CHARTREUX CAT PERSONALITY AND BREED (ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW)

Would you like to know more about the Chartreux cat personality? Although there are few examples of these splendid blue-haired cats, they are very friendly pets.

They represent the oldest European breed, partly characterized by its unmistakable coat color, of which there are no other variants. At a glance, this is a cat breed with real history, a unique coat, quiet and warbling at times. This cat can adapt quickly to various environments.

Let’s know more about the Chartreux cat personality and breed.

WHAT IS THE CHARTREUX CAT GENERAL ASPECT AND SIZE?

It is not really known if the Chartreux cats have lived with the monks for a long time. But this cat is a great admirer of the quiet life who does not disdain solitude and, even less, comfort.

The Chartreux cats have golden or copper eyes. It is a characteristic that is peculiar to this breed. In kittens and elderly cats, the color of the eyes appears less brilliant.

Chartreux cats assume the characteristic color of the eyes, leather or coppery orange,
towards the sixth month of age.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CHARTREUX CAT

Characteristic	Description	Notes
In summary	A unique and ancient breed, today associated with France but still rare elsewhere	A native of Syria; their history dates back to the Middle Ages
Personality	Sensitive and calm, he is also faithful and affectionate
Appearance	A breed defined by the particular blue coat with a woolly texture	He has a solid build. In males, the jaw is pronounced
In the house	It fits easily and is silent. Play for long periods and then suddenly fall asleep
Behavior	Maintains a strong hunting instinct. He loves to eat and easily tends to obesity	Learn by observing (for example when you open a door)
Grooming	To keep the coat in excellent condition is enough to stroke it	Once his fur was prized
Most common health problems	There are no significant health problems
Size	Medium-large, between 3 and 7.5 kg
Ears	Of medium size, placed on the top of the head and with the tips spread apart
Eyes	Large and with a slight upward crease
Head	Large and well-developed skull, with a wide, straight nose and a small, narrow muzzle.
Paws	Relatively short, strong, muscular, with round and small feet
Coat	Of short or medium hair, with a velvety steak
Allowed colors	All shades, from gray-blue light to dark

The Chartreux cats have a thick tail at the base, which tends to thin out toward the end. The female cats have a more petite build; they do not develop a prominent jaw over the years.

The evident streaks on the coat of the kittens gradually fade until they disappear altogether in adulthood.

▷ The skull is trapezoidal, not rounded, which is a peculiarity of the Carthusian.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CAT

The coat is extraordinary, not only for the color. It has a unique woolly texture to the point that it seems to caress a sheep. In addition, it presents the so-called “breaks” on the chest, the points where the hair divides naturally: this largely depends on the presence of a thick undercoat.

The top layer is waterproof; you have to stroke it to keep it in excellent condition. The Certosino reaches important dimensions and reaches full growth in the first two years of life (especially the males).

It is typically an agile cat and an infallible hunter.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE CHARTREUX CAT?

The name and history of the Carthusian are inextricably linked to the French monastery of Grande Chartreuse, located north of Grenoble.

It seems that his ancestors were cats that lived in the mountains of Syria, then brought to France in the 13th century by the returning knights from the Crusades.

That many of these cats joined the order of Carthusian monks perhaps helps to explain why the cats came to the monastery.

It is a very ancient breed: the first reference to a “blue cat” dates back to the 17th century in the writings of the French naturalist Buffon. At the end of the Second World War, the breed was saved from extinction and then exposed for the first time in the United States in 1971.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE CHARTREUX CAT?

As a natural breed, the Chartreux has very ancient origins, even if not easily traceable.

The more likely hypothesis would suggest that this cat could even come from the mountainous regions north of Syria and that following the commercial relations between
The Middle East and the Mediterranean countries have arrived on the Old Continent.

In fact, it seems that in the Middle Ages, a tiny feline similar to the Chartreux was already known as the cat of Malta or Cyprus.

The actual breeding of these cats started around 1930—a work begun by the sisters Léger.

As has happened to other breeds, with the Second World War, these cats risked extinction, and to avert the danger; the Chartreux cat survivors were made to cross with the British Blue shorthair.

Despite the similarities, those two breeds are different.

AN ADVICE
Chartreux and British Shorthair look alike, but to distinguish them, it is enough to observe the nose: if it is broad with a defined stop, but not as in the exotic breeds, then it’s a British Shorthair.

If, on the other hand, the blue cat has a straight nose, it’s a Chartreux.

CHARTREUX CAT PERSONALITY

The Chartreux is definitely a peaceful cat. He is a comfort lover, discreet and friendly with humans and other animals. These characteristics, however, must not suggest that it is a chubby cat.

He doesn’t like to be held too much in the arms, and the noises annoy him. In addition, if a prey comes within range, it reveals a hunting disposition worthy of a wild cat.

▷ Under a seraphic nature, the Carthusian hides exceptional qualities of a predator.

The extreme vivacity of the kittens tends to subside with adulthood. A discreet and quiet, the Chartreux is a great lover of home life.

THE “CAT-DOG”

It is with this curious pseudonym that the Chartreux cat is sometimes referred to. The nickname alludes to the great attachment that the specimens of this breed have towards the master.

If you have one, don’t be surprised if you find it behind the door when you return home.

HOW TO CARE FOR AND FEED THE CHARTREUX CAT

His thick coat needs only brushing once a week with one soft brush and a rubber glove during the moulting period to remove dead hair.

The Chartreux’s ideal diet must provide balanced meals of meat, rice, and vegetables. However, if you prefer fresh or packaged food, wet and dry, as long as they are the first choice, it is suitable for these cats.

The sturdy build and the big appetite are likely to make him fat; for this reason, you need to check the quantities.

The Chartreux presents a sexual dimorphism more pronounced than other races.

AN ADVICE
The Chartreux tends to suffer particularly from urinary tract problems. To avoid situations that are not reversible, it is a good idea to subject the cat to periodic veterinary checks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS