Snowshoe | Cat Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Snowshoe is a dream cat. All the best that you know about the mind, character and behavior of furry pets, embodied in this breed. And vice versa, everything negative that can be said about felines is completely absent in the Snowshoe cat. A more spectacular, graceful, intelligent, active and at the same time absolutely not arrogant and not vindictive pet than Snowshoe, simply cannot be found. An amazing breed is still very rare in our area, but its popularity is constantly growing.

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Halfway between a Siamese and an American shorthair, the Snowshoe has a number of characteristics inherited from these two pioneer breeds. From the Siamese he inherits his look of an incomparable and penetrating blue, in addition to a long and stylized body, with a face of the same triangular shape as that of the Siamese. On the short-haired side, this cat receives a muscular complexion and its characteristic white socks.

Snowshoes are medium-sized cats that usually weigh between 3 and 6 kilograms, and as is common, females are a little lighter than males (3-5 kilograms).

• The head of the animal has the shape of a regular triangle. Delicate contours and high cheekbones.
• The medium sized ears seem to continue the shape of the skull at the base. Rounded at the ends.
• On the nose of medium length, there is often a bump, a smooth curvature at the bridge of the nose.
• The eyes are not protruding, oval in shape. Their color: blue or blue.
• The body is proportional, rather strong.
• The average length of the legs is proportional to the whole body.
• The standard sized tail tapers towards the tip.
• Short, semi-short smooth hair.

It is a very energetic breed, which meows a lot to demand different things from its owners. And it is that from the Siamese inherits a meow somewhat annoying for those who accompany her. Even so, the Snowshoe is a very intelligent, demanding, affectionate and sociable feline, as well as peaceful and calm in equal parts.

It needs the attention of the human being, frequently requiring to play with different utensils that will awaken his attention and concern. In addition, males are characterized by being very territorial and possessive.

The Snowshoe cat breed is the perfect companion choice for young children and other pets, making them the ideal addition to a family home.

This is a smart cat who likes to be with people. It is communicative, but more discreet than the Siamese, emitting soft and melodious sounds. It asks for company; so, if you are going to spend all day somewhere else, you should consider having two littermates.

Snowshoe cats are playful and can learn to bring objects; They need toys and games to entertain themselves. Snowshoe cats also like water, especially running water, although they also swim sometimes. They are very active, love to perch and feel a predilection for high places.

Cats of this breed are healthy. Sometimes they have a hereditary squint or tail kink, which was passed down to the Snowshoe from Siamese cats. Additionally, the breed may be more prone to diseases such as:

• Hepatic amyloidosis;
• breast cancer;
• Gingivitis;
• Peritonitis;
• Dental diseases.

The Snowshoe cat is quite unpretentious, so its owner does not have to spend a lot of time and effort on grooming. For this, it suffices:

Brush the cat once or twice a week to remove excess hair. This procedure should be especially thorough during the animal’s moulting period. Better to use a special brush bought in a pet store. This maintenance will keep the coat smooth and shiny.

Snowshoe Cats love to swim, but aquatic procedures should not be overdone. The cat itself does a good job of hygiene. This cat needs to “bath” when it gets dirty (for example, when your pet is very dirty) or on hot summer days.

To prevent the onset of periodontal disease, you can periodically brush your cat’s teeth. This can be done on your own using special tools or by contacting your veterinarian.

Exercise is also essential to maintain the slender figure that defines it from its origin, in addition to its intelligence giving it an important ability to acquire the habits desired by its owners.

• The animals have a playful, friendly disposition, are very intelligent and show good training abilities.
• Snowshoe cats experience almost a dog’s affection for the owner and are able to subtly feel the psychological state of a person.
• Snowshoe cat is extremely negative about loneliness. If you have not been home for a long time, get ready to listen to your pet upon arrival. He will tell you for a long, long time how sad and lonely he was. Snowshoe cat’s voice is quiet and soft, so it will be even pleasant to communicate with the cat.
• This cat will get along perfectly with all household members – both with people and with animals.
• The animal is in great contact with children. You can be calm – the cat will not even think about scratching or biting. The Snowshoe cat will not take revenge for the offense, because it is not at all rancorous. However, hardly anyone would think of offending this miracle.
• Snowshoe cat is very smart. Getting to the right place, even if a latch-locked door becomes an obstacle, is not a problem.
• Connoisseurs of the breed are happy to note the good health of these animals. They are unpretentious and not difficult to maintain. The only drawback is the difficulty of breeding. Getting the perfect Snowshoe cat isn’t easy. Only experienced breeders can solve this problem, and even in their environment, getting the “right” kittens is regarded as a great success.

The historical homeland of the Snowshoe cat breed is the United States of America. Dorothy Hinds-Dougherty, a breeder and lover of Siamese cats, lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 60s of the last century, another offspring aroused her interest: some kittens had small snow-white “socks” and spots on the tips of their paws. Such an exterior seemed to Dorothy rather interesting and cute, and the woman decided to create a new breed, improving the sign and fixing this cute detail.

Therefore, Dorothy began work in this direction: she crossed a Siamese and a two-color American cat. The first result did not suit the breeder: the animals lacked the traditional Siamese color. Then the grown-up offspring were again brought together with the Siamese, and, finally, the work bore fruit: Snowshoe kittens appeared. The name was given to them by their creator.

Dorothy presented her new pets at the American show, but failed: felinologists refused to recognize the breed. Probably, this is where the story of Snowshoe cats would end. But they managed to win the heart of another breeder – Vicky Olander. She was so carried away by these animals that she began to breed them on her own and made the first standard. Her efforts did not go to waste – in 1974, the CFF and ACA organizations still recognize the Snowshoe cat as an experimental breed.

In 1977, Vicki was the only one who was engaged in breeding these animals. She was helped by other breeders when she asked them to. Through joint efforts, the breed received the status of a champion. This only happened in 1983.

Today, Snowshoe cats are common mainly in the UK and are quite rare. This is due to the complexity of gene inheritance, and not all offspring have breed characteristics. In addition, males predominate among the litter.