The Norwegian Forest Cat belongs to the group of ‘natural breeds’ which have not been designed or changed by people but have developed a specific phenotype as house and farm cats in their native regions. These cats can still be found unaltered in their country and region of origin and the breed standard for a natural breed such as the Norwegian Forest Cat reflects the original type evolved over centuries. It is the responsibility of the breeder to ensure that the characteristics which have evolved in a natural environment are preserved when the breed is removed from that environment.
In 1976 the breed was officially recognised by FIFé. (Fédération International Féline) and since then it has developed throughout the world into one of the most popular breeds
STANDARD OF POINTS FOR THE NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT UK
The
Norwegian
Forest
Cat
is
a
large,
heavy
boned,
yet
elegant
semi-longhaired
cat,
the
most
important
features
being
type
and
coat
quality.
Originating
in
harsh
natural
conditions,
the
breed
became
an
outdoor
working
cat
on
Norwegian
Farms.
The
appearance
of
the
Norwegian
Forest
Cat
should
reflect
this
natural
heritage.
The
Norwegian
Forest
Cat
matures
slowly,
and
full
development
of
the
cat
and
its
coat
can
take
up
to
four
years.
A
distinctive
double
coat
is
required.
Coat
colour
is
irrelevant.
A
cat
should
not
be
penalised
if
apparently
wrongly
registered,
as
there
are
no
points
for
colour.
The
cat
should
have
an
alert
expression,
be
in
good
general
condition
and
well
presented.
|
|
|
|
Head |
Triangular,
where
all
sides
are
equal.
Long
straight
profile
without
break
in
line.
Forehead
slightly
rounded.
Strong
chin. |
Triangular, where all sides are equally long; with good height when
seen
in
profile;
forehead
slightly
rounded;
long,
straight
profile
without
break
in
line
(no
stop).
Firm
chin. |
|
Ears |
Large,
not
rounded,
with
good
width
at
base.
Ear
placement
high,
and
open
set
so
that
the
lines
of
the
ears
follow
the
line
of
the
head
down
to
the
chin.
With
Lynx-like
tufts
and
long
hair
out
of
the
ears. |
Large,
with
good
width
at
the
base;
pointed
tips;
with
lynx-like
tufts
and
long
hair
out
of
the
ears.
Ear
placement
high
and
open,
so
that
the
outer
lines
of
the
ears
follow
the
line
of
the
head
down
to
the
chin. |
|
Eyes |
Large,
oval,
well
opened,
obliquely
set
and
alert
expression.
All
colours
allowed. |
Large
and
oval,
well
opened,
set
slightly
oblique.
Alert
expression.
All
colours
permitted
regardless
of
coat
colour. |
|
Body |
Big
and
strongly
built,
long
and
muscular
with
solid
bone
structure.
Having
a
deep
chest
and
powerful
neck. |
Long, strongly built; solid bone structure. |
|
Legs
(and
paws) |
High
on
legs,
with
back
legs
longer
than
front
legs.
Paws
large
and
round,
in
proportion
to
the
legs.
Tufts
of
fur
between
toes. |
Strong, high on legs, hind legs higher than front legs. Paws large,
round,
in
proportion
to
legs. |
|
Tail |
Long
and
bushy,
should
reach
at
least
to
the
shoulder
blades,
but
preferably
to
the
neck. |
Long
and
bushy,
should
reach
at
least
to
the
shoulderblades,
but
preferably
to
the
neck.
|
|
Coat |
Semi-long. the woolly undercoat being covered by a smooth,
water
repellent
overcoat;
which
consists
of
long,
coarser
and
glossy
guard
hairs
covering
the
back,
sides
and
tail.
A
fully
coated
cat
has
a
shirtfront,
a
full
ruff
and
knickerbockers.
(
A
shorter
coat
in
summer
is
acceptable). |
Semi-long. The woolly undercoat is covered by a water repellent
uppercoat
which
consists
of
long,
coarse
and
glossy
hair
covering
the
back
and
the
sides.
A
fully
coated
cat
has
a
shirtfront,
a
full
frill
and
knickerbockers.
All
colours
are
permitted,
including
all
colours
with
white;
except
pointed
patterns
and
chocolate
and
lilac,
cinnamon
and
fawn.
