Norwegian Forestcat

The Norwegian Forestcat is a heavy built, healthy and strong cat. It has a long body with high legs and a long tail. The head is formed as a triangle with a high forehead and a long nose with a straight profile. The big, opened eyes are slightly oblique and this gives the NFO its alert and wild expression. The woolly undercoat is covered by a smooth, water repellent overcoat. Combing the coat about once a week keeps the coat clean and beautiful. The NFO developes slowly and it is not fully grown up before it is 2½ to 3 years old. The males are bigger than the females.

Norwegian Forestcat has a very friendly and nice temperament and gets along well with other cats and animals. It is curios and unafraid and that is why the NFO rather should be in an enclosure than rove the woods. If the cats are used to walking in a leash as a kitten they enjoy their safe walks a lot! 

 History

The Norwegian Forestcat has a very long history and it is said to be descended from the Viking's shorthaired cats and the longhaired cats brought to Norway by the crusaders. It has been developed as a consequense of the natural selection; in Norway's cold and strong climate only the biggest and strongest individuals could survive. The Norwegians became interested in the breed already in 1930-century, but it got FIFé's approving 1977 and at the same time the standard was decided. Nowadays the NFO is a very popular breed around Europe.