Our
website is an electronic window into our lives with
our gorgeous cats. We aim to give insight into
the honesty and integrity of who we are, why we
breed the Norwegian Forest Cat and also try and
furnish our visitors with as much information about
the breed as we can. Above are the links to the main
information.
Below
are several links,
which hopefully covers a
comprehensive list of information and this list is not
exhaustive - we will be adding more over time.
(Please
note these pages are being constructed at the moment so many of
the links are not yet live. the live links are grey in colour)
Further
below you
will see a short piece on the breed - some advice for your
awareness - and a few pictures of our bred cats happy in their new
homes now developed into magnificent adults of whom we are very
proud of.
(These will be added
to shortly)
We
hope you enjoy viewing our cats and our website. Feel free to ask
us any
questions, you are more than welcome to give us a call or send us an
email, and we always welcome people to visit our cats even
just out of curiosity, you will be received with a warm
welcome, there is never any obligation to buy a kitten from us.
However, please do not visit another cattery before us as that
can spread disease.
Please scroll down and watch
the short video about the history of our breed and read about the
dreadful changes some breeders are creating - Most breeders do not want
to lose our special natural cat!
Brief History of the Skaukatt
Wegies,
Norwegian Forest Cats, Skaukatt - all names of
the medium-haired cat from Northern Europe-
Skaukatt' is the Norwegian word meaning
literally Forest Cat,Skogkatt
and Norwegian Forest Cat is the Official name
adopted by FIFe/GCCF and other Cat organisations. Wegies
is a popular shortened version.
We
do not know how long it has been stalking the
Norwegian forests, or even when it first
approached people and joined the ancient Vikings
in their wanderings. But we do know that it has
adapted to the harshest climate on the furthest
northern reaches of Europe. Like a small but
beautiful version of the lynx, the Norwegian
Forest Cat is part of Norway's fauna. For many
of us Norwegians, it is the faerie cat we chance
upon while out in the wilderness. Proud - yes,
of course - and with a good deal in it that is
still wild, yet not aggressive and quite
prepared to be affectionate.
Yes,
there is still something wild in its watchful
gaze, alert, all-seeing; its triangular head
with the square profile; its elegant ears with
the long, lynx-like tufts that seem all of a
character with ancient, shaggy spruce and
lichen-covered pine; its body, lithe and
muscular, ready to meet any challenge that comes
its way; its slender legs and strong thighs for
the speed to streak away or the strength to
climb to the very top of the tallest tree; its
bushy tail, waving triumphantly over everything
and everyone; and its fur, two layers, thick and
warm, at its fullest an impressive sight.
The
forest cat's inner fur is covered with a long,
smooth, pendent outer coat that can be best
compared to a protective shield. It stops water
from penetrating to its inner fur and skin and
thus enables the cat to shrug off downpours,
snow and gales, and to cope with temperatures
that may drop to thirty or forty degrees C below
zero. A fantastic, natural cat we recognized
long ago as Norway's national cat, and our
purebred Norwegian Forest Cat.
Back
in the thirties, people were already discussing
the idea of recognizing the breed. The war put a
stop to all that, but, come the fifties and
sixties, the idea was dusted off again. With the
foundation of the (NRR) Norske Rasekattklubbers
Riksforbund (Norwegian National Association of
Pedigree Cats) in 1963, recognition for the
forest cat was a matter of pride for its
president, Carl-Fredrik Nordane. The members of
the Breeding Council at the time recall how they
went out to see two kittens at the Oslo home of
Else and Egil Nylund. They had heard of a fine,
red forest cat, but the tears nearly came to
their eyes when they saw the brown and white
tiger striped Truls, a glorious specimen who
became the first prototype of the Norwegian
Forest Cat breed
Gradually,
a group of enthusiasts became involved in
breeding the cats: the Norsk Skogkattring
(NorwegianForest
Cat Circle) was founded in 1975 and the
Norwegian Forest Cat was provisionally
recognized in 1976.Then
came the trial by fire - the general assembly of
the FIFe in Paris,November
1977.
