For the record this is a new experimental cat breed that, as I understand it, is the same or very similar to the Chausie, an established wildcat hybrid made in America.
Both the Poljun and the Chausie are created by mating a small wild cat species called the jungle cat (felis chaus) with a domestic cat. The jungle cat looks like a domestic cat. This creates a first filial wild cat hybrid. These sorts of breeds are quite distinct in their behaviour from regular domestic cats. They are sharper and more active, requiring more attention from their caretaker.
The dual name for this breed appears to have come from the fact that TICA renamed the cat from Jungle to Poljun. Although, I have not seen this breed listed on the TICA site at the date of this post.
The Poljun, we are told, was created by Ewa Zgrabczynska in Poland. We are told that “the gene pool of this breed consists of many hybrid cats…”. Therefore, on that statement the Poljun is not a simple jungle cat/domestic cat cross. I confess to be a bit confused as to its pedigree.
The coat is heavily ticked. This breed is a ticked tabby similar in appearance to the all-domestic and well-known Abyssinian cat. Sarah Hartwell (messybeast.com) says that the coat of this cat breed can be the “servaline pattern” which is a freckled tabby. A modified version of the spotted tabby with smaller spots.
The Poljun needs to look wild and be well proportioned and lean reflecting its wild cat ancestor the jungle cat. The overall appearance is a slightly slender (oriental) and athletic cat. This cat should not give the appearance of being lazy.
Breeders say the Poljun is extremely active which endorses what I have stated above. They say their behaviour is a cross between a dog and monkey. They are friendly, inquisitive and non-aggressive.
If the Poljun is an F1 wild cat hybrid (and I don’t believe it is) and similar to the Chausie then the words of Ken Flick will be useful. He said looking after their Chausie was like looking after a cat on crack cocaine. Mr and Mrs Flick were caretakers for an F1 Chausie in America and they found it almost impossible to care for their cat because of the demands placed upon them in terms of activity levels and temperament. They gave up their Chausie to the breeder, eventually.
I am not saying that the Poljun is the same. The description of the breed is vague and it may well be the case that this is not an F1 wild cat hybrid but a breed with some wild cat in him. That is important for character. First filials are less like domestic cats than F5s (fifth filial) obviously.
The cat’s appearance is not (for me) that of a first to third filial wild cat hybrid. Although there is a faint hint of wild cat in the face.
I have a page on living with wild cat hybrids for people interested in adopting a Poljun.
I’m not in favour of cross-breeding wild cats with domestic ones to create new breeds of cat intended for the pet market.
Both species are perfect as nature created them. I don’t understand why some humans think they can improve upon nature’s design. Or what benefits they think cross-breeding actually has for the Jungle Cat.
You have totally missed the point. The argument is simple and I am surprised you have not understood it. When there are irresponsible cat owners and unwanted cats why created more cats deliberately in the form of a new cat breed which also encourages adopters to adopt a bred cat rather than an unwanted cat. Aaron, I am afraid you are stupid.
I have no idea what you are talking about. You’ll have to clarify and clean up your comment before I can reply.
For instance, what has that got to do with the article?