The Norwegian forest cat, also commonly called a "wegie" for short, was believed to be the cat of the Vikings. In 1977, the breed was registered with Europe’s Federation Internationale Feline, and a few years later, wegies began showing up in the United States. Norwegian Forest cat It is also known as Norsk skogkatt or Norsk shaukatt. [19], The Norwegian Forest breed is very popular in Norway and Sweden. Ava Yawning.jpg. How Big Are Norwegian Forest Cats? Alongside dogs, cats are one of the most popular pets in Norway.With strong origins in Northern Europe, the Norwegian forest cat is well-suited to a cold climate. The Nordic Spirit is alive and well in this breed. The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, heavily boned, heavily coated cat. PawPeds provide a pedigree database which comes together with health programmes, through publishing each single cat's test result, to provide useful information for breeders to make a well-informed breeding decision. They are attentive but not overly demanding or vocal. [4] They are very interactive cats who enjoy being part of their family environment and love to play games. Black and white longhaired Norwegian Forest Cat.jpg. Unfortunately, World War II interrupted its ascent to fame. Not only that, but consistently brushing your longhair cat is important to reduce tangles in knots in their hair. The Norwegian forest cat is a natural breed and does not exhibit the health problems that sometimes pop up in mixed breeds. [10] The original landrace lived in the Norwegian forests for many centuries, but were later prized for their hunting skills and were used on Norwegian farms,[11] until they were discovered in the early twentieth century by cat enthusiasts. The wegie arrived in Norway hundreds, and perhaps even thousands of years ago. Kidney and heart diseases have been reported in the breed. Adult females of this breed will typically weigh 3.6 – 8 kg (8 - 18 lbs), while males tend to weigh 4.5 to 9 kg (10 - 20 lbs). Like all cats, wegies need regular dental care. [1] This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with a top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hair and a woolly undercoat for insulation. [6] If bought from a registered breeder in the US, they tend to cost from $800 to $1500. They Love to Climb Trees. Both cats have very long, thick fur, the better to survive cold weather with. This breed takes longer to mature—roughly five years. * Post questions, photos, and create events for Norwegian Forest Cats. History of the Norwegian Forest Cat In his native Norway, the Wegie is called the ‘Skogkatt’ which, when translated, means forest cat and was originally a feral breed that became an effective mouser on Norwegian farms. The Norwegian Forest Cat was presented to the Cat Fancier's Association for registration acceptance in 1987 and in 1993 was accepted for full championship status. List of Partners (vendors), Characteristics of the Norwegian Forest Cat, 8 Pictures That Prove Norwegian Forest Cats Are the Most Beautiful, Where to Adopt or Buy a Norwegian Forest Cat, 14 Cute Cat Breeds Anyone and Everyone Will Love, 10 Domesticated Cat Breeds That Are the Largest, These Beautiful Longhair Cats Make Excellent Pets, The Rare Turkish Van Is Unlike No Other Cat, Learn About the Long and Delicate Turkish Angora Cat, The Active, Playful, and Personable Devon Rex Cat. [34], Glycogen storage disease type IV due to branching enzyme deficiency was found in an inbred family of Norwegian forest cats. The Norwegian forest cat is the official cat of Norway. The Norwegian forest cat has a double coat of long, water-resistant fur. Called "skogkatt" in Norwegian, which translates to "forest cat," this breed is a favorite animal among Norse mythology and tales. [10] Their water-resistant coat with a dense undercoat developed to help the cat survive in the harsh Scandinavian climate. The Norwegian Forest cat is adapted to survive Norway's cold weather. There are many cat breeds out there. [13] The club's movement to preserve the breed was interrupted by World War II. Get a cat tower or tree for this cat to exercise its natural inclination to climb. Reputable breeders are also a great source of information to answer your questions about these lovable cats. Norwegian Forest Cats typically enjoy excellent health and are known for their longevity. Measure content performance. The breed is very good at climbing, since they have strong claws they are one of the few domestic cats capable of descending a tree head first. Once a week, wipe the corner of the Norwegian cat's eyes to clean it of any discharge. The Norwegian Forest Cat is native to Norway, with a history going back hundreds and maybe thousands of years. The breed's origins are a source of mystery. They are highly adaptable to cold climates because of their beautiful, abundant coat made up of water-shedding hair and a wooly undercoat. Although these don't occur often, it's important to be aware of their existence. The Norwegian Forest cat or Wegie, as many prefer to call the cat, is a wonderful family pet. