Jungle Curl, Mountwain Cougar, Stone Cougar, Jungle Cat, Nile Cat, Miniature Cougar Cat
Group
Large short-haired
Price
$500-$2500
Affection Level
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Breeds with a high affection level want to give and receive a lot of attention, while less-affectionate breeds are not as interested in petting and snuggles.
0100%
90%
Activity Level
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Breeds with high activity levels will engage more in active play and demand more space and attention.
0100%
100%
Pet-Friendly
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How well the breed tends to get along with cats, dogs, and other pets.
0100%
20%
Kid-Friendly
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Breeds with a higher rating in this area tend to be gentle and patient, while lower-rated breeds may feel uncomfortable with children.
0100%
50%
Sociability
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Breeds with a higher sociability rating will want to spend time with you all day, while less-sociable breeds seldom seek out human interaction.
0100%
70%
Intelligence
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Breeds with higher intelligence ratings are more curious, investigative, and easy to train. Less-intelligent breeds are less trainable but often laid-back and easygoing.
0100%
100%
Playfulness
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Breeds that score higher in this area have strong hunting instincts that make them great playtime companions.
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100%
Independence
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Breeds that score higher in this area are able to spend hours alone, while less-independent breeds require plenty of attention.
0100%
80%
Vocality
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A higher rating in this area indicates a breed prone to plenty of meowing and other vocalizations, while less-vocal breeds are happy to stay quiet.
0100%
30%
Grooming
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Breeds with higher grooming scores require more maintenance like brushing and bathing, while lower-scored breeds are virtually maintenance-free.
0100%
10%
Personality and Temperament
If the Chausie cat reminds you of an extra-large Abyssinian, you're on the right track! These incredible felines were developed by crossing jungle cats – also known as swamp cats or reed cats – from Southeast Asia with domesticated Abyssinians.
Weighing in at up to 30 pounds, Chausies are among the largest domesticated cats in existence. As a hybrid, every Chausie cat is a unique individual, with a big personality to matChausie it's size. Chausie cats develop strong bonds with their families and do not like to be left alone.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
The Chausie requires an all meat diet. Many Chausie cats are incapable of breaking down plant matter, so it's important to avoid foods that contain vegetables or grains.
Chausie cats have short coats that require very little attention. A weekly brushing gives you an opportunity to bond with your cat while reducing shedding.
Because Chausie cats are so energetic and playful (and so large!), it's a very good idea to keep their claws clipped short. They don’t mean to damage their families’ belongings, but it can happen easily.
Chausie cats require plenty of exercise. Their wild nature demands access to a tall cat tower, multiple scratching posts, and plenty of toys. A Chausie cat happily engages in exercise on its own, but appreciates interaction from human family members.
Chausie cats are generally healthy, but can suffer from malnutrition without a diet that consists of animal products alone.
History
It is believed that Chausie cats share some Characteristics with early domesticated hybrid cats from Egypt and the surrounding area. These cats share similarities with some of the mummified cat remains found in Egyptian tombs.
Even though hybrid cats have been in existence since ancient times, the Chausie cat stands out for its fairly modern roots. Breeders began to experiment with crossing jungle cats (Felis Chaus) with Abyssinians in the 1990s. The result was the Chausie, a robust hybrid cat with wild looks and an independent personality.
The Chausie cat breed was formally recognized by The International Cat Association in 1995.
Did You Know?
The Chausie is capable of making incredible leaps, easily jumping 6 feet straight in the air from a standing position. These cats love to jump and experienced pet parents keep surfaces clear to prevent delicate items from being broken.
Did You Know?
Chausie cats enjoy walking on leashes, and appreciate the ability to explore the outdoors along with their human companions.
Did You Know?
While Chausies are sociable and friendly, they are not ideal for families with small children or little prey-type pets. They tend to do very well with other cats, particularly other Chausies.
Eyes
Chausie cats have striking eyes with an intense gaze, usually in shades of green or gold.
Legs & Paws
The legs are muscular, with a powerful appearance. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs.
Tail
The tail is short in comparison with the body; it is thick and muscular, without much of a taper.
The Breed Standard
Body
The body should be long and slender, with well-defined musculature. Females typically weigh 15 to 20 pounds, while males average 25 pounds.
Head
The Chausie cat has a rounded head with pronounced features and prominent whisker pads.
Ears
The ears are large and well proportioned, with wide bases that taper to rounded tips.
Coat
The coat is short with a plush undercoat and a coarser upper layer.
Color
Chausie cats have grizzled coat colors, typically in shades of tan, black, and brown. Often, there is cream to white shading at the muzzle. TICA recognizes three patterns: solid black, grizzled tabby, and brown ticked tabby.
Chausies appear in three pretty patterns — brown-ticked tabby, solid black and grizzled tabby. The brown-ticked tabby pattern displays barring on the inner legs.
Where to Find a Chausie Cat or Kitten
At Cats.com, we advocate for cat adoption versus buying from breeders.
The Chausie, like other purebred cats, is seldom seen in shelters and rescues.
Try out our Petfinder tool to explore cats who are either confirmed Chausie or resemble one.
Remember that many shelters incorrectly label moggies — non-purebred cats — as purebreds.
Take a look, and you just might fall in love with a non-purebred rescue cat in need.
If you want to purchase a Chausie, consider contacting a local breeder for more information.
