The main characteristic of this beautiful cat is certainly given by the warm chocolate color of its abundant coat, which can be united or associated with white, which remains however limited to the stomach and sometimes to the ruff.
There is also a two-tone variety, always with the predominant chocolate color and with white which is distributed over the collar, chest and belly and forms ankle boots on the forelegs, while it is only found on the plantar area. posterior.
The origins of the York Chocolate cat
Janet Chiefari, the American breeder who selected the York Chocolate cat from 1983, started this activity almost by accident.
Fleeing the bustle of New York to take refuge in an old farmhouse near Albany, she found within the reach of her pussy Blacky (a long-haired white and black kitten who had let herself be seduced by the neighbors’ black cat) a little cat in the beautiful dark chestnut dress that she called Brownie.
Janet recognized her value and made her mate with one of her brothers. She obtained two kittens which presented the same characteristics as their mother.
These were the strains of this new breed, since it is from them that the united cats as well as the two-colored cats come, all rigorously chocolate.
These are Siamese ancestors, common to both parents of York Chocolate, who introduced the chocolate color gene, even if their descendants are frankly larger: an adult male can weigh up to 7 to 8 kg.
Appearance of the York Chocolate Cat
The structure of the York Chocolate cat ranges from medium to large; it is massive and has good musculature. The head, in a triangle, has medium proportions and turns out to be longer than it is wide, with a slightly rounded forehead.
The nose is twice as long as it is wide, the muzzle is not pointed. The almond-shaped eyes are medium in size, set wide apart and oblique to the nose.
Their color should be as intense as possible but always green, gold or hazelnut. The ears, carried slightly forward on the forehead and well spaced to continue the triangular line of the head, are broad and pointed.
The legs are quite long, with a robust frame and rather muscular; the hind legs are longer than the front ones and the feet are full and round with five toes on the forelegs and four on the hind legs.
The tail is frankly long and full, broad at the base. The coat is medium or long, the coat smooth and shiny adheres to the body; the texture is supple and silky down to the root, without a woolly undercoat.
The ruff is well supplied, while the hairs are shorter on the muzzle, the belly and the lower part of the legs.
Coat color of the York Chocolate Cat
As we deduce from the name of this beautiful cat, its color is always chocolate, more or less associated with white.
Character of of the York Chocolate Cat
Kind and affectionate cat, the York Chocolate cat is active and playful; it bonds well with the whole family, although it is particularly fond of those who take care of them.
It likes to have company but, if it knows it is not alone, it can very well isolate themselves to take a nap.
Very curious by nature, it is interested in all the members of the family and it is a perfect butler: when the doorbell rings, it rushes to the door, precedes the guests into the living room where, perfectly at its ease, it study them carefully.
Hug:
This little feline teddy bear is really soft, both in terms of the coat and its affectionate character.
Player:
It knows how to be lively and dynamic when offered a totally captivating game: a feather duster waved in the distance and let’s go for the quarter of an hour of madness!
Calm:
It will also have its moments of respite, between two periods of play, during which it will groom themselves, keep an eye on what is happening around them and take a little snooze!
Intelligent:
Smart like no other, York Chocolate will know how to be creative enough to achieve its end or will simply learn how to make you fall for it so that you meet its needs!
Fearful / suspicious of strangers:
In general it is curious when a new person enters its home. It is necessary to give them time to acclimatize to the novelty, by offering them high places where it will take refuge if the need arises. A few treats and games can’t hurt!
Independent:
It will enjoy spending time with you but also going about its business alone. The York Chocolate divides its time well between itself and its humans, in order to maintain the relationships that pay off for it!
Behavior of the York Chocolate Cat
Talkative:
Its voice is not too strong, despite the crosses with the Siamese that can be found among its ancestors.
Greedy / glutton:
If it starts eating more than it needs, maybe it is because it has nothing else to do and tries to occupy its time in a pleasant way? Whatever the reason, watch out for this cat’s tendency to eat more than necessary.
Need for exercise:
The feline needs to run and expend its natural hunter energy. In order for them to enjoy themselves indoors and for its well-being, it is necessary to take time to play with them.
Runaway:
It’ll be very good at adapting to life indoors, but if it has the option of going out into a garden, it probably won’t let it go!
Compatibility of the York Chocolate Cat with other animals
The York Chocolate and the Dogs:
The company of another animal will bother them at first and that’s natural. But, once the introductions are done and your feline companion knows it has plenty of places to take refuge, dog and cat will probably find a way to get along and, who knows, one day become the best friends in the world!
The Chocolate York and the Other Cats:
The presence of a congener is not likely to please them very much but it is only temporary. This cat has a tendency to accept new things and it shouldn’t take long to charm the newcomer!
The York Chocolate and the Children:
This cat makes an excellent companion for children, thanks to its happy mixture of calm and energy. It will have the patience to play with them and they will be only too happy with their new boyfriend!
York Chocolate and Seniors:
When young, York Chocolate may be a bit too lively and energetic for a calm person, but as it ages its maturity will outweigh its liveliness and it will become a good companion. for a quiet person, as long as they are able to meet the need to move of their feline companion.
Price of the York Chocolate Cat
On average, the purchase price of a York Chocolate kitten in breeding is between 850 USD and 1500 USD. The price varies according to the lineage of the kitten, the breeding, the age at the time of acquisition or even the sex. For the monthly budget, it will take an average of 50 USD per month to meet the needs for the purchase of quality bedding and food.
Maintenance of the York Chocolate Cat
Grooming:
It has a reputation for having an easy to maintain coat despite the density of its fur and the presence of a little undercoat, so a weekly brushing is sufficient.
Hair Loss:
It does not lose much hair except perhaps during seasonal shedding.
Food for the York Chocolate Cat
It needs a quality balanced diet, recommended by the veterinarian, that will keep them healthy. Combine daily exercise and you put the odds in your favour for your four-legged friend to maintain excellent health!
Caring for the York Chocolate Cat
The York Chocolate cat is a healthy and robust cat, which does not require special care. Grooming is facilitated by the silky and soft structure of the coat and the absence of a woolly undercoat.
Health of the York Chocolate Cat
Life
expectancy : Its life expectancy is between 15 and 20 years .
Resistant / robust:
Its dense fur offers it some protection against cold and heat but less against extreme temperatures.
Tendency to gain
weight : It will tend to be overweight if its diet is not carefully monitored and if it does not exercise enough. Serve them his food in interactive bowls and you’ll kill two birds with one stone – keep them busy and its calorie intake will be lower!
Frequent illnesses:
York Chocolate can one day develop the same pathologies as any other cat, such as oral pathologies. Some other illnesses can appear as:
- The hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which results in a thickening of the heart muscle. By decompensating, this pathology can cause heart failure which can result in arrhythmias, lung edema, thrombosis of an artery, etc. Screening is carried out by an echocardiography examination, to be repeated in general on an annual basis. Treatment can be given according to the ultrasound report to improve the cat’s comfort.
Reproduction:
The number of kittens per litters is approximately 3.
Marriage with other races is prohibited.
Good to know
Kittens may have tabby markings on their coats until they are 1.5 years old before they disappear.
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