Natural History Back to Top

Chartreux cats were raised by the Carthusian monks at La Grande Chartreuse monastery near Grenoble, France because the cats were as mute as the monks who had taken the vow of silence.

Although this quaintly sweet legend persists, it cannot be verified, as the monks (who are famous for their Chartreuse liqueur) kept no written records -- at least not any that have existed into modern times. The monastery has been destroyed eight times and any records are long since lost. Even the recipe for the liqueur is handed down by word of mouth.

However, the legend cannot be entirely discarded, either. Some Carthusians certainly had an interest in genetics and experience in selective breeding of plants and animals. Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, was a Carthusian monk. Reportedly the Swiss Carthusian monks developed the St. Bernard dog, and the Spanish Carthusians developed the Andalusian horses. Perhaps indeed the Carthusian monks of La Grande Chartreuse monastery in the French Alps intentionally bred these beautiful blue working cats with dense fur, smiling face and quiet affectionate disposition.

Although it is difficult to separate fact from fiction, it is known that cats who were similar to our current-day Chartreux have been documented from at least the sixteenth century, and at times actually referred to by this name. In the “Universal Dictionary of Commerce, Natural History and the Arts and Trades of Savvary of Brusion” it was noted in 1723 that “finally we find several cats which tend toward bleu, these latter are commonly called Chartreux. This name was used to distinguish the blue cats. Incidentally, the furriers trade in the skin of the cats, especially those cats which were called Chartreux.”

It is almost certain that Chartreux descend from the "Cat of Syria," described in the early 16th century as a stocky cat with a wooly ash-gray coat and copper eyes, which was first brought to Europe during the Crusades. In 1753 Brande Aldobrande referred to a cat of pale ash color that was said to have originated in Syria, describing the cat’s round muzzle, muscular chest, and its affection for its household.

The father of taxonomy, Carolus Linnaeus described four types of cats, including the Felis catus Chartreuse. The naturalist Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon mentions Chartreux by name in the “Universal Dictionary of Animals.”

With their wooly double coat, substantial body, and hunting prowess, it is understandable why the people of those times would appreciate these cats of antiquity for utilitarian reasons. In medieval Europe their meat was eaten and they were prized as fierce ratters. In 1806 Professor Beauregard wrote in “Our Animals” that the coat “of the Chartreux is cut and dyed and sold as Otter fur.”

As a naturally developed breed, they are unusual in our current cat fancy, where most breeds are man-made.

Pedigreed History Back to Top

During the World Wars most of the animals, including cats, were decimated throughout Europe. Hence there were very few remaining Chartreux in the countryside of France.

After World War I some breeders, in order to try to save the characteristics of various breeds of cats, began outcrossing to other breeds. Breedings were made between the Chartreux and the European (feral) cats, the British Shorthair cats (blue, blue-cream and cream,) Blue Persians, and the Russian Blue cats. This practice continued well after World War II. Some European “Chartreux” in name, even today, are of mixed hybrid matings of cats of different breeds, producing shorthaired gray cats that are not “pure” Chartreux by pedigree.

In 1928 a standard was written for the Chartreux and it was listed as a breed in the new Federation Feline Francaise (FFF) founded in Paris, France.

The Leger sisters of “de Guerveur” cattery wrote in 1935 that they had found on the island of Bell-Ile-sur-Mere off the coast of France “some blue cats with short fur that were called, at le Palais, the cats of the hospital. In the country, we also found these cats and the strange thing they were all of the same type, despite breeding with the European cats of the land, they had kept their characteristics. We acquired several of those cats, and from the first generation we obtained remarkable results. From the very first breeding of a blue male cat and a female blue cat, we had a litter of kittens all blue and perfectly typed.”

Initially the Leger sisters bred only those feral blue cats found on the island, but eventually they acquired cats from other breeders in Europe to incorporate into their breeding program.

Because of the great amount of outcrossing of the Chartreux with other breeds, they became confused with the blue British Shorthair, or Maltese. Indeed, in 1970, the primary European association of cat fanciers, Federation International Feline (FIFe), decided to assimilate the Chartreux with the British Blue under the name "Chartreux" but conforming to the British Shorthair breed standard. This decision was made because many of the member countries were not actually interested in

the breed, but preferred the name and long history of the "Chartreux" to the name and history of the blue British Shorthair.

In 1970, John and Helen Gamon of San Diego, California, went to France and imported the first Chartreux to the US, three from the original de Guerveur lines. Since then there has continued to be a small coterie of breeders who are passionate about the Chartreux, maintaining some of the purest lines without hybridization.

Breeders in the US and France have tried to preserve the Chartreux unchanged throughout the years, even with selective breeding programs. Many other breeds have changed in appearance substantially over the decades. Yet, the Chartreux female Mignonne de Guerveur, who was named the most beautiful cat in the Paris show in 1931, could easily have become a Grand Champion even today.

Pedigreed Chartreux are now recognized and have championship status in the North American cat associations including the American Cat Fanciers’ Association (ACFA,) the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA,) The International Cat Association (TICA,) the Cat Fanciers’ Federation (CFF), and the Canadian Cat Association (CCA.)

They are also again recognized as a unique breed in FIFe. Chartreux breeders had protested the 1970 FIFe merging of the Chartreux and British Shorthair breeds. In 1977, FIFe reverted back to separate registries and standards for the two breeds. The US organizations and FIFe do not allow any outcrossing or hybridization of Chartreux to other breeds.

However a few independent European cat clubs continue to use the name "Chartreux" for blue European Shorthairs, blue British Shorthairs, as well as for hybrids of these and Chartreux. If one is looking for a “pure” Chartreux, knowledgeable caution should be employed.

