“There are few things in life more gratifying than being welcomed by a cat,” Tay Hahoff once stated. Cats are not only adorable and cuddly, but they can also be quite unexpected at times.
‘Snowshoe cat’ takes the top spot in the category of catchy, astonished, and friendly kitties. Their blue eyes, inverted ‘V’ natural mask, and “snow-shoe” paws have made them famous. They are not only attractive, but they are also well-built.
Male snowshoes are more durable than female snowshoes, yet both are extremely muscular. They’re ideal for pet parents that give their pets plenty of attention. Would you like to learn more about “Snowshoe cats”? Then scroll down.
Contents
Snowshoe Cats Have a Long History
Did you know that snowshoe cats happened to appear by chance? “The genesis of the snowshoe can be traced back to the early 1960s when Dorothy Hinds Daugherty of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania noticed three kittens in a litter of Siamese.
She was so taken with the distinctiveness of the cats that she considered starting a breed. She bred those kittens to a shorthaired domestic cat with Tuxedo markings after obtaining assistance from another breeder. Daugherty eventually gave up on the breeding procedure.
Her work, however, was continued by a group of interested breeders. Finally, for several decades, the most popular snowshoe combination has been the ‘older Siamese’ and Oriental shorthair. This mix gave rise to the breed we know today.
This is a rare and distinct breed. They don’t always keep their desirable characteristics, thus they’re frequently bred to Oriental shorthairs or Siamese to keep them.
Furthermore, because these patterns are caused by recessive genes, they are difficult to pass on in the same way. Snowshoes are still yearning to be acknowledged by some of the world’s most prestigious cat groups due to their scarcity.
“Much of the history of the snowshoe was lost due to inadequately managed documents over time,” according to TICA. This made tracing their ancestors considerably more complicated.
White-socked Siamese, on the other hand, have piqued the interest of cat lovers long before the 1960s, as they can be seen in an ancient Victorian image and on antique Japanese silk. Above all, the Snowshoe cats’ individuality makes them the most enjoyable!
Snowshoe Cat’s Personality
Have you ever had your Snowshoe interrupt you when you were working on your laptop? Have you ever kept track of how many times she licks your hand or jumps and walks around you to attract your attention?
These aren’t uncommon habits among snowshoes, to be sure. Because they have a fun-loving personality! Despite the fact that these cats are both compassionate and intelligent, they will go to any length to get your attention.
These attention seekers might be highly agitated at times and may pester you for some’sweet’ company. A cat tree house or a cat tower, on the other hand, might be useful in this circumstance because cats can not only play and exercise on them, but also sleep and relax on them.
These cats, unlike other cats, cannot stay in one spot for lengthy periods of time without being disturbed. Most of the time, they crave company!
They enjoy playing with the owners, receiving affection from them, and going for walks with them. It should be emphasised, however, that, unlike dogs, they like to lead rather than follow!
Cats, on the other hand, have their own appeal. Isn’t that so? Finally, they are adorable, loving, intelligent, and good-natured, making them an excellent choice for families looking for their first or second cat.
Having a Snowshoe Cat as a Pet
Don’t be surprised if you arrive home from work and your sweet Snowshoe greets you at the door! It is only after you have owned snowshoes that you will appreciate how friendly they are.
They prefer the companionship of humans as well as cats, according to fanciers, who claim that snowshoes feel themselves to be people rather than cats! They, like Siamese, want to be adored and strive to garner as much attention as they can.
Snowshoes are not only friendly, but they are also astute. Her ability to be quick goes hand in hand with this trait. Snowshoes are energetic and quick due to their sporty appearance.
You may throw them a softball anywhere and expect them to catch it quickly. Snowshoes are unquestionably quick and lively, but this can give owners a headache!
Their sporty physique and cheerful disposition necessitate regular activities and games. Soft toys, cat-friendly exercises, and a cat condo should all be on hand to deal with this!
Although most domestic cats dislike water, Snowshoe adores it. Fill a bathtub with water in the bathroom, and you might find your animal companion rejoicing there. Surprisingly, they also enjoy swimming! Swimming is a source of amusement for them, and they can spend hours splashing around!
You were previously unaware of this information? Nevermind. We’ve compiled a list of interesting facts about snowshoes to help you learn more about these charming furry friends. Excited?
7 Snowshoe Cat Facts
1. Snowshoes Are White
Snowshoes are recognised for their bold colour combinations and pointed colours. They are, on the other hand, born milky white! When they are born, they may have some markings, although they are usually quite light.
