Chartreux Cat Breed

The Chartreux breed originated in France and was first brought to the United States in 1970. It is a large, muscular cat with wide-set eyes and a luxuriant, dense and woolly blue-gray coat. These cats make devoted pets and are friendly to everyone. They are very loyal to their owners and are wonderful playmates for children.

The Chartreux is a sturdy French breed coveted since antiquity for its hunting prowess and dense, water-repellent fur. Its type is sometimes called primitive, being neither cobby nor classic domestic. Though large, the Chartreux is extremely supple, refined and agile. Males are much larger than females and slower to mature. Coat texture, coat color, and eye color are affected by sex, age, and other natural factors.

The coat is medium-short, dense and slightly woolly. Silkier, thinner coat is permitted for females.

Chartreux Personality The Chartreux is a swift hunter. It is calm and well-disposed. It is known as the smiling cat,and has an engagingly rounded appearance. It becomes attached to its owner and especially to its home. The Chartreux is prone to laziness—until a rodent appears.

Chartreux Colors Recognized by CFA
Any shade of blue-gray from ash to slate. Tips may be lightly brushed with silver. Preferred tone is a bright, unblemished blue with an overall iridescent sheen. Nose leather slate gray; lips blue; paw pads rose-taupe.

Photo credit: Alessandra Zanetti, Cattery Myrddin Emrys (Italy)