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.
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.
| 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 and cared for them. 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
General de Gaulle, and the well-known writer, Colette. Colette's book La
Chatte features Saha, one of her Chartreux.
