The Norwegian Forest CatThe Norwegian Forest Cat |
EC Roxana Njord
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The Norwegian Forest Cat: A Strength of the Wind
The Norwegian Forest Cat has ancient origins that fade into the myth.
In Norwegian language its name is Norsk Skogkatt. It is mentioned in legends and sagas of
the Nordic mythology and appears as a protagonist of the fairytales of the past century. A
bewitched cat with a long and thick tail that appears and disappears through the trees...
it can see what man is unable to perceive, and can reach places where man cannot arrive.
It is said that Norwegian Cats travelled with the Vikings on their ships, and that once
landed in America they had given rise to the Maine Coons. The legends also narrate that
Thor, the strongest of the gods, could not lift them, and that Freja, the Scandinavian
goddess of love, travelled on a cart pulled by the bewitched Norwegian Cats with long
tails.
In the Scandinavian fables it is the protagonist of many tales told among the Nordic
peoples; it is also rumored that the "Puss in Boots" was a Norwegian Forest Cat.
We meet this feline with long thick tail again in the "Norwegian Folk-Tales" by
Asbjørnsen and Moe, and a few years later in "Sølvfacks" by Gabriel Scott.
The Norwegian Forest Cat was recognized by the FIFe in 1977. In 1975 the first Norwegian
Forest Cat Club was founded in Norway, for the selection and defense of the breed: the
"Norsk Skogkatt Ring". In fact due to the urbanization of the country the
Skogkatt ran the risk of extinction, because of the more and more frequent crossbreeds
with shorthair cats. Therefore the breeding of the Norwegian Cat began with the intent of
saving one of the more fascinating and natural breeds in the feline panorama. A special
charm is given from the eyeglance: that fierce and wild expression, where ferity and
regality mingle in the reminiscence of distant forests.
Antartico Njord
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Physical characteristics:
The Norwegian is a cat of big and strong size, tall and elegant.
Its webbed paws enable it to move amid the snow-clad expanses without sinking in the snow,
while its strong and robust claws enable it to climb not only trees, but also rocks: it is
the only cat that gets down from the trees headlong.
The semilong-hair coat is constituted by a double fur: the thick undercoat that protects
it from the cold, and the waterproof overcoat that prevents water from getting in contact
with its skin. It is endowed with a thick and long mane cloaking its neck of wild charm,
with close "plus-fours" on its hind legs, and with a long and fabulous flowing
tail.
At the arrival of the hot season, the Norwegian Cat incurs the molt: its whole overcoat
begins to fall until only the thick tail remains to distinguish it from a normal shorthair
cat.
The Norwegian Forest Cat's head has the shape of an equilateral triangle, with large ears
and slightly oblique eyes, with the characteristical "Norwegian look". The nose
is long and straight, the chin is strong, the cheeks full. Its development is completed at
3 years of age.
The temperament: Perhaps no other breed has such a wild appearance, and nevertheless such
a sweet and sociable character. Though it is a cat that loves big open spaces, its great
adaptation strength allows it to live well in a flat too. Failing garden and trees, it
will be sufficient to prepare a jute wall or rope and cloth "cat trees" that are
sold in the shops of pet accessories. If you play with it at throwing objects, it brings
them back to resume the competition; it loves much the human company, it makes friends
particularly with a person of its choice, but it grows fond of the whole family.
But this sweetness standpoint of its character must not let us forget that we are in front
of a fierce child of the forest, that wants to be loved and respected, and not be treated
like a doll: one must not dishearten or humiliate it, because it is a cat of great
dignity! It comes from the Forests and has in its eyes the strength of the wind.
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IC Zefir Njord
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Author:
© 1998 Frida Brandi
Njord Cattery, Norwegian Forest Cats, Italy
E-Mail: njord@tin.it
Homepage: http://www.felis.net/njord