Several famous French people have owned pedigreed Chartreux cats, including General Charles de Gaulle and the authoress Colette, who wrote of her Chartreux, Saha, in her book “La Chatte. “

It is customary to use the French naming system for Chartreux kittens. The first letter of the cat's given name is determined by the year of the cat's birth, following a 20-year cycle. The letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z are not used. For example, 2004 was the “V” year, so Chartreux born in 2004 have given names like “Velure” and “Velvet.” Both America and France use the same alphabetical system and are in sync, so that from January 1 through December 31, 2005, both French and

American breeders will have given all their Chartreux kittens born during that time names beginning with the letter “A.”

By convention, in North America, the first name of the cat is the cattery name of the breeder. This is followed by the given call name. A suffix can be added including “of” followed by the cattery name of the present owner.

In Europe, the given name of the cat is the first name, followed by the name of the breeder’s cattery.

Temperament Back to Top

The first thing one may notice when getting acquainted with their Chartreux is the almost absent use of voice. Although most Chartreux can meow (especially if brought up alongside more vocally expressive cats), they seldom use their voice. Some have even been reported to be mute. The more common sounds they make are chattering or chirping noises, and purrs. Some Chartreux have a very loud purr that is much louder than ever expected from such a small creature; others have a deep rumbling purr that is more easily felt by the owner when holding the cat than actually hearing the sound.

Much of the communication of Chartreux is by eye contact and body language. It may take a while for a new owner to get used to the wants and desires of the cat. If the owner is expecting loud meows when the cat gets hungry before feeding it, the poor cat may not get fed for a very long time!

Chartreux often exchange “kitty kisses” with their owner, blinking their eyes while looking at you. You can have several exchanges of slow eyelid lowering reciprocating between you and your cat, as you send "kisses" to each other.

Chartreux are very affectionate, and have been called the dog-like cat. Indeed, they usually learn to get along well with the family dog.

They often follow you around the house from room to room, keeping tabs on all your activities. However, they are seldom intrusive, though sometimes they might enjoy helping with the project you are working on.

They love to be near their people – if not on their lap, then beside them, sitting on top of them, or sleeping with them. They enjoy being softly stroked and petted, and this is almost the only grooming that they need.

Chartreux are natural hunters and will play as though they are going to kill their prey, watching for just the right time to pounce. They usually have a burst of energy, running around the house for a few minutes each morning and then again each evening -- living the life of the proverbial mellow couch potato the rest of the day.

They are very observant and quite intelligent. Because their growth, both physical and emotional, is slow, you may need to be patient teaching them new things. Though unusual, it is not unheard of for a Chartreux to learn to play fetch or to learn to use the toilet!

Chartreux have always been known for their gentle amiable spirit. Though dignified, they are also amazingly tolerant of other cats, dogs, and children. They are sensitive and their feelings can be easily hurt. They know when they are being made fun of. If pestered too much, they will withdraw from the situation rather than retaliate.

Due to their placid nature, Chartreux are great travelers, riding well in cars or planes.

Although some breeders and owners have a personal preference for gender, in reality both sexes make equally good companion pets after having been neutered or spayed, as then their sex hormones are not affecting their inate congeniality and playfullness.

One can never guarantee with whom the cat will primarily bond – it may be the new “owner” in the family, the spouse, the teenager, the family dog or the entire family.

But to whomever the Chartreux bond, they are forever devoted.

Physical Characteristics Back to Top

The natural selection of the Chartreux has resulted in a breed that is adapted to the harsh cold weather that would have been the norm in the French Alps at the monastery. There is more lanolin in the coat of the Chartreux than in any other breed, contributing to the water repellence, and resulting in “breaking” of the fur, as in sheep’s’ wool. Coat texture tends to become more wooly with age, colder environment, and in males. They are the only “unbalanced breed,” meaning that the body, neck and head are much more massive relative to the fine boned legs, small paws, and rather short ears and tail. They have even been referred to as “potatoes on toothpicks.” This body habitus maximizes heat conservation. All these features contribute to a cat that is able to tolerate cold weather very well.

They have an exceptional amount of fat deposit, the only breed that normally has a pannus – a flap of fat hanging beneath the belly. (Although this commonality among Chartreux has not yet been addressed in any breed standard, it is very frequently present nevertheless, and Chartreux breeders do not discriminate against it.)

Overall, at first glance the Chartreux is a primitive appearing unbalanced gray shorthaired cat with a robust body and short thick neck contrasting with the fine-boned legs and dainty paws. The tail is medium length with a thick base. The magnificent broad head is topped by medium-small ears that sit erectly. The rounded eyes are deep golden. Intensity of eye color often lessens with age, and the eyes become paler, though there are exceptions. The muzzle is narrow but not pointed. Though the teeth remain properly aligned, the powerful jaw slopes toward the receding chin, resulting in a sweet smiling expression. The Chartreux is the only breed of cat that has this smile. Most standards refer to the “primitive” look, consistent with the breed’s long history of living in harsh conditions, and minimal human interference to change the appearance of the breed over the years.

There is a marked dichotomy between the appearance of male and female Chartreux. The males simply look masculine, and the females simply look feminine. Males are usually significantly larger, with mature males weighing about 10-14 pounds and females weighing around 6-9 pounds, according to the ACFA breed standard.

Whole males develop massive stud jowls. As the intact male matures his head broadens, causing the distance between the ears to increase so that his ears no longer appear quite as erect as those of his female littermates. His coat is usually more coarse and wooly than that of a female.

The females cheeks remain petite. As she ages, the female's ears remain more erect because her head does not become so broad. The female's coat is usually less dense, softer, and silkier than that of a stud male.

Pet males tend to resemble females, because they have been neutered.