Norwegian Forest Cat

Abbreviation:

Norsk Skogkatt

Abbreviation FIFe:

NFO

Place of Origin:

Norway

Ancestors:

Long-haired domestic cats

Breed type:

Semi-haired cat

Body Type:

Large, Strong

Weight:

4 - 8 kg

Colour variety:

All types of colouring and patterns except for badges, lilac, chocolate and cinnamon colours

History: Although there is a form between the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Main Coon, both breeds developed independently and the Norwegian Forest Cat is originated in Scandinavia. According to one theory, its ancestors are Angorian Cats that went by boats to Italy in the 16th century, they adapted to harsher conditions and they created the current form of Norwegian Forest Cats. According to the second theory of Angora from Turkey, the Normans brought it back in the 9th century. The theory underlies the form of Norwegian Forest Cats with Turkish Angora. Both breeds have a wedge head and a straight profile. Anyway, long-haired cats with a hunched tail they were appeared in Norwegian sagas and myths. As a result, the Norwegian Forest Cats have appeared in the forests of Norway since ancient times. The breed moved to breeding kennels from the woods in the 1930s (the first Norwegian Cat was showed as pedigreed cat already in 1912). At that time the breed stabilized, but the breeding was interrupted by the Second World War, which breed similarly to Birma was hardly eliminated. There was degradation by crossing with domestic cats. However, as a Forest Cat in Norway it is considered as part of a national tradition, the intention started to restore the breed and it was recognized by the FIFe in 1977. In America, a Norwegian Forest Cat came in 1979 and it was recognized here in 1994, though not by all organizations.

Nature: The nature of a Forest cat is simple, tolerant and social. It is a calm, balanced cat that is playful and alive. It is brilliant, quick, alert, but also curious. It feels the best in a large garden, ideally very bushy. It a great skill in climbing and hunting (it is said to be able to climb even an almost vertical rock wall). It feels well in house when it got used from young age. In any case, however, it needs the possibility of draining energy.  To humans and children, forest cats behave friendly, they love to cuddle, but they make it clear if they do not like it. They tend to stick to one person. It gets well with dogs. They have strongly developed territorial behaviour.  The problem can appear when two males live together. The solution can be castration. Cats are getting well if they have enough space.

Body: The Norwegian Forest Cat is large, strong and muscular with a massive structure. The body and legs are long, with the back legs longer than the front. The paws are large, massive and round, with strong and long claws. The position is stretched. The tail is as long as the body and it is bushy. Head is triangular, nose long, wide and straight without bend. Its face is full and chin strong. The ears are long, erect and pointed. They are set high and densely dressed. Toe tips are found on the tip, but they are not required when it is judging at shows. The eyes are large, almond shaped, sitting slightly oblique.

Coat: Coat of Norwegian Forest Cats is dense, oily, waterproof and insulating. Glossy ticks protect against rain and snow. The undercoat is dense, wavy and medium-long. In autumn and winter, the collar on the neck and chest is visible. Kittens begin to grow adult hair from three to five months. It may take two years or longer to develop completely.

Care: Since spring cats in the spring and summer strongly, although short-lived, they need frequent, quiet day brushing. This prevents the formation of hairs in the stomach and hardly removable bumps in the coat. When combing out of moulting time, care must be very careful we must avoid to comb much undercoat. It is recommended to use a rough comb or a brush made of genuine hairs. Synthetic brushes can be charged with static electricity. Coat cleaning is not recommended. The shampoo removes the dirt-repellent layer and disappears the typical stiff and greasy appearance of the coat. Ears clean and claws cut when is needed. 

Colourful variety: By Norwegian Forest Cats there are tolerated only natural colours, such as those found in nature. The distribution of colour over the body is of little importance. They are most commonly found in black annealed, black marbled, with or without white. The eyes colour could be various.