Any
amount
of
white
is
allowed,
i.e.
a
white
blaze,
white
locket,
white
chest,
white
on
the
belly,
white
on
the
paws,
etc. |
|
Faults |
Cobby, small or delicate build. Break (stop) in profile. Round
or
square
head.
Short
tail
(not
reaching
to
back
of
shoulder
blades.)
Short
legs.
Dry,
knotted
coat
or
too
soft
a
coat.
Small
ears.
Round
eyes.
Any
defect
as
listed
in
the
preface
to
the
SOP
booklet. |
Too small and finely built cats. Round or square head; profile
with
a
break
(stop).
Small
ears
set
too
widely
apart,
set
too
close
together.
Short
legs,
thin
legs.
Short
tail.
Dry
coat;
knotted
with
lumps,
too
silky. |
Colour:
currently
in
both
GCCF and FIFe all listed colours are allowed; except
Chocolate,
Lilac,
Apricot,
Caramel,
Cinnamon
Fawn
and
Siamese
pattern.
Any
amount
of
white
is
allowed,
i.e.
white
on
paws,
chest,
belly
or
blaze,
locket
etc.
Scale
of
Points
Head:-
including
general
shape,
length
of
nose,
profile,
chin.
20
Points
Ears:-
including
shape
and
placement.
10
Points
Eyes:-
including
shape,
size.
10
Points
Body:-
including
overall
shape,
size,
bone,
legs,
feet
and
paws.
25
Points
Tail:-
including
length
and
fur
10
Points
Coat:-
including
quality
and
texture,
length.
25
Points
Many thanks to Christine Hamilton of
Landsker Norwegian Forest Cats for letting me copy the Standard of Points table from her site
CHARACTERISTICS
The Norwegian Forest Cat, is well adapted for survival in the harsh Norwegian winters, it is classed as a semi long-haired cat and has a unique double coat which consists of a dense woollen undercoat and a long topcoat, which is formed by coarse, weatherproof guard hairs. In the summer the coat sheds giving a lighter, shorter coat.The best quality coat can look a little unkempt and is mostly resistanrt to the tangles found in some other long-haired breeds. Knots can form in the spring when the thick winter coat falls out especially between the armpits and back legs, but a comb and a pair of scissors will deal with these, and in general a weekly groom should be sufficient.
Underneath the paws the Forest Cats developed thick bunches of hair, the 'snowshoes' that keep them from sinking into the snow.
The Forest Cat enjoys human company, is very affectionate and playful, and with its laid back and easy going temperament it is usually tolerant of children. A well bred and socialized Forest Cat will create a close bond with its owner, often developing a particular preference for one member of the family. It is adventurous, intelligent and inquisitive and although it loves freedom, it can be happy in a small flat as long as it has a place to climb and plenty of love and attention from its owner.
MYTHOLOGY AND THE NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT
Mythology surrounds the Forest Cat. It is identified with Freya, the Nordic sun goddess whose chariot of fire was drawn skyward by a pair of cats. All farmers who put out milk for stray cats were blessed by Freya, who also blessed lovers and sanctified crops. Friday is Freya's day, and it was considered an auspicious day for weddings. Cats, it was thought, could foretell marriages, and if a cat appeared at a wedding, it meant good tidings.
It was also believed that the Norwegian Forest Cat could scare away trolls in Lapland and from Norway to the Netherlands. One tale tells how a certain farmer always had Christmas supper with a bunch of trolls. Once, a wanderer and his pet bear came to spend the night during the feast. A troll thinking the beast was the farmer's cat, offered the sleeping animal some food, whereupon the sleeping beast let out a fearsome growl. As trolls are terrified of thunder, they all rushed out of the farmer's house - forever afraid of cats!
The Norse sagas tell of the god Thor, held in awe because of his great strength, who, on a visit to Jotunheim , one of the nine worlds, encountered a cat so large he was unable to lift it off the ground.
The first writers to make a systematic collection and transcription of the old legends were folklorist Peter Christian Asbjørnsen and the poet Jørgen Moe. In 1835 they published a collection of Norwegian folk tales and songs which featured the long, bushy tailed cat of the forest; the 'Huldrekat' or 'Fairy Cat'.
In 1912 the cat was further helped to fame by the Norwegian writer Gabriel Scott who published a children's book about the adventures of a Forest Cat named Sølvfaks.
For more children's books featuring cats click here
