Chartreux vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison

Chartreux vs American Wirehair - Breed ComparisonChartreux is originated from France but American Wirehair is originated from United States. Both Chartreux and American Wirehair are having almost same weight. Both Chartreux and American Wirehair has almost same life span. Both Chartreux and American Wirehair has same litter size. Chartreux requires Moderate maintenance. But American Wirehair requires Low maintenance

History

chartreux - historyHailing from France, the Chartreux cat is a rare cat breed but is still recognized by a number of cat registries around the world.

It’s not a new breed of cat, and in fact, the Chartreux is mentioned for the first time in 1558 in a poem and later on in paintings. There are quite a few legends as to the origins of the Chartreux and while some believe that the cats were brought to France by monks others believe that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats from Syria.

European breeders kept the breed from extinction, especially after the 2nd world war, and the first Chartreux were brought to the United States in 1971. In 1987 the Cat Fancier’s Asociation advanced the Chartreux breed to championship status.

american wirehair - historyThe American Wirehair started as a spontaneous mutation so that somewhere along the line, an unusual litter with this unique wiry type of fur was born.

The cat hails from New York and it was in 1966 that a couple of barn cats had a litter of kittens, some of which were born with this peculiar wiry hair. Only one kitten survived – a male – and later it was discovered that the gene responsible for the wirehair coat was dominant so that only one parent required the gene to produce Wirehair offspring.

Today, all American Wirehairs are descendants of this one surviving male kitten. Today the breed is still fairly rare. It is, however, recognized by the four largest North American cat associations.

Basic Information

Origin:
France
United States
Weight Male:
4 - 9 kg
8 - 20 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 9 kg
8 - 20 pounds
5 - 7 kg
11 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
None
None
Colors Available:
Shades of blue-grey
Any color or pattern
Coat:
Short, dense and double-coated
springy, coarse and wiry
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

chartreux kitten - descriptionThe Chartreux is a large, strong, stocky, muscular cat that can weigh anything between 4 to 7kg while some can weigh as much as 9kg.

He has short legs when compared to the large body. He is known for his blue-like, silver-gray coat. In fact, the color can be any shade in the region of blue-grey. The coat is short, dense and double-coated and he has gold or copper-colored eyes.

People who have owned these cats say that they can take 3 to 4 years to reach maturity. Some people get mixed up and think this cat is very similar to the British Blue but they are two different breeds altogether.

Temperament:

The Chartreux is a real lap-cat just loving being able to settle down into his human owner's lap. It’s a cat with a 'smiling’ face because of the structure of his muzzle.

He is a very affectionate cat and will follow his people much like a dog. He is very intelligent and quiet and adapts well to a new situation. It's a cat that loves to climb so you will need to invest in a climbing tree for him as well as a scratching pole.

He is a good cat for first-time cat owners as well as being a good friend in homes with well brought up children. He is able to be friendly with other pets in the house.

american wirehair kitten - descriptionThe American Wirehair is a medium-sized cat, strong and powerful, and can weight 5, 6 or 7 kg.

The head is in proportion to the body and the cat has a strong muzzle and chin. The ears are medium-sized and are rounded at the tips while the eyes are large, round, and set well apart.

It’s the coat that draws attention as unlike a regular cat’s silky fur, the fur of this cat is springy, coarse and wiry to the touch. The coat can be any color or pattern. It is the cat’s very coat that distinguishes it from all other breeds.

With this coat, the less grooming the better. Brushing or combing can damage it, so unless he is shedding heavily, leave it alone.

The only other care he needs really is nail trimming, to check inside his mouth for bad teeth and to also check inside his ears for redness. Both the teeth and the ears can be a source of pain for your pet.

Temperament:

The American Wirehair may have a harsh coat but there is nothing harsh about his personality at all. He is amicable and loving, getting on well with all members of his human family.

He is an independent cat and while he loves spending time with his family, he is quite capable of spending time on his own as well.

The American Wirehair is a playful cat so you want to give him some toys to entertain himself for when you’re not around.

Characteristics

chartreux cat - characteristicsAlthough this is a large, strong cat, he is actually a gentle feline in nature and he doesn’t like being part of any bickering among his human family, preferring to run away. He also doesn’t like being spoken harshly to when he has done something wrong.

