Cat breed
Norwegian Forest Cat
As you can guess from the name (in different dialects of the Norwegian language, “forest” sounds differently, so there are two options in use - Norsk skogkatt or Norsk skaukatt), these fluffy beauties come from the Scandinavian forests. Scientists today do not have accurate data on how long they live next to humans. The hypothesis is very popular that the countdown dates back to the 16th century, when Angora cats arrived in Western Europe from Ankara. The harsh climate of the peninsula and the need to climb trees a lot led to the appearance of undercoat, strengthening of the claws and the formation of an athletic physique.
However, we cannot completely discount the possibility that, under the influence of external factors in the new environment, the Angora mutation responsible for the length of the coat occurred and became established in Felis silvestris grampia, regardless of its Mediterranean relatives. And those same wild Scottish cats were brought to the territory of modern Norway by the Vikings, who colonized the Shetland, Orkney and Hebrides islands back in the 9th-10th centuries. This version is supported by the traditional image of the leader of the Valkyries, the goddess of fertility, love and war, Freya - the ancient sagas depict her in a chariot drawn by two cats, whose bushy tails are clearly reminiscent of our today's heroes.
In the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, many Norwegian and Swedish families kept these cats as pets. In the 1930s, after their triumphant appearance at an international exhibition in Germany, serious work began on the phenotype of the breed, the goal of which was to preserve the best natural qualities and weed out undesirable traits. But with the outbreak of World War II, this had to be forgotten, and in the second half of the 40s, the very existence of the Norwegians was threatened due to spontaneous crossing with other cats. The situation was brought under control only by the efforts of enthusiasts. A special committee was created that gave permission for breeding only to those owners whose animals met the standard. The efforts of the Norwegian Association of Pedigree Cat Fanciers were rewarded: King Olav V recognized Skogkatts as the official breed of the country, and in 1977 Pans Truls received the coveted registration with the International Cat Federation (FIFe). By the way, it was he, together with Pippa Skogpuss, who is considered the founder of the modern breed. Born from their union, Pans Silver became the father of 12 litters at once and today is mentioned in almost every pedigree of a purebred Norwegian.
World recognition gave breeders the right to draw up international pedigrees. At the same time, the export of Norwegian forest cats abroad began. Now most of these pets live in Sweden, but other European countries are not far behind. In the USA, local Maine Coons (which, by the way, some are inclined to consider as descendants of the Norwegians) are too serious competition for guests from overseas to speak of real popularity. In Russia, among large breeds, Siberians are still numerically superior, although specialized nurseries have already been opened in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok and some other cities.
History in the chronicles and the actual origin of the Irish cat
10 centuries ago, Welsh laws determined not only the social structure of the territory of Wales, but even such little things as the cost of a domestic cat - 4 pence. At the same time, an age gradation was provided:
- from birth to the moment the eyes open, an Irish kitten cost 1 penny;
- after the first mouse killed, the price increased to 2d;
- As soon as an Irish cat became a full-fledged hunter, it was already valued at the full amount - 4 pence.
The Irish also added a cat to the list of things necessary for every housewife.
If someone's cat was killed by an Englishman, he was obliged to compensate for the damage with a lamb or an adult sheep. Sometimes they paid in grain - a pile of wheat had to cover the entire length of an Irish cat. But the presence of a domestic rat catcher at a housewarming party, unlike Russian tradition, was not allowed.
The patron saint of Irish cats was Saint Patrick himself, but this did not save the local breed from extinction. As soon as power passed to Britain, the history of a separate species ended, and a new page in the cat's pedigree opened.
Appearance of the Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Kitten
The size of the Norwegian Forest Cat ranges from medium to large. Like other large breeds, they reach final maturity quite late - at 4-5 years. Animals appear more massive due to their thick fur. The exact height and weight indicators are not indicated by the WCF breed standards, but experienced breeders say that the norm for an adult is a height of 30-40 cm, weight depends significantly on gender: cats weigh on average 5.5 kg (although graceful 4-kg cats are often found ladies), and males reach 6-9 kg.
