Havana Brown Cats: Breed Profile

History: The Havana Brown breed is a chocolate brown Siamese type cat. This breed was first developed in Europe in the 1800's and was known as the Swiss Mountain Cat. In the 1920's, Siamese breeders discouraged the continuance of this breed. They felt that all Siamese type cats should have blue eyes and points. In the 1950's some breeders went against the norm, trying to produce an all brown Siamese type cat. Siamese seal and chocolate points were bred with black American shorthairs. Occasionally Russian blues were used for a crossbreed. Through dedicated breeding programs an all brown breed was developed. Havana Brown was chosen for the name. No one is sure why this name was chosen. One story has the breed being named after a pet rabbit of the same color. Another story says it was named for the color of a Havana cigar. The breed soon crossed the ocean to North American and was accepted as a breed by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1964 and granted Championship status in 1974.

Appearance: The distinguishing characteristic with this breed is their rich chocolate brown coat. The short coat is shiny and smooth and perfectly even in color. The whiskers are also brown. The head is longer than it is wide with a noticeable break above the nose. The break can be felt in the bone structure. The muzzle is rounded, and the face has a pleasant expression. The expressive, wide set eyes are always green. The ears are large and tilted. The legs are slim and dainty with oval, compact paws. The body is medium sized, and very heavy and muscular. The cats are powerful and graceful, a beautiful combination.

Personality: Havana Browns are friendly and intelligent. They are social and like to spend lots of time with people. Their excellent personalities make them wonderful companions. They have excellent control of their front paws and like to use them to explore things that they are curious about. They will also pat you with a paw to get your attention. This breed has a very soft voice, much quieter than their Siamese cousins. They will talk to you with their intimate whispers. Havana Browns are gentle cats and get along with children and other cats. Some of them enjoy riding on their owner's shoulders. They are not shy and thrive on new experiences.

Care: Like all cats, Havana Browns need a continual supply of fresh water, a high quality cat food, and a clean litter box. They also need safe places to play and scratch, and adequate opportunities to interact with their owners. Havana Browns are hardy and rarely get ill. Their short hair only requires a minimum amount of grooming. An occasional bath will keep their beautiful coats extra clean, and they enjoy the social interaction involved in brushing.