| Snowshoe Cat | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Common nicknames | Snowshoe Siamese, Silver Laces |
| Origin |  United States |
| Breed standards | |
| FIFe | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| WCF | standard |
| ACFA/CAA | standard |
| GCCF | standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
TheSnowshoe is a rarebreed ofdomestic cat originating in theUnited States of America in the 1960s. The Snowshoe is a short-hairedbicolourcolourpoint breed. Snowshoes were first produced when aSiamese breeder's cat gave birth to three kittens with white feet. The breeder, Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, then began a breeding program to produce what were originally called "Silver Laces",[1] crossing the strangely marked Siamese cats withbicolourAmerican Shorthair cats and other breeds. Despite having existed for 45 years, Snowshoes are rare due to the difficulty of reproducing the correct coat markings.
In the 1960s, a cat owned by Siamese cat breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty produced a litter of Siamese kittens inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. Three of the kittens had unique markings, consisting of white points and feet.[2] Intrigued by their looks, she began working to breed cats like them, using seal point Siamese with bicolour American Shorthairs.[3] The offspring of those cats lacked the Siamese points, but by breeding the offspring to Siamese cats, the desired look was accomplished.[3] Hinds-Daugherty named the breed "Snowshoe" because of their white feet.[2] Hinds-Daugherty promoted the Snowshoe at local cats shows, though they were not recognised at the time.[3] Hinds-Daughtery eventually abandoned the Snowshoe breeding program, and it was taken up by Vikki Olander.[2][3]
Olander wrote the first breed standard for the Snowshoe, and succeeded in obtaining the Cat Fanciers Federation (CFF) and the American Cat Association's (ACA) "experimental breed" status for the Snowshoe in 1974.[2] However, by 1977, Olander was the last breeder of the Snowshoe in the United States.[2] After struggling to keep the breed alive, Olander was contacted by Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell, who were interested in the breed.[3] Other breeders joined Olander, Hoffman, and Kuhnell, and they obtained the champion status from the CFF in 1983.[2] In 1989, Olander left the program, as her fiancé was allergic to cats.[3] However, by then the Snowshoe had a strong following, and the breed attained champion status with theAmerican Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 1990 and was recognised byThe International Cat Association (TICA) in 1993.[2][3] Currently, breeders work to attain acceptance with the Cat Fanciers Association, but struggle with the lack of cats and breeders needed for the association's requirements.[2]
Snowshoes are also fully recognised by theFédération Internationale Féline (FIFe).[4]
The Snowshoe is a rare breed, partly due to the difficulty of breeding cats with markings and patterns that conform well to breed standards.[2][3] The Snowshoe's pattern relies onrecessive genes and other factors to produce desired results.[5] Onegene, which causes the "V" facial pattern, is an example ofincomplete dominance. If the offspring produced has two dominant genes for the marking, then the feature will be larger than a cat with one dominant gene.[2] However, other factors may influence the feature, which makes it difficult to predict the outcome.[2] Another issue is the white boots, which can be caused by apiebalding gene or agloving gene. The genes are difficult to control, and many cats' boots extend too far up the leg, do not reach far enough up the leg, or the cat completely lacks white.[2] As such, pet-quality Snowshoes usually have too much white, too little white, or white features are mismarked.[3] The cats' body type further complicates breeding, as the breeder must achieve the correct head shape and ear set, while still maintaining the body structure of the American Shorthair and the length of the Siamese.[2]
The ear size ranges from medium to medium-large with slightly rounded tips. The head may be triangular, however can be an "applehead" shape with a traditional cat look. The short-haired coat consists of solid and white patterns. Points (ears, tail, face-mask and sometimes legs) are solid black-based colours. White patterns vary, typically falling along the face, chest, stomach, and paws. The body is an even colouration, subtle shading to point colour on back, shoulders and hips; toning to a lighter shade near chest and stomach. Paw pads may be white, point colour, flesh tone, or mottled. Their colour will darken with age, even to the point of turning a chocolate brown shade. The eyes are always blue. The tail is medium-sized. Snowshoe cats come in blue, lilac, lynx, fawn, chocolate, and sealpoints. The Snowshoe is a medium-large cat and its body longer than other cat breeds, with many males reaching 6 kg (14 lbs) or more.[citation needed]
In registries and cat associations, the recognised Snowshoecoat color is apoint coloration that features a light body color and darker ears, face, legs, and tail. Unlike standardColorpoint Shorthairs, however, Snowshoe point gradients end in sharply-contrasting white tips on the paws and nose/muzzle.[6] TheAmerican Cat Fanciers Association recognises seal (black) and blue point colouration, while theFédération Internationale Féline recognises seal (black), blue, chocolate, red, cream, cinnamon, and fawn point colouration.[7][8] Additionally, the FIFe recognises the colours intortoiseshell,tabby, and tortoiseshell-tabby coat patterns.[7]The International Cat Association recognises all pointed colours.[6] Snowshoe kittens are born white, and markings appear within 1 to 3 weeks. Each Snowshoe has a pattern unique to the individual cat.[9]
The Snowshoe's coat should be of medium to short in length, and should be bright and smooth with no noticeableundercoat.[7][9] It is considered a fault within cat associations if the Snowshoe has a plush or double coat.[7] The Snowshoe's coat undergoesseasonal changes and does not require much grooming.[9]
Snowshoes are generally affectionate, sweet-tempered, and mellow.[2][3] They enjoy the company of humans and being given attention, and are compatible with children and other pets.[2] Snowshoes are verysocial and docile, and show great devotion and love towards their owners. Consequently, the cats of this breed dislike being left alone for long periods of time and are able to cope with working hours better if they have another cat companion.[3] The cats are also noted as being intelligent; they can learn to open various types of doors, and can be taught tricks, especiallyfetch.[3] Snowshoes also enjoywater, particularly running water, and may on occasion swim.[2][3]
In a review of over 5,000 cases ofurate urolithiasis the Snowshoe was over-represented, with three recorded cases out of a population of 16.[10]
