Havana Browns 101

The Havana brown is a cat that, like its name says, is a deep, chocolate brown, similar in appearance to a sable Burmese, but with a deeper, more mahogany coat. Like many breeds, Havana browns are of average size, height, and musculature. They should have green eyes, apple shaped heads, and large ears. Of course, their coat is their biggest distinguishing characteristic, and although there are other brown cats, none have the rich, homogenous luster of the Havana brown.

According to Wikipedia, the origins of the Havana brown are hard to pin down, but it seems to have first shown up as a man-made breed in late nineteenth century England. Most likely, it was born from a cross between a Siamese and another cat, perhaps one with a solid coat. They didn't have a name or a real breed until the 1950s, when a group of English women bred a chocolate-point Siamese with a black shorthair, and since then, they have existed as a breed and are recognized by all major cat fancier organizations.

Havana browns are curious and intelligent cats. We spoke to Carolyn Huddy, a Havana brown breeder who was present when the first Havana browns came to America, about what it's like to live with one of these mahogany beauties:

"The Havana brown is a gentle, loving breed. They are quiet cats, but will let you know when they are hungry. They love attention and give love back ten-fold. They like to adorn your lap, are intelligent, loyal, purr incessantly and have an affinity for nuzzling in your hair. This seems to be an inborn trait as every Havana brown I have known of mine and others has this same quality."

If you are interested in adopting a sphynx, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Purebred Cat Rescue.
"The Havana brown is a very hearty breed, and [they] generally live long full lives into the mid to upper teens," Huddy told us about the breed's health traits. "As far as I currently know, there is no apparent prevalent illness or inherent maladies that the Havana brown is prone to. Buying from a reputable breeder is important, and they should be neutered and spayed before the go to their new homes. They should always be indoor cats."

If you are interested in adopting a Havana brown, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Purebred Cat Rescue, or a reputable breeder such as Huddy.

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