History:  

The Chartreux cat breed has a religious history. The attractive bluish cat was brought from the Middle East once upon a time in the 1500s. Carthusian monks actively bred this cat breed near the capital of France as working cats. 

Later in the 1920s, there was a strategic program to breed Chartreux, leading to healthy, strong, short-haired blue cats with powerful bodies and elegant faces. Then, this cat breed was imported to the British region to develop its own breed and enhance the coat type, body, and coat color of the short hair of the British. 

This cat breed was almost lost during the Second World War. However, with the constant effort of dedicated breeders, the breed survived, but still at a lower scale.

Height: 22-25 cm

Weight: 2-5 kg

Size: Medium to Large

Life Expectancy: 12 to 16 years

Breed Appearance:  

This cat features a round, sweet face, gray and blue coats, and glimmering copper-colored eyes. Moreover, the breed has muscular and large bodies with slight and short limbs. Also, they can be considered potatoes on toothpicks. Usually, these cats stand around 9-11 inches tall and can grow with a weight range of 6-12 pounds. 

As per the statement by Kurt Venator, this cat breed takes more time to reach adulthood, with a slow maturity speed. 

The solid blue-gray body coat of this cat is a defining trait. However, these cats can have light tabby spots on their bodies with age. Their water-repelling and silky coats also change their texture to wooly as they grow. Unfortunately, in the spring season, these cats lose their hair. 

Appearance-wise, the cat has been compared to Russian blues and British shorthairs. However, there are more ways to tell these gray felines apart. British Shorthairs are larger breeds with wider heads. At the same time, Russian blues have more plus and dense coats with silver-looking hairs compared to Chartreux. 

Breed Type - Family/guard: 

This is an amazing family cat for a quiet and stable family with older children who can respect the need for undisturbed naps and space of this breed. Interestingly, this breed is a good traveler.

Hence, it is worth noting that anyone who owns the Chartreux cat breed can easily carry it compared to other breeds.  Additionally, due to its amiable disposition, this breed can live or play comfortably with cat-friendly dogs. 

Training:

This is a smart cat breed and easy to train. The average cat of this variety can quickly capture when someone calls their name and run after the toy if through. Additionally, they can bring the toy to the family member if needed. Therefore, it is good to say that you don't need to train these cats hard. They can understand their name and other basic things effortlessly. 

Health & Care:

This is one of the healthiest cat breeds with an average lifespan of around 12 to 16 years. However, they may face a few health issues, like kidney disease, urinary tract challenges, etc. 

Responsible cat breeders will perform various tests to check genetic issues. However, it is crucial to schedule vet appointments for these cats often and seek advice. 

Living Condition:

If you have a Chartreux cat at your home, consider it as your pet. This breed is soft-spoken and not likely to make noise if anything bothers it. However, please take care of its health, behavior, and changes in lifestyle. If you find anything bothering you about this cat's health, please consult a nearby veterinarian. 

This breed doesn't want to go out of the way to create a new friend circle; it is far from timid and shy. Its undemanding and calm nature can help you to leave it home alone if you go out. 

If you worry about noisy cat pets, you should think about this breed with a calm nature. Besides, the breed doesn't want to wake you noisy meowing during the night time. 

Due to its good nature and tolerance, this is the right fit cat breed for families with other pets and kits. Moreover, it is a great travel companion. Please ensure that you offer it some routine elements and stability. 

Exercise:

Chartreux loves to exercise in the short spurt, considering it likes to do the same while hunting in the wild area. You can bring interactive and puzzle toys to help it with regular exercise. 

Moreover, it can follow you during your free time as a part of exercise. Once it is done with exercising, you will locate it curled up, snoozing near the corner. 

Grooming: 

We would suggest you comb this cat weekly. However, to remove the wooly coat, please don't brush. Before that, check for scratches. 

Otherwise, scrapes will suffice. Primarily, the cat takes care of its own grooming in its free time. Interestingly, bathing this cat is a rare requirement. However, if needed, it takes more time to wet the coat since it is water-repellent. 

This cat is popular to shed in the spring and needs brushing to remove loose hairs. 

Please note that the greasy coat may prevent the cat from grooming itself. It may be due to extra weight or any health issue. Consider health care for this breed as the grooming practice, with parasite control, regular vaccination, and annual health checkups. 

Advantages:

• Good with other pets and kids 
• Docile and friendly and doesn't demand anything much like other breeds. 
• Good travel companion, and adaptable at home alone. 

Disadvantages:

• It is challenging to find the breeder
• Feel bored if you can't offer enough stimulation
• Kidney problems may cause more health issues.