Norwegian Forest Cat

Appearance/description

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large cat but not the largest domestic cat breed. Adult males weigh 6 to 10 kg (13 to 22 lbs), while females are approximately half that size. The body should be “substantial” with a good depth of flank and long (see Cat Body Types). This cat has evolved naturally over a long period of time to become suited to the cold environment by developing a thick, semi-long, all weather coat. Their coat is essentially waterproof due to its coarse outer layer and dense underlay. The fur makes this cat look larger that it is. Norwegian Forest Cats have tufted ears and a long bushy tail. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is accepted by the cat associations in all traditional colours. Here are some important points on apperance:

• the eyes are wide set, open, large and almond shaped;
• the head should be triangular. In fact all three side of the triangle should be equal. The profile should be straight and the chin strong. The profile should be straight from the forehead to the nose;
• the ears should be wide at the base, wide apart, set high on the head and have heavy ear furnishings (ear hair) with lynx like tufts at the tip;
• a full ruff is preferred and what is called “britches” meaning longer hair on the hind legs;
• the coat should be smooth and water repellent (so that it beads up when wet);
• the body should be large, the bone structure solid and there should be good musculature;
• the eye colour is unrelated to coat colour;
• the tail, as mentioned is bushy and long. It should be the same length as the body.
• please click on the link for a look at the various breed standards (in outline) with a large format slide show of photographs.

Being a forest cat the hind legs are powerful. This cat is a fine jumper able to climb trees well and climb down them equally efficiently. In fact, they sometimes come down from a considerable height head first running down the tree trunk as if on the flat. I have seen this myself as I lived with a NFC hybrid.

Tabby Norwegian Forest Cats and bicolour NFCs are frequently seen in non purebred cats (moggies or random bred cats) and as this breed originates from that sort of cat and without the breed standard encouraging otherwise (all colours and all divisions – TICA breed standard), tabbies and bicolours are frequently encountered (src: The Encyclopedia of the Cat) – see the mackerel tabby below:

The silver tabby and white can look tarnished, which is not considered a flaw in the Norwegian Forest Cat but it is in other breeds (src: The Encyclopedia of the Cat). Characteristics such as:

• cats that are too small and finely built;
• heads that are rounded or too square;
• a profile with a break;
• eyes that are round;
• ears that are too small or narrow at the base;
• legs that are short and/or thin;
• a short tail;
• too cobby or too long a body or
• a dry coat or a coat that is too silky;

…are frowned upon (src: TICA breed standard)