s
HISTORY
Chartreux
| CHATEAUBLEU |
| THE |
CaTTERY
With literature from medieval times to modern-day magazines, the Chartreux's history and future seem markedly tied to written works.
Writings from the 18th century, when European scientists became fascinated with the referencing of all types of plants and animals,
records include four distinguishable cat groups: the common domestic; the Spanish cat (calicos and tortoiseshells); the longhaired, white
Angora; and the blue Chartreux.
Writings from the 18th century, when European scientists became fascinated with the referencing of all types of plants and animals,
records include four distinguishable cat groups: the common domestic; the Spanish cat (calicos and tortoiseshells); the longhaired, white
Angora; and the blue Chartreux.
| HISTORY OR MYSTERY? |
There are many theories to the origin of the Chartreux. One of the most popular
beliefs is that the cats were developed by the Carthusian monks of Grande
Chartreuse, near Grenoble.. It is believed that the monastery dates back to the
fourteenth century or perhaps earlier, but the real origins of this breed are
unknown. It is believed that the Chartreux were brought back to France by the
Crusaders, which came from Syria. The Carthusians accepted these blue cats into
the Monastery as companions. The Carthusians are a silent, unspeaking order, and
the cats picked up some the Monks traits. These cats were bred mainly for the
uniqueness of their coats, which were valued greatly by the Monks, and Crusaders.
Much credit should be given to two sisters, named Christine and Suzanne Leger, who were attracted by the blue-gray fur. The Legers took these
feral cats to use in their breeding program. The Chartreux gene pool was extremely limited so the Leger sisters used other breeds, like the British
shorthair. The initial breeding stock came from geographically isolated colonies of Chartreux; one important colony was on an island, Belle Ile,
where the Leger sisters lived. Early breeders put together a breed standard based on the 18th century naturalists' descriptions. They were careful
from the beginning to utilize only those cats that bred true to the standard. Chartreux from these breeding programs were exhibited in European
shows beginning in 1928.
feral cats to use in their breeding program. The Chartreux gene pool was extremely limited so the Leger sisters used other breeds, like the British
shorthair. The initial breeding stock came from geographically isolated colonies of Chartreux; one important colony was on an island, Belle Ile,
where the Leger sisters lived. Early breeders put together a breed standard based on the 18th century naturalists' descriptions. They were careful
from the beginning to utilize only those cats that bred true to the standard. Chartreux from these breeding programs were exhibited in European
shows beginning in 1928.
By the end of WWII, there were no known natural colonies of blue cats left in France. Since that time Chartreux have been available only from
breeders. They are still relatively rare, even in France. They are unknown in many countries. Chartreux were first imported to the US in the
1970s, and since then, the US is known to have some of the purest breeding lines of Chartreux.
breeders. They are still relatively rare, even in France. They are unknown in many countries. Chartreux were first imported to the US in the
1970s, and since then, the US is known to have some of the purest breeding lines of Chartreux.
Breeders in the US and France have tried to preserve the Chartreux and they have remained unchanged
through the years. The early show cats from the 1930s could succeed in our present day shows. This is
unusual in the cat fancy (many breeds have changed substantially in that time). It is due to the continuous
effort of breeders dedicated to preservation that the Chartreux maintain the look of the standard from the
18th century. We have honored the original French Chartreux breed standard and have maintained the same
general look that the first Chartreux had.
through the years. The early show cats from the 1930s could succeed in our present day shows. This is
unusual in the cat fancy (many breeds have changed substantially in that time). It is due to the continuous
effort of breeders dedicated to preservation that the Chartreux maintain the look of the standard from the
18th century. We have honored the original French Chartreux breed standard and have maintained the same
general look that the first Chartreux had.
Notable French people that have owned pedigreed Chartreux, including General de Gaulle, and the well-known
writer, Colette. Colette's book La Chatte features Saha, one of her Chartreux.
writer, Colette. Colette's book La Chatte features Saha, one of her Chartreux.
| As seen on the Animal Planet TV Station Sept. 25, 2010 |