Living with cats

[Version française ici]
I have two Norwegian forest cats: the first one, a brown mackerel tabby with white male, is named «Kamrad» and the second one, a tortie female black with red and cream, is named «Røøsland». The Norwegian forest cat (Wegie, skogkatt, Norsk Skogkatt, Norwegische Waldkatze, Chat des Bois Norvegien or skaukatt) is a natural cat in the sense that it is not the result of multiple genetic transformations. Although Wegies are not well known in America, these cats are very familiar to farmers and forest lovers in Norway. We think that they could be the descendants of short hair cats brought from England by the Vikings and long hair cats brought by the Crusaders. His general appearance ressembles his american friend's, the «Main Coon», both looking like tiny lynx. It is a muscular and heavy boned cat; an adult male can weighs between 12 and 15 pounds (and sometimes up to 20). They are very friendly and they constantly exhibit their love of people. They are also very good hunters and great climbers (yes, that can easily go down after). The breed is known for its long rich fur with a wolly undercoat covered by long guardhairs. In Winter, the coat is at its fullest with a magnificent ruff with three separete sections. In Summer, the Wegie drops his undercoat and appears almost short hair. The «skogkatt» is a feast for the eyes and the hands. On the picture is Advent Hill Aquavit, a female «brown mackerel tabby with white» (best NFC in the world) -- from the WEB site of Advent Hill Cattery.)

Acquisition

Buying a Norwegian Forest Cat is not something you do on weekend just because you are in the mood for it. The catteries are still quite rare and most of the time you will have to reserve long in advance. Prices are ranging from 350$US to 1000$US and up (400 $CA to 1500 $CA) for a show quality cat (that is a cat that you will be able to bring in the show ring and that will probably win prizes). In Montreal, we can find the Misty Mountains Cattery owned by Nathalie Bernard. Lorraine and Don Forsyth have a nice cattery named Saskkats. First installed in Regina (SK) from where I got Røøsland who thus arrived by plane, they are now in Spruce Grove (Alberta) . Kamrad comes from «Advent Hill» Cattery (a wonderful farm in the magnificient nature of Vermont near Lebanon). Finally, you must also know that no responsible breeder will let you go with one of their cats if they are not confident that you will take great care of him/her. Among other things, you will have to sign a document in which you promise that you will never declaw your cat (on the consequences of this crual intervention, you can consult Mark Delman's WEB page and also the site of Cat Cabana Library). To get advices on pure breed cats, consults the WEB site of the American Cat Association Cat Fanciers Association. The picture above is from the site Norsk Skovkattering, Danmark, it shows one of the most famous Norwegian Forest Cat, «Pans Truls», who was at the start of the breed recognition by the FIFé (Fédération Internationale Féline) in 1977.

You can also browse:

     sites on Norwegian Forest Cats

          o Starkad's Norwegian Forest Cats
          o Norwegian Forest Cat Club
          o Norwegian Forest Cat Fanciers Association
          o Regnbuekats
          o The Norwegian Forest Cat Club
          o Page d'Accueil Skogkatt-Club
          o Norwegian Forest Cat - the skogkatt
          o Club du Chat des Forets Norvegiennes

     sites on cats in general

          o Spots Online Cat Network
          o Feline Directory @ Acme Pet
          o Fanciers: Cat Breed Descriptions
          o Cat Breed Descriptions
          o Cat Breeds
          o Cat Lovers Page - Breeds
          o CATS Magazine - Online Issue

     sites on other breeds

          o Our Munchkins
          o Main Coon International
          o Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association
          o BENGAL CATS
          o Siberian Cat
          o Cat Fancy On-Line: Feline Finder: Breed Profiles: Siberian
          o Magic Meow Munchkins
          o Advent Hill Cattery (chat des bois norvégiens, main coon et british short hair)

     sites to find a breeder

          o All Cat Breed Index for Pets 4 You Cat Breeders
          o PetNet - Selectapet Cat Breed Selection
          o Fanciers Breeder Referral List (FBRL)
          o Cats in Canada!

     sites of official associations

          o Canadian Cat Association (CCA)
          o Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFé)
          o The International Cat Association (TICA)
          o The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
          o Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
          o The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
          o The Traditional Cat Association (TCA)
          o Norwegian Forest Cat Fanciers Association (NFCFA)
          o Cat Fancier's Federation Homepage (CFF)
          o World Cat Federation (WCF)
          o American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE)

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Sylvie Ratté, 9 mai 1999.