Chartreux Cat Behavior, Facts, History and Naming Process

History
Not only does the Chartreux breed of cat have an interesting name, it also comes with some very interesting folk lore. It has been said that this beautiful breed of cat was named after the Chartreuse liquor the Carthusian monks were well known for. Although this story may entice a cat lover’s interest and the Chartreux breed has been documented in the records of the Carthusians as early as the fifteen hundreds, it is most commonly considered to have received its name from its wooly coat bearing a striking resemblance to that of the Chartreux sheep.

Chartreux Cat Appearance
The Chartreux is considered neither a shorthair breed nor a longhair breed as its coat is longer than the average shorthair and shorter than the average longhair. Only coming in one color, the Chartreux’s coat is an elegant bluish gray and resembles the thickness of fine wool. Distinctive appearance and characteristics of a Chartreux cat include a strong, solid, muscular body with unusually small, short and thin legs. Although this breeds body shape may be peculiar, that doesn’t prevent it from being very quick, gaining it a reputation as an excellent hunter. Some breeder’s have compared the look of a Chartreux with that of a potato with tooth pick legs. One characteristic most people find endearing about this breed is its sweet curvy smile. With its solid body and small legs, this quick and graceful cat can weigh anywhere from seven to an astonishing seventeen pounds, with the latter being considered the standard.

Chartreux Cat Behavior and Personality
The Chartreux breeds personality is a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys interacting with their cat. Well known for being fast learners, these cats can be taught tricks, to come when his name is called as well as how to fetch. The Chartreux is extremely happy to hang around with the family, so if your job requires you to be away from home quite often, a different breed may be a better choice for you. The Chartreux thrives on attention, so getting a second one to keep him from being lonely won’t help this people loving cat. Another unusual quality this breed possesses is its quiet nature. When this cat does decide to speak, its voice sounds like a high pitched meow and sometimes it even sounds like a soft, delicate chirp.

Unique Naming Process
One of the most fascinating things about owning a Chartreux is the naming process. The owner of one of these elegant creatures is not permitted to name it just any old name. The tradition states that any kittens born in a year are given names that begin with that letter. Also, in keeping with the tradition, the letters K, Q, W, X, Y and Z are never used in the naming process. As this cat breed has a thick wooly coat, it requires a weekly grooming routine in order to prevent matting and gnarling of the coat, with a more frequent schedule being highly recommended.Anyone wishing to own a quiet, elegant, out of the ordinary people loving cat are certainly going to want to consider the sweet natured Chartreux breed.

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