The Spangled Cat was bred in the 1980s to resemble wild cats like the ocelot and leopard. Although they were initially expensive due to their rarity, the breed has since been overshadowed by the Ocicat and Bengal.
Physical CharacteristicsAt first sight this cat looks like a miniature version of the leopard. In fact, the California Spangled Cat's long, cylindrical body helps it move like a hunter on the prowl. Often in the shape of blocks, these leopard-like spots especially stand out when they are in contrast with the coat's background color.
Personality and TemperamentThe California Spangled Cat is energetic, active, and, though it sports a wild look, easy to tame. Affectionate and intelligent, it will return its owner's love in full measure, though it will also scheme to get its way.
A born athlete, the California Spangled Cat is capable of acrobatic high jumps. Therefore, it would be prudent to keep fragile valuables safely stored. The cat is also fascinated by moving objects and loves to hunt.
SIZE : 15-18 LBS
ORIGIN : CALIFORNIA
COLOUR : SILVER,BRONZE,GOLD,RED,BLACK,BROWN AND MORE
PERSONALITY : ATHLETIC AND LOVING
IDEAL PARENTS : FAMILIES,PLAYFUL,EXOTIC,CATLOVERS AND SUBURBANITES
ENERGY : ACTIVE
TALKATIVE :LITTLE
COAT : SHORT
KID FRIENDLY : YES
LESS ALLERGENIC : NO
LIFESPAN : 9-16 YEARS
History and BackgroundPaul Casey, a physicist and screenwriter from Los Angeles, is credited with launching the breed. Determined to create a cat with a wild look, Casey drew his inspiration a cat with glamorous coat (like that of a leopard or cheetah) from a conversation with the late anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey.
While he was working at the Olduvai digs in Africa in 1971, Casey was shocked to learn that one of the last leopards in the area had fallen victim to poachers. Casey and Leakey came up with the idea that if people owned a domestic cat which resembled a mini-leopard they would show greater inclination to conserve the wild beast.
Casey went about his mission scientifically, and in the early 1970s made an 11-generation blueprint, beginning with a female Traditional Siamese (also called the Old Style or Applehead) and a long-haired, spotted silver Angora. The result of this union was a silver male with block-shaped spots. Casey then added British Shorthair, American Shorthair, spotted-brown tabby Manx, and Abyssinian to create the core bloodline. Each breed was introduced according to plan, and mating results were recorded on a computer. In the final generation, street cats from Malay and Egypt were added to achieve a wild look.
By 1985, Casey achieved the desired look, which was immediately lauded by a small group of cat fanciers. Casey would eventually form the California Spangled Cat Association (CSCA), whose aim was to take measures to protect all endangered wild cats as well as to promote the Spangled Cat. In 1986, Casey introduced the Spangled Cat to the public through an advertising campaign with the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog, where he sold them for $1,400 each. However, protests from animal activists would ensue because the catalog also featured fox, beaver, and ermine coats.
Despite the public relations controversy, the new cat became a hot commodity, especially since demand far exceeded the supply. Media outlets sought every opportunity to interview prospective owners. This newfound publicity helped Casey spread his message of conservation, but greatly depleted his stock.
Though breeders all over the world are working hard to make the California Spangled Cat more popular, there are only around 200 such cats in existence today. It has also proved more successful abroad than in its native country.
The breed is slowly inching its way towards attaining Championship Status from The International Cat Association (TICA) and American Cat Association (ACA) -- it has been accepted for New Breed and Color status.
The breed now has two International Grand Champions in Europe. And in 1994, a Grand Champion Spangled named Lassik won Best of Show at the summer competition in Paris.
Facts about Snowshoe cat:
The appearance of the Snowshoe harks back to the late Victorian era, with photographic and silk-screen evidence of Siamese kittens with four white feet, but the breed we know today was not developed until the mid-20th century. White-pawed Siamese known as Silver Laces made a brief appearance in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that Philadelphia Siamese breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty decided to create a Siamese-type cat with white paws and a moderate body. She called them Snowshoes.
Daugherty began with three white-pawed Siamese kittens and bred them to a domestic shorthaired cat with tuxedo markings (black coat and white belly, chest, throat, and paws — often with a black mask around the eyes). With intelligence from both sides of the family tree and the moderating influence of the domestic shorthair on the Siamese body type and personality, it’s no wonder the new cats were seen to have potential both as companions and show animals.
Daugherty eventually gave up breeding cats, but other breeders who saw merit in continuing to develop the interesting and beautiful cats carried on her work. The Cat Fanciers Federation recognized the Snowshoe in 1982, followed by American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990 and The International Cat Association in 1994. The Cat Fanciers Association does not yet recognize the breed.
While the Snowshoe is a distinct breed, the cats are still sometimes bred back to Siamese or Oriental Shorthairs to maintain their traits. It’s not easy to produce kittens with the desired markings, so the breed is uncommon, despite the ubiquity of Grumpy Cat.
A Snowshoe usually chooses a favorite person in the family, but she maintains cordial relationships with everyone. She stays close to the favored person and can often be seen leading them to something of the Snowshoe’s interest.
Snowshoes are smart and will often learn to open doors or perform tricks, including running feline agility courses. They like to play fetch, may walk on leash, and enjoy dabbling in running water. Some even take to swimming. This is an active cat who can often be found perching on top of the refrigerator or some other vantage point from where he can survey all that’s going on.
Thanks to their Siamese heritage, Snowshoes tend to be “talkers.” Fortunately, they have a soft, melodic voice that’s easy on the ears. Plan to carry on many interesting conversations with your Snowshoe; she’ll want to know all about your day, how you feel about the local school board election, and whether you think dinner will be soon. He won’t hesitate to register any complaints with you about her meals or accommodations, but this sweet-tempered cat knows you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Snowshoes are mellow and generally get along with other pets, including dogs. That said, it’s certainly possible to end up with one who prefers to be the center of your world and will do best as an only cat.
Choose a Snowshoe if you will enjoy spending time with and interacting with your cat. A Snowshoe likes company and would prefer not to be home alone all day. If you work long hours, she’ll appreciate having a feline or canine friend.
It’s a good idea to keep a Snowshoe as an indoor-only cat to protect her from diseases spread by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and the other dangers that face cats who go outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Snowshoes who go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have a unique and beautiful cat without paying for it.
Because the Snowshoe’s pattern is recessive and involves several gene factors, it’s difficult to consistently achieve the desired look. No cat has perfect markings. Those who come closest to the ideal — the ones you’ll see in the show ring — have an inverted white “V” between the eyes and over the muzzle, two white mittens in the front and two white boots in the back. The more symmetrical the markings, the better. Markings that are acceptable but not preferred include a blaze on the face or white markings on the chin, throat, and stomach. It’s best if all four feet are solid white with dark points separating the white foot color from the light body color. White that goes too high or too low on the leg or face is a flaw and may put a kitten into the “pet quality” category depending on her other qualities. In a perfect world, a Snowshoe won’t have spots of the point color in the white areas or white streaks (called runners) going from the white areas into the points.
A Snowshoe glances at you with large, wide eyes of sparkling blue. The eyes are described as walnut-shaped: larger and rounder than the Siamese eye, but not as round as the eye of a Persian.
The rectangular body is firm and muscular, but never bulky. The Snowshoe resembles a runner, not a wrestler, but is more powerful than she looks. When you pick her up, you may be surprised at how substantial she feels. Medium-large ears top the slightly rounded head, which should be as wide as it is long. Medium-size paws are oval and taper to the toes.
Snowshoe cats are also friendly towards strangers