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Chartreux
Cat
The Chartreux Cat
is an
internationally-recognized breed of domestic cat. Chartreux cats are from
France and reportedly originally bred by Carthusian
Catholic monks at their monastery in Grenoble
for the purposes of catching mice to preserve their food storages from loss and
damage.
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Legend has it the Chartreux cat's ancestors
were feral mountain cats from what is now Syria, brought back to France by
returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian
monastic order.
The first documented mention of the breed was by the French
naturalist Buffon
in the 17th century. The first Chartreux cats were brought to the USA in 1971.
Physically, the Chartreux cat is large and
muscular with short but powerful limbs, big paws and very fast reflexes.
They are known for their blue (grey) double-thickness fur coats and gold- or
copper-colored eyes.
Chartreux cats are known for their "smile";
due to the structure of their heads and long, tapered muzzle, they often
appear to be smiling.
Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely
making noises such as mewing or crying. Some are mute. They are quite
observant and intelligent, with some Chartreux cats learning to operate radio
on/off buttons and to open screen door latches.
Chartreux cats are also fond
of chasing and playing well into their adult years; some can be taught to
fetch small objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux cats are good with
children and other animals, are non-aggressive and affectionate, good
travelers and are generally very healthy.
Historically famous Chartreux cat owners
include the French novelist Colette
and French general/president Charles
de Gaulle.
The Chartreux cat breed was advanced to
championship status in 1987 by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA.)
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