Cat
Breed Description:
The Snowshoe breed of cat is a rare and relatively new breed of cat originating in the United States of America. The desired breeds are dependent on recessive genes for the color points and on the co-dominant but variably-expressed piebald pattern gene, making it difficult to predict the appearance of offspring. The coat coloration, for the Snowshoe breed of cat, that will be recognized by registries and associations is point coloration, and it comes in a variety of colors. There are associations that do not recognize certain colors. Snowshoe breed of cats have an affectionate and docile disposition.It is because of this that they are not the best breed if they are to be left alone for long periods of time. The Snowshoe breed of cats are said to be very vocal. They are noted as being very intelligent and have the ability to learn tricks and open doors. The cats also enjoy water, and may swim on some occasions.
Temperament:
The Snowshoe breed of cat are generally affectionate and sweet-tempered animals. This breed will enjoy the company of owners and enjoy hand petting. The Snowshoe breed of cats are compatible with children and other pets. Snowshoes are very social and docile, and show great devotion and love towards their owners. Consequently, the breed dislikes being left alone for long periods of time and are able to cope with working hours more if they have another cat companion. The Snoweshoe breed of cats are also noted for being intelligent; there are many stories of these cats mysteriously learning how to open various types of doors. Snowshoes may also enjoy water; particularly running water, and may on occasion swim. Though very active, they are not restless or easily agitated, and they have a fondness for perching and high places.
Grooming:
The Snowshoe's coat undergoes seasonal changes and does not require much grooming.
Origin:
In the 1960s, a cat, owned by Siamese cat breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, produced a litter of Siamese kittens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Three of the kittens had unique markings, consisting of white points and feet. Intrigued by their looks, she began working to breed cats like them, using seal point Siamese with bicolor American Shorthairs. The offspring of those cats lacked the Siamese points, but by breeding the offspring to Siamese cats, the desired look was accomplished. Hinds-Daugherty named the breed "Snowshoe" because of their white boots. The Snowshoe were promoted at local cats shows, though they were not recognized at the time. Hinds-Daughtery eventually abandoned the Snowshoe breeding program, and it was taken up by Vikki Olander.
Olander wrote the first breed standard for the Snowshoe, and succeeded in obtaining the Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF) and the American Cat Association's experimental breed status for the Snowshoe in 1974. However, by 1977, Olander was the last breeder of the Snowshoe in the United States. After struggling to keep the breed alive, Olander was contacted by Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell, who were interested in the breed. Other breeders joined Olander, Hoffman, and Kuhnell, and they obtained the champion status from the CFF in 1983. In 1989, Olander left the program, as her fiancé was allergic to cats. However, by then the Snowshoe had a strong following, and the breed attained champion status with the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990 and was recognized by The International Cat Association in 1993. Currently, breeders work to attain acceptance with the Cat Fanciers Association, but struggle with the lack of cats and breeders needed for the association's requirements. History borrowed from Wikipedia. 