A BREED DESCRIPTION
The Snowshoe is a medium cat, combining the heftiness of it's American short hair ancestors with the length of it's oriental ancestors. Well-balanced, neither too small nor too large, it is firm, muscular, deceptively powerful and agile. A long cat, it has the appearance of a runner rather than aweight-lifter. When the cat is lifted, one notices the heft. While not appearing bulky, the cat has weight. The unique combination of dark points (Siamese coloration), white patterns (boots and mittens), short hair and moderate body type, sets the Snowshoe apart from other breeds. When the white patterns are symmetrically marked against dark points, the cat is most striking. Snowshoe eyes are expressive, a sparkling blue, complimentary to the coat color. The eyes are walnut or oval shaped. Proportionate to thehead, they slant slightly to bottom of broad based, rounded tipped ears. And, as any Snowshoe owner will tell you, they gleam with intelligence andaffection.Snowshoe patterns are varied. Like pebbles on the beach, or clouds in the sky, each kitten is born with it's own distinctive markings.Each kitten is painted with no predictability . Some have a small amount of white, and some have a lot. Other kittens are born with no white at all, looking very much like the "old fashion" Siamese. Snowshoe kittens are born all white. After several weeks the kittens begin to show their true color and markings (pattern).
Snowshoe colors include blue point, seal point,lilac, chocolate, cinnamon, and fawn. Seal and blues are most common, as the other colors have not occurred is great numbers, they are extremely recessive. Traditionally, breeders only sought blue and seal because these colors were thought to be the most striking when combined with the white patterns. The perfect pattern, or show pattern, is difficult to achieve.
Ideal patterns may vary according to different breed association standards.An individual in need of specifics should consult a Snowshoe breeder, or a specific cat association. Generally speaking, the Snowshoe may be divided into two categories, the MITTED and THE BICOLOR. BICOLOR Snowshoes exhibit a full, orpartial, INVERTED V (upside down v), giving the cats their famous LONERANGER (masked, for all you youngsters) look. MITTED Snowshoes have muzzles of solid point color, or have a pattern other than a variation of the INVERTED V. In the show ring, a definite contrast between the point color and and the white is desirable. Symmetry is good. White shoe pattern shouldbe apparent on all four feet. It may range from toes only to mid-leg on the front limbs, and from toes only to mid-thigh on the rear limbs. Most breeders aim for the front ankles and the hock on the rear.
But again, these are breeder and show ideals, not necessarily what nature throws. Recognizingthe capricious nature of the white spotting gene, uneven patterns may be permitted, but may be objectionable if highly visible and distract from the overall appearance of the cat. The cat may, or may not, be penalized depending upon the extremity of the deviance from the pattern descriptions stated in the specific breed standards of the cat association.
Personally, THE MAC CATTER ...himself, thinks that all the cats have their own beauty, and is especially fond of high whites. High whites are cats that have "too" much white. Mac says the great thing about Snowshoes is their variation...and has not seen an ugly one yet. In any event, the pattern should fall on coat that is short to medium short, smooth, and close-lying. Nose leather can be pink, solid, or molted.
Mac Says, "Remember when picking out pets, choose what is pleasing to your own taste! MEOW!"
For a copy of the Specific Breed Standards Contact:
TICA - The International Cat Association
The World's Largest Genetetic Registry of Pedigreed Cats
1-800-TICA-INFO
P.O. Box 2684
Harlingen, TX 78551
RETURN TO HOME PAGE?