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The Chartreux is a French pedigree cat, also known as Chartreux. In the profile, you get all the information about the origin, the character, and the care of the pretty cat breed.
History and Origin of the Carthusian Cat
The Carthusian cat is one of the oldest bred pedigree cats, which is already mentioned in medieval writings. Original Carthusians were longhaired and had a dark bluish-ashy coat color. Despite the name, there is no connection between the cats and the religious order of the same name. The formerly longhaired cats also mated with shorthaired cats over the years and the breed spread throughout France. Over time, the long hair was lost and the gray short-haired cat typical of today emerged. It was not until the 1920s that Chartreux was specifically bred in France.
In order to guarantee the preservation of the breed, breeders also crossed gray British Shorthair cats with Carthusian cats after the Second World War, which is no longer allowed today. Thanks to several publications by the President of the “Club Du Chat Des Chartreu”, in which he presented the differences between the BKH and Chartreux breeds, the FIFe recognized the Carthusian cat as an independent breed in 1977. However, there are still breeders today who mistakenly market their British Shorthair under the name Kartäuser.
Essence and Character
The Chartreux cat is a calm and gentle cat breed that seeks closeness to humans. She is very cuddly and loves to be cuddled and petted. She can make a strong impression on a person and follows him like a small dog at every turn. Due to her calm nature, she clearly stands out from other short-haired cats in terms of character. The peace-loving Carthusian cat gets along with other animal housemates without any problems and is also patient and friendly towards children. However, too much noise and hustle and bustle are too much for them and they do not like to be alone in the center of the action.
The velvet paws are not particularly talkative with their quiet and muffled voice. Most members of the breed adapt to new surroundings very quickly, making them great travel companions. Keep in mind, however, that not all of these traits apply to all Carthusians, and traits vary from animal to animal.
The Appearance of the Carthusian Cat
The Carthusian cat is a medium-sized and powerful shorthaired cat with muscular legs and large paws. The round head is broad with full cheeks and a small, narrow muzzle. The medium-sized ears sit relatively close together high on the head. The fur is colored blue-grey without a pattern and the paw pads are dark gray. The slightly slanted eyes are always colored in yellow and amber tones. The Carthusian is easily confused with a gray British Shorthair, which is much more powerfully built and has shorter legs.
Attitude and Care
Outdoor cat or indoor cat?
Like any domestic cat, the Chartreux is happy to be outside, but its urge to do so is not as strong. However, if you can give the cat a safe way to explore the great outdoors, you should allow it. As free roamers, the Carthusians spend a lot of time outside and tomcats in particular have a large territory. When the opportunity arises, the gray cat likes to catch mice or other small animals to bring to their owner. The robust, dense fur keeps the velvet paws warm outside even in winter, which makes them ideal for the outdoors. Nevertheless, with enough space and employment opportunities, they can also be happy as purely indoor cats.
How much activity does the Carthusian cat need?
A Chartreux cat that is allowed to roam around can easily keep itself busy and likes to take long walks through nature. If you live purely in an apartment, you must offer appropriate employment as a replacement. The beautiful cats are happy to accept intelligent toys and also like to chase play mice or balls. At a young age, with a little patience, you can even teach the cat to fetch. Nevertheless, the Chartreux is a relaxed and calm cat that does not need to be constantly entertained. Especially in old age, she prefers to lie in a warm place and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Grooming and feeding
The Chartreux doesn’t require any more grooming than other breeds, but their thick, plush coat should still be brushed regularly. Due to the special texture and density of the fur, however, the cats hardly shed. Feeding high-quality and healthy cat food is just as important. Most members of the breed are picky when it comes to food and you will need to test several varieties before you find a food that suits you. Since cats become very calm as they get older, you should adjust the daily food ration accordingly to avoid becoming overweight. Otherwise, the Carthusian cat is an easy-care breed that rarely gets sick if kept in a species-appropriate manner.