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.
LMAO!
its a blog about cats and we have hissies about cats that are actually cared for as if caring for them means we don;t care about others.
like loving MY kids means i don;t care about children elsewhere.
tell you what- YOU agree to NEVER have children, EVER. and devote yourself EXCLUSIVELY to helping children elsewhere.
because by this logic we some can’t care for or about other children if we have and care for our own.
sheesh!
its a false premise, and frankly annoying, to blame breeders who are seeking out desirable characterisitcs in an animal- and who invest considerable time and energy (not to mention financial cost) to take various animals species and develop them into aesthetically pleasing specimens for the calamity of abused and neglected animals.
the fact that SOME people are irresponsible for their pets, or that domestic cats and dogs can go feral and reproduce wildly does NOT IN ANY WAY mean that RESPONSIBLE pet owners and breeders should somehow stop being interested in special animals.
its a false premise and a LAZY argument. its like saying:
“why do car dealers sell new cars to drivers when we have junk yards all over the place”
NO- i am NOT saying non-pedigreed animals are “junk” its just an analogy. i have in the past had at the same time expensive blue-point siamese AND a stray mitten-paw.
so spare us the sanctimony. you wouldnt have ANY pet dogs if it werent for carefully supervised domestication of the WOLF.
so go volunteer at your local humane society and massage your misplaced guilt.
Breeders dont care there are thousands dying every day in shelters,as long as they get that almighty dollar in their pocket even with pure breds on petfinder.com
I totally agree. I find it pointless and very selfish. And besides there are so many established breeds already or lovely plain moggies to choose from.
I wish human woulds top creating new breeds when so many in shelters die by the thousand every bloody day.
On a different note does anyone else get POC in their spam mail? I do and dont like it because now I have missed out on several stories :O(
Beautiful feline!