The Chartreux

History:Chartreux history is steeped in legend, even though the breed was only

advanced to championship status in 1987.

There exists a lovely old legend that the Chartreux lived with, and were named

for, the Carthusian monks of France. Recent research, however, indicates that

because of the woolly character of their fur, they were given the same name as a

well known Spanish wool of the early 18th century. Since this method of naming

is common in animal husbandry, it is very likely the truth. Nevertheless, the

presence of this natural breed of cat was noted in documents as early as the

16th century, and was acknowledged for its unique coat texture and color.

Whatever the reason, the Chartreux adopted France with all their native vitality

and intelligence, and the country adopted the breed.

Personality:Chartreux quickly become attached to one family and frequently follow their

masters from room to room. Known for their dog-like behavior, these cats can be

taught to fetch a ball, and most will respond to their names. The Chartreux is a

quiet breed, chirping rather than meowing at things it finds interesting. This

intelligent cat is fascinated by television and likes to participate in telephone

conversations by chewing on the cord. Most importantly, the Chartreux should

enjoy or at least tolerate being handled for exhibition.

Physical Traits:Often described as a "potato on toothpicks," the Chartreux has a robust body,

broad shoulders and a deep chest, all complemented by medium short, finely

boned legs. The Chartreux is well muscled, which would enable the cat to meet

its obligation as the fine mouser it is reputed to be in French literature. Unlike

any other cat, the Chartreux's blue fur is medium in length and woolly, with the

proper coat breaking at the neck, chest, and flanks. A dense undercoat gives it

resistance and a feeling of sheep's wool. The Chartreux is known for its smile.

The rounded head with its softly contoured forehead tapers to a narrowed

muzzle. This gives the Chartreux an image of smiling. The nose is straight with a

slight stop at eye level. The Chartreux's eyes are one of its most endearing

features. They are rounded, but not as round as the Persian's. The outer corners

curve slightly upward. Color ranges from gold to copper, the latter being most

preferred by breeders. The ears should be medium in height and width, set high

and erect on the head. Physical maturity can be three years in coming, with an

awkward stage between kitten and adulthood that could be described as gawky.

Grooming:Brushing the double coat is a no-no. Instead, running your fingers through the

fur on a daily basis will suffice and will also contribute to your cat's social

demeanor at the same time.

About UsCarchet Chartreux is the passion of Carole McFadden and Chet Walborn, both active

members of the cat fancy. Carole is currently the elected Chair of TICA’s Chartreux

Breed Committee. We started in the cat fancy by exhibiting our alters and premieres.

We found we greatly enjoyed pursuing this activity with our cats and the wonderful

friendships that have developed along the way. We have titled or cats to Grand Premiere

and Supreme Grand Champion titles in CFA and TICA respectively while achieving

Regional Wins, International Wins and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

We have focused mostly on the Chartreux Breed for

the past six years. We believe that being actively involved in exhibition is an important

part in maintaining a high quality breeding program. We only breed on a very limited

basis. When we breed, we breed for health, temperament and type according to the

Chartreux Standard. We strive to preserve the early type of this very old historical breed

as much as possible. Although we breed for show quality they are also wonderful pets.

We are willing to help you find just the right companion weather it is a kitten or an adult.

When we do not have something for you we will refer you to someone we feel we can

trust . This is a hobby for us, a pursuit of excellence and not a business.

We take our role as breeders very seriously. When we orchestrate new lives to come into

this world we are responsible to make sure that they are as free from genetic defects or

health concerns as humanly possible. That is why we assume the expense and effort to

screen for known and/or possible health problems. Our breeding stock is screened by

echocardiogram and evaluated by a board certified cardiologist to be free of physical

manifestation of HCM. We evaluate our cats for absence of patellar luxation. We have

had all of our cats tested to ensure they are free of FLV and FIV. We are striving to

produce kittens which are Corona virus negative to prevent the development of FIP. Our

cats test negative for Tritrichomonus Foetus.

Our cats are raised with the best of veterinary care and fed a handcrafted species

appropriate raw diet. We feed and recommend RAD raw organic diets to all our cats

because they are obligate carnivores. Our cats are family members and our home is our

cattery. Our cats do not live in cages. Our home is smoke free and we strive to keep it

as safe and comfortable for our family members as possible.

We are very selective about where our cats are placed as we feel it is our responsibility to

see that they are happy, healthy and receive the best of care for their entire lives.

A big ‘thank you’ goes to Nancy Dionne for entrusting us with our first Chartreux:-

Lifetime Achievement Winner, International Winner: 5th Best International All Breed

Alter, Supreme Grand Champion Alter and CFA Grand Premiere: Grandbois Augustus.

