Family-Friendly Cat Breeds - The Norwegian Forest Cat

Are you searching for the best pet for your family? If you're a cat lover who wants to make sure that you're bringing a family-friendly breed into your home, the Norwegian Forest Cat may just be the one for you.

Besides having a happy personality, this cat is a stunner. This is one of the most well-loved domestic pets and will make an excellent addition to your family.  Learn what personality traits make the forest cat a good choice.

This breed is originally from Norway where they're referred to as the skogkatt meaning forest cat. It's believed that this cat was around during the Viking age and were taken on ship voyages to take care of the rodents.

It may be possible that they traveled with the Vikings to North America. However, the fist breeding pair came to the United States via Norway in the 1970s when that country started to export them after many years of conducting breeding programs. This cat may be a distant ancestor to the Maine Coon Cat. They are often referred to as Wegies in the states.

The thing that strikes most people about the forest cat is how lovely it is. Some physical traits include:

• A semi-long, furry coat that develops a ruff around the neck. Sometimes I jokingly call my cat a sheepdog because she looks like she should be carrying a keg like the dog from those old cartoons. For this reason, you need to brush them out about once a week. This coat doesn't grow in fully until age 2.
• They're a stout breed and look muscular but proportionally balanced. Males can grow up to 15 pounds and the females a bit smaller.
• They come in varied colors including solids, bicolor, tricolor and tabby.
• Their almond-shaped eyes vary from yellow to dark green.
• They are late bloomers and don't reach their full size until approximately age 5.

The Vikings knew the forest cats were great hunters.  They make good indoor mousers or barn cats and are avid tree climbers.

Wegie is known by other nicknames such as the purr factory and happy cat.  I've noticed my cat to sometimes purr so much that she causes her body to rock back and forth from it.  They are affectionate social cats and love people.  They generally like to be where the action is.  For these reasons, they are a good pet to have around children, especially if you introduce them when they're young.  If you still are unsure, contact a local breeder and schedule a visit to meet some examples of this beautiful breed.

Sources consulted:

• Shaw, Susan. Breed Article: Norwegian Forest Cat. Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. 1995-2006. 2009.

• Norwegian Forest Cat Synopsis. American Cat Fanciers Association. 1997-2005. 2009.