| These are the cats of the Vikings! Although the Norwegian Forest Cat is a relatively new breed in the United States, it is a very old breed in Scandinavia. They have been featured in folk tales and mythology for centuries and the Norwegians claim that the cat has been around forever. These are the cats that explored the world with the Vikings, protecting the grain stores on land and sea, and which are believed to have left their progeny on the shores of North America as a legacy to the future. If ever there was a cat built to match its environment, it is the Norwegian Forest Cat. It has developed over many years of natural selection into a breed able to survive the long harsh winters of Norway and is a slow-maturing breed that may not reach full maturity until almost five years of age. It is a sturdy cat with a double coat which has protective, water-resistant guard hairs over a downy, warm undercoat. The ears are heavily furnished and, although they are moderately large, they are set somewhat low on the head to prevent excessive heat loss. The feet are heavily tufted, which provides a protective layer of fur between the feet and the cold ground and snow. The rear legs are heavily muscled with strong heavy boning on both the front and the rear legs and thick claws on all four feet. The rear legs are longer than the front legs thus keeping the belly out of the snow and avoiding a loss of body heat. |
About the Breed
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| The Norwegian Forest Cat's eyes are one of its prettiest features: they are almond shaped and set at an angle and they are very expressionate. The color ranges from blue to gold to deep emerald green, with the darker green color much sought after but not as common as the green-gold eyes usually seen. A Norwegian Forest Cat in full coat is a sight to behold. It has wonderful long guard hairs that cover a shorter thick undercoat. The guard hairs are smooth and heavy in texture and continue on to the long fluffy tail. The Norwegian Forest Cat holds its tail up as if it were a beacon of light from a lighthouse. It seems to say "Hey, I'm here". |
| The Norwegian Forest Cat enjoys being with people and other pets and is excellent with children. They are very patient animals and are not stressed easily. They are fairly intelligent and have a natural curiosity. Grooming is not difficult on a Forest Cat. Although they will mat if their coat is neglected, they tend not to mat as much as some of the other longhair breeds. A simple combing of their coat a few times a week will keep it looking lovely and full. |
| One thing that is an absolute necessity if you own a Forest Cat is some kind of climbing device. They like to be up high to survey their kingdom. A climbing tree is perfect and they will spend endless amounts of energy going up and down doing all they can to impress you with their athletic abilities! |
| If you are looking for a cat that will be your best friend, then the Norwegian Forest Cat is the cat for you. Keeping your cat indoors and neutering or spaying are essential elements for maintaining a healthy companion, and most importantly will extend the life expectancy of your cat. If you are interested in learning more about these wonderful pets, please feel free to contact Alvdansen Cattery at (757) 665-7350 or brlracr_1@yahoo.com. |