As is often said about snowflakes, there are no two Snowshoe cats that are exactly alike. It is a hybrid breed, originating as a variant from Siamese parents. In 1960, Dorothea Hinds Daugherty of the Kensing Cattery of Philadelphia, PA, found three kittens in a litter of Siamese, each with four white feet. She single-handedly developed the first “Snowshoe” line by crossing her Siamese with a bicolor American shorthair. Although the variant did not re-occur at first, eventually this cross breeding resulted in the popular “V” face that has become the trademark of this breed.
Between 1960 and 1977, interest in this breed lagged even though the American Cat Association accepted the Snowshoe for registration in 1974. The Cat Fancier’s Association recognized it as an experimental breed at about the same time. Interest in these cats began to grow in the 1980s and the Cat Fancier’s Federation (CFF) advanced the Snowshoe to championship status in 1982.
Medium-sized and muscular in appearance, these cats combine the heftiness of the American shorthair and the suppleness of their Oriental ancestors. They are medium-sized and their conformation is very well balanced. The nose may appear to be considerably longer than it is because of the illusion created by the inverted “V” pattern on the face. Ears are medium-sized to large and pointed, and the eyes are bright blue, large and oval.
Snowshoes are not lap cats per se, and like all creatures two-legged and four, maintain their own unique personalities. They are generally friendly, albeit somewhat aloof in temperament. They are known to be talkative and have soft, melodic voices. Multiple cats are never a problem with this non-aggressive breed and they get along well with children and other pets as well. Active and inquisitive, Snowshoes are very affectionate with family members.
Do YOU own such a cat? Please share your experiences.