Description

The big strong cat, with it’s bushy tail and water-resistence semilong coat, which the Norwegian nature, for centuries, without mercy, created. And nature made sure that only the strongest survived cold, snowstorms, ice and rain, and continued to make the breed adapted to survive in the harshest climate on the farthest northern part of Europe. The forest cat’s inner fur is covered with a long, smooth, pendent outer coat that can be best compared to a protective shield. It stops water from penetrating to its inner fur and skin and thus enables the cat to shrug off downpours, snow and gales, and to cope with temperatures that may drop to thirty or forty degrees C below zero. To protect the most sensitive parts of the body a bit extra, these got longer coat, as collar, eartufts, tufts between their toes, also the cheeks and breast got a longer coat. The bottoms of paws are adorned by long tufts to prevent of bury into fresh powder snow. During summer, the cats are almost shorthaired, only the tail and “knickers” remain long hair. 

There is still something wild in its watchful gaze, alert, all-seeing. Their head is triangular with straight profile. The legs are high, the hind legs slightly higher than the front legs. the Forest cat moves like an athlete and is extremely good in climbing trees, and in fact, almost as good in getting down again, with their heads first.

The Norwegian Forest cat has evolved through the centuries as a product of its environment. They had to feed, defend and protect themselves from the elements in the forests. Only the cats that were good hunters and fast to escape from predators survived. Norwegian Forest cats that survived their first winter had the correct, semilong, water-repellent coat and were well-proportioned, strong and intelligent. The Forest cat is courageous and fearless. For generations it has learnt that the best kind of defence is an attack. This gives it a very strong will and robust nerves. Forest cats do not become nervous or restless. They accept every change with surprising equanimity and easily adjust to new situations. These traits carry into the show ring today. 

he Norwegian Forest cat is an intelligent alert breed. They need plenty of room to climb indoor and sufficiency stimulation. They are still playful, wild, yet not aggressive and quite prepared to be affectionate. It is a family member, like most cats. It is often a bit reserved with strangers, but usually gentle, friendly cats. The Forest cat is social, friendly cat, who likes both human and other cats. They are also very intelligent and “speak” a lot, without being noisy. Most Forest cats prefer a cat companion instead of being a single cat. 

The coat is, in spite of its length, quite easy to care for, but in the shedding season they can get some smaller knots.