Chausie Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Although “Chausie” might sound like a Scottish nickname, the cat breed hails from the savannah and jungles of Southeast Asia, Egypt, and the Middle East, where its wild Jungle cat ancestors once stalked the land. When you look at one, it’s not hard to imagine them “stalking” down prey like a full-grown lion might one the African Serengeti!

But just because…

The Chausie cat breed looks like a baby, but that doesn’t mean that you should run out and track down the nearest Chausie cat breeder and put down a deposit. First, You will want to ensure this is the “right” cat breed for you. And by that, we mean that the cat will behave in a manner that “fits” your personality and lifestyle. You see, certain cat breeds are very active and require a lot of maintenance to keep healthy and happy, while other cat breeds simply like to lounge around the house all day and keep to themselves for the most part.

Now, both “types” of cats are widely preferred by different “types” of folks. This is why, in this article, we’re going to attempt to describe what it might be like to own a Chausie cat so that if you ever get a chance to own one of these fantastic little creatures, you won’t regret your decision to do so six months later because they just aren’t the right “kind” of cat for you!

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Chausie Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  Egypt

Size:  Medium to large

Weight:  9 to 15 pounds

Eyes:  Oval (gold, yellow, hazel or green)

Shape of Head:  Triangular

Life Span:  12 to 14 years

Origin of the Chausie cat breed

Probably one of the “coolest” things about the Chausie cat breed is that it did descend from wild Savannah cats. Centuries ago. This means that it’s not some “byproduct” of some clever cat breeder from the mid-1980s looking to create a cat breed that appears wild! This breed first got its “start” as an early Egyptian domesticated cat was crossbred with “wilder” species during these ancient times. Back then, these cats often lived and wandered around the ancient temples, being cherished and often worshiped as “magical creatures.”

Over the centuries…

These crossbreeds were slowly further domesticated and became a part of the cultures they came. The strange part about the history of the Chausie cat breed history is that even though these cats have been around for centuries, it wasn’t until the mid-1990s that an “official” breeding program was established; the cats were finally bred to their true potential.

Which is why…

It wasn’t until 1995 that The International Cat Association (or TICA) finally decided to “officially” recognize the breed – but some rules still apply. Rules such as:

• A show cat must be at least four generations removed from a Jungle cat to be considered a true-bred Chausie.

This is fine by us here at IndulgeYourPet because we think it sounds pretty cool to have to say that…

“Yeah, my cat is four generations removed from the jungle!”

You can even show off a little by letting folks know that the “origin” of this cat’s name refers to the Latin term… Felis Chaus, which means “jungle cat.” The good news is that the US Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) has also chosen to recognize the breed as well, but like the TICA, they too have many “strict” rules that Chausie breeders must adhere to have their litters meet their “standards.”

Physical Characteristics

As we’ve already mentioned, for a “Chausie cat” to qualify as a Chausie cat, it must be at least four generations removed from its Jungle Cat ancestry. That said, however, over the years, some Chausie cat breeders have chosen to have other, more domesticated breeds intermingled within their bloodlines to improve certain cosmetic aspects of the cat so that future generations will better match the breed standard set by the CFA and TICA organizations. Cat breeds such as the Kurilian Bobtail and the domestic Bengal.

Physically…

These cats are indeed a joy to look at. They “capture” the image of what one might think when thinking of “how” an ancient Egyptian cat should look. With their long, lean body and powerful legs, these guys exude a quiet confidence about them that few can deny. And while an adult male should weigh no more than 15 pounds because of how they are built, most folks will mistakenly think they are much bigger than they are.

But don’t be fooled…

Because these guys may not be the “biggest” cat on the block, they are full of muscle, so never underestimate their strength or jumping ability. Officially, Chausie kittens are solid black, black grizzled tabby, or black ticked tabby – purely because only these three colors are recognized as ‘official’ breed colors; however, most will have a “golden” coat very similar to the color of an adult lion. While their coat length can vary depending on ancestry and location, most Chausie cats will possess a shorthaired coat that will be easy to maintain.

Personality and Temperament

Your Chausie will have an excellent nature. While some still cling to a streak of wild cats, most of this breed are docile, pleasant cats that need as much company as possible. After all, the Chausie was bred to be worshiped… and it might have been a few thousand years since they were “Temple cats,” but That doesn’t mean they still don’t seem to recognize that they should be adored!

But remember…

Chausies are a brilliant breed that is still just a few generations removed from being wild animals, so while you may feel like you need to pamper them, in truth, your Chausie will be equally suited to the rivers of the jungle as it is to living in your front room. And while it may be happier that it doesn’t have to hunt its prey to get a bite to eat, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t going to want to chase things around.  – but you can never have enough toys to keep this cat entertained.

The Chausie…

It is also a great cat to have with children and will settle in with most types of dog breeds as well. The only problem is that if you are planning on keeping both the cat and dog inside, you might want to take a few extra precautions with securing your home doors because these guys have a great “knack” for using door handles, which could mean the release of both your Chausie and your dog!

“You have been warned!”

Potential Health Concerns

One added benefit of the Chausie cat breed having to other pedigree cats is that because they are closely removed from their “wild” heritage, these cats haven’t had enough time to develop many of the inheritable diseases that many other “overbred” pedigree cats have. As a result, the Chausie cat breed is one of the “healthiest” cat breeds out there. But remember, just because the Chausie cat breed is healthy, this doesn’t mean you should do your due diligence before purchasing a Chausie kitten.

You want to make sure that…

The breeder you choose is a reputable one, and be sure that if you are in the United States, you also ascertain whether or not your Chausie is legal where you live, as they are still considered wild cats in some areas likewise if you have a second or third-generation Chausie over a fourth-generation. There is a high likelihood that they will retain more wild features than tame. Your Chausie might be a little wild, which is something to consider if you have kiddies.

To own a first-generation wildcat descendant in Britain, you must have a special license and keep it in a cage… so you can see why TICA has such strong rules about what constitutes a true Chausie. And finally, if you’re sure that a Chausie cat is right for you and you’ve done all your due diligence, don’t forget to look at what it might cost you to purchase a pet insurance policy on your new guy.

This way, if…

If your Chausie does become sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of her or her medical bills. Instead of wondering how much everything will cost, you can focus on providing your pet with the “best” possible care available.

For more information about who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies, check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.