The Chartreux may very well be one of the oldest, new breeds the Cat Fanciers Association recognizes. Fully recognized and able to attain championship status in 1987, the Chartreux's origins is steeped with legends.

One such legend is, that the Chartreux lived with and were named for, the Carthusian monks of France, and perhaps even shared a tipple or two of their famous Chartreuse liqueur! Although recent research shows evidence that because of the woolly character of their fur, they were given the same name as a well known Spanish wool of the early 18th century. As this method of naming is quite common in animal husbandry, it is very likely the truth.

The Chartreux is a sturdy, shorthaired French breed, reknowned for its hunting prowess and its dense, water repellent fur. Coat texture, coat color (silver-tipped, blue-gray fur) and eye color are affected by sex, age and natural factors -- males are much larger than females and slower to mature. You do not brush the Chartreux's coat. Instead, stroke and run your fingers through their fur, and finish with a chamois.

Almost dog like in their devotion and behavior, it's not surprising that many a dog fancier has found a place in their home for a Chartreux. A Chartreux quickly learns its name, and comes on call; when they're not minding their own business, they love a romp with other family pets and the kids, and even a game of fetch.

Chartreux kittens are generally available only by reservation, since the breed is not only zealously protected by its breeders, but demand for these endearing cats outstrips production. The kittens are precocious, and kittenhood to maturity can take three years. Lots of handling is recommended, as environment and attention have everything to do with this breed's adult manners and behavior. As mentioned earlier, this breed should be groomed by finger strokes instead of a comb, and this hand-on routine will greatly contribute to your cat's social demeanor.

During World War II, the Chartreux breed faced possible extinction. Many French breeders tried to save the breed from extinction by outcrossing to Persians and British Shorthairs. In the United States, the imported Chartreux's came from the French countryside -- and only those cats were used in breeding programs to produce and preserve the natural status of the present pedigreed Chartreux. Because of this, many American-bred Chartreux are being returned to French breeders, to preserve the breed in France, thus making them difficult to attain in the US.

The CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) recommends you keep your Chartreux indoors, spay/neuter it and provide a scratching post (for the natural behavior of scratching). The CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery.

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