History of the Norwegian Forest Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat's strong, sturdy body and thick coat are testaments to their evolution over the centuries in Scandinavia. They travelled with the Vikings, keeping their ships and villages free of vermin. By the 20th century the Norwegian Forest Cat was becoming a rarity in its native land and was at risk of extinction. Consequently, plans were started to ensure the future of the national cat in the 1930s but WWII interrupted this work. Finally, in the 1970s, the Norwegians put a special breeding programme in place to protect the breed - and the breed received royal recognition when the late King Olaf designated them the official cat of Norway.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient breed which originated in Norway over 500 years ago. Some believe the breed is 1,000 to 2,000 years old. Known as the Wegie, Norskogkatt, Skogkatt or Norskskaukatt, these cats are a direct descendant of the fairy-cats mentioned in Norse Mythology. In the myth, The Death of Balder, Freya - the goddess of love and fertility - drove a carriage pulled by skaukatts (literally meaning forest cats and originally used in a derogatory way) to Balder's funeral. In Thor's Journey to Utgard, Thor fails to lift Jormungand - disguised as a Skaukatt - completely off the floor, and thus is defeated in a contest of strength.It is entirely possible that the ancestors of the Skogkatt are Turkish longhairs, since several Byzantine emperors had Scandinavian guards - the Vaeringer. Cats have been farm animals ever since, usually living outdoors with shelter wherever they could find it. Possibly the Skogkatt evolved here since it is very well adapted to such a life. There is speculation that the Maine Coon, the Siberian, the Turkish longhairs and the Skogkatt are related, having a common ancestral base somewhere, but this is still just speculation. It may equally likely be a case of parallel evolution under similar living conditions. The Cat Fancy in Norway got started as late as 1934, and not until 1938 did anyone think of the Skogkatt as a special breed. Then, with the advent of World War II, all pedigree cat activities came to a temporary halt. The Skogkatt was almost forgotten until the beginning of the seventies, when a group of fanciers started breeding programs in earnest. In December 1975, Norwegian cat breeders started Norsk Skogkattring - The Norwegian Forest Cat Club - to attempt to preserve the breed. By 1976, the breed was officially recognised by FIFe. There was now a great deal of work ahead, finding appropriate breeding stock, ensuring that the gene pool became large enough to ensure against the risks involved with inbreeding. This work went on in Scandinavia until 1990 when it was decided to stop recognition of new animals from the countryside, the so-called novices. All Skogkatts can be traced back to novices from the original program. The first two cats exported were sold to Sweden, and the United States received their first pair in November 1979.
The Skogkatt is a relatively large, double coated cat that can come in any colour or pattern except Himalayan pattern and lilac or chocolate colours. Their head is a triangular shape with a straight profile, large tufted ears, and almond shape eyes. A medium length and squarish body with legs and tail as long as the body - a male Skogkatt can grow up to 10kgs. Their distinctive double coat has a coarse, glossy overcoat covering a thick woolly undercoat, which surprisingly does not knot. When mature, a profuse ruff develops around the neck and down the chest to form a 'shirt front'. The tail is long and bushy. The most common pattern in Skogkatts are tabby patterns, although spotted, patched, bi-colours and solids are also commonly occurring. The tabby pattern occurs in classic, mackerel and spotted. The colours include brown, tortie, red, blue, white, black, silver, smoke, blue-cream and cream. Tabby or tabby and white are the most popular patterns/colours although the solid black is quite stunning. Their eyes can be any colour - yellow, green or blue - and are not coat colour related. The semi long fur sometimes needs brushing and even combing, but mostly the cat can handle its fur on its own. It may need help in removing twigs and other debris though. The common wire brushes should be used when the cat is shedding, to help prevent furballs, otherwise brushing once or twice a week with a bristle brush is usually sufficient.
