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The Norwegian Forest Cat has been around for centuries. It can be
found in literature and art from the early 1900's and some of the
oldest stories describe a cat that explored the world with the
Vikings, protecting their grain stores on land and sea.
The "Skogkatt", meaning Forest Cat, as it is know in Europe really
did come out of the Scandinavian forests some time in the last
4000 years. They are not feral or wild, but are in fact quite
people orientated. People first started thinking of preserving the
breed around 1938, but when the war began priorities changed and
it was not until the beginning of the 1970's that people once
again took notice of the rapidly disappearing Forest Cat. FIFe
international approval was given in 1977 and the cats started
spreading around the world. All registered Norwegian Forest cats
are descended from Norwegian, Swedish or Finnish cats, with no out
crossing allowed.
The "Wegie" as they are called by those who know them are
relatively large cats, they are strongly built and have a solid
bone structure. They have a triangular shaped head and a straight
profile with large tufted ears ending in 'lynx' tips, any colour
eyes are permissible, regardless of coat colour. Norwegian Forest
Cats have a thick undercoat and water-repellent guard hairs. The
combination of these two coat types, allows the Forest cat to
resist even the harshest weather conditions. In winter, the coat
is very thick, while in summer the coat is shed and only the
characteristic, fluffy tail and ear tufts remain.
Wegies come in most colours from the deepest black to the purest
white, with every possible coat colour and pattern in between,
with the exception of the colour point colours seen in the Siamese
breed such as seal, chocolate and lilac. The Norwegian Forest Cat
Development Group of South Africa have decided against importing
entirely white cats, or cats with white ears into the country,
because of the risk of skin cancer. We have the genetic capability
in our cats to produce any other colour, including red and cream
females.
For generations this cat had to fend for itself, giving it a very
strong will and robust nerves. Norwegian Forest Cats seldom become
nervous or restless and accept change and new situations with
surprising equanimity. The Forest Cat is a lively, alert and
strong cat that gets on well with other breeds of cat, dogs, and
children. The NFO usually attaches itself to one person in
particular, whom it will follow through thick and thin.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is truly nature’s gift; it is a feast for
the eyes and a delight to the fingertips!
History of the Norwegian Forest Cat in South Africa:
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a relatively new breed to South
Africa, they were only recognised here in January 1994.
Fjord’s Odin, born in January 1990, bred from Naima’s Sylvester
and Froya de la Pendjari, who were in South Africa for a short
time before returning to Belgium, was the foundation Stud in this
country.
Kyrrekat Minerva, bred from Hakon Rein Felis Jubatus and Kyrrekat
Nematona, was imported from the United Kingdom and Potpourri av
Trollsfjord DM, bred from IC. Unikum av Trollsfjord and GIC.
Matilda av Trollsfjord and imported from Germany, were the
foundation queens in this country.
For a few years, there were very few breeders of the Norwegian
Forest Cat in South Africa and very few people had even heard of
the breed. Thanks to the hard work of the first breeders and their
beautiful cats, the breed is now more widely know and is usually
well represented at shows.
The cats we have in South Africa have the genetic capability to
produce any colour except white, including red and cream females.
© Lauren Cory 2004
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Corros Sylvia
Parents: Sup. Ch. Elkington's Grizzley Bear of Corros
x DK Sakeena's Katherina den Store of Corros
Breeder: Cordula de Recht
Owner: Dianne Wood |
Ratatosk Tsuro
Parents: Ch. Vincent Felis Audax x Ch. Ratatosk
Jewel
Breeder: P & L Redelinghuys
Owner: Lauren Cory
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Sup. Ch.
Tigressan Qajen
Parents: S*Gomorran's
Totmes x S*Rockringen's LimpBizkit
Breeder: Carina Olofsson
Owner: Dianne Wood
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Pr. Mickles Chloe
Parents: Sup. Ch. Elkington's Grizzley Bear of
Corros x Ratatosk Cameo of Mickles
Breeder/Owner: Lesley McClure
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Sup. Ch. Tjarka's Algernon
Parents: Sup. Ch. Ratatosk Eros x Tjaka's Jettle
Breeder: Caroline Steenekamp
Owner: Hein Mulder |
Ratatosk Nusi
Parents:Sup.
Ch. Ratatosk Eros x Kiara Von Aminius
Breeder: P & L Redelinghuys
Owner: Lauren Cory |
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Pr. Ratatosk Chipembere
Parents: Sup. Ch. Ratatosk Eros x Kiara Von
Aminius
Breeder: P & L Redelinghuys
Owner: Lauren Cory |
The Legends Moonraker
Parents: Sup. Ch. Elkington's Grizzley Bear
of Corros x Ratatosk Xena
Breeder: Petra Smith
Owner: Karen Fourie
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The Legends
Asterix
Parents:
Sup. Ch. Elkington's Grizzley Bear of Corros x Ch.
Dansbjerg’s Remmi
Breeder: Petra Smith
Owner: Jenny Roux
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Foxwoods Shylo
Parents: Ch. Vincent Felis Audax x Starkad's Wendy
of Foxwoods
Breeder/Owner: Dianne Wood |
The Legends Big Surprise
Parents: Gr. Ch. Ratatosk Muswe x Corros
Polar Ice
Breeder: Petra Smith
Owner: Lynette Vermeulen
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The
Legends Maya The Bee
Parents: Sup. Ch. Elkington's Grizzley Bear of Corros x Ch.
Dansbjerg’s Remmi
Breeder/Owner: Petra Smith
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The Legends Octopussy of Fairycats
Parents: Sup. Ch. Elkington's
Grizzley Bear of Corros x Ratatosk Xena
Breeder: Petra Smith
Owner: Sunette Mulder
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Gr. Pr.
Ratatosk Shumba
Parents: Ch. Vincent Felis Audax x Ch. Ratatosk Jewel
Breeder: P & L Redelinghuys
Owner: Petra Smith
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From Left to Right:
Pr. Ratatosk Sassi
Parents: Gr. Ch.
Furry Boots Thor x Ratatosk Jytte
Breeder: P & L Redelinghuys
Owner: Lauren Cory
The Legends Rude Awakening
Parents: Gr. Ch. Ratatosk Muswe
x Corros Polar Ice
Breeder: Petra Smith
Owner: Gavin Smith
Ch. Vincent Felis Audax
Parents: GIC. Tahtiyon Alfa x Mithril Felis
Audax
Breeder: Minna & Kjeld Krogh
Owner: Petra Smith
Foxwoods Savannah
Parents: Sup. Ch. Tigressan Qajen x Starkad's
Wendy of Foxwoods
Breeder/Owner: Dianne Wood
Thank you to
Lauren Cory
for providing these beautiful photos
and the Norwegian Forest Profile.
http://www.geocities.com/nfokittens/
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Ratings out of 10 |
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Compatibility:
-Children
-Other Pets
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9 |
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Grooming |
6 |
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Affection |
9 |
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Playfulness |
9 |
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Attention Need |
7 |
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Healthiness |
9 |
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Independence |
8 |
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Activity Level |
8 |
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Vocality |
2 |
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Intelligence |
9 |
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