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.
Posts tagged "siamese"
Flickr/Stevevoght
According to the American Cat Fanciers' Association, snowshoes are a relatively new breed of cat, first discovered in 1960 when a Philadelphia cat breeder found her Siamese cat had given birth to three snowshoes. Although this strange mutation may not have been new in nature (there have been paintings of Snowshoe-like cats from ancient Japan and at least one photograph from 1890), this was the first time where a breeder decided to actually select for the cats with positive results. There had been a previous attempt in the 1950s, when cats exhibiting this pattern were called "silver laces."
Snowshoes have a very affectionate temperament and are best suited to households where they can get much attention much of the time. In fact, like their bodies, Snowshoes are very middle-of-the-road in their personalities; they're not too excitable, not too energetic, but just a healthy medium between the best qualities of cats.
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When Alaska's owner tries to get her to come inside, she insists that she has better things to do, such as continue to sleep in a cat carrier in the middle of the lawn. Cheeky!
Flickr/fabiogis50
Birmans most likely originated in Burma (they appear in Burmese myths), but no one can be sure as to their true origin. The first modern appearance of a Birman was during World War I, when a pair of the cats were shipped from Burma to France, thus gaining a breed foothold in Europe. By 1925, France had recognized them as a breed. However, the breeding was ineffective and twenty years later, France again had only two Birmans. A frantic program of outcrossing eventually saved the breed, and they were recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1967.
Sarahna Cats of Pennsylvania
The Balinese breed first originated, like most other cats, as a spontaneous mutation in a Siamese litter, creating a cat that was generally Siamese in appearance, but had longer hair on its body and much longer hair on its tail. Still, the breed retains many Siamese qualities, such as intelligence and loquacity. When they first appeared in the 1920s, people called them long-haired Siamese cats. However, in the 1950s, two breeders took it upon themselves to make them an official breed, and coined the name Balinese to reflect the graceful movements of Balinese dancers.
Flickr/cookipediachef
They're exotic, pointy, and technically should be called Thai cats. Yes, they're Siamese! Siamese cats are known for their apple-shaped skulls, colored points, thin and elongated frames, blue eyes, and intelligence. Check out these feisty felines in the videos after the jump.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but if curiosity about cats is what you live for, then this quiz is for you! We asked a cat breed expert -- Kitty Angell, an All Breed Judge from the Cat Fanciers' Association -- to lend us her crib notes in crafting this cat quiz. See how well you can tell your Manxes from your Siamese!
How Well Do You Know Cat Breeds?
Classic, Mackerel and Ticking are all words that describe what cat characteristic?
- Mating rituals
- Tabby patterns
- Feeding preferences
- Meowing sounds
Birmans and Ragdolls are two breeds that sport white fur on their paws and the backs of their legs. What are these markings called?
- Gloves and laces
- Mittens and boots
- Hands and feet
- Fingers and toes
Why are Burmese cats sometimes jokingly referred to as
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 17th - 18th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
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