This cat isn’t an extrovert by any means but he isn’t particularly shy either and enjoys spending time with his human family.

He isn’t a demanding cat but is easy-going, just wanting to get on in life and he promises to make you a steady, loyal companion.

american wirehair cat - characteristicsThe American Wirehair makes a splendid pet, and while he isn’t the best breed for children, he can make a good pet with those children who have been taught kindness, gentleness and respect for animals.

He is calm, quiet, dependent, and sociable and by providing him with a good home, he’ll prove to be a wonderful pet and companion.

Health Problems

chartreux kittens - health problemsThese cats are particularly prone to dental problems. The reason for this is that their incisors are closely set together and small.

Because of the heaviness of this cat, the Chartreux is also prone to a disease known as patellar luxation or kneecap displacement. This problem can eventually lead to lameness. One way to avoid this particular problem is to rather get your kittens from reputable breeders.

These cats are much inclined towards weightiness so you have to be watching his diet carefully, more so because the cat is prone to patellar luxation.

american wirehair kittens - health problemsThe American Wirehair is a healthy type of cat but any cat can develop health issues.

Be aware of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a common form of heart disease in cats where there is the thickening of the heart muscle.

Be careful of overfeeding your cat as obesity is a major contributory disease to many illnesses that a cat gets. Excess weight can contribute to diabetes and arthritis and put pressure on your cat’s joints. Certainly, carrying extra weight can shorten your cat’s life. Make sure your cat gets smaller, healthier meals and that he is active and exercised.

Caring The Pet

chartreux cats - caringYour Chartreux cat’s dense, double coat will require brushing once or twice a week, especially in the cat’s seasonal shedding period.

This cat doesn't take well to changes in his diet, particularly when he finds a type of food that he likes, then he wants to stick to that. You want to feed your cat a top-quality food to encourage good health but you want to avoid overfeeding as obesity in cats comes with lots of problems. A cat is a carnivore and you therefore need to feed your cat a diet rich in protein. Speak to your vet or another cat expert who can advise you on feeding your cat if you are in any kind of doubt. Make sure your kitty kat has a never-ending supply of fresh, cool water.

Always make a point of checking inside your cat's ears as well as inside his mouth for bad teeth. Bad teeth can cause terrible pain and your pet has no way of communicating this to you.

Have your cat neutered or spayed if you don't want your cat to have kittens.

General:

american wirehair cats - caringBrush the cat gently once a week. Your cat will love the connection you and he has. While you brush him, make a point of checking inside his ears and inside his mouth as well. It is also time to trim his nails. If you are hesitant to do this, ask you vet for suggestions or you can make use of a pet groomer too.

Make sure your pet cat is free from parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworm. Your vet can recommend a treatment and it is also a good idea to talk to your vet about vaccines for your cat.

No unwanted kittens:

Have your American Wirehair spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted kittens and to promote better health for your cat.

Diet:

Always choose healthy food for your pet, bearing in mind that cats are carnivores, which means that you need to choose cat-food for your pet that has fish and meat in it. It can be difficult making good homemade food for your cat but there are excellent commercially prepared cat foods to ensure your cat gets the correct balance of nutrients and calories. Bear in mind that your cat's nutritional requirements change through their different stages of life.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Wirehair vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  2. American Wirehair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. American Wirehair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. American Wirehair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. American Wirehair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. American Wirehair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. American Wirehair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. American Wirehair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. American Wirehair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. American Wirehair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. Applehead Siamese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. Ashera vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  13. Asian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  14. Asian Semi-Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  15. Australian Mist vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  16. Balinese vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  17. Bengal vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  18. Bicolor vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  19. Birman vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Russian vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  21. Bombay vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  22. Brazilian Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  23. Bristol vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  24. British Longhair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  25. British Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  26. Chartreux vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Chartreux vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Chartreux vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Chartreux vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Chartreux vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Chartreux vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Chartreux vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Chartreux vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Chartreux vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Chartreux vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Chartreux vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Chartreux vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Chartreux vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Chartreux vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Chartreux vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Chartreux vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Chartreux vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Chartreux vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Chartreux vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Chartreux vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Chartreux vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Chartreux vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Chartreux vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Chartreux vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Chartreux vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison

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