Thanks also for helping us establish the basis of our breeding program and for allowing

us to co-breed wonderful Chartreux to show including TICA’s Best International All

Breed Alter of 2011: IW, SGCA Etienne Guittard. We are forever grateful for your

support. Additionally thanks go to Jeanne Johnson of Bluejean Chartreux for letting her

beloved Abraham visit Carchet Cats for parenting duties when Edit’ did not want to

travel.

2010 Awards Card

The Russian Blue

History:Little is known about the history of the Russian Blue. Some speculate that it is a

natural breed from the northern Isles of Russia originally trapped for its fine

pelt. It is also rumored that the Russian Blue is a descendant of the favored

Royal Cat of the Russian Czar, as well as a favorite of Queen Victoria. What is

known for certain is that they were first shown in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in

England as the Archangel Cat, the original Russian Blue competed in a class for

all blue cats. In 1912 the Russian Blue was given a its own class. Although

Russians were imported to the United States as early as 1900, there is little

recorded work with the breed in America until after World War II. In the 1960s

the Russian Blue began to gain popularity and has become a favorite both at cat

shows and at home.

Physical Traits:This breed has a short, dense coat of even, bright blue color with a silvery sheen

and lustrous appearance. They have large, rounded, wide-set vivid green eyes.

The head holds a broad, medium wedge and flat profile, with large, pointed ears

that are wide at the base and set toward the side of the head. In contrast, the

body is finely-boned, long, and firmly muscled.

Personality:Quiet, clean, very intelligent, and playful, the Russian Blue makes a loving

companion. While affectionate and devoted towards their loved ones, these cats

are typically shy in nature. Blues are sensitive to the mood of the house, and get

along well with children and other pets.

Grooming:The Russian requires a minimum of grooming, periodic nail clipping, and a coat

that can be kept looking good by frequent petting and an occasional combing.

Many Russians seem to enjoy being combed or brushed.

The Birman

History:Believed to have originated in their namesake Burma, where it was considered

sacred, the companion cat of the Kittah priests. There is a legend as to how the

Birmans developed the colors they are today:

Originally, the guardians of the Temple of LaoTsun were yellow-eyed white cats

with long hair. The golden goddess of the temple, Tsun-Kyan-Kse, had deep blue

eyes. The head priest, Mun-Ha, had as his companion a beautiful cat named

Sinh. One day the temple was attacked and Mun-Ha was killed. At the moment

of his death, Sinh placed his feet on his master and faced the goddess. The cat's

white fur took on a golden cast, his eyes turned as blue as the eyes of the

goddess, and his face, legs and tail became the color of earth. However, his

paws, where they touched the priest, remained white as a symbol of purity. All

the other temple cats became similarly colored. Seven days later, Sinh died,

taking the soul of Mun-Ha to paradise.

The modern history of the Birman is almost as shrouded in mystery as its

legendary origin. What is known for certain is that, probably around 1919, a

pair of Birman cats were clandestinely shipped from Burma to France. The male

cat did not survive the arduous conditions of the long voyage, but the female,

Sita, did survive, and happily, was pregnant. From this small foundation the

Birman was established in the western world. The French cat registry

recognized the Birman as a separate breed in 1925. By the end of WWII, only

two Birmans were left alive in Europe, and a program of outcrossing was

necessary to reestablish the breed. Most cat registries require at least five

generations of pure breeding after outcrossings to fully accredit a breed for

championship competition. Birmans were finally recognized by England in 1966

and by The Cat Fanciers' Association in 1967.

Personality:Marvelous creatures, the Birman are described as; gentle, active, and playful,

but quiet and unobtrusive if you are busy with other things.

Physical Traits:A large, long, stocky cat. It has long silky hair, not as thick as that of the

Persian, and is of a texture that does not mat. The color of the coat is light,

preferably with a golden cast, as if misted with gold. The "points" - face, legs

and tail - are darker, similar to the Siamese and colorpointed Persian color

patterns of seal point, blue point, chocolate point and lilac point. The almost

round eyes are blue, set in a strong face with heavy jaws, full chin and Roman

nose with nostrils set low. The very distinctive white feet are ideally

symmetrical. The gloves on the front feet, if perfect, go across in an even line,

and on the back feet end in a point up the back of the leg, called laces. It is very

difficult to breed a cat with four perfect white gloves.

Grooming:There are no special grooming needs beyond that of basic good care for any cat.

FI* Souriant

Welcome to the site dedicated to the Cattery FI*Souriant and itsChartreux Cats

Maija, Elodie, Wenneri, Athos and Porthos.

The Chartreux is a very old breed: the blue cat was mentioned in the French medieval

literature for the first time in the 16th century. In Finland this charming French breed was

re-established in 1999.