While
the whole world of Norwegian Forest Cat
enthusiasts sat tense and trembling at home,
Carl-Fredrik Nordane and Arvid Engh went to
Paris as delegatesof
the NPCA, and showed Tom B. Jensen's splendidpictures
of Truls and other forest cats. Hurrying from
the spectators' bench, Helen Nordane wired back
to Norway and the same evening -the smiling
faces and waving Norwegian flags tell the rest
of the story.
The
Norwegian standard of excellence was recognized
from the start and has been the yardstick ever
since, with slight modifications in 1987 and a
few new characteristicsin
1993. The cats are judged by type, not colour,
even if sub-divided into groups for show
purposes.
The
breed has become incredibly popular in recent
years. Norwegian Forest Cats are often the main
breed shown at Norwegian and Swedish shows, and
there is a large and growing interest on the
continent. Norwegian Forest Cats have their own
associations in most European countries.
Finally, today there are Norwegian Forest Cats
in most countries around the globe. Not bad for
a natural cat from the deep forest - where,
despite everything, it still does best!
Author - Raymond Saetre from Norway
Translated by Bjørn Steensrud from Norway
Edited by Lorraine Twyman
All registered Norwegian
Forest Cats are descended from
Norwegian, Swedish
or Finnish cats, with nocross
breeding allowed. Some Non-FIFe
registries in Germany may also have registered
novice NFOs.
The
Norwegian Forest cat, or more correctly the Skogkatt, evolved
naturally in Norway. It is known as Norway's National Cat. The
breed has not been man made from
the combination of different pedigree cats or tailored by selective
breeding towards the
"designer" ideology.
Although
one of the oldest breeds in the world, even today,
the Skogkatt is not so well known amongst the cat breeds. We feel promotion
is very much they key as well as education to further the
breed and to keep to its natural heritage regarding
type.. The fact is they are incredibly majestic cats,
very intelligent, relate remarkably well to other animal
species and an absolute joy to own. The importance
of breeding these cats is still very much a conservation
programme, there is much work to do before breeders
worldwide can take
the breed for granted as being stable regarding its overall
type.
Above
is a photograph
of Premier Pan's Truls,
born in Norway to the Pans Cattery owned by the late Egil Nylund
and his wife Else who is known in Norway as "the mother of the
Skogkatt". A lovely and more genuine Cat lady one could never meet and I
am pleased I have had that honour several times now. Premier
Pans Truls was used to have the breed fully recognised and
accepted in their own right
at the FIFe General Assembly held in Paris
in 1977 and to set the
Breed Standard.
Unfortunately,
as with any other breed, there is a vast
diversity in type around the world now.
One
must not lose sight of who this
cat is,
and remember, this is what we
should be breeding towards in order to secure the
traditional type and important expression. Breeders MUST
continue to
preserve
this breed
as it should be. The Norwegian Forest cat is a natural breed
and like the Norwegian people say - the standard of the
breed should fit the cat, not the cat fit a standard. This
is a very important point in the Cat Fancy as most breeds of
animal are bred to fit a standard of points that are changed time
and time again until what ends up is an animal that can look
nothing like it did originally. The Skogkatt is getting that way
now sadly. Many are looking almost Oriental in type with huge
ears that are wide set, along with heads
too long, bone structure too fine and most importantly the
coat quality is getting poor. All too many seem to concentrate
on just a profile or ears or chins - forgetting the the cat as a
whole. This breed should be bred with the most important
characteristics set in priority of good thick and waterproof
coat quality - bone structure and substance - and the wild
expression. These are the characteristics within this cat that
has enabled it to adapt and survive in the harsh climatic
conditions of their homeland and what has enabled them to evolve
over thousands of years into the cat they are. Too many breeders
are interested in show titles which help them towards selling
kittens and there are an increasing amount of Judges on the show
circuit, especially in Europe, that recently like the "
something different" look. Sadly, this just adds encouragement
to breeders already breeding cats with an extreme look. This way
of breeding may well be OK for the many designer breeds
but - the Norwegian Forest Cat is a Naturally evolved breed and
was certainly NEVER supposed to be bred with the designer or the
fashionable traits ideal. If Breeders are not careful the
Norwegian Forest Cat as it should be will be changed so much
there will be no going back - this has happened to other breeds
like the Persian and Siamese these days. Large "Bat-Ears" set
wide is still a fault in the breed standard - but - breeders and
Judges get away with this "new look" by saying the standard is
open to individual interpretation - No! That is an excuse. Those
who deliberately change the look of this breed are just
disrespectful of the breed and the hard work done by the
pioneers who saved them from extinction and.. are only
interested in their own self glory and the financial trappings
that brings. Much of the animal showing these days is political
and about "who" knows "who" - not about the breeds or their
welfare. When buying a kitten always look at the parents -
if you do not want to encourage this extreme breeding don't
purchase from cats who have an oriental look or with massive
ears set at 10 to 2 on a clock face! Large ears are for hot
climates as it is an aid in heat dissipation - NFC's should not
have massive ears!