Head
In the shape of an equilateral triangle, the outlines are smooth, the profile is straight, without a “stop”, the forehead is high and almost flat. The cheekbones are not pronounced, geometrically straight and long. The nose is of medium length, almost always pink. The jaws are powerful. The chin has a square or round outline.
Eyes
The eyes of the Norwegian Forest Cat are large and expressive. They have an oval or almond shape. Placed a little askew. The preferred color is green, gold and shades thereof, although other options are not considered a disadvantage. In white cats, heterochromia (eyes of different colors) is allowed.
Ears
Medium in size, with a wide base and slightly rounded tips on which “tassels” are desirable. Set high and wide on the head, the outer edge continues the line of the head. The inside is covered with long hair.
Neck
Medium length, flexible, well developed muscles.
The muzzle of a Norwegian forest cat
Body
Red Norwegian Forest Cat
The body of the Norwegian forest cat is large, powerful, and relatively long. The bones are strong, heavy, the muscles are dense and well developed. The chest is round and wide. The back of the body is above the shoulder line.
Limbs
The front ones are of medium length and powerful. The hindquarters are significantly longer, athletic, the thighs are strong and muscular.
Paws
Round or oval, wide. The toes are well developed, with thick tufts of hair located between them.
Tail
Flexible and long - when bent, it reaches the line of the shoulders or neck. Placed high. Wide at the base, somewhat tapering towards the tip, always fluffy.
Wool
Semi-long, thick, with a fluffy and moderately wavy undercoat. The outer hair is smooth and has a water-repellent effect due to its oiliness. Because of this feature, the Norwegian Forest Cat's coat can look a little unkempt. The length depends on the location: the shortest hairs on the shoulders and back gradually lengthen, turning into a spectacular “collar”, “bib” and “pants”. The degree of expression of such decorating fragments may vary and is not strictly regulated by the rules.
Color
Norwegian forest cat tortoiseshell color
Can be solid, bicolor, shaded, smoky, tabby. In general, 64 color variants of Norwegian forest cats are recognized, but the list depends on the specific organization. Thus, the International Federation does not allow light brown, yellowish-brown and shades that are characteristic of Burmese cats, but considers white in any variations to be the norm. And the French Central Society of Cat Fanciers (SCFF) outlaws chocolate, lilac Stogcatts and color-point cats.
Flaws
Sizes too small. Insufficiently strong bones. Poorly developed muscles. Square body. The head is square or round. A profile with a “stop”, that is, a transition from the forehead to the rest of the muzzle with a pronounced depression. Small or round eyes. Small ears. Short legs. Short tail.
Disqualifying Faults
The coat has a silky texture, is dry or matted. Amputated claws, deafness, location of the testicles outside the scrotum.
Description of Scottish Fold cats
In 1961, in Scotland, not far from the town of Cupar Angus, an unusual white cat appeared. The only distinguishing feature from the traditional British breed was its ears. Their tips curved forward, which gave the round muzzle an unusual appearance.
Later, Susie's cat gave birth to kittens, two of which inherited an external genetic change. One of them was sterilized, and the second was purchased by farmer William Ross, a big cat lover. Together with geneticist Pat Turner, they developed a new breed of fold-eared animals.
Scientists have found that the mutation was caused by an ordinary dominant gene that does not affect the health of the offspring. Subsequently, all work with the breed was transferred to the USA, where the Scottish Fold breed was crossed with British and American shorthair cats.
Scottish Fold descendants of Irish cats differ from the British breed in the following external characteristics:
- The Scots have smaller heads and cheeks that are not as voluminous as the British;
- the legs are higher and the body is more muscular;
- the tail is longer than that of a British cat.
Photos of Norwegian Forest Cats
Personality of Norwegian Forest Cats
Norwegian forest cat with a person
Speaking about the inner world of Stogkatts, first of all, it is worth noting that by their temperament they are typical children of Scandinavia. Balanced, outwardly they rarely show emotions, prefer not to get involved in conflicts, treat others kindly, but do not tolerate violations of the boundaries of personal space - in a word, the character is Nordic.