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home. The Norwegian Forest Cat is an active cat that enjoys physical activity as well as games that challenge the mind. If kitten antics are bothersome to you, consider this when deciding whether a Norwegian forest cat is right for you. Feeding Your Norwegian Forest Cat Upgrade to wikiHow Pro and go ad free Select a high-quality cat … This cat is not the most trainable cat; it would rank a 5 on a 10-point scale. Use a new, clean cloth for each eye to avoid cross-contamination. [32] There is also high prevalence of eosinophilic granuloma complex in Norwegian Forest cats which is suggestive of a genetic background. Benjamin of Amber Forest.jpg 972 × 648; 179 KB. Where or how the cats originated remains a mystery. The Norwegian Forest cat (Norwegian: Norsk skogkatt or Norsk skaukatt) is a breed of domestic cat originating in Northern Europe.This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hairs and a woolly undercoat for insulation. Currently, the Norwegian Forest breed is very popular in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland and France. There's a lot you need to know to make things go smoothly with your new friend. Select personalised content. The breed has a long, sturdy body, long legs and a bushy tail. [23] Fanciers note that these cats produce a variety of high-pitched "chirping" vocalizations. A white Norwegian Forest Cat is rare, so if you ever come across one, they’re quite a sight to … A natural breed, wegies are long-haired, have inverted triangular heads, and almond-shaped eyes. Although, this may be one of the few times you will hear from your wegie, as they do not vocalize as often as other cats. Norwegian forest cat vital statistics Norwegian forest cats are large with robust, muscular bodies; males can weigh 4.5-7.5kgs, and females 3.5-5.5kgs. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Breed is prone to glycogen storage disease and hip dysplasia. In fact, both … White. [35], "Breed Profile: The Norwegian Forest Cat", "Accueil - chat norvegien - chat des forets norvegiennes", "Le Sphynx : Haut dans les cœurs du classement CFA", "Bienvenue sur le site de l'Unité de Médecine de l'Elevage et du Sport de l'Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort", "A complex rearrangement in GBE1 causes both perinatal hypoglycemic collapse and late-juvenile-onset neuromuscular degeneration in glycogen storage disease type IV of Norwegian forest cats", "17: Preventative Health Care for Your Pet", "Breeding traits and hereditary disorders of the Norwegian forest cat during breed development", "Non-pruritic granuloma in Norwegian forest cats", "Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence varies by cat breed", "Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV: Inherited Deficiency of Branching Enzyme Activity in Cats", Cat Fanciers' Association Breed Profile: Norwegian Forest Cat, PawPeds Norwegian Forest cat pedigree database, Standard description of Norwegian Forest cat with images and drawings - Bolboreta Forest Cattery, Video of Norwegian Forest Cat History - Elvenstar Cattery, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Norwegian_Forest_cat&oldid=1019947235, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Norwegian-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 April 2021, at 09:14. Coat Color: Ranges from white, black, red, cream, tabby to cinnamon. [4] There are DNA tests available for GSD IV, and it is highly recommended (some cat associations obligate their Norwegian Forest cat breeder members) to carry out the DNA test before using such animals for breeding. If the cat becomes a difficult eater, a different brand of cat food that is high in protein and meat can be tried. Why buy a Norwegian Forest Cat kitten for sale if you can adopt and save a life? Wegies will eat more than a normal cat due to its larger size. both independent and an affectionate member of the family who loves attention but These cats are friendly and loyal. Create a personalised ads profile. The Norwegian Forest cats are very affectionate cats. She is a muscular and looks like the hunter she used to be. Norwegian forest cats are athletic, muscular cats with large bodies. It is known to bear a striking resemblance to a Maine coon