Chausie cats tend to be large in size. A fully grown Chausie cat might weigh between 12-25 pounds or more and range in height anywhere from about 14"-18" inches tall.
How long do Chausie cats live?
The Average lifespan for Chausie is 10-15 years.
Do Chausie cats shed?
Chausie are short-haired cats. Therefore, they do not shed as much as long-haired cat breeds.
Unfortunately, these cats are very hard to find in the US, which is a shame. While all cats allow you to bring a bit of the wild home, Chausies take it to the next level. They are smart as a whip, strong willed (remove “no” from your vocabulary), and amazingly loveable with their person. Often indifferent to hissy with strangers, these cats are second to none if you’re ever wanted a wild cat. Love and respect will get returned ten fold. While not destructive, early generations require more intellectual stimulation than most cats. Leash-training is a must as these cats get bored easily. Once your chausie is leash-trained, you’ll need to take it on walks as regularly as you would a dog. Daily if possible. Unlike a dog your cat will not likely use the walk as an opportunity to use the restroom. That doesn’t mean “never” though, so remember to always carry a poop bag with you.!
Beautiful and Devoted! My favorite cat breed ever for pet therapy providing. Hybrid early generations may not be the TICA standard yet are Extremely handsome and bonded adults. Unfortunately much variation in those that added domestic outcrosses didn’t evaluate gi health or temperament in the US and We’ve been Blessed with French lines from a True Black line jungle cat that while slower growing has been a Joy to live with. Expect high quality grain free foods, play time daily a toy box as a adult and a bed hog. Mine sleep when we do and patterns right after us often predicting us more like a dog. Love to be involved in pet visits to the hospital and elementary schools with mine.
My Ori is a male Chausie (although a bit non-standard… lynx ear tips and a bobbed tail are due to his mother being from a jungle cat x Maine coon x Pixie Bob lineage).
You couldn’t ask for a gentler giant. He’s so sweet and cuddly. He really does remind me more of a puppy than a cat most of the time. He loves going for walks to enjoy the sunshine. When he gets outside he starts rolling around on his back in the dirt like a goof. He trots around the house after me and is always right there to cuddle and lick your nose.
He’s 1 1/2 and 13 pounds and has some massive bear mits for paws. His adoptive sister is just 7 pounds full grown and he’s played gently with her her entire life though (we got her as a neonatal foster). The two of them are thick as thieves and he’s taught her to enjoy harness walks too, as well as how to play fetch! They are co-conspirators in food container break ins as well.
The biggest care requirements for him are an all meat diet, otherwise he gets very burpy and eventually hunger strikes until meat is provided. Next, going for outdoor time at least once a day is a must for this boy or he gets very vocally unhappy with you and starts trying to sneak out. And finally, just keeping him entertained with climbing platforms and food puzzles are huge for his happiness and activity levels!
Unfortunately, these cats are very hard to find in the US, which is a shame. While all cats allow you to bring a bit of the wild home, Chausies take it to the next level. They are smart as a whip, strong willed (remove “no” from your vocabulary), and amazingly loveable with their person. Often indifferent to hissy with strangers, these cats are second to none if you’re ever wanted a wild cat. Love and respect will get returned ten fold. While not destructive, early generations require more intellectual stimulation than most cats. Leash-training is a must as these cats get bored easily. Once your chausie is leash-trained, you’ll need to take it on walks as regularly as you would a dog. Daily if possible. Unlike a dog your cat will not likely use the walk as an opportunity to use the restroom. That doesn’t mean “never” though, so remember to always carry a poop bag with you.!
Great insights! Thank you so much for sharing, Clifford.
Beautiful and Devoted! My favorite cat breed ever for pet therapy providing. Hybrid early generations may not be the TICA standard yet are Extremely handsome and bonded adults. Unfortunately much variation in those that added domestic outcrosses didn’t evaluate gi health or temperament in the US and We’ve been Blessed with French lines from a True Black line jungle cat that while slower growing has been a Joy to live with. Expect high quality grain free foods, play time daily a toy box as a adult and a bed hog. Mine sleep when we do and patterns right after us often predicting us more like a dog. Love to be involved in pet visits to the hospital and elementary schools with mine.
My Ori is a male Chausie (although a bit non-standard… lynx ear tips and a bobbed tail are due to his mother being from a jungle cat x Maine coon x Pixie Bob lineage).
You couldn’t ask for a gentler giant. He’s so sweet and cuddly. He really does remind me more of a puppy than a cat most of the time. He loves going for walks to enjoy the sunshine. When he gets outside he starts rolling around on his back in the dirt like a goof. He trots around the house after me and is always right there to cuddle and lick your nose.
He’s 1 1/2 and 13 pounds and has some massive bear mits for paws. His adoptive sister is just 7 pounds full grown and he’s played gently with her her entire life though (we got her as a neonatal foster). The two of them are thick as thieves and he’s taught her to enjoy harness walks too, as well as how to play fetch! They are co-conspirators in food container break ins as well.
The biggest care requirements for him are an all meat diet, otherwise he gets very burpy and eventually hunger strikes until meat is provided. Next, going for outdoor time at least once a day is a must for this boy or he gets very vocally unhappy with you and starts trying to sneak out. And finally, just keeping him entertained with climbing platforms and food puzzles are huge for his happiness and activity levels!