History and Origin
As the legend goes, the Chartreux breed developed at the Le Grand Chartreux monastery in the French Alps just outside Paris. The Carthusian order of monks at the monastery, in their spare time between praying, liqueur-making and weapon-forging, bred Chartreux cats with the same skill and dedication with which they created their world-famous yellow and green Chartreuse liqueurs.
The monastery was founded in 1084 by St. Bruno, but the cats, if the story is true, didn't arrive there until the end of the Crusades in the 13th century, when crusading knights limped home and retired to monastic life. They brought with them plundered goods that included blue cats that may have been picked up in Syria. Legend has it that the monks selectively bred these felines to have quiet voices so the cats would not disturb their meditations by meowing. (The monastery's records do not mention cats, blue or any other color.)
Regardless of where he originated, the breed has been around a long time. The verifiable history of the Chartreux began in the 16th century, according to the literature of the period. The Histoire Naturelle, written in the 1700s by biologist Comte de Buffon, lists four cat breeds that were common to Europe by that time: domestic, Angora, Spanish and Chartreux. These cats did not lead easy lives in those days; primarily street cats, they were valued for their rat-catching abilities. By the beginning of the 1900s, trade dictionaries and encyclopedias listed Chartreux as the common name of a type of blue cat whose pelt was prized by furriers. It's a testament to the breed's hardiness and adaptability that the Chartreux survived at all.
After World War I, French cat breeders became interested in preserving the Chartreux as a unique breed. In the 1920s two sisters named Christine and Suzanne Leger discovered a colony of blue cats on the small Brittany island of Belle-Ile, off the coast of France. These free-roaming cats lived around a hospital in the city of Le Palais, and matched the description of the Chartreux breed. The Leger sisters decided to work with the breed, wrote a breed standard, and in 1931 first exhibited the Chartreux. Unhappily, World War II decimated the breed and after the war no more free-roaming colonies of Chartreux cats could be found. The few remaining Chartreux cats were bred with blue British shorthairs, Russian blues and blue Persians to keep the breed from extinction.
The Chartreux made his journey to the United States in 1970, when the late Helen Gamon of La Jolla, California, heard about the cats and made a trip to France, bringing back three Chartreux cats. These cats became the foundation for the North American Chartreux. Gamon was instrumental in establishing and promoting the Chartreux in the United States, and developing the breed. Today's Chartreux is very similar to the hardy French street cats of the 1700s.
Appearance
The Chartreux is sometimes unflatteringly called a "potato on toothpicks" because of the way his robust, cobby body seems to balance on comparatively short, fine-boned legs. Nevertheless, the Chartreux is as agile and elegant as any feline. The body is medium-long, husky and robust, with broad shoulders, a deep chest, powerful muscles and strong boning. Males are larger and have a more massive musculature than the females; the males have been described as "walking fortresses." Females are smaller but still plenty of pounce per ounce.
The Chartreux's head is rounded and broad with powerful jaws and full cheeks. The muzzle is comparatively small and tapered, and that mysterious smile is part of the breed's standard – frowning Chartreux cats are frowned upon in show quality cats. Medium sized ears are set high on the head and have a very erect posture. The eyes are rounded, open and expressive, which adds to the sweet, smiling expression. Eye color is copper to gold with brilliant orange preferred.
One of this breed's defining characteristics is his plush, wooly coat. Solid blue is the only accepted color and pattern, better known as gray to the lay cat person. Any shade from ash to slate is acceptable. The coat is medium-short and has a woolly texture and a resilient undercoat. The coat is dense and soft to the touch and water repellent, perfect for surviving the cold, wet climate of the French Alps.
Personality
Amiable and loyal, Chartreux are affectionate and people-oriented. When you sit down next to your Chartreux you invariably end up with big blue lapful of cat.
Chartreux are quiet cats, and it can be amusing to hear soft, tiny squeaks coming from those big, strong bodies. They do purr with great enthusiasm, however.
Not as active as some breeds, the Chartreux is calm and confident. Still, these cats have a playful side that they keep well into adulthood. Because of their strong hunting instinct, they enjoy toys that move. Feathered toys that you whirl through the air are particular favorites, as is any toy in which you take an active role.
Grooming
The Chartreux has a dense undercoat that makes the coat stand away from the body, and for that reason requires a bit more grooming than some shorthaired breeds. The fur resists matting, however, and does well with a once or twice weekly combing with a good quality steel comb. During the spring and fall shedding seasons, however, you'll want to comb out dead hairs at least every other day to keep kitty from leaving a blue blanket of hair on everything you own. Bathing a Chartreux can be challenging because their thick, wooly coats repel water so effectively. Drying takes longer as well.
Association Acceptance
The Chartreux is accepted for championship by:
Special Notes
The Chartreux is generally a healthy and hardy breed, but some lines are known to possess the gene for patellar luxation (displacement of the kneecap). When severe, this condition can cause pain and lameness. Since the condition is hereditary, many breeders screen their breeding stock for it and exclude questionable cats from their programs. Ask prospective breeders about the condition before you agree to buy. Some Chartreux also tend to get gingivitis if their teeth are not regularly cleaned. Take your Chartreux in at least yearly for check-ups and, if needed, yearly cleanings. Talk to your veterinarian.
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