Since Norwegian Forest Cats have long been left solely to the care of nature, they have a fairly strong desire for a “wild” life. Of course, Norwegians can be kept in a city apartment, but they will feel most comfortable in a private home, where they have the opportunity to go for walks every day and hone their hunting skills. In this case, do not be alarmed if your pet disappears from sight for several hours or even a whole day - periods of independence and “roaming” are completely normal for representatives of this breed. But at other times, you may well receive a severe reprimand for a long absence, because Norwegian forest cats really don’t like being alone when the soul requires company. A particularly acute reaction is caused by the absence of the “main person” - that family member whom everyone’s favorite person distinguishes with his deep affection and with whom he spends his evening rest more willingly than with others.
In general, Norwegian forest cats are very friendly and are perfect for living in a large family with small children and other animals. In response to obsessive attention from children or dogs, you will not see aggression; Norwegians prefer to retreat and wait out the unpleasant situation in a secluded place.
Norwegian Forest kitten with dog
If you want to teach your cat funny tricks and basic commands, choose anyone other than Norwegian cats. Understanding perfectly well what they want to achieve from them with words and treats, these wayward northerners simply ignore the trainer. They make their own decisions and refuse to obey the whims of others.
High intelligence goes hand in hand with curiosity and excellent memory. Skogkatts like to monitor the movements and habits of household members; they know exactly what order of things is typical in their home, and immediately draw the owner’s attention to any deviations from the norm, be it water dripping from somewhere or a bag of groceries left for a long time in the middle of the room. Norwegian forest cats have a quiet voice compared to other relatives, and they do not use “sound notifications” too often, so they will not bother their neighbors with their concerts in vain.
Breeders note the playful disposition of this breed, and it is not strictly tied to age. Even older cats (if their health allows them) with great pleasure and enthusiasm of a small kitten hunt for toy mice, balls and the mark of a laser pointer.
Character and temperament of the Irish cat
Representatives of the British breed are independent, do not like to be held and do not suffer from loneliness if the owner is away from home for a long time. All this cat needs is food and water.
Sometimes owners share observations about their Britons and note their extraordinary ability to sleep 20 hours a day. Traditional English cats also tend to show aggression.
The Scots differ from them in temperament and character:
- they are affectionate and sociable;
- take part in games with pleasure;
- get along well with other pets.
Care and maintenance
Handsome!
As already mentioned, the ideal home for a Norwegian forest cat would be a private home with its own yard. This way you can guarantee sufficient physical activity, in addition, it is the fresh air that promotes a healthy shine to the coat. If you only have an apartment at your disposal, it is strongly recommended that you take your pet for a walk at least once a month, remembering to wear a harness of the appropriate size to prevent attempts to go on an independent journey or climb to the very top of a spreading maple tree. By the way, the ability to climb vertical surfaces is very important for Norwegians, as it is part of their natural behavior. As a result of constant training of many generations of ancestors, the claws on all four paws became so powerful that this cat (the only one among the domesticated ones, by the way!) is able to climb down a sheer trunk upside down without any problems. When keeping an apartment, you should definitely purchase a special cat tree with a large platform on top, from where she can watch what is happening in the room.
Experts do not put forward specific requirements for the daily diet of the Norwegian forest cat. The only point that deserves special attention is the serving size. Since Norwegians are larger than many other breeds, they require slightly more food. When calculating, it is necessary to take into account the current weight of the pet. Otherwise, the advice is standard: professional premium food or a balanced natural diet, which includes animal proteins, grains and vegetables. It is important not to overfeed an animal at any age, since obesity provokes many serious diseases. It is imperative to ensure constant access to fresh water, especially if you have opted for dry food.
I ate my fill
Looking at the luxurious fur coat of the Norwegian Forest Cat, many are sure that with the advent of such a pet, all their free time will have to be devoted to caring for the fur. In fact, the situation is completely different. Nature has made sure that thick and long fur does not cause serious trouble for the animal, because in the northern forests one can hardly count on regular visits to grooming salons. The special structure of the undercoat and guard hairs prevents matting, so there are no problems with the formation of tangles (as, for example, in Angora and Persian cats). Of course, in spring and autumn, during the period of active molting, it is recommended to thoroughly comb the animal every two days, or even daily. This way you will avoid the formation of an additional “carpet” of fallen hair on all surfaces in the house. The rest of the time, it is enough to take up a special comb once a week.