cat. Wegies can be shy around strangers but are generally easy-going. However, the Norwegian Forest Cat Club continued to work hard to save the breed. The tail of the Norwegian Forest cat is long and fluffy. He figures in fairy tales and legends, one being that the Norse goddess Freya’s chariot is pulled by six giant cats. [26] In an experiment directed by John C. Fyfea, Rebeccah L. Kurzhals, and others, it was concluded that a complex rearrangement in the breed's Glycogen branching enzyme (GBE1) can cause both a perinatal hypoglycemic collapse and a late-juvenile-onset neuromuscular degeneration in glycogen storage disease type IV in the breed. Norwegian forest cat, Norse mythology tells that two great cats called Bygul (golden bee) and Trjegul (golden amber tree) pulled the chariot of the powerful and beautiful goddess Freya. [26] The cats usually live to be 14 to 16 years old. Benji8mnd.jpg. Properly cared for and fed a good diet that meets their nutritional needs, Norwegian forest cats can expect to live for 14 to 16 years. Norwegian Forest Cats can live up to 16 years, which is a long life for a cat. Norwegian Forest Cats has 12,042 members. It is common for this cat breed to shed one coat in the spring and one in the winter, at which time, their coat should be combed through two or three times a week. Some believe Turkish traders brought their favorite cat up north with them when they came to trade, while others believe the cat was one of the many treasures brought back during the Crusades. It is said that the cats were so huge and strong that not even Thor, the god of thunder, was able to lift them off the ground. Specifically in this breed, complex rearrangements of glycogen branching enzyme (GBE1) can cause a perinatal hypoglycaemic collapse and a late-juvenile-onset neuromuscular degeneration in glycogen storage disease type IV. Owing to cross-breeding with free-ranging domestic cats during the war, the Norwegian Forest cat became endangered and nearly extinct until the Norwegian Forest Cat Club helped the breed make a comeback by developing an official breeding program. This natural breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with a top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hair and a woolly undercoat for insulation. The Norwegian Forest cat (Norwegian: Norsk skogkatt or Norsk skaukatt) is a breed of domestic cat originating in Northern Europe. [30], Patella luxation is found more in the British Shorthair, Abyssinian and Devon Rex breeds, but it is recognized in Norwegian Forest cats as well. Select personalised ads. The Norwegian Forest cat, or ‘Wegie’ for short, is a domestic cat that hails from Northern Europe and is one of the most popular pets in Sweden, Iceland, France and of course, Norway. [14][15] In the 1950s, King Olav V declared them the official cat of Norway. They can sometimes be picky if their food does not comply with this preference. The Norwegian Forest Cat Club was formed to help preserve the breed. Reduce or avoid carbs as they are not meant to eat them and do not process them as well as dogs or other animals. They are known for being great with kids and patient with other animals. [31], A pedigree with 871 Norwegian Forest cats show that familial cardiomyopathy in this breed. [24] Since the cats have very strong claws, they are very good climbers, and can even climb rocks. The Norwegian Forest Cat's well-balanced body structure, equilateral triangle-shaped head and bright emerald green eyes (with a band of gold) also gives it an aura of mystery, while its broad chest and well-developed muscles display the cat's power and strength. Appearance and coat colours As mentioned previously, the Norwegian Forest cat is a large breed with males weighing up to 20lb. Use precise geolocation data. As a high energy cat, you can give your cat exercise in the form of playing a fun game of chase the laser pointer. They balance “hygge”, a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being, with their natural athletic nature – … We are a member of the FIFE registered club Mundikat History [7] The thick undercoat on the chest should appear as a visible ruff. The Norwegian Forest Cat even fits in Norse folklore; being referred to as a huge mountain-dwelling fairy cat that had the capability to climb up a large cliff and even pulled the chariot of the goddess Freya into fights. They do tend to follow their owner around the house. The coat consists of a long, glossy, thick and water-repellent top layer and a woolly undercoat and is thickest at the legs, chest, and head. The breed almost went extinct during the war due to crossbreeding. 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