Norwegian Forest Cat - breed description

A Norwegian cat is a type of pet that can be harsh or affectionate to humans at the same time. The breed is distinguished by a obstinate character, willpower, care for young children. Norwegian women are brought up as a family friend, and this is not surprising. Let's talk in more detail about the main features of the "forest beast."

Historical summary

It is difficult to say for sure in what century the origin of the Norwegians begins. However, experts say that around the 1600s. The first mention of cats can be found in folk tales of the 1800s. In fairy tales, animals were mentioned with long fluffy tails and an expressive look.

In Norway, cats were extremely popular, but at some point they began to disappear altogether. It's all about crossing Norwegians with pets of other breeds. Thus, purebred representatives were decreasing every month.

In order to prevent the extinction of the species, a number of rules were introduced that affected the breeding and crossbreeding of forest pets.

Before the breeder planned to breed cats, he had to appear before the committee and show his pets. If the committee approved the cats, registration was carried out followed by permission for breeding.

After many years, enthusiasts managed to resume the number of Norwegian cats, in the late 1970s the breed received approval and could perform at exhibitions in European countries.

The breed became famous throughout the world due to its impressive size and weight. Males can reach 9 kg., Females - a little less. At first you might think that such a furry beast should weigh a lot, but inconsistencies in appearance can be easily understood if you look at the undercoat of a cat. It is soft, thick, long, gives the animal massiveness.

External characteristics of Norwegian cats

1. Fans of this breed claim that the Norwegians are one of a kind, unique. But to an ignorant person, the appearance of the pet will seem boring, no different from non-pedigree pets. This is partly true, but the breed has its own characteristics that attract more attention to Norwegians.
2. Due to its forest origin, the animal is famous for its natural proportions, powerful breasts, massive body, strong legs and neck.
3. Despite its impressive size, this beast is a hunter by nature. The Norwegian cat is agile and fast, the body is slightly elongated, the hind legs are longer than the front, so the croup seems to be raised. This helps pets sneak up on prey and leave her no chance.
4. Norwegian paws are large, help to stand well and, if necessary, make a sharp jerk. The abdomen is tightened, the neck is massive and strong. In terms of size, cats cannot be called gigantic; they are smaller than Siberian and Maine Coons.
5. Almond-shaped eyes are expressive and clear, cheekbones are high and clearly visible, chin stands out. The muzzle as a whole looks pretty and neat, there are no sharp transitions and unnaturalness in the physique. Everything is as harmonious as possible.
6. Fluffy thick fur (and tail in particular) has a waterproof undercoat. In appearance, you might think that a cat weighs a lot, but in fact it is not. The body weight of the male hardly reaches 9 kg., The females weigh about 7.5 kg.
7. According to the appearance of the male, the female can be distinguished from the female by the broad chest, eyes, powerful paws and confident gait. The female sex is more imposing, sweeter. In the neck there is a "rim", like a lion, due to the long thick coat.The undercoat is waterproof, has a light oily structure at the base.
8. As can be understood from all of the above, the "highlight" of Norwegians lies in the hair of cats. Massive “pants” on the paws, the tail also boasts a lush woolen coat. Some pets have tassels on their ears, but their absence cannot be considered a defect.
9. Due to the dense, not too soft wool, the Norwegian is not tormented with tangles, there is no need to constantly comb it. This can not be said about cats with too soft a fur coat that constantly whips into spools.
10. Since it is wool that is considered the main asset of the breed, special attention is paid to it. The fur coat has its own requirements and certain standards to which the breed must comply.
11. To choose a kitten, you need to look at the parents with a fully formed coat. Because the younger generation is not yet endowed with special features and cannot meet the criteria.

