A Breeder of Norwegian Forest Cats

 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.

About The Norwegian Forest Cat

Please note This website is being redesigned

Premier Pan's Truls

Buying A Kitten

History of the Breed and original show Standard

Testimonials
The importance of breeding Forest Cats Our Cats Around The World
Size Versus Type Importing our kittens
Old Type & New Type Our Retired Studs
Different Show Standards Our Retired Queens
Photo Gallery of Novice and early Forest Cats Our Cats in the Snow
Breed Colours Show Reports
White Forest Cats & Deafness Previous Litters
NO to Early Neutering Our Pedigrees
Feeding your NFC In Memory

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 organisationsWegies 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

         
   

   
   

(N) Lucy with Truls & siblings © Else Nylund

   
 

Gradually, a group of enthusiasts became involved in breeding the cats: the Norsk Skogkattring (Norwegian Forest 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.

 

   

   
   

FIFe's General Assembly 1977 © L . M. Blythe

   
 

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 delegates of the NPCA, and showed Tom B. Jensen's splendid pictures 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.

 

   

   
   

Carl Fredrik Nordane and Arvid Engh return
to Oslo from Paris - met by Truls himself © Else Nylund

   
 

Truls was the main story on the Norwegian Television. The newspapers followed with broad coverage.

         
         
   

   
   

The Famous International Premier Pan's Truls © Tom B. Jensen

   
         

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 characteristics in 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!

 

   

   
   

© Else Nylund

   
         
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 no cross 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!


Grand Champion Norgeskaukatt Skvala

Stayed with us

Champion Norgeskaukatt Arnor

Living  in Yorkshire

International Champion Norgeskaukatt Ilios

With us

     
Champion Norgeskaukatt Isbjørn

Norway Cattery 

Champion Norgeskaukatt Drifa

Stayed with us

Norgskaukatt Skvala Edel

Living in Russia

     
Norgeskaukatt Prince

Living in Yorkshire

Norgeskaukatt Synne

Living in Whitby

Norgeskaukatt Hjalmar

Living in Scotland

     
Norgeskaukatt Njord

Living in London

Norgeskaukatt Einarr

Living in London

Norgeskaukatt Isløve

Living in Lancashire

     
Norgeskaukatt Sunniva

Living in Spain

Norgeskaukatt Mani

Living in Darlington

Norgeskaukatt Coco

Living in Northallerton

     
More to be added soon
 

Excellent Cat Scratcher furniture

Drapaki.pl - Kratzbäume

 

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