Chausie

The Chausie is a domestic cat with a wild ancestor. The name comes from Felis chaus, the jungle cat, a wild species that lives in Egypt, the Middle East and southern Asia. Jungle cats have been crossed with domestic cats since the 1960s, and breeders developed the Chausie in the 1990s.

The look is wild. A Chausie is tall, lean and muscular, with long legs, a long neck, large ears with tufts and a sleek, wild-looking body. The coat is short and comes in three colors: solid black, black grizzled tabby with silver ticking, and brown ticked tabby.

Chausies are bred in generations, with F1 cats being the offspring of a jungle cat and a domestic cat, and later generations several steps removed. The International Cat Association recognized the breed. Later generations are more suitable as pets, with a gentler temperament and a lower cost.

The personality is energetic and curious. A Chausie is a high-energy cat that needs space, climbing places and games. It is intelligent, learns quickly, and often learns to fetch and walk on a leash. Many love water and will play in a sink or a stream.

A Chausie is a one-family cat. It forms close bonds with its people, and it is often wary of strangers. It does best with an active household and a plan for daily play and exercise. It needs mental work, such as puzzle feeders, and a secure space.

Check local laws, because early generations are restricted or banned in several places, and ask breeders about generations and health screening. Grooming is easy, a weekly comb is enough. A healthy Chausie can live about twelve to fifteen years.