If your wish to have more information on the Chartreux Cat in Finland or, Wenneri,

Athos, Maija, Elodie and Porthos

please call at +358 (0)44 5424468 (mobile) or send an e-mail

Enjoy your visit !

Anne Lehtimäki

Our Chartreux

The cattery, FI*Souriant, is located near the lake Littoinen in Kaarina in

the southern part of Finland.

"Souriant" is French and means "smiling", the word du Bellay used in

describing his beloved Chartreux Cat, Bélaud, some 500 years ago.

The lake is ideal for recreational purposes: swimming, skiing, skating...

Our Chartreux, Wenneri, Athos, Maija, Elodie and Porthos, are treated

as family members. Every now and then our smiling French cats

participate in the Cat Shows. Please come to meet us and our easy-going,

beautiful blue cats !

SC U.Aramis de Fasel

Breeder: Florence Lévêque, France

Anne Lehtimäki

+358 (0) 44 5424468

SubmenuIC Fric-Frac de Fer et VeloursSouriant MistigriSC BleudeBess Étoile de NoëlIC Elodie de Ballymonelies

The History of the Chartreux:

Chartreux is a very old breed of cats. Chartreux cats were first mentioned in literature in 1558 in a poem by the Frenchman du Bellay* There are other mentions of Chartreux by the French naturalist Buffon in 1756 and by the French biologist Linnaeus in 1735. The name Chartreux was first given to the breed in 1723 in a work by Savarry des Brusion. 

It is not likely that the name Chartreux came from the monks of the Order of the Chartreux who lived in the monastery called the Grand Chartreuse as was once believed. It was thought that the monks wore robes that were blue-gray in color. It was also thought that blue-gray cats lived in the Grand Chartreuse monastery with the monks of the Order of the Chartreux. However, the Prior of the Grand Chartreuse in 1972, after checking the archives of the Grand Chartreuse, said that robes of monks were actually white in color and that no breed of cat ever lived at Grand Chatreuse.

The name Chartreux might have come from a type of blue-gray wool which was brought from Spain to France and this particular wool carried the name the Pile of Chartreux. Chartreux cats were known to exist in France by 1558 as was first mentioned. Where did they exist before 1558? Some have said that the Portuguese brought them from South Africa after Barthelemy Diaz first sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. It is not likely that the Portuguese took time to capture wild cats and bring them back alive to Portugal. According to the letter of the Prior of the Grand Chartreuse in 1972, neither did the monks of the Order of the Chartreux bring blue-gray cats back to France from South Africa.

Several theories indicate that the cats came from the island of Malta and from the Russian empire. Jean Simonnet did not see any evidence of Chartreux during his travels in Russia. 

Another theory says that blue cats were brought to Europe from Syria which before 1500 included present day Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. An Italian scholar named Aldrovandi described a breed of cat which came from Syria which strongly resembled Chartreux. There are mountainous regions of pre-1500 Syria where cats with the woolly coat of Chartreux could have lived. One thing is certain--Chartreux cats have lived in France for a very long time. How and when Chartreux arrived in France is not certain. The breed we know as Chartreux did come from France, but might have had origins in another place such as Syria.

*All facts came from The Chartreux Cat by Jean Simonnet, copyright Paris, 1990.

The Chartreux Standard:

A Chartreux is a blue cat having fur ranging in color from shades of light gray to darker shades of gray which may give it slate blue appearance. Males are larger than females and can range in weight from 10 to 20 pounds. Females can range in weight from 10 to 14 pounds. A Chartreux has fur which is medium in length and is classified as a shorthair cat by the organizations (CFA, ACFA, TICA) which register breeds of cats. Actually, Chartreux have a dense undercoat which give the cat a woolly appearance. A Chartreux has a body which is medium to large in length with medium short legs that help to give it a robust appearance. It has a tail which is medium in length.

The head of a Chartreux is round but not a sphere with medium-sized ears set high on its head. Its eyes are gold to orange to copper in color which can be very striking to the onlooker. The disposition of a Chartreux is pleasant and delightful. Its temperament is pleasing and congenial. A Chartreux, of course, likes the company of other Chartreux, but adapts very well to the companionship of people including children. It will display independence but will seek out human attention by following its owner around the house, jumping onto its owner's bed in the morning when it is time to eat and/or play or climbing onto its owner's lap while the owner is watching TV. A Chartreux may sleep on its owner's bed, but will get up in the middle of the night for a snack, a drink of water or to use its litter box. It is very likely to display the nocturnal behavior of cats, wild or tame, large or small. A Chartreux will respond very positively to its owner running his/her fingers through its fur. In fact, the social demeanor of a Chartreux will improve with this kind of attention from its owner.

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