Although almost unknown in France 10 years ago, the Norwegian Forest Cat is turning into the star of the cat shows. It belongs to this category of big cats, which attract new fans, who were still reluctant to have a cat. As his name tells it, this cat comes from Northern Europe, and Norway made of it its national heritage.
There is no hazard in the fact that this cat is called the Norwegian forest cat. That's what "Skogkatt" means in Norwegian. The Norwegian is a very old breed, which could be described as "natural". The Vikings, who needed resistant rat hunters on their longships, would have imported the first Scandinavian cats from Middle East.
These courageous sailors had sailed as far as Turkey, an one think that they made their choice on Turkish Vans: strong, well built, with a water resistant fur, and adapted to all kinds of weather. Once they were in Norway, these cats lived in a state of semi wilderness, and they therefore had to adapt to harsher climates than those they knew in Asia Minor. As they had to find their food themselves, they became very muscled, and very quick too. Scandinavia is a land of legends, and the big cats soon had an exceptional place in the Nordic mythology. They say they were so heavy that even Odin, the gods' king, couldn't lift them. And Freya, the Nordic love goddess, had chosen them to pull her celestial chariot and look for her bride. From the 16th century onward, you can see more and more references to the Norwegian forest cats, and you can guess that their role in the daily life had consequently increased. They were indeed used to live near the farms.
The Norwegian forest cat was exhibited for the first time in 1938. It was then quite forgotten till the 1970's, when some devoted cat lovers decided to put it back under the spotlights. The Norwegian National Association of Pedigree Cats, Norway's first cat club, was created in 1963. Very quickly, some fans among its members, decided to promote and protect the breed. They went all over the country to find specimens, which they selected after very strict criteria. Those cats were to at be the foundation of the breed.A strong body was required, as well as a powerful bone structure, a rectangular head, a straight profile, and of course a characteristic fur, which had to be semi long, with an abundant, water resistant, undercoat. This need for the recognition of the national breed was coming along with the need for protecting the rich Norwegian fauna. Indeed, the more and more important presence of shorthaired cats in urban areas - with far less harsh conditions than in the countryside - threatened the longhaired cats population.
The first standard was written after a famous cat, Pan's Truls, a brown tabby and white cat. Norway is widely affiliated to the FIFe (the Fédération Internationale Féline) and the rules of this organization are very strict concerning the recognition of a new breed. The Norwegian Forest Cat was finally recognized in 1976, after a FIFe congress held in Paris, France, when Norwegian breeders had come to support their cat. The event had even an important national weight. The Norwegian television channels broadcasted the arrival of the breeders, who were welcomed at the airport by Pan's Trul itself. The use of cats without origins, called "rookies" continued until 1990, when the book of origin was closed. Very quickly, the Norwegian Forest Cat charmed the rest of Scandinavia, Europe and the U.S.A. TICA recognized the breed in 1992, and CFA in 1993.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is truly nature's gift. It is tall and powerful, as the males can weigh up to 8 kilos. Its head is triangular, its beautiful eyes are almond-shaped, and its profile is straight from the forehead to the nose. The chin is dense and strong, reminding its hunting qualities. Its neck is often arched, strong and muscled. Its body is substantial, strong and long, but without excess. The bone structure of its legs is very strong. The hind limbs are higher than the fore limbs. The tail is as long as the body, with a thick and well-furnished fur.
The Norwegian's fur is made of a thick undercoat, covered with characteristic awn hairs, which are longer and harder. The combination of those hairs allows the Norwegian to resist even the harshest weather conditions. In the winter, the fur is very thick, especially around the neck, limbs and tail. On the other hand, in the summer, there only remains from this fur longer hairs around the limbs and tails. This variation of fur is typical from the breed, and the adaptation of this cat to the changing Nordic weather. Although a longhaired cat, the Norwegian requires little grooming. A weekly brushing should be enough. You should bathe your cat only when it is very dirty, or before an exhibition.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is very close to men. It is truly a faithful friend. People hesitate sometimes to take such cats because of their size. However, it is very quiet and adaptable. It won't suffer from living inside, it was used to it when it was young, and especially if you can spend enough time with it. This cat loves living with other cats, to tell cats stories...
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