The Norwegian Forest Cat
History and standard

I would like to introduce to you a gorgeous, wild looking, uniquely Scandinavian breed whose 

origins are shrouded in mystery, and it is referred to in Norse myths and mid nineteenth century fairy stories. Known in their Norwegian homeland as the ‘Skaukatt’ or ‘Skogkatt’, or formally as the ‘Norsk Skaukatt’ or ‘Norsk Skogkatt’. Norwegian nickname is the ‘Wegi’ or ‘Wegie’. They are also referred to as ‘Skogs’ or ‘Norgies’. These cats are well adapted to survival there during the freezing winter months.

In the 19th-century Norwegian folk tales it is enchanted cat and is referred to as the ‘Fairy Cat’. In France it is called the ‘Chat de Bois Norvégian, the ‘Chat des Forêts Norvégiennes, or simply the ‘Norvégien;
in Germany it is the ‘Norwegische Waldkatze’.

 How the cat has still to look, you please take the standard.

History

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a feline with ancient origins. It appears in Norwegian mythology and folk sagas and often plays a primary role in Nordic fables. The enchanted cat of these fables, with its long, thick
 tail, appears and disappears amid the trees of Norwegian forests; it sees what men cannot see and walks where men can never hope to go. One legendary cat was so heavy that even the god Thor could not lift if off
the ground. The wagon of Freya, the blue-eyed, blonde haired goddess of love and beauty, was drawn by two powerful cats. Cats were chosen to serve the goddess Freya because their fecundity reflected hers.

The forest-cat has nothing to do with the European wildcat.

The forest-cat lived a long time undisturbed, but also unheeded in the forests and valleys of Norway and Sweden, where one can also find freely living copies of this cats with good luck still today. Otherwise, she was a gladly seen guest as mouse-hunters and playmate of the children on the forest - and fjord-farms. Unfortunately, she  became through the mixture with the dominant genes of the short-haired house-cat more and more rarely.

 
A group of cat-lovers then recognized beginning of the thirties that the native cats are an of course grown breed and decided to breed the forest-cat and to get her originality. Then destroy the turmoils of war this beginning of the breeding-efforts. After the war, some lovers pursued the plan, with as breed-pure as possible and typical animals, to get this type. Shortly before beginning of the World War II, the forest-cats were introduced on an exhibition in Oslo as breed for the first time. But only in September 1972, the forest-cat was acknowledged as autonomous breed and got a temporary standard. The breeding was impeded in the next years since there were only few recognized animals. The breeders had to prove three generations in order to put a proposition on international acknowledgment.

Here a few data in abbreviation:
1973 - call to the location of existing breeding animals
1974 - the first throw of Pippa Skogbus with Pan`s Truls was born. On these two forest-cats and Trul`s second " wife " Pan`s Trulte has retraced itself still today many family trees.
1975 - foundation of the Norskskogkattring (skog=norw). Forest ", katt=norw. Cat ", in Oslo, the interest group Norwegian today existing still forest-cat,
1977 - acknowledgment of the Norwegian forest-cat on the general meeting of the FiFe in Paris

   Pan`s Truls

In November 1977, Pan`s Truls was acknowledged as first Norwegian forest-tomcat with full certificate-status. His picture was to be seen in the television and the message was transferred everywhere. Whole Norway was happy over their new cat-breed.
This Norwegian forest-cat is called therefore " Norwegian ", because she was first acknowledged in Norway and their was Norwegian breeders, who looked after the breed, although there were forest-cats also in the other northern countries.

Appearance

The large body is medium length and solidly muscled with substantial bone structure, a full ruff, tufted ears and a bushy tail. The head has the shape of an equilateral triangle, with a long, straight profile with
 no break in the line from brow ridge to tip. The ears are medium to large, rounded at the tip, upright and set far apart on the head. They do not flare out but follow the line from the side of the head.

The legs are medium with the hind legs being longer than the front; the paws, which appear to ‘toe out’ when viewed from the front, are large, round, and heavily tufted between the toes thereby permitting the cat to
 walk comfortably over the snow. Because of its exceptionally strong claws, it can climb any tree to any height and has even been known to climb rocky walls.

The large, almond shaped eyes are expressive, wide set and with the outer corner slightly higher than the inner. Eye color may be any shade of green, hazel or gold and white cats may have blue or odd eyes.

 Having evolved naturally in the cold climate of Scandinavian countries, it has a heavy, weather resistant coat. The glossy, medium length top coat hangs from the spine line, keeping out rain and snow, while the
 woolly undercoat keeps the body comfortably warm. The winter coat is even thicker than the summer one. Inevitable, this means a heavy molt once a year. During the summer months much of the coat is shed leaving
 only the magnificently plumed tail and the tufts of its ears and feet to remind you that this is indeed a longhaired cat.

These cats are found in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns 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. Popular colors include brown tabby, silver tabby and either of those with white. These colors originally helped the cat to blend into its woodland
 surroundings.

 These cats take three years to reach full development.

Characteristic and Temperament

Despite their origins in the forests and mountains of Scandinavia, these cats will thrive in a busy household with lots of children, other animals, and as long as they have sufficient space to indulge their love
of exploration. While hunting is one of its favorite activities, it enjoys home life and the company of human beings. Regardless of its wild appearance, it is, in fact, a social cat; it loves caresses,
 compliments, acts of attention, shared games, and intimate chats. Tolerant of strangers, if not absolutely friendly with them, it shows a deep and tenacious affection for its owner.

Grooming Needs

Apart from periods of heavy shedding (less pronounced with indoor cats), these cats do not generally require daily grooming; combing once or  twice a week is recommended.

 With her charm, the elegance and the original strength of a nature-lad, she has sneaked into the heart of many cat-friends.
She participates an agreeable housemate, affectionate and like to cuddle, at the same time however self-confidently and alive.
If also you succumb to the charm of this splendid race and you still have questions, you call simply once however or send an e-mail.
I like to give you information over the many small things this one so would like to know.

Many thanks for the help from my friend Wan Zainudin.
 

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