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Breed Characteristics
1 paw - breed exhibits the least amount of this characteristic
5 paws - breed exhibits most amount of this characteristic
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Cyprus
| Origin And History | The Cyprus cat is a landrace of domestic cat believed to be descended from cats of Egypt or Palestine brought to Cyprus by St. Helen to rid the island of snakes and vermin. It is not recognized as a formal breed by any major cat fancier and breeder organization. According to research conducted by J.-D. Vigne, et al. the oldest example of a domesticated cat may be found in Cyprus. In 2004, archaeologists working at the Neolithic site of Shillourokambos, uncovered carefully interred remains of a cat alongside human remains and decorative artifacts. "Examination showed that a small pit or grave had been deliberately dug out, and the body of the cat was placed in it, then rapidly covered." The cat skeleton predates Egyptian depictions of cats by 4,000 years or more. The Cyprus cat is linked with the Byzantine monastery peculiarly named "St. Nicholas of the Cats" (Greek Άγιος Νικόλαος των Γατών), which was founded in the fourth century AD. According to Byzantine legend, St. Helen imported hundreds of cats from Egypt or Palestine in the fourth century to control venomous snakes that had infested the monastery. The monastery had two bells, one to call the cats for meals and the other to send to the fields to hunt snakes. Today, the monastery's population of cats has dwindled. The Nobel Laureate, Giorgos Seferis, wrote of the Cyprus cat in his poem, "The Cats of St. Nicholas" translated by Edmund Keely and Philip Sherrard in 1995. |
| Personality | When entering a new living space, the Cyprus Cat adjusts in no time at all. It is excited to explore its new environment and make it its home! While the Cyprus Cat is not a social butterfly when it comes to making new human friends, it is certainly not a hermit either. It will make new human friends when introduced to them. The Cyprus Cat can not get enough interaction. Owners of this cat should expect to see it along their side most of the day. This cat is good for homes with children. It does a good job tolerating their unfledged behavior. The Cyprus Cat loves to be around dogs. So much so, that it could be said that the cat sees the dogs as family! Owners beware that the amount of affection that this cat demands can be overwhelming. The Cyprus Cat is very affectionate! Owners will have their hands full with this cat as it loves to play. The Cyprus Cat is very playful! The Cyprus Cat is a high energy cat breed that loves to run around and have fun. This cat develops habits and routines, and can also be trained because they are highly intelligent. |
Physical Attributes
| Appearance | The Cyprus Cat has been known for its medium size and this has been a deciding factor for many owners of this breed. Its build is best described as tenuous, and petite. Because the Cyprus Cat breed is a medium sized cat breed it often weighs between 13 lbs (5.9 kg) to 15 lbs (6.8 kg). This cat would fit well in a medium sized home! With its outer layer often described as barren, reveling, and unique; The Cyprus Cat is truly a marvelous creature with its own refined beauty. Their fur (or skin) may come in colors such as chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn; which can make them very unique among their peers. The long length tail found in most of the Cyprus Cat breed is believed to help the cat with balance, grace, and agility. The Cyprus Cat breed has a reputation for having medium sized eyes which lead them to be more attractive than other feline breeds. |
| Health | This cat breed is generally healthy, but may get sick on occasion. Owners should research their cat’s genealogy for health problems to better prepare themselves for the possibility. While many cat breeds do have some mild health issues, common ones for the Cyprus Cat breed are Diarrhea, Fleas, and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Allergic reactions are not common, but may occur in people with cat allergies that come near the Cyprus Cat breed. |