Washbasins
The water-repellent fat layer on the coat plays an important role in maintaining the health of Norwegians, so bathing them should only be done as a last resort:
- if flea treatment is necessary;
- if the cat got really dirty during a walk;
- before participating in the exhibition.
It is worth considering that the washing process, due to the nature of wool, requires time and patience. The liquid simply drains from the guard hairs, leaving the undercoat dry, so experienced breeders advise first rubbing a special shampoo for oily wool dry, and only then turning on the water. It is likely that you will need more than one soaping, but conditioner will definitely be superfluous. If the room temperature does not threaten the Norwegian Forest Cat with hypothermia, it is better to simply dry it with a towel and wait until the fur coat dries itself.
Animals that do not have free access to the outside world should have their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. The ears are cared for at the same frequency using cotton swabs and special products.
Norwegians love boxes too...
And packages
Pros and cons of Scottish Fold cats
The main advantages of these cute cats include the following qualities:
- Kindness. It’s difficult to piss off a Scot, but it’s still possible;
- Good attitude towards children;
- Sociability and cheerful disposition;
- Dignified, almost aristocratic behavior;
- Lack of touchiness. Even if you offend the cat, he will not do anything dirty in revenge;
- Mind. Scottish Fold cats are quite smart cats, they quickly get used to the tray and scratching post, and respond well to the calm words of the owner. If a Scottish Fold cat does not obey its owner, it means that the cat most likely does not like the way he is being treated;
- They get along calmly with other pets and do not share territory even when they are close to cats. He can even be friends with a dog if he treats the cat well;
- Despite their good disposition, Scottish cats are still predators, and they are excellent at catching mice and sometimes birds.
There are disadvantages to cats of this breed and they cannot be ignored:
- Cats of this breed must be brushed at least a couple of times a week in order to remove dead hair and massage the animal’s skin;
- Scottish Fold cats are simply extremely inquisitive. They love to watch what the owner is doing and climb into all secluded places;
- Sometimes there is excessive affection, but it all depends on the individual characteristics of the animal. Plus, Scottish Folds don’t particularly like guests and treat new people in the house with caution, although they behave quite decently;
- Scottish cats often love to lick themselves, and during licking, hair gets into the animal's body, so cats of this breed must be fed with special food to remove hair from the stomach.
Health and disease of the Norwegian forest cat
Natural selection, which determined the development of the breed for several centuries, led to the formation of a strong and healthy population. Of course, recent human intervention - selective breeding, a limited number of genetic lines - has had negative consequences, but in general, Norwegian forest cats remain strong and hardy. They are at risk of only a few serious diseases:
- restrictive cardiomyopathy – decreased compliance of the heart muscle and subsequent development of chronic heart failure;
- diabetes – dysfunction of the endocrine system due to insulin deficiency;
- hip arthrosis is a chronic joint disease;
- retinal dysplasia - abnormal formation of retinal layers during intrauterine development;
- chronic renal failure – decreased kidney function;
- glycogenosis type IV - a genetic disease that provokes liver metabolic disorders and cirrhosis, such kittens are born dead or die soon after birth, in rare cases they live up to 4-5 months;
- Purivate kinase deficiency is another genetic disease that causes a reduction in the number of red blood cells and anemia.
The last two are becoming less common today, since genetic analysis makes it possible to identify carriers of recessive genes and exclude the possibility of having a litter from two carriers.
At the age of 6-8 weeks, the first injection of a polyvalent vaccine is carried out (most often this is the concern of the breeder, not yours), repeated vaccination is carried out at 6-8 months. Next, it is enough to do the vaccinations recommended by your veterinarian annually.
