Chantilly-Tiffany - Origin, Characteristics and Care

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a feline of American origin resulting from the crossing of several feline breeds with short and long hair, which resulted in a medium-sized cat, with semi-long and abundant fur at the level neck, chest and tail and which can be of different colors and patterns. They are lovable, friendly, loyal and affectionate cats who choose a guardian to accompany wherever they go.

They don't like to be left alone and, in the absence of environmental enrichment, they may develop stereotypies or inappropriate behaviors.Their care is simple but you have to be careful about the good hygiene of their ears, because they can end up developing an otitis. Read on to learn more about the Chantilly-Tiffany cat, its origin, characteristics, care, he alth, and where to adopt one.

Origin

  • America
  • United States

Physical Characteristics

  • Thick Tail
  • Big ears
  • Strong

Size

  • Average

Average Weight

  • 5-6

Life expectancy

  • 10-15

Character

  • Active
  • Extrovert
  • Affectionate
  • Smart
  • Curious
  • Calm

Climate

  • Temperate

Hair type

  • Medium

Origin of Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a breed originating from the United States, more precisely from New York. The first litter was born in 1969, although in reality these cats already existed before and were considered noble cats, but they were thought to be extinct until in 1967 two specimens were discovered during the public auction of a property. The origin itself is still a mystery, although there are several hypotheses.

One believes that this breed is a mix between Abyssinian, Persian and Havana cat, while other theories indicate that it is a cross between Somali , Havana and Angora.However, what seems more likely is that he was born of an equal mix of Nebelung, Persian, Abyssinian, Havana, and Somali feline breeds and not a long-haired Burmese as that breed was named by the past.

New York breeder Jennie Robinson is the one who got a pair of golden-eyed, long-haired chocolate-colored cats named Thomas and Shirley, who had a litter in 1969 in which all the kittens were born with chocolate-colored fur, so she decided to continue raising them in subsequent years.

" In the 70s of the last century, these cats were registered as foreign longhair with the American Cat Association, but later this name was withdrawn due to the negative opinion of the owners, replacing it by Chantilly-Tiffany, because the name Tiffany was already associated with the cross between the Burmese and the Persian."

Characteristics of Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a medium and muscular feline that can measure up to 50 cm for a weight between 4 and 8 kg. Its main attraction is perhaps its beautiful mid-length coat. In addition, the main physical characteristics of this breed are:

  • Wedge-shaped head and high cheekbones.
  • Ears covered with tufts of hair with a broad base and a rounded tip.
  • Oval golden eyes, although they can also be yellow or green, especially in silver cats.
  • Strong bones.
  • Proportionate legs with less hair than the rest of the body.
  • Rounded paws covered with short fur.
  • Straight back.
  • Long very thick tail with dense hair.

Colors of Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffany coat is fine, mid-length, silky and without undercoat. It forms an abundant collar of fur around the neck and chest. Their colors are different. The most common is chocolate, but blue, black, lilac, silver, red and cream with plain, tabby, speckled, marked and mackerel patterns are also accepted.

How is the Chantilly-Tiffany kitten?

These cats are born with hair that looks medium-length, but over time a pattern of profuse hair forms on the neck, chest and tail, medium-length in the rest and short on the The paws. Additionally, the tint of eye color intensifies as they grow.

Character of Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffanys are felines with a balanced, sociable and playful character. They have a favorite companion that they won't hesitate to follow around the house asking for attention. They also like to rest with said caregiver for long periods of time. They are very loyal, affectionate, friendly and intelligent.

They are not very active, but not too calm, being less lively than Abyssinians, Egyptian Maus or Bengalis, but more than Persians. They get along well with children and even with visitors, as they are sociable and balanced cats.

Taking care of a Chantilly-Tiffany

Chantilly-Tiffanys have high intelligence, which equates to high mental activity. In other words, they need interactive games and activities to entertain themselves or with someone. Interactive games are an example of environmental enrichment, necessary when left alone at home in order to avoid inappropriate behaviors, for example self-harm or excessive grooming which can end up causing alopecia.

These cats, although having a semi-long hair, are easy to maintain because they have no undercoat, which is the one that tends to tangle. But despite how easy it is to keep it detangled and soft, it should be brushed at least 2-3 times a week, doubling the frequency in the spring and summer to avoid the buildup of hairballs in the digestive tract, which can cause an obstruction.

Weekly ear hygiene is very important, because having very thick and hairy ears, they are predisposed to the accumulation of wax and secretions, which can end up causing an infection.Dental hygiene is also essential to prevent oral disorders and infections such as chronic gingivostomatitis, periodontal disease, abscesses, gingivitis or fractures.

They are cats with a lot of appetite, so care must be taken to give them only the daily ration necessary according to their individual and physiological needs. We must also ensure that they always have water. Annual check-ups at the vet are recommended.

He alth of Chantilly-Tiffany

Chantilly-Tiffany have a life expectancy of 7 to 15 years. They can enjoy very good he alth, but, at the same time, they are predisposed to the inherited diseases of their parent breeds, such as polycystic kidney disease, a pathology characteristic of Persians characterized by the formation of cysts or pockets filled with fluid inside the kidneys, which are the organs responsible for filtering the blood and forming urine.These cysts grow slowly from birth and can damage the kidneys and lead to life-threatening kidney failure.

Otitis or inflammation/infection of the auditory canal are characteristic of this breed, so prevention, through hygiene and vigilance, is essential to avoid them. Otherwise, Chantilly-Tiffanys are just as predisposed as other cats to feline diseases, both infectious and non-infectious. While most of the former can be avoided with a correct vaccination schedule, the latter should be controlled by regular visits to the veterinary center.

Where to get a Chantilly-Tiffany?

Adopting a Chantilly-Tiffany is an almost impossible mission, because there are very few copies in the world. One option is to adopt a crossbreed of that breed or one of its parents from a shelter, as well as research specific rescue associations for those breeds on the Internet.All cats deserve a chance and surely in the shelter closest to you there are many specimens waiting for a home that will offer you the same love and loy alty as these purebred cats.

Photos of Chantilly-Tiffany