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An untrained eye might overlook the differences
between the Chartreux and better-known breeds, such as the Russian
Blue or British Shorthair. Fans of the breed, however, have long
celebrated its uniqueness. Legend counts medieval monks of the
Carthusian order, based at Le Grande Chartreux monastery near
Grenoble, France, among the breed's early devotees. Though no
records prove the relationship, a type of robust, powerful cat
with a unique blue coat color became associated with the order.
The cats are said to have kept rats away from valuable manuscripts
painstakingly hand-copied by the monks.
 The
Chartreux name also could refer to the thick fur that resembled a
well-known Spanish wool. The original cats likely arrived in
Europe in the 13th century. Crusaders returning from the
mountainous regions of ancient Syria probably brought the cats
back as gifts.
Other Names
Chartreux Cat
Native Country
France
Breed Description
Head: Rounded and broad, but not a sphere,
resembling an upside down trapezoid. Skull not domed, slightly
rounded, with a narrow, flat space between the ears. Full, round,
low-set cheeks, with mature males having larger jowls. The
straight, broad nose is not turned up. Slight nose break allowed,
though no nose break is preferred. Muzzle straight in relation to
the head, tapered, but not pointed. Sizable whisker pads with
moderately pronounced whisker pinch, giving the breed its
characteristic smile. Powerful jaws, particularly in males over
two years of age.
Eyes: Large and round, with the outer corner
slightly upturned. Color: Orange to gold. No flecks of green or
washed out colors.
Neck: Short, strong, and heavyset.
Body: Large and round, with the outer corner
slightly upturned. Color: Orange to gold. No flecks of green or
washed out colors.
Paw: Straight, short to medium in length, strong,
and very muscular. Small, round, broad paws.
Tail: Of moderate length. Thick at the back and
tapering slightly to a rounded tip.
Coat: Short, thick, extremely dense (like an
otter), glossy, slightly wooly, and water-repellant, standing away
from skin due to the profuse undercoat. Color: Any shade of blue,
from ash to slate, but bright blue is preferred. Uniformity of
color is essential. Slate gray nose leather and rose taupe paw
pads. The skin is blue. Kittens are born with tabby markings that
fade between the age of six months and one year. Orange eye color
does not appear until the age of three months, replacing the
typical blue-gray eyes of kittens.
Fault: Upturned nose or severe nose break. Broad,
heavy muzzle. Eyes almond-shaped or set too close together. Green
eyes, dull or washed out eye color. Coat: White lockets. Tipping,
ghost barring, or variation in coat color. Brown or red
highlights.
History
The
blue cat of France with golden eyes has existed for centuries This
breed is very old. Its short, wooly coat is said to have been sold
as otter fur in ancient times! The Chartreux has apparently
existed in France for many centuries. In the 16th century, Joachim
du Bellay mourned the death of this little gray cat, Belaud. In
the 18th century, Buffon, in Natural History, refers to the
Chartreux as the Cat of France, while Linné distinguished it from
the Angora cat, naming it Felis cattus caeruleus, or blue cat.
There are many theories as to the origins of this breed. Legend
holds that the Carthusian monks bred these cats after bringing
them back to France from South Africa. So what is the origin of
this breed's name? Some believe the name describes its dense,
wooly coat that resembles a Spanish wool fabric called Chartreux
pile. Others, such as Fizniger, posit that the breed is a cross
between the Manul cat and the Egyptian cat. In fact, its ancestors
may have been born in the harsh mountainous regions of Iran,
Syria, and Turkey where they would have needed their thick coat.
Some Chartreux were introduced in France during the Crusades.In
the 1920s, French breeders crossed the Chartreux with Persians. A
formal breeding program did not begin until 1926, when the Léger
sisters began working with smoke blue cats roaming freely on
Belle-Ile-sur-Mere in Morbihan. After defining their body
features, Dr. Jumaud (1930) named these cats Felis cattus
cartusinorum. The breed was shown at the Cat Club de Paris in
1931. The first standard was published in 1939. In the 1960s and
1970s, crossbreeding with Blue British Shorthairs was so common
that the F.I.Fe decided in 1970 to combine the two breeds. So was
the Chartreux destined to disappear? Indeed no. J. Simonnet,
President of the Chartreux Cat Club, effectively proved the
authenticity of this ancient French breed to the F.I.Fe, which
then separated the two breeds and prohibited mating across the two
breeds. The first Chartreux arrived in the United States in 1970.
Both the C.F.A. and T.I.C.A. recognize the breed.
Behavior
This
well-balanced, easygoing, independent cat has a strong
personality, though is not very vocal. Affectionate and devoted to
his owner, the reserved Chartreux enjoys solitude and
tranquility. The Chartreux does not reach maturity until two to
three years of age. A curry brush must be applied weekly to
maintain the wooly coat. Heavy shedding.
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