Varieties of color Norwegian cats

1. There are quite a few varieties of coloring of the coat of the animal. Starting from smoky gray and deep black, ending with brown with reddish blotches, white, reddish, with stripes or marble.
2. According to some reports, the color of forest beauties is so diverse, because the cat lived in places with an impressive natural landscape. Some of the cats come from the central part, others lived in the south, etc.
3. Since the nature of the Norwegian hunters, they tried to get as close as possible in color to the environment. These are just rumors, in fact - the less the color of the coat, the more expensive the pet.
4. It has already been described that huge demands are placed on the quality of the coat. The same can be said about her color. If the shade is solid, it should not have other inclusions, for example, at the base of a fur coat or at the edges of a wool.
5. If the pet is striped, it should not have a washed-out pattern. All patterns of quality representatives of the breed are clear, well distinguishable, one color does not flow into another unnoticed. It’s hard not to notice the obvious division of borders; this is what you should rely on when choosing.
6. It is good if the shade of the coat is close to the color of the eyes. Breed standards do not allow hints of other breeds, for example, Maine Coon, Siamese cats, etc.

Breed character

1. Most owners say that they have a real forest cat in their home. Unfortunately, this is not so. From the wild, only the name remains. The Norwegian cat is quite friendly and calm. Wildness in such a pet can manifest itself just as much as in an ordinary cat. The breed in question is very affectionate and loves attention.
2. If you get a kitten, be prepared for increased activity and curiosity of the animal. Norwegian cats can play from morning to evening. Kittens are very fond of people and can not do without attention. Therefore, you simply must constantly pet and caress the new pet. Such cats love children and play with them with pleasure.
3. When a pet grows up, its activity somewhat subsides. But do not think that the cat will only decorate your sofa and sleep constantly. The Norwegian breed will constantly monitor everyone, and “keep order”. Adult cats are quite active, so if you want to play with him, there will be no problems.
4. This breed is considered one of the smartest, so it’s not difficult to train a cat to a tray. The pet also lends itself to training. Even two-month-old kittens will already know where to go to the toilet. If you put a scratching post, you will not see ragged furniture. It is enough to devote a little time to education. Cats are smart and clean, so they will not be dirty.

Care and maintenance

1. It is worth considering all the features and disadvantages of the presented breed.Such cats have excellent steady psyche. Due to this feature, the pet can get along in any family and company. The animal is not shy and very patient. The cat is more likely to leave the room than to react aggressively.
2. Norwegian cats are very nice to strangers and are loyal to little annoying children. Such pets get along easily with dogs and are quite friendly with other animals. It is worth noting that if you first got a cat, and then a rodent or a bird, you should not leave them alone. Still, the Norwegian cat is a hunter by nature.
3. As for the content, the breed in question is not picky and does not require more than an ordinary cat. It is enough to provide the animal with a small cozy corner, toys and, ideally, a special climbing trunk. If you live in a private house, you can let go of the animal without fear. Such cats are loyal and know their home.
4. Nobody wants to steal such an animal, because the Norwegian cat is practically no different from the usual one (no offense to the owners). The breed is practically not picky, the only thing that kittens need to be accustomed to the systematic cleaning of ears, cutting nails and combing hair. As a result, adult cats will tolerate such procedures without problems.
5. As mentioned earlier, pets have very thick and fluffy hair. Therefore, start accustoming the animal from an early age to combing hair. The cat should just have fun. Perform the procedure 2 times a week. As a result, the coat will look perfect. Use a special brush without droplets at the ends of the teeth. Otherwise, the fur will be torn out.
6. To lay the wool without much difficulty, it is recommended to use a regular metal scallop with frequent teeth. Pre-process the comb with a special antistatic agent. Bathing should be carried out in rare cases or if the cat is dirty in any way. The rest of the animal is clean and licks itself.
7. As for nutrition, you will not encounter anything special. You do not have to buy special delicacies. The only thing that should be noted is that no one canceled the quality food. A balanced diet will guarantee a high life expectancy and excellent cat health. Check with the breeders for details.

Diseases and breed health

1. Often purebred thoroughbred animals can have hygiene problems. Do not worry ahead of time, the Norwegian cat is not affected. Such animals are considered healthy and almost problem-free.
2. In rare cases, glycogenosis can be inherited. This pathology negatively affects the digestion of glucose in animals. The disease may not occur until 6 months. Such cats will soon die and, unfortunately, nothing can be done about it.

In general, the Norwegian cat is not picky and pretty enough. When choosing a kitten, rely solely on the quality of the coat. If possible, look at the pedigree. A thoroughbred kitten is very difficult to distinguish from a yard kitten. Therefore, you need to have some knowledge about the breed. You should also try to find trusted breeders.

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