Norwegian Forest Cat

A gorgeous, wild looking animal, the Norwegian Forest Cat emerged from the forest and opted for domesticity and work on the farm some time during the past 4,000 years. Despite appearances, the coat is easy to care for. Did you know that the Norwegian Forest Cat will often come down trees head first.

History

The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient natural breed that once lived in the woods of its native land. Although highly prized by Norwegian farmers for its superior hunting ability, no one else paid any attention to the cat until the 1930s. The breed almost became extinct during World War II, and owes its survival to Nordane, a former president of the Norwegian Cat Association. In the early 1970s, he organized a breed club to champion and preserve the Forest Cat. The Feline International Federation of Europe granted it championship status in November 1977, and the first enchanting specimen arrived in the USA two years later. Because of its many similarities to the Maine Coon, it was not recognized there until 1987.

Description

The large body is medium length and solidly muscled with substantial bone structure and considerable girth. The chest is broad and the flanks have great depth. The triangular head has a wide, straight nose with no break in the line from brow ridge to tip. The nose leather should harmonize with the coat color. The chin is firm, in line with the front of the nose and gently rounded. The large, almond shaped eyes are expressive, wide set and with the outer corner slightly higher than the inner. Eye color may be any shade of green, hazel or gold and white cats may have blue or odd eyes. The ears are medium to large, rounded at the tip, upright and set far apart on the head. They do not flare out but follow the line from the side of the head.

The medium length legs are heavily muscled with thickset lower legs. The paws are large and round and heavily tufted, with pad color in keeping with the coat. The magnificent tail is heavily furred, and remains so even in summer.

The water resistant double coat is uneven in length with a dense, wooly undercoat and visible guard hairs in winter. The hair on the side of the face flows into a substantial ruff, framing the face like a full beard. The britches should be full. Daily combing is recommended when the winter coat is being shed but, unless it is destined for the show ring, the cat will take care of this itself. Surprisingly, the hair does not mat.

Varieties

The Norwegian Forest Cat comes only in longhair. Any color of pattern is acceptable, except colorpointed, solid lilac or chocolate. Popular colors include brown tabby, silver tabby and either of those with white. These colors originally helped the cat to blend into its woodland surroundings.

Temperament

While the Norwegian Forest Cat is an excellent hunter and loves the outdoors, it also craves company. It loves to be handled and petted and returns this affection in full measure. As with other breeds, if a kitten is gently handled and exposed to children, cats and dogs from birth, the temperament will be more adaptable than that of one raised with limited human contact.

The Norwegian Forest Cat has been described as the “kissing cousin” of the Maine Coon Cat. The land it comes from certainly has similarities to the forested mountains of Maine. The Norwegian Forest Cat also originated as a natural outdoor working cat, on Scandinavian farms, and its powerful build and skill as a climber and hunter reflect this heritage. Its double layered coat is heavier during winter, and keeps out both cold and wet. The generous frill and shirt front of fur of the neck and chest may be shed during the summer months.

The Norwegian Brown Tabby has the breed’s characteristic stance, with a slightly raised rump, and the long, plumed tail raised high.

Although it is a big, strong legged animal, the Norwegian Forest Cat has a certain elegance. Its head is triangular with a long, straight profile, and ears are pointed, open and erect. Like the Maine Coon Cat, it matures slowly and may not reach full stature until four years of age. All colors are allowed except Chocolate, Lilac and Colorpoint (Himalayan) pattern. The Norwegian Forest Cat is one of the semi-longhaired varieties that have developed as a northern hemisphere speciality. Whether it goes as far back as the Vikings, who describe a fairy cat in their legends, is unknown.

A Black Norwegian Forest Cat demonstrates the breed’s typical smooth outer later of fur that covers a warm, wooly undercoat.

However, the Vikings travelled not only to the shores of the Mediterranean, and along the rivers of Asia, but also to the East Coast of North America. It is entirely feasible that the warrior traders could have found longhaired Asian cats such as the Angora from Turkey, and taken them back to Scandinavia, and even, perhaps, on to America. The Norwegian Forest Cat may therefore quite possibly share the same rootstock as the Maine Coon Cat, its north American equivalent.

This Silver Tabby is in full winter coat, with a splendidly well furnished ruff and shirt front.

By the 1930s the Norwegian Forest Cat was being taken seriously by pedigreed cat lovers in Norway, and it featured at the foundation of Norway’s oldest cat club in 1938. However, it only attained full championship status from FIFe, Europe’s main feline organization, in 1977, and in the United States in 1993.

coat – thick, double coat – a wooly undercoat covered by a smooth, water repellent overcoat, thick ruff

eyes – large, round, all colors

grooming – relatively easy, occasional brushing and combing

temperament – alert, active, loves people, freedom loving, enjoys rock and tree climbing

A Blue Bi-Color displays the distinctively long feathering from the ears, and big, slightly obliquely set eyes. There should be extra points for the splendid whiskers, too! Norse legends refer to a “fairy cat”, and the subtle colors, softness of line and pretty face of the Silver Tortoiseshell Tabby certainly have an ethereal quality.

Norwegian Forest Cat – A Brief Synopsis On This Famous Cat Breed!

If you are a great admirer of cats then you must be familiar with the most reputed and famous breed known as Norwegian Forest Cat. This cat breed is categorized in domestic cats and they are natives to the North of Europe which means they can easily be accessed in other European countries too. Furthermore, it is also obvious that they can easily bear severe cold climatic regions and they have thick coating and long fur that easily helps them to stay warm in cold regions. No doubt, this cat can live in moderate climatic regions but too much hot weather is unbearable for this cat. So, if you are residing in cold areas of your country then feel free to adopt this cat without any delay. This post is all about the adopting and learning the ideas and techniques to raise this cat effectively.

According to some old historic beliefs, it is believed that Norwegian Forest Cat was brought to Norway via Vikings along with other famous cat breeds and time to time they got popularity and fame around the other parts of Europe as well. Though, this cat was brought to Europe quite early but it wasn’t registered as a cat breed until 1970. After the registration, the Norwegian government helped a lot to spread this cat breed and provided proper funding for the better growth of this cat. This cat is very popular in Norway, France and Sweden because all these regions are a bit cold and such cats are in demand because of their cold-bearing nature.

Appearance Of Norwegian Forest Cat:
Norwegian cat breed is quite strong and big cat as compare to other cat breeds because of its ability to survive in severe cold weathers. This cat is also familiar to Maine Coon cat because of its big features. So, if you are looking forward to adopt a cat that is big, puffy tail and thick coating then I will suggest you guys to go for this cat without thinking twice. Cats are always adorable and when it comes to adopt and raise Norwegian cat, you can easily enjoy the best moments of life without getting bore.

This cat has also gain fame with its alternative names and few of them are, Skogkatt / Skaukatt Norsk Skogkatt / Norsk Skaukatt and they are also known as Weegie by their nicks. So, this cat is easily avai;able in all parts of world where people admires cats. Though, this cat is big in size but still it has the ability to climb roofs and trees with the help of its strong claws that can easily get a hold on all the places on height. Furthermore, this cat can live up to 14 – 16 years if you are taking proper care of it but in past few years, heart and kidney problems have been reported to be faced by this cat.

Norwegian Forest Cat is easily available in different eye colors and fur. They are not so playful and try to spend time staying calm or sleeping along with their owner.