What is a Norwegian Forest Cat ?

The Forest Cat is different from most cat breeds. It is not the result of a planned human project, or the quest for an ideal feline creation. Beginning from this fact, one could easily wonder about how it came to be, with its unique look, and where it comes from.

           History

• Many stories, tales & legends, can be read here and there, stating, sometimes without the cautious cover of doubt, that the Forest Cats might have been brought back from the Viking's first commercial attempts to Turkey and Iran, during the 9th century, in order to cooperate on ships against rodents. Then they contributed to the protection of crops in farms. Later some specimens settled in the woods where they became feral cats and developed a wild behaviour and look... Although this sounds lovely, this is too romantic to be true, and this is not exactly what happened.
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• It is is reported by the oldest Scandinavian tales, on this particular matter, that vikings already used to take their farm cats on board for their trips. It might be one of the reasons why some half-long haired cats can still, nowadays, be found along the Normandy coastline, and probably in the USA as well. During the XVth century, in Norway, Sweden and Finland, the Forest Cat was well known and sometimes compared to the boreal lynx, a cousin with which, it has a lot in common: ear tufts, long legs, a mane, and both of them love water, and to fish.   
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• The Forest Cat is the complex result of a long evolution which started during the pliocene epoch, that is to say: between 5 and 2 million years ago, while the first species of african australopithecus emerged. Cooling and glaciation in the northern hemisphere had begun. As carnivore families started to diversify, canines and felines' ancestors divided in several complex groups all over the world. From the recent researches on cat fossils compared with living genetic materials, this was the moment when the (at least) six wild cat species divided, moved, hybridized, and created new subspecies. Felis Silvestris Catus subspecies, is the result of this long evolution, and all breeds, domestic, stray, feral cats, belong to this one. It is generally admitted, that our good old domestic cat, is the subspecies of Felis Silvestris sp, the wild european cat. The scientific community tends to attribute the domestic cat's origins to Felis Silvestris Lybica sp, which came up and spread to Europe from Africa, to Italy first. Microsatellite DNA analysis in 2000, revealed that Felis Catus and Felis Lybica are genetically distinct even though, it was believed that the latest's gentleness and mild temper with humans, would be much more eligeble than the european silvestris wildcat, as a direct ancestor. Would it mean that it went up to the Northern frontiers of France, Germany, Poland, made it to Scandinavia (where there's never been any wild Felis Silvestris presence recorded) and crossed frozen seas by foot, just like the arctic fox to Iceland? These short haired felines had to change and to develop special features and skills to adapt to these northern territories. By the way, Silvestris ssp's measurements are close the Forest Cat's, and has transmitted specific similarities, in form and in function.     

           Description

• The Forest Cat has a special status among the cat world. Science tends to refine this feline to more specific populations such as "Northern European / Nordic Race of Cats". Even though all genetic markers between random feral cats and cat breeds are the same, the evolution due to the beautiful and long carving of nature matters the most about the Forest Cat. It has naturally developed waterproof fur, and a thick woollen undercoat: a perfect auto-regulation heat system, and an efficient protection for the heart and lungs. A large and robust body, with strong bones, massive hairy paws to walk on snow and ice, solid claws to climb up trees, and to catch bigger preys. The harsh weather and the difficult humid winter conditions in Norway, have selected the strongest, and the most intelligent cats, survived. 
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• It is known that other breeds carry some features looking like the Forest Cat, but no other cat as the Norwegian Forest Cat, has developed such a unique ability to survive in such difficult climate conditions. Females weight up to 3,5 - 4,5 kg, whereas males can reach 6-7 kg. The head shape is triangular, with a long straight profile showing a strong chin as well. Ears should be placed in the triangular lines of the head, preferably tufted at their tips. Their eyes must be big, slightly oval like almonds, and the tail's tip should be able to reach the shoulders or the neck.  
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• Their temper is also different from the other breeds: calm, very intelligent, and adaptable to different new conditions. It is fearless, aware, friendly and curious to other animals like dogs, strangers or to children. Their climbing abilities are generally recognised, and their hunting capacities (especially females) are not to be proved. Some killings on large birds like geese, in Norway, by Forest Cats have been reported in the past decades. They also are amazing jumpers and thus skilled bird's hunters. Forest cat are also healthy, and easy-going. Females carry out their pregnancies and births with a natural and instinctive easiness. It is also particularly attached to its keeper, and follows him everywhere with a rare trusty enthusiasm. Vocalisations consist in various cooing tonalities, but meowings are rare. The Forest Cat's cleverness, mind stability and affection, are everyday blessings for those who have experienced such a close partnership.
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• The Norwegian Forest Cat has been recognised as a breed in 1976 in FIFe, and since then, blood lines have been worked on, in the target of both developing and maintaining its overall natural and balanced structure, beauty, temper, and its unique intelligence.