Norwegian Forest Cat

What is a Norwegian Forest Cat?

A large semi-longhaired cat of 4-9kg that developed naturally in Norway rather than being bred to a plan. Everything about the coat is winter engineering: a dense woolly undercoat, a long water-resistant guard coat, a full ruff, tufted ears and feet, and a bushy tail it can wrap around itself.

They are calmer and more self-contained than the Maine Coon, which is the breed people most often compare them to.

History and origins

Farm and forest cats in Norway for many centuries, and probably the cats of Norse ships - they appear in Norse myth pulling Freyja's chariot. The breed came close to disappearing through crossing with domestic shorthairs; a Norwegian breeding programme in the 1970s recovered it, and King Olav V declared it the national cat. The GCCF recognised it in the 1990s.

Appearance and size

30-40cm at the shoulder, with a long body and strong hind legs that make them exceptional climbers - they will come down a tree head-first, which few cats do. Triangular head with a straight profile from brow to nose, which is the main way to tell them from a Maine Coon. All colours and patterns except colourpoint, chocolate and lilac.

Full size takes four to five years.

Temperament and personality

Calm, watchful and gently affectionate. They are not lap cats as a rule and they are not needy; they like being in the same room and will come to you on their own terms. They are quiet - occasional chirps rather than conversation.

They are also serious climbers. Vertical space is not optional.

Intelligence and trainability

Bright and practical. They work out doors, cupboards and taps. They take to harness walking and to puzzle feeders. They are not performers.

Children and other pets

Very good. Their size and steadiness make them tolerant of children, and they are comfortable with dogs and other cats. Prey drive is high - they were working farm cats - so birds and small animals need protecting.

Health problems

A sound natural breed with two specific things to test for.

• Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV (GSD IV). A fatal inherited metabolic disease specific to this breed. Affected kittens are usually stillborn or die within months. There is a definitive DNA test and both parents must be clear. This is the non-negotiable question.
• Pyruvate kinase deficiency - DNA test.
• HCM - echocardiogram screening of breeding cats.
• Hip dysplasia occurs, unusually for a cat, in the larger lines.
• Retinal dysplasia at a low rate.

Otherwise robust and long-lived.

Daily care routine

A play session or two, a tall sturdy cat tree that will take 8kg, and a large litter tray. Comb the ruff, trousers and armpits two or three times a week.

Grooming and coat care

Less work than it looks, because the guard coat resists matting. Comb two or three times a week with a wide-toothed comb, concentrating on the ruff, the trousers and behind the ears. In late spring the entire undercoat comes out over a few weeks and you will need to comb daily and accept that the house is furry. Never clip.

Exercise needs

Moderate, and vertical. Shelves, trees and high perches matter more to a Wegie than floor space. A secure garden or catio suits them very well.

Feeding and diet

They eat a lot: £30-£50 a month. Growth continues for years, so do not restrict a young cat, but watch an adult. Large shallow bowls.

Price

£700-£1,400 from a registered breeder with GSD IV and PK clears. Setup £230-£400; ongoing £45-£80 a month.

Buying advice

Ask for the GSD IV DNA certificate by name, for both parents. It is cheap, it is definitive, and there is no reason for a litter not to have it. Ask for the PK Deficiency result and the date of the last echocardiogram. Kittens at 13 weeks, vaccinated and registered.