The Chartreux cat is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and ancient feline breeds. Let's discover the history of the Chartreux cat, its breed standard and the Chartreux cat's temperament — a truly unique and extraordinary feline, capable of stealing the hearts of cat lovers all over the world.
Origins and history of the Chartreux cat
Originally from Syria, the Chartreux cat arrived in France in the 18th century. Legend has it that the Crusaders, returning from an expedition to the Holy Land and finding hospitality at a French Charterhouse, gifted a pair of these splendid grey-blue-coated cats to the monks, as they had a reputation for being excellent mousers and would certainly have been useful for keeping rodents away from food stores and libraries, where they could destroy precious manuscripts.
According to this legend, it was the monks themselves who began breeding these wonderful felines. Unfortunately, however, in the 18th century they were also raised for food; some people ate their meat and others traded their fur. It was precisely for this reason that the "French grey cat" (its original name) came to be called the Chartreux cat. Indeed, on the stalls of furriers and fabric merchants, among the most prized goods was the pelt of grey cats alongside a wool from Spain known as "Chartreux wool". Because of their similarity — both being particularly soft — the two came to be called almost the same thing, and so the term "Chartreux" was extended to the cats as well.
In the 1930s, the first Chartreux cat breeding programmes emerged when two French ladies, the Léger sisters, began breeding blue cats. A few years later, their cat Mignonne, at a cat show held in Paris, was declared the most beautiful Chartreux cat in the world. At the same time, a Chartreux cat breeding programme developed in the area of the French Massif Central, where the blue cats were noticeably more robust than those bred by the Léger sisters. To this day, the Chartreux cat is the most widespread cat breed in France, so much so that it is considered the national cat of the French, and is without doubt one of the most beautiful cats in existence.
Chartreux cat breed standard
The Chartreux is a medium/large-sized cat, weighing around 4–6 kg, with a muscular and sturdy build, a broad chest and strong shoulders. The cat's head is broad but not round, with medium-sized ears with slightly rounded tips. At birth, the eyes of Chartreux cats are blue; after 6–12 months they turn a golden orange/yellow colour. The bone structure is solid; females, who tend to be more active by nature, reach lower weights than males, which can weigh as much as 7–8 kg. The cat's legs are short and stocky, with small, rounded paws that are much smaller in proportion to the rest of the body.
The Chartreux cat's coat is medium-short, smooth, with a dense and slightly woolly texture. All shades are accepted under the breed standard, from light to dark grey-blue; there should be no difference in tone between the outer coat and the undercoat, and there should be no markings, streaks or white hairs — the colour must be uniform. Chartreux kittens may show faint tabby striping on the limbs and tail, but this fades over time until the coat reaches its definitive colour. Stroking a Chartreux cat is a real pleasure — the coat is very soft and silky to the touch, almost like silk!
Caring for the Chartreux cat: diet and nutrition
The coat requires no special attention: as it is fairly short, it should be brushed once a week. During the moulting season, the coat should be brushed with a rubber grooming glove to remove dead hair. Eyes and ears can be cleaned with a damp cloth when needed. Nutrition for the Chartreux cat plays a very important role and must be healthy and balanced: this will allow your cat to stay in good health at all times. Chartreux cats are extremely fond of food. Their diet should be primarily meat-based and can be supplemented with vegetables and rice.
Packaged foods — both dry and wet — are also suitable for their needs. The important thing is to pay close attention to giving the right portion size, according to their individual needs and the different life stages of the pet. Chartreux kittens, for example, should be fed a food formulated for growth, while adult cats should be given a diet with controlled calorie intake to prevent weight gain. Their meals should be portioned and served at set times, rather than leaving a bowl of food available at all times.
Chartreux cat temperament
The Chartreux is a cat with a strong personality — very affectionate and calm, forming deep bonds with all members of its family. It makes an excellent companion cat, well suited to older people, but is not a good fit for those prone to sudden outbursts of anger, shouting or disturbing noises. It is a well-balanced cat that does not suffer from loneliness and gets along easily with other pets. Unlike other cat breeds, it is the male Chartreux that tends to become most attached to people, while the female remains more independent and is able to spend longer periods of time alone.
The Chartreux cat's temperament is very outgoing; it loves to play but does not like to be handled roughly. It decides for itself how, when and why to give its attention. It enjoys going for walks with its owner and pays close attention to everything its human companions do. The Chartreux at home adapts very well to apartment living, but if given the opportunity to go outdoors and follow its instincts, it proves to be an excellent hunter. It tolerates cold temperatures fairly well, but loves to be warm during winter.
Breeding the Chartreux: price
Chartreux cats, both male and female, should be mated at around one year of age. The gestation period in cats lasts an average of 65 days, and litters typically consist of 3–4 kittens per birth. Weaning can begin at around 30 days. The birth, barring any complications, should take place as naturally as possible. Chartreux kittens are born blind and open their eyes at around twelve days of life; they are born with blue eyes and at around 60 days these will begin to take on a hazel colour. The characteristic orange colour develops between six months and one year of age.
In Italy there are a great many Chartreux cat breeders, and we can say with confidence that our little friend is a highly prized cat. The price of a Chartreux kitten ranges from 800 to 1,300 euros. Given the cost, you can well imagine that the internet may be rife with scams — if you want to be 100% certain of the breed's purity, contact only Chartreux breeders recognised by the ANFI.