It really does make my heart feel heavy
to see what some are doing to our breed for nothing more than
glory and money.
The cat who set the standard
Truls (Pan's)
Copyright Tom B Jensen
Bred and owned by Else and Egil Nylund of the Pan's Cattery Norway
The show standard all over the world has changed several times since the
original standard was written in 1976 for our breed.
It is no wonder we have such a diverse type of Norwegian Forest Cat in the world now.
Many pedigree breeds of animal have ended up in a situation whereby they no longer resemble the original type and this is why we lose so many wonderful breeds.
Considering the breeding of Norwegian Forest Cat is a continued conservation program
we as breeders all over the world should be critical enough to assess if we are breeding the right way and for the right reasons and not for show ribbons and any financial gain!
This breed is more important. - L Twyman
UPDATE
The changes in the Norwegian Forest
Cat.
Changes to the NFC are already
happening in some countries with the breeds overall look.
Selective breeding, actively encouraged by some Judges and very
actively promoted by some large scale breeders are creating
NFC's with large wide set ears set in a lower "V" shape setting
on the head with overly long heads giving them the appearance of
an Oriental Long Hair. This is NOT what the Norwegian pioneers
of this breed ever wanted - in fact - this breed was originally
given Pedigree status in order to preserve this naturally
evolved cat. However, like all breeds of animals that are taken
to shows - some dogs and cats do not remotely resemble their
original form - one only needs to look at the Persian and
Siamese cats these days to see this - for us as breeders we will
always remain true to the Pioneers and traditional type
Norwegian Forest Cat. We no longer have any time for the show
side of things because we will not be encouraged or pushed to
change the look of this magnificent cat.
If you would like to
see the History of the NFC along with the Correct and
Traditional look then please view this You tube video
There
is another point for your reference, some back
street unregistered so called breeders
cross breed these with other breeds and expect hundreds of
pounds for them! Whilst this is not condoned by breeders it cannot be
prevented totally, no matter ho w hard
breeders try! People will do what
they do. If only they understood the ethos of this cat and
knew breeders in Norway have worked very hard over many
years to introduce
a breeding program in the Seventies due to the breed becoming
extinct, and later breeders worldwide, at much financial
expense to continue this work and perpetuate it in order the
rest of the world can enjoy the real pleasure of owning this
fantastic intelligent breed, maybe some would not be so hasty in
cross breeding these cats. For breeders this is the ultimate sin
and we do not recommend anyone purchasing a cross bred Norwegian
Forest Cat because this not only encourages this type of
irresponsible breeding but also it means people are buying a
cross breed of which the Norwegian bloodline is diluted. A
crossbreed is nothing like a pedigree, not in type or behaviour
and it certainly is NOT a Norwegian Forest Cat. It is a domestic
housecat or affectionately known in the UK as a "moggie".
Thank
you for reading.
Norgeskaukatt Esbørn
9.9 kilos - 3 years old - not a stitch of fat - we are very
proud of this handsome big chap who has not finished growing
yet!
