Pen Picture
| Loving | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Child Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | High but self sustaining |
| Climbing | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Maturity | Slow about 4-5years |
| Growth | Slow over 3-5 years |
| Good outside | No needs secure garden |
| Energy Level | High |
| Intelligence | Very High |
| Vocalisation | Medium |
| Moulting | Medium other than in Spring |
Apocryphal History
The people of Asia Minor were the first to domesticate cats which rapidly was taken up by the Egyptians and the Phoenician traders. The Phoenicians together with the Romans were the first incursions of domestic cats into Europe. This cat is thought to be Felis libyca. On reaching Europe it is postulated that Felis libyca may have interbred with the stocky and heavier European wildcat Felis sylvestris (or possibly mutated) to produce the precursors of many of today’s cats. However, as Felis sylvestris is not seen in the Scandinavian countries it is suspected that cats entered Norway after being picked up by the Vikings. For many centuries there have been documented stories of large Norwegian Skogkatt (forest cat in Norwegian) on farms and in the surrounding forest. Regardless of their initial genesis there is enough evidence to cite them as a ‘natural species’.
In Norway, a movement started in the 1930’s to have the Skogkatt recognised as a breed and this culminated with the first Norwegian Forest Cat being exhibited in a cat show in Oslo during 1938. Unfortunately, this was pre-empted by the commencement of World War II where during and immediately afterwards the breeding of cats was considered to be a low priority. During these years the Skogkatt came to the borderline of extinction.
The breed was championed by Carl-Fredrick Nordane and in recognition of his and the work of others namely, Pans Cattery owned by the late Egil and Else Nylund (the mother of the Skogkatt), bred Pans Truls a cat whose physiology was used to define the phenotype of the breed for show purposes.
They were fully recognised and accepted in their own right at the FIFe General Assembly held in Paris in 1977 and the breeding standard was set. This breed standard (for show) was the very first that fully described how this species should look based on historical descriptions, photographs and drawings. Therefore, this is the standard that most traditional breeders use. This standard is a key descriptor to be used on this historically significant breed particularly considering some of the changes being enforced on this majestic breed.
However it is equally important to note that this was imposed on the Skogkatt at the time for show purposes. Like all breeds of cat there are variations. Some are bigger whilst some are smaller. Some have shaggy coats others not so much. The traditional breed standard is just a set of rules for showing cats. Not the holy Bible of how a cat must look. In my opinion the thing that sets the Norwegian Forest Cat higher above all others is their personality. So to put it in simplistic terms when the Norwegian breed standard was based on a single cat. This is the same as saying a human breed standard is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. If you don’t look like them you cannot be human.
The people of Asia Minor were the first to domesticate cats, a practice which was swiftly adopted by both the Egyptians and the Phoenician traders. The Phoenicians, alongside the Romans, facilitated the earliest introductions of domestic cats into Europe. These cats are believed to be Felis libyca. Upon arrival in Europe, it is theorised that Felis libyca may have interbred with the robust European wildcat, Felis sylvestris, or possibly undergone mutation, resulting in the ancestors of many modern domestic cats. However, since Felis sylvestris is absent from Scandinavian regions, it is presumed that cats were introduced to Norway by the Vikings. For centuries, there have been documented accounts of large Norwegian Skogkatt (forest cats) inhabiting farms and woodlands. Irrespective of their precise origins, substantial evidence supports their recognition as a ‘natural species’.
In Norway, a movement commenced in the 1930s to secure formal recognition of the Skogkatt as a distinct breed, culminating in the exhibition of the first Norwegian Forest Cat at a cat show in Oslo in 1938. Unfortunately, these efforts were disrupted by the onset of World War II, during which cat breeding was understandably deprioritised. As a result, the Skogkatt population dwindled to the brink of extinction.
The breed’s revival was largely due to the advocacy of Carl-Fredrick Nordane and notable contributions from Pans Cattery, owned by the late Egil and Else Nylund (often referred to as the mother of the Skogkatt). Pans Truls, a cat bred by the Nylunds, served as the physiological model for defining the breed’s phenotype for exhibition purposes.
Norwegian Forest Cats received full recognition at the FIFe General Assembly held in Paris in 1977, where an official breeding standard was established. This standard was the first comprehensive description of the breed’s ideal characteristics, informed by historical records, photographs and drawings. Consequently, it remains the benchmark for traditional breeders and is particularly significant in light of contemporary changes affecting this distinguished breed.
However it is equally important to note that this standardfwas imposed on the Skogkatt at the time for the purpose of getting the breed accepted for show purposes. Like all breeds of cat there are variations. Some are bigger whilst some are smaller. Some have shaggy coats others not so much. The traditional breed standard is just a set of rules for showing cats. Not the holy Bible of how a cat must look. In my opinion the thing that sets the Norwegian Forest Cat higher above all others is their intelligence personality.
So to put it in simple terms when the Norwegian breed standard was based on a single cat. This is the same as saying a human breed standard is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. If you don’t look like them you cannot be human.