The Aegean Cat Breed

Some weeks ago, I took on an assignment from Associated Content to write an article about the Ojos Azules cat breed. During my research for that article, I came across some listings of all the cat breeds that are recognized by The American Cat Association, Cat Fancier's Association, and other major registries. Some of the breeds named looked so intriguing I promised myself that I would come back and learn more about them when I had some more time. Hence, the Aegean, which, being in the 'A's', is one of the first interesting cat breed names on my mental list.

All about the Aegean
The Aegean cat breed originated from the Cycladic Islands, or the Cyclades, which are a group of approximately 220 islands comprising part of the Aegean archipelago. There are several major islands in this "administrative prefecture", as it is officially known, but the smaller islands are not inhabited. The main town is Ermopoulis, on the island of Syros; for more information about the Cyclades, see here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclades

The fur of the Aegean cat is predominantly white, although they can have 1 or 2 other colors along with that. The correct terminology is to say this cat is Bi- or Tri- colored. They have a semi-longhaired coat, which grows longer and thicker to give it protection during the harsh winter and sheds to a shorter length during the warmer months. They have a medium-sized build, are stocky and muscular in appearance, and tend to have strong legs with broad, rounded paws. They have a reputation for being excellent mousers and very good hunters. They are seldom fat. They have oriental-shaped eyes that can be any shade of green, and are friendly creatures that make ideal pets. They get along well with humans, and apparently don't hesitate to be vocal if they want something. They are healthy and independent animals, but they have grown quite domesticated over the years as a result of serious breeding efforts, and are considered to be ideal apartment dwellers.

What I Learned

When I saw the name "Aegean", I immediately thought of the sea, and wondered if this cat was so named because it had eyes that were the same color as a Greek sea. I did imagine a white cat, so I was pretty close. The information I read about them waiting on the beach for the fishermen to come back at the end of the day was just charming to think about. Apparently, they love fish, and they know where the best places to get it are across all the Greek islands. I didn't find any information on whether or not the Aegean is in the United States yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn there already are some here.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aegean_cat

http://www.ofcats.com/2008/06/aegean.html