The Chartreux is an internationally recognized breed of domestic cat from France. Chartreux cats are known for their "smile"; due to the structure of their heads and their long, tapered muzzle, they often appear to be smiling. The mascot of the world's largest jazz festival, The Montreal International Jazz Festival , is a blue Chartreux affectionately named 'Ste Cat, after the festival's hub, 'Sainte Catherine' street in Montreal.

Chartreux are exceptional hunters and were highly prized by farmers. Patellar luxation is a common weakness in the breed. This condition, when mild, does not usually cause any symptoms in the cat, but if it is severe, it can cause lameness. Because this condition is hereditary, most reputable breeders screen their breeding animals for it and do not use questionable animals for breeding. You may want to ask questions about patellar luxation when you talk to breeders.

The first letter of the official name of a Chartreux cat encodes the year of its birth; all Chartreux born in the same year have official names beginning with the same letter. The code letters rotate through the alphabet each year, omitting the letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z. For example, a Chartreux born in 2002 would have an official name starting with the letter T.

The Chartreux Cat Origin

The Chartreux may be one of The Cat Fanciers' Association's oldest new breeds. Cats similar in type to the modern Chartreux were described in France as early as the 1700s. Chartreux history is steeped in legend, even though the breed was only advanced to championship status in 1987.

The first cat to be shown under the breed name Chartreux appeared at a European cat show in 1931. The first Chartreux were brought to the U.S. in 1971 by Helen and John Gammon of La Jolla, California. There are fewer than two dozen active Chartreux breeders in North America as of 2007.

There is a legend that the Chartreux are descended from cats brought to France by Carthusian monks to live in the order's head monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, located in the Chartreuse Mountains north of the city of Grenoble. But in 1972, the Prior of the Grande Chartreuse denied that the monastery's archives held any records of the monks' use of any breed of cat resembling the Chartreux. Legend also has it that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian monastic order.

The breed was greatly diminished during the first World War and wild populations were not seen after World War II. A concerted effort by European breeders kept the breed from extinction. Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette and French general/president Charles de Gaulle.

The Chartreux Cat Appearence

The Chartreux is large and muscular, with short fine-boned limbs, strong shoulders, big paws, and very fast reflexes. They are sometimes unflatteringly called a “potato on toothpicks” because of its stocky body and slender legs. With its solid body and small legs, this quick and graceful cat can weigh anywhere from seven to an astonishing seventeen pounds, with the latter being considered the standard.

Their head is rounded with a softly contoured forehead tapering to a narrowed muzzle. This facial structure gives the Chartreux an image of smiling. Rounded and broad but not spherical, a narrow flat space between the ears, which are medium size, set high and slightly flaring, big jowls in the male give a trapezoid shape, wider at the base, a broad straight nose; all on a short and heavy set neck.

The eyes of the Chartreux are round but not as round as the Persians. The outer corners curve slightly upward. The eye color ranges from gold to copper, copper is the most preferred by breeders.

The Chartreux Cat Colors and Coats

The Chartreux is considered neither a shorthair breed nor a longhair breed as its coat is longer than the average shorthair and shorter than the average longhair.

Chartreux Cat has a  double coat  that is soft and luxurious the thickness makes both the male and female appear bulkier. The top coat is water-resistant. The coat parts in places just like that of a sheep. A brush should never be used as it could damage the undercoat. Combing is only necessary once a week.

Females may have a silkier, thinner coat but the longer protective coat of guard hairs should always be over a resilient, slightly woolly undercoat which makes the hair stand out.

The varieties of the Chartreux are limited, only blue or soft blue gray tones are seen. The color of the coat varies from cat to cat and all shades of blue are permissible but a pale grey blue is preferred in Europe and a bright blue in the USA; the uniformity of tone is most important.

Chartreux Cat Temperament

Despite it's massive size the Chartreux is a quiet, sometimes mute, cat that's gentle, intelligent and playful and have been known to play fetch with their owner. They are attentive, gentle, and adaptable cats who enjoy being nearby their favorite people. The Chartreux will follow you everywhere, comfort you when you are sad or ill, and prefer to sleep with you or on top of you. Their supportive, cheerful presence can be wonderful for elderly people and people living alone. Chartreux cats are tolerant and gentle with strangers, small children, and other animals.

Chartreux are less talkative than other breeds. These cats rarely making noises such as mewing or crying, in fact, some do not meow at all. When Chartreux cat does decide to speak, its voice sounds like a high pitched meow and sometimes it even sounds like a soft, delicate chirp.

The Chartreux breeds personality is a perfect fit for anyone who enjoys interacting with their cat. Well known for being fast learners, these cats can be taught tricks, to come when his name is called as well as how to fetch. Some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches.

They are non-aggressive and affectionate, good travelers, and generally very healthy