chausie
Energetic, intelligent, friendly, family-oriented
Overview
Origin
Egypt, South Asia
Life Span
10-15 years
Height
14"-18"
Weight
12-25 pounds
Group
Large short-haired
Price
$500-$2500
History
It is believed that Chausie cats share some Characteristics with early domesticated hybrid cats from Egypt and the surrounding area. These cats share similarities with some of the mummified cat remains found in Egyptian tombs.
Even though hybrid cats have been in existence since ancient times, the Chausie cat stands out for its fairly modern roots. Breeders began to experiment with crossing jungle cats (Felis Chaus) with Abyssinians in the 1990s. The result was the Chausie, a robust hybrid cat with wild looks and an independent personality.
The Chausie cat breed was formally recognized by The International Cat Association in 1995.
Care
Nutrition
The Chausie requires an all meat diet. Many Chausie cats are incapable of breaking down plant matter, so it's important to avoid foods that contain vegetables or grains.
Grooming
Chausie cats have short coats that require very little attention. A weekly brushing gives you an opportunity to bond with your cat while reducing shedding.
Exercise
Chausie cats require plenty of exercise. Their wild nature demands access to a tall cat tower, multiple scratching posts, and plenty of toys. A Chausie cat happily engages in exercise on its own, but appreciates interaction from human family members.
Health
Chausie cats are generally healthy, but can suffer from malnutrition without a diet that consists of animal products alone.
Breed Standard
Body
The body should be long and slender, with well-defined musculature. Females typically weigh 15 to 20 pounds, while males average 25 pounds.
Head
The Chausie cat has a rounded head with pronounced features and prominent whisker pads.
Eyes
Chausie cats have striking eyes with an intense gaze, usually in shades of green or gold.
Ears
The ears are large and well proportioned, with wide bases that taper to rounded tips.
Color
Chausie cats have grizzled coat colors, typically in shades of tan, black, and brown. Often, there is cream to white shading at the muzzle. TICA recognizes three patterns: solid black, grizzled tabby, and brown ticked tabby. Chausies appear in three pretty patterns — brown-ticked tabby, solid black and grizzled tabby. The brown-ticked tabby pattern displays barring on the inner legs.
Coat
The coat is short with a plush undercoat and a coarser upper layer.
Tail
The tail is short in comparison with the body; it is thick and muscular, without much of a taper.
Legs & Paws
The legs are muscular, with a powerful appearance. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs.