Havana Brown Cat

Havana Brown Cat

Although its name conjures up a vision of good smoke from a Cuban city of the same name, Havana originated in Great Britain, far from its Caribbean namesake. A man-made breed, the Havana is the result of a 1950s selective breeding programmed to maintain the graceful lines of the Siamese without its point pattern.

Suspicions that the breed was not of British origin led to a new name just a few years later: the Chestnut Brown. However, more recently the original name has begun to be commonly used again.

Like its Siamese forebears, Havana is a smart and loving cat. It is extremely playful and demanding Of attention and praise. Despite this active nature, it is quite comfortable with an indoor existence. It generally forms a tight bond with one member of the family and is constantly loyal thereafter.

This is a one-color breed, but show standards differ between the United States and Great Britain. British enthusiasts prefer a look closer to that of the Orientals, while the Americans prefer something closer to the Russian Blue.

The fur is short, extremely glossy, and even over the entire body. The body is long and thin, with long, thin legs, small, egg-shaped paws, and a long, tapering tail. The head is wedge-shaped (longer than it is wide), withal a short, angled nose; it has far-set, almond-shaped, slanted eyes and extremely large ears that are rounded at the tips and pink inside.

Common standard faults are spots or white hairs. The coat should be brushed and rubbed with a gloved hand daily, always in the hair’s natural growth direction. The Havana is an extremely healthy cat and requires no special diet.

Females make first-rate mothers for their litters of plush-covered kittens. They speak constantly with their new charges. Havana is a popular breed but remains comparatively rare. As a result, it generally carries a hefty price.

See more: Exotic Shorthair