California Spangle Cat
Like the Bengal, the California Spangle Cat is an "engineered" breed, which came to being from much the same intent: to publicize the cause of wild cats killed for their pelts, under the theory that no one wants to wear a coat that resembles her cat. It may have been an unfortunate choice in the long run, but in 1986, the California Spangle was introduced in possibly the flashiest manner ever known to the cat fancy: in a Nieman Marcus catalog. While this publicity eventually did raise funds for the cause of engangered cat species in Central and South America, there was a certain degree of controversy also attendant.
The California Spangle is presently registered with ACA and TICA. Whether this breed will ultimately survive is entirely dependent upon the public's acceptance, and the willingness of new breeders to continue the breed.
More Information on the California Spangle Cat
- Breed Profile
- TICA Standard (PDF File)
- Painting of a California Spangled
- PetPlace Article (California Spangled)
- Pet Place Article
- Kings Ransom (New Breeder)
- StarCats California Spangled (Alaska Breeder)
Chausie
Like the Bengal, the Chausie is a selectively bred hybrid cat using "wild" stock. While the Bengal comes from the Asian Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), the Chausie is the result of breeding a domestic cat with a Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), with a three approved colors, "golden" or brown ticked tabby, solid black, and silver-tipped black.
It is a large, muscular cat, with males sometimes reaching as much as 25 pounds, but graceful and lean, as opposed to cobby.
The Chausie was originally developed as the Jungle Cat in the 1960s and '70s, but has long since been known by today's name.
More on the Chausie:
Suggested Reading
- Jungle Cat Hybrid (and Chausie)Compare Prices
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau holds several distinctions: It is the only naturally-spotted cat breed, it is very likely descended from the original African Wild Cat, domesticated by Egyptians over 4,000 years ago, and its name (Mau) literally translates to "cat" in Egyptian.
Except for a serendipitous event, the Mau as we know it, might not even exist in North America. Exiled White Russian Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy, immigrating to the United States from Rome with three of her rescued Maus, tried unsuccessfully to book passage on the ill-fated Andrea Dorea. But for a whim of fate, she and her cats would have gone down with the ship when it was rammed by a Swedish liner. Instead, she settled for other transportation, and made it to the U.S. to be instrumental in revitalizing a near-extinct breed.
More on the Egyptian Mau:
