Snowshoe Cats

A beautiful Snowshoe cat with big bright eyes

A perky snowshoe cat with its white paws

A happy Snowshoe cat showing off its snowshoe

History

The Snowshoe has its roots in Pennsylvania, America when a breeder called Dorothy Hinds Daugherty found some kittens in a Siamese litter all had four white feet. Daugherty took a liking to this unique look of pointed colour and white feet that looked like little snowshoes. From here she began to establish this look into a new breed. The kitten were bred with a domestic american shorthair (a breed yet to be recognised) with tuxedo markings.Over time the Snowshoe breed was developed to have white feet and a ‘V’ facial marking. These cats didn’t manage to gain much interest and Daugherty abandoned her breeding programme. Fortunately Vikki Olander took on the development of this breed and obtained experimental breed status from the Cat fanciers Federation and the American Cat Association in 1974.

Popularity and interest in the breed was dwindling by 1977, when other breeders Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell contacted Olander and they began again to work on the breed. In 1983 the breed gained championship status with the Cat Fancier Federation and in 1990 the breed attained champion status from the American Cat Fanciers Association. The International Cat Association recognised the breed in 1993.

Behaviour

The Snowshoe is a friendly cat that is inquisitive and active. The Snowshoe is affectionate, and will enjoy playing with their owner. Although active they are fairly docile and calm, they enjoy to perch in high up places and watch the world go by. The Snowshoe is vocal, although not as loud as the Siamese. This breed doesn’t like to be on its own and will become frustrated if left by itself for a long period of time.