Characteristics - When we talk temperament, the Skogkatt does not quite resemble other breeds. A feral cat must be intelligent and inventive if it is to survive. In bad times when food is short or the weather is bad, only the intelligent individuals who are able to use unorthodox methods to get food and shelter will survive. The Skogkatt is courageous and fearless. For generations it has learnt that the best kind of defense is an attack. This gives it a very strong will and robust nerves. Skogkatts do not become nervous or restless. They accept every change with surprising equanimity and easily adjust to new situations. At the same time, the Skogkatt is playful, lively, affectionate and alert cat. They have a loving and gentle disposition. There is no reason a Skogkatt cannot live inside permanently, but it will be necessary to provide good facilities for climbing and/or scratching. A tall scratching post and a shelf high up will provide for the cat's need for exercise. It is of course also possible for the cats to go outside. You will find the Skogcatt appreciates climbing trees, usually the tallest ones, and you may see that they almost run down and not rarely head first. Skogkatts are amazing hunters. They are curious as well as fearless and must be shown what is acceptable prey. They can easily catch a bird in flight. If they are kept indoors, their favourite prey will be flies and the like. The Skogkatt agrees well with other breeds of cat, dogs and with children. Usually attaching themselves to one particular person, Skogkatt will stay with that person through thick and thin. It is not unfriendly or uninterested in the rest of the family, as long as it can be with its favourite member in quiet moments, in times of stress and during illness. The intelligence of the Skogkatt and its energetic and lively behaviour naturally makes certain demands on its owner, if the cat is to thrive physically and mentally. The Skogkatt loves to learn through play. It quickly learns to walk on a leash, to fetch a 'prey' or to jump on command - just to mention a few things. Turning knobs and flipping latches are also popular. If you make sure that the Skogkatt has something to play with, and that it gets to use its' muscles, your reward will be a happy, beautiful and interesting friend for both children and adults.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is an ancient breed which originated in Norway over 500 years ago. Some believe the breed is 1,000 to 2,000 years old. Known as the Wegie, Norskogkatt, Skogkatt or Norskskaukatt, these cats are a direct descendant of the fairy-cats mentioned in Norse Mythology. In the myth, The Death of Balder, Freya - the goddess of love and fertility - drove a carriage pulled by skaukatts (literally meaning forest cats and originally used in a derogatory way) to Balder's funeral. In Thor's Journey to Utgard, Thor fails to lift Jormungand - disguised as a Skaukatt - completely off the floor, and thus is defeated in a contest of strength.It is entirely possible that the ancestors of the Skogkatt are Turkish longhairs, since several Byzantine emperors had Scandinavian guards - the Vaeringer. Cats have been farm animals ever since, usually living outdoors with shelter wherever they could find it. Possibly the Skogkatt evolved here since it is very well adapted to such a life. There is speculation that the Maine Coon, the Siberian, the Turkish longhairs and the Skogkatt are related, having a common ancestral base somewhere, but this is still just speculation. It may equally likely be a case of parallel evolution under similar living conditions. The Cat Fancy in Norway got started as late as 1934, and not until 1938 did anyone think of the Skogkatt as a special breed. Then, with the advent of World War II, all pedigree cat activities came to a temporary halt. The Skogkatt was almost forgotten until the beginning of the seventies, when a group of fanciers started breeding programs in earnest. In December 1975, Norwegian cat breeders started Norsk Skogkattring - The Norwegian Forest Cat Club - to attempt to preserve the breed. By 1976, the breed was officially recognised by FIFe. There was now a great deal of work ahead, finding appropriate breeding stock, ensuring that the gene pool became large enough to ensure against the risks involved with inbreeding. This work went on in Scandinavia until 1990 when it was decided to stop recognition of new animals from the countryside, the so-called novices. All Skogkatts can be traced back to novices from the original program. The first two cats exported were sold to Sweden, and the United States received their first pair in November 1979.
The Skogkatt is a relatively large, double coated cat that can come in any colour or pattern except Himalayan pattern and lilac or chocolate colours. Their head is a triangular shape with a straight profile, large tufted ears, and almond shape eyes. A medium length and squarish body with legs and tail as long as the body - a male Skogkatt can grow up to 10kgs. Their distinctive double coat has a coarse, glossy overcoat covering a thick woolly undercoat, which surprisingly does not knot. When mature, a profuse ruff develops around the neck and down the chest to form a 'shirt front'. The tail is long and bushy. The most common pattern in Skogkatts are tabby patterns, although spotted, patched, bi-colours and solids are also commonly occurring. The tabby pattern occurs in classic, mackerel and spotted. The colours include brown, tortie, red, blue, white, black, silver, smoke, blue-cream and cream. Tabby or tabby and white are the most popular patterns/colours although the solid black is quite stunning. Their eyes can be any colour - yellow, green or blue - and are not coat colour related. The semi long fur sometimes needs brushing and even combing, but mostly the cat can handle its fur on its own. It may need help in removing twigs and other debris though. The common wire brushes should be used when the cat is shedding, to help prevent furballs, otherwise brushing once or twice a week with a bristle brush is usually sufficient.
Characteristics - When we talk temperament, the Skogkatt does not quite resemble other breeds. A feral cat must be intelligent and inventive if it is to survive. In bad times when food is short or the weather is bad, only the intelligent individuals who are able to use unorthodox methods to get food and shelter will survive. The Skogkatt is courageous and fearless. For generations it has learnt that the best kind of defense is an attack. This gives it a very strong will and robust nerves. Skogkatts do not become nervous or restless. They accept every change with surprising equanimity and easily adjust to new situations. At the same time, the Skogkatt is playful, lively, affectionate and alert cat. They have a loving and gentle disposition. There is no reason a Skogkatt cannot live inside permanently, but it will be necessary to provide good facilities for climbing and/or scratching. A tall scratching post and a shelf high up will provide for the cat's need for exercise. It is of course also possible for the cats to go outside. You will find the Skogcatt appreciates climbing trees, usually the tallest ones, and you may see that they almost run down and not rarely head first. Skogkatts are amazing hunters. They are curious as well as fearless and must be shown what is acceptable prey. They can easily catch a bird in flight. If they are kept indoors, their favourite prey will be flies and the like. The Skogkatt agrees well with other breeds of cat, dogs and with children. Usually attaching themselves to one particular person, Skogkatt will stay with that person through thick and thin. It is not unfriendly or uninterested in the rest of the family, as long as it can be with its favourite member in quiet moments, in times of stress and during illness. The intelligence of the Skogkatt and its energetic and lively behaviour naturally makes certain demands on its owner, if the cat is to thrive physically and mentally. The Skogkatt loves to learn through play. It quickly learns to walk on a leash, to fetch a 'prey' or to jump on command - just to mention a few things. Turning knobs and flipping latches are also popular. If you make sure that the Skogkatt has something to play with, and that it gets to use its' muscles, your reward will be a happy, beautiful and interesting friend for both children and adults.
