Chantilly/Tiffany
Meoww!!
A moderate looking cat with no extremes, the loving Chantilly enjoys your company and will prefer it over being left alone. Also known as Tiffany.
In 5 Words
- active
- genius
- curious
- affectionate
- vocal
Snapshot
Size: Medium
Weight:
Male: medium: 8-12 lbs.
Female: medium: 8-12 lbs
Origin: New York
Life Span: 7-12 yrs.
Colour: Black, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Silver, Champagne, Platinum, Fawn
Characteristics
Learn About the Chantilly/Tiffany
The history of this breed began in 1967 when Jennie Robinson (Neotype Cattery) of New York purchased “Thomas” and “Shirley,” a pair of semi-foreign longhaired chocolate cats with gold eyes and unknown background, which were being sold as part of an estate sale. Ms. Robinson judged Thomas to be a little over a year old and Shirley about six months; they may have come from the same parents but they were not litter-mates. Shirley’s first litter was born in early 1969, containing six kittens, all identical, all the same chocolate color, which amazed Robinson and her veterinarian. Intrigued, Robinson undertook a breeding program. In the early 1970s, the ACA registered Thomas, Shirley, and many of their progeny as “Foreign-Longhairs.”
Early breeders hypothesized that the cats might be of Burmese descent. However, when the first litter was born in May 1969, kittens were dark self-colors with no points and pinkish paw pads, the opposite of traits that identify Burmese. All the USA cats of this breed descended from Thomas and Shirley. None arose from nor were bred to Burmese.
It is a cat with a semi-foreign body style and a full semi-long coat. The coat is silky, soft and smooth; the lack of undercoat usually makes grooming simpler than that of cats with an undercoat. Somewhat a late bloomer, the Chantilly-Tiffany is slow to mature and usually does not come into its full stature until about two years old. The eye color of the feline intensifies with age. The head should be a broad, modified wedge with gentle curves. It should have a medium length nose and a strong, broad, short and softly squared muzzle, and defined but not obvious whisker pads.
Coat colors
Originally found only in the color of chocolate, the Chantilly-Tiffany now occurs in a range of colors including chocolate, blue, cinnamon, lilac, and fawn. Accepted patterns are solid, mackerel, ticked, and spotted tabby. The color is rich; shading in solids may occur toward the underside. The overall impression of the ideal Chantilly would be a semi-foreign cat of striking appearance resulting from the combination of its rich color and full, silky semi-longhair coat, plumed tail, contrasting neck ruff, and ear furnishings.
Early breeders hypothesized that the cats might be of Burmese descent. However, when the first litter was born in May 1969, kittens were dark self-colors with no points and pinkish paw pads, the opposite of traits that identify Burmese. All the USA cats of this breed descended from Thomas and Shirley. None arose from nor were bred to Burmese.
The Chantilly/Tiffany is a breed of loyalty, and easily becomes a close, affectionate companion that is not overly demanding or mischievous. They are not as placid as Persians, nor as active as Orientals, and are best described as moderate. Usually, they develop particular affinity to one person in the home, with whom they bond, conversing in quiet “chirps” or trills characteristic of the Tiffany. It does not thrive in endless hours of solitude, and may become quite lonely. Persons working full time should plan on a companion pet. Tiffanies integrate well with children and other pets and require little maintenance.
The breed is gentle and easily managed. It will prefer the company of its special person to any other amusement. Some individuals forsake the “four-on-the-floor” reputation of their peers. They are usually friendly, but conservative with strangers. They leave no doubt as to their affection if you are their “person,” follow you constantly and respond well to their name. They are devotion in a silky chocolate (or other-coloured) robe. Pictured: Purrfecta Fax O’ Life.
The breed is very healthy, not given to any particular problems. Some manifest “finicky” digestion; they do not tolerate food adjustment or high corn-content foods well. Mothers are prolonged in labour, and not too anxious to wean. Kittens are quite slow to accept solids.
The long coat of Chantilly-Tiffany cats is very silky, smooth and fine. Like in Birmans, it isn’t prone to matting. Requires occasional grooming. Neck ruffs and ear streamers are distinctive and elegant.
Chantillies come in blue, black (the rarest), chocolate (the most common), cinnamon, lilac, and fawn colours. The common patterns are solid and tabby. White spotting is not allowed.
