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Havana Brown cats are gentle and affectionate. They can be a bit shy to strangers but are very loyal and loving toward their owners. All Havana Brown cats are a rich dark brown with just a hint of red. The United States version of these cats is medium-sized and muscular. The British version of these cats is built more like the Siamese. The wide-set oval eyes are usually a bright shade of green and show much expression. As the cats develop and mature from kittens, their eye color becomes more enhanced and deeper. Havana Brown cats have ears that are quite large with rounded tips. Their legs appear long in proportion to their bodies and are more noticeable in females than in more muscular males.
Havana Brown cats have short coats that are smooth and lustrous. These short to medium length coats will continue to look sleek with regular combings at least twice a week. A fine toothed comb is recommended but to increase the coat’s gloss the owner may want to also rub a damp chamois cloth over the coat occasionally.
These cats have mixed breeds in their lineage and bloodlines and have acquired a variety of personality traits along the way. They are a curious breed and will investigate anything that moves or catches their eye by pawing at it. They love human companionship and are very generous with their affections in return. Havana Brown cats are very playful even once they begin to mature. They love biting paper and cardboard as well as playing tag and chasing their owners around. They are very active and energetic cats.
The Havana Brown cat was developed in the 1950s by crossing a British Seal Point Siamese with another black shorthaired cat of Siamese descent. These cats were formerly known as Chestnut Brown Foreigns. Once American breeders started developing and raising these cats the British and United States varieties began to take on different but similar characteristics.
Havana Brown cats are exclusively bred in North America although there is some European versions found overseas. It is quite possible that they will become an extinct breed in the not too distant future. In 1997, there were only 36 known Havana Browns that were registered with the Cat Fancier’s Association and it is estimated that less than 1000 of these cats are alive today. There are very few breeding lines in existence today since crossbreeding was ended in 1974. The problem lies in that it is increasingly difficult to find non-related cats to use as breeding stock. It is important to select the most desirable set of partners to breed so the offspring will acquire their better traits. Using cats with the same ancestry can result in cats with problems in their health and temperament. Steps are being taken to try and save this breed from extinction that would allow crossbreeding. The cost of these cats varies depending on their availability and bloodlines.
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