BREED HISTORY

The first Chausies were Jungle Cat hybrids, and were bred in the late 60's and early 70's. These early hybrids were created to offer those interested in exotic cats a more reasonable alternative to the often ill-fated attempts to make pets out of wild animals. Many different domestic cats were used in the beginning, but at the current time, the only permissible outcrosses are the Abyssinian and the domestic shorthair.Males are proportionately larger than females.

The breed retains a strong resemblance to its wild ancestor, but is good-natured, loyal, intelligent and affectionate, as you would expect in a domestic cat. It is a highly active breed, and loves to play with toys or other cats. It retains this quality into adulthood.

The Chausie was given foundation registry status in The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995. In February 2001 the breed was advanced to Evaluation status (effective May 1, 2002). In May 2003, the Chausie achieved 'Advanced New Breed' status and now competes in the Advanced new Breed (ANB) rings in TICA shows.

ANB is the level prior to a new breed becoming a Championship Breed - the Chausie is currently working towards this goal.

The first historical record of the Jungle Cat was found in ancient Egypt, where both the Jungle Cat and the African Wild Cat were used for hunting wild waterfowl. Mummified Jungle Cats have been found in Egyptian tombs, attesting to the high regard in which they were held. Some say that the statues of the goddess Bastet were modeled after Jungle Cats and we can certainly see the resemblance in her long, slender body and large ears!

The chief habitats of the Jungle Cat are wetlands and river valleys. It preys on rodents and other small animals, but occasionally will eat the young of larger animals as well.

This cat also flourishes in proximity to humanity, attracted by the rodents, which congregate in irrigated fields. In India, Felis chaus has been found nesting in abandoned granaries and houses. Probably because of this flexibility, Felis chaus populations are stable and the species is not considered endangered.