Cat
Breed Description:
The Chartreux brred of cat is internationally recognized as a domestic breed of cat from France. The Chartreux breed of cat is large and muscular, they display short fine-boned limbs, as well as big paws, and very fast reflexes. These cats are known for their blue (grey) water-resistant short-hair double coats and gold or copper colored eyes. The Chartreux breed of cats has also been known for their "smile"; this is due to the particular structure of their heads combined with their long, tapered muzzle, it often appears as they are smiling. They are exceptional hunters and were highly prized by farmers.
Temperament:
The Chartreux breed of cats tends to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying. This breed has produced some mute cats as well. The Chartreux breed of cats can be observant and intelligent, with some cats learning to open screen door latches in order to let themselves out. This breed will reach adulthood in approximately two years. Chartreux cats are playful cats well into their adult years; there have been many reports where some Chartreuxs have been taught to fetch small objects.These cats are good with children and other animals. These cats are also non-aggressive and affectionate, good travelers, and generally very healthy. Chartreux tend to bond with one person in their household, preferring to be in their general vicinity (often following their favoured person from room to room), though they are still loving and affectionate to the other members of the household.
Weight:
Chartreux usually take four or five years to reach their full size of 12-16 lbs
Health Problems:
Patellar luxation (displacement of the kneecap) is sometimes seen in Chartreux. This condition, when mild, does not usually cause any symptoms in the cat, but if it is severe, it can cause lameness. Because this condition is hereditary, most reputable breeders screen their breeding animals for it and do not use questionable animals for breeding. You may want to ask questions about patellar luxation when you talk to breeders. Some Chartreux have small and close-set incisors which can get pushed out of line when the adult teeth come in, and might need to be pulled. Also, some Chartreux tend to get gingivitis if their teeth are not well cared for. It's a good idea to bring your Chartreux to the vet for periodic tooth check-ups and cleaning.
Living Conditions:
The Chartreux enjoys children and will enjoy a family as well as single owners. They are quite comfortable inside but can be outdoors as well. Chartreux are NOT recommended for allergic people, or people who frequently have allergic houseguests.
Exercise:
Bred originally for farms, these cats will require some sort of space to exercise.
Grooming:
The short thick coat does not require much maintenance and repels water. During shedding season you will want to spend some time brushing out dead hairs, this action will be important if you want to limit the amount of hair in the home and air. The Chartreux breed of cats have thick undercoats ("double coat"). Even though they do not shed heavily during the rest of the year, the short, downy undercoat hairs tend to drift through the air and sometimes get in your eyes and nose!
Origin:
There is a legend that the Chartreux are descended from cats brought to France by Carthusian monks to live in the order's head monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, located in the Chartreuse Mountains north of the city of Grenoble (Siegal 1997:27). But in 1972, the Prior of the Grande Chartreuse denied that the monastery's archives held any records of the monks' use of any breed of cat resembling the Chartreux (Simonnet 1990:36–37). Legend also has it that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian monastic order.
The first documented mention of the breed was by the French naturalist Buffon in the 18th century. The breed was greatly diminished during the first World War and wild populations (legend) were not seen after World War II. A concerted effort by European breeders kept the breed from extinction. The first Chartreux were brought to the U.S. in 1971 by Helen and John Gammon of La Jolla, California. In 1987, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) advanced the Chartreux breed to championship status (Siegal 1997:27). There are fewer than two dozen active Chartreux breeders in North America as of 2007.
Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette and French general/president Charles de Gaulle. This has been borrowed from Wikipedia. 