The colour of snowshoe cats changes as they grow older, and some of their distinctive patterns become more evident. They can reveal lilac, crimson, and chocolate point patterns in addition to the blue and seal patterns that are commonly thought.
2. They Come From a Long Line of Ancestors
Do you recall Dorothy Hinds Daugherty’s story about her breeding programme? American shorthairs were first crossed to Siamese cats to create a separate breed. However, as time passed, additional breeding combinations were explored in the search for the best breeding combination.
Breeders were eventually successful in bringing forward the preferred breeding combination as the breed grew. According to PetMD, “breeders prefer the Oriental shorthair and the older variety of Siamese.”
However, recessive genes play a significant role in their ‘white socks,’ making it impossible to duplicate their patterns and so making this breed a unique type.
3. Snowshoes’ Eyes are Always Blue
When snowshoe cats are relaxed, their eyes are large and oval-shaped. When they are alert, though, their eyes take on a ‘Walnut’ form. Their eyes are rounder than those of their Siamese forefathers.
Importantly, they have blue eyes at all times. Various colours of blue can be seen among different cats, but dazzling sparkling blue is the most popular. You probably made the proper option if you chose Billie Eilish’s ‘Ocean Eyes’ for your lovely Snowshoe! (In the background, drum rolls)
4. Their Name is Derived From the Markings on Their Bodies
Dorothy Hinds Daugherty was perplexed in the 1960s when she discovered three kittens in a Siamese litter with white feet and milky stockings.
This was in stark contrast to Siamese, which had dark-colored feet and paws. She decided to call these out-of-the-ordinary’shoes”snowshoes’ because they were snowy-white in colour.
5. Snowshoes Were Not Officially Recognised Until the 1980s and 1990s
Hinds-Daugherty tried her hardest to acquire formal approval for snowshoes, but her breeding effort was soon abandoned. Vikki Olander took over the company after that. Snowshoes were given the classification of “experimental breed” by the Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF) and the American Cat Association (ACA) in 1974.
CFF later granted champion status to Olander, Kuhnell, and Hoffman in 1983. Snowshoes was awarded champion status by the American Cat Fanciers Association in 1990, despite the absence of Olander.
They were also acknowledged by The International Cat Association in 1993. Snowshoes were finally granted full breed status by the GCCF on June 26, 2013. They have also been completely acknowledged by the Fédération Internationale Féliné and the Cat Fanciers Federation.
6. All You Need Is a Pattern
Don’t automatically assume that every cat wearing white socks is a Snowshoe. Some patterns and colours must match for a feline to be classified as Snowshoe.
ACFA claims that “It’s not merely a white Siamese cat. Only pattern and colour receive 40 points out of a possible 100.” So white stockings aren’t sufficient.
Apart from white socks up to the ankle in the front, they must have two white boots towards the hock in the back, an inverted ‘V’ on their face, white hue covering their chin, chest, and underbelly, and, of course, their brilliant blue eyes.
7. They Form A Primary Attachment Easily
True, Snowshoe cats are easily mingling with humans; but, they have been observed to create a primary attachment with one individual in particular.
They, like dogs, tend to be in the area of their master after the link is formed. With their quickness and snuggles, they try to attract rapid attention. They may also expect you to spend the most of the day with them.
They’re bouncy, and you may satisfy their desire to ‘play with you’ with a variety of activities, soft toys, and games like ‘find the toy.’ Even if they adore your business, they will choose to lead rather than follow.
Of course, because they are more social with humans, they should not be left alone for long. Finally, they are so cute and playful that you will find yourself bragging about your particular link with them and not wanting to be away from them for lengthy periods of time.
Conclusion
The Snowshoe Cats are not only beautiful to look at, but they are also an excellent choice for families who have a lot of love for their furry children.
They are enthralling to watch because of their lively personalities and social personalities. These cats were not well-known until the 1980s and 1990s, but they are currently receiving increasing recognition from prestigious cat organisations.
Snowshoes have recently gotten a lot of attention thanks to the social media sensation ‘Grumpy Cat.’ Because of its coat colour, Grumpy cat appears to be more like Snowshoes.
However, no other similarity can be seen in particular. Snowshoes have also been found to have no genetic disorders, making them a healthier option.
Vaccination, health checks, and parasite management are all essential, just as they are for other cats. In a nutshell, they are pleasant, sporty, vocal, intellectual, energetic, and enjoy being around people.
This demonstrates that they are a great blend of desirable characteristics. So, what do you have to lose? Finally, when are you going to get your hands on one for yourself?
