Chartreux Cat Breed

Origin
There exists a legend that the Chartreux lived with, and were named for, the Carthusian monks. Originally from France where they are known since the XVIIC. They were taken from Cape of Good Hope to this country. Used to control plague of rats. During World War II, some French breeders tried to save the breed from extinction by out crossing Persians and British Shorthairs.

Characteristics
Of dense and soft hair with silver gleam, tends to be longer than the short-haired domestic cat. The females have thinner and silkier hair than the males. Grayish-blue color, the nose hair is silver over a blue colored skin. The lips should be blue and the cushioned paws pink. Stripes are allowed in the kittens but not on adults, they shouldn't have white spots either.

Rounded head with a straight nose with a slight stop at eye level. Wide spout with a smiling expression. The ears should be medium in height and width, set high and erect on the head. Big, round and very expressive eyes of a pale orange color, they turn lighter in the females that have had kittens. Chartreux has a robust body; broad shoulders and a deep chest and well muscled. The tail is wider at the base and thinner at the end. The eyes are almond-shaped. The separation between the eyes feigns anger.

Very intelligent cats, easy to manage and have a genteel meow that rarely use. They have a protective instinct for their home, love to play and are tolerant with dogs.

Sometimes they like to act as they were dogs, running towards the door protecting their home when someone rings the doorbell. They are very silent; don't cause any problems to their neighbors when they are in zeal when looking for a female.