Chausie: Chausie Cat Breed History, Temperament and Personality

The name of the breed ‘Chausie’ comes from the Latin name for the Jungle cat, felis chaus, and these large, gorgeous creatures have gained popularity in many countries since their emergence. In 1990, the breed was created by crossing a jungle cat with a domestic cat, and the breeders then focused on producing a cat with a ‘wild’ appearance but a calm, kind, and affectionate personality.

The Chausie is considered one of the largest domestic cat breeds; they have long legs and bodies. Their heads have a modified wedge shape, with a great breadth and gorgeous high, long cheekbones when viewed from the front. They are known for their lengthy muzzles, which help to balance their cheekbones. The muzzle is well contoured, with full chins as well as puffy nose leathers, adding to their wild appearance.

Small to medium-sized eyes with an oval bottom half that slants to the outer base of a cat’s ears distinguish Chausies. Although the top of the eye is flatter, it still has a good half oval shape. Some cats have light green or hazel eyes, while others have gold or yellow eyes. It features a sloping forehead and noses that rise towards the tip, forming a bump slightly above a cat’s nose leather when viewed from the profile. They have upright, large, tall ears placed at a slight angle on the head. The Chausies’ ears are wide from the base to the tip and have tufts on the tips.

Their elegant look is enhanced by their relatively long and thick neck. The body is long and lean, with deep chests. Their legs are lengthy, with a reasonable amount of bone, and their feet are oval-shaped and medium-sized. Tails are moderately wide and short, tapering somewhat towards the tip.

They have a short to medium-length coat long enough to have two bands of ticking running through it. They have dense, soft undercoats and a top coat that is slightly harsher.

Characteristics

Weight	15 – 30 pounds
Height	14 – 20 inches
Color and patterns	Brown ticked tabby, solid black, black grizzled tabby (this coat pattern is quite similar to that of a Jungle Cat. Each hair shaft is banded with a lighter color and ends in a darker tip).
Lifespan	12 – 14 years
Temperament	Affectionate, active, social, outgoing
Suitable for	Experienced cat owners, families with older children, singles, and seniors, apartment-living.

History

• Early domesticated cats (hybrid) from Egypt and the surrounding environment are said to have shared certain traits with Chausie cat breeds. Some of the mummified Cat remains discovered in Egyptian tombs are identical to these cats.
• Despite the fact that hybrid cats have been around since ancient times, the Chausie is unique owing to its more recent origins. In the 1990s, breeders began experimenting with crossing south-central Asian jungle cats with Abyssinians. As a result, the new breed class ‘Chausie,’ a brilliant hybrid cat characterized with wild appearance and an independent personality, was born.
• Note: The Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) is a Nile Valley native, although it may also be found in other regions of the world, including South Asia.
• The Chausie breed was officially recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995. TICA granted championship status to the breed in 2013, allowing them to compete in cat shows for titles.

Temperament and personality

Chausie, like other cats, prefers a routine and dislikes it when it is disrupted for whatever reason. They prefer to be fed at the same time and don’t like it when furniture is moved around the house. With that stated, they are laid-back by nature; however, when they are not sleeping, they are active and enjoy being kept busy. They thrive in human interaction and despise being left alone for long periods. As a result, these extremely active, smart cats are best suited to households where at least one person remains at home while the rest of the family is away.

They are good-natured, loving cats who like interacting with their masters. The Chausies are similar to dogs as they like to play fetch and are quite good at the game. They establish exceptionally deep bonds with their owners, and, like dogs, they can be easily taught to wear a harness and be taken for walks on a leash. Chausies are highly playful throughout their lives, which is one of the reasons they are so much fun to have around.

Activity level	5 out of 5
Friendliness to other pets	5 out of 5
Friendliness to children	4 out of 5
Grooming requirement and shedding	2 out of 5
Need for attention	3 out of 5
Affection towards owners	5 out of 5
Intelligence	5 out of 5
Independence	3 out of 5

Activity

The Chausie is a high-energy, lively, and highly intelligent feline who requires a lot of stimulation to be fully happy. Because Chausies like roaming and are so valuable, the owners run the risk of their kitty getting injured as well as being stolen; therefore, most owners maintain them as indoor cats.

Indoor cats require a lot of things to do and a place to hide when they want to, mainly because they like to climb up high and look directly at the world below from a great height. Chausies also require plenty of places to curl up for a nap anytime the mood strikes because napping all day is one thing the breeds like.

READ MORE: Best Cat Trees for Large Cats

Adoption and Rescue

Choosing a cat breed is both exciting and overwhelming. Adopting a Chausie cat is a cost-effective option. Pet adoptions are a fraction of the cost of purchasing a purebred kitten from a breeder or pet store. When you adopt a Chausie cat from a shelter, you can be sure that your pet has had all required vaccinations, medical care and has been spayed or neutered if necessary. You will save some cash by doing so. Furthermore, adopting an adult Chausie allows you to study their behavior far more quickly than trying to predict the personality of a kitten as it grows up.

Price and breeders

Finding Chausie kittens might be difficult if you don’t know a trusted Chausie breeder. They are more prevalent in the United Kingdom. Compared to the United States, a well-bred kitten in the United Kingdom would cost between £850 to well over £2000. In the United States, the price ranges from $1,000 to $2,500.

Note: Before buying a Chausie kitten, do a lot of research and make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder. Consult a veterinarian and other pet professionals, as well as other Chausie owners, responsible breeders, and rescue organizations for information.

Beware of online scams!

Conclusion

The Chausie breed is not recommended for first-time owners. This is not the breed for you if you have little children and don’t have time to exercise and bond with your Chausie. If you can commit to providing this very smart, good-natured, and extremely active cat with all of the mental and physical stimulation it demands, you’ll have a lifelong buddy.

FAQ

READ MORE: Best Dry Cat Food