With due attention to the health of the cat on the part of the owners, proper nutrition, sufficient physical activity and the absence of congenital diseases, Norwegian forest cats live 15-16 years, maintaining activity and a tenacious mind.
Norwegian Forest Cat in its element
How to choose a kitten
Like any other purebred cat, the Norwegian Forest should only be purchased from reputable catteries or from trusted breeders. An attempt to save money and buy a pet at the “bird market” or through private advertisements most often ends with you getting an ordinary fluffy “nobleman” or, even worse, a baby with a lot of genetic abnormalities. If you plan to participate in exhibitions, you should carefully check the pedigree of the parents and the compliance of the kitten with the approved breed standard, because minor flaws from the point of view of an amateur can lead to low expert ratings and even disqualification. It is extremely difficult to assess the quality of wool at a young age, so here they focus on the external data of the parents.
The general requirements for a kitten of any class are simple:
- mobility, playfulness and curiosity, which indicate normal development and health;
- a good appetite;
- clean eyes and ears without foreign secretions;
- pink gums;
- absence of skin parasites;
- slightly rapid, but even breathing after physical activity (the opposite indicates problems with the cardiovascular system).
Important indicators are also the living conditions of the mother and kittens - sufficient space for active play, cleanliness, availability of toys, regime and quality of food. Be sure to ensure that the first required vaccination has been completed.
Description of the British
A century and a half ago, the British Isles were considered the world felinological center. Exotic cats came here along with the military and merchants from the East. It was during this period that the crossing of local animals with those brought on ships from distant countries began.
Thus, the Irish cat breed completely merged with the new English population.
The ancestors of ordinary British cats came to the islands with the Roman conquerors. It is believed that these were representatives of the Egyptian cat breed, but there is no factual evidence of this.
In England, they adapted to new climatic conditions, acquired thick hair and established family relationships with local four-legged rat catchers, among which a branch of Irish cats was already represented.
This is how a group of British cats was formed, which was later recognized as an aboriginal breed with certain external characteristics:
- Stocky animals with a harmonious physique.
- Gray-blue color, traditional for the British breed.
- All the lines of the body and head of the British are smooth - even the tail ends in a slight curve.
- The ears are set wide, forming an equilateral triangle between their bases and the nose.
- Round cheeks.
- Low legs with round, powerful paws.
- The most common eye color is honey-amber, but green, blue and even lavender are also acceptable.
The descendants of Irish cats are distinguished by good health. They often live to an old age (20 years), and do not suffer from chronic diseases.
Photos of Norwegian Forest Kittens
How much does a Norwegian Forest cat cost?
The price of a Norwegian Forest cat kitten varies widely.
This is not about the difference between a baby with a pedigree and one bought “from hand” - this issue is clarified above. The fact is that all purebred animals are divided into conventional classes. The most affordable option is the so-called “domestic” Norwegian, that is, a kitten whose exterior has more or less serious deviations from the breed standard. If you are looking for a friendly pet for the whole family, the length of its tail, the smoothness of its profile or the set of its ears are not decisive, are they? But the acquisition will not be a blow to the family budget: depending on the prestige of the nursery and the eminence of the ancestors, the price of such a fluffy starts from 10 thousand rubles.
For a future exhibition participant, breeders ask 30-40 thousand rubles and more, here the figure additionally depends even on the color and eye color. Only kittens born from a mother who is registered in the cat lovers club have permission to participate in competitions and breed. There, one-and-a-half-month-old babies undergo certification and receive an official metric. Without the latter, you will later (at the age of 6-7 months) not be able to obtain an international pedigree. The cost of Norwegian forest kittens from elite parents in the best nurseries can reach 100 thousand rubles.
Education and physical activity
Features of raising and keeping a cat directly depend on the nature of the breed:
The process of raising a Briton cannot be interrupted for a minute. Otherwise, this wayward cat will quickly imagine itself as the head of the family and begin to establish its own rules. By the way, the Briton willingly uses both teeth and claws.
The Scottish Fold is the exact opposite of the British cat breed. We can say that his delicacy knows no bounds. He can do something contrary to his beloved owner only in one case - from pain.
