Also called Foreign Longhair

History

Jennie Robinson who owned "Neotype Cattery" in New York adopted two Foreign Chocolate-Brown Longhaired cats with golden eyes.  The first litter was born in 1969 and six kittens, chocolate brown were born.  Together with a veterinarian Jennie started a breeding program and in 1970 the ACA registered her cats as Foreign Longhairs.

A few of Jennie's kitten were sold to a Ms. Sigyn Lund and her Sig Tim Hil Cattery in Florida who was breeding Burmese.  She came up with breed name "Tiffany" and promoted the breed as "Tiffany" since judges at the shows felt the name "Foreign Longhair" was too general.  Since the breed was so rare the ACA dropped it from its register.

At one point it was suggested that they were Burmese longhair cats and a product of British crosses between a Burmese and a Himalayan. There had been crosses between Foreign Longhairs, Angora, Havana, and Abyssinian cats. The American Tiffany/Chantilly breed  is more likely an offshoot of one of these efforts. In Canada about the same time as Jeniie and Mrs. Lund were developing the breed, a Canadian farmer found a long-haired, foreign chocloate brown and golden-eyed cat. She was giving birth to litter with the same appearance.  Canadian breeder rescued the offsprings and re-establshed the Tiffany breed in a co-operative effort with Jennie and Mrs. Lund.  And in the late 80's even the lost breed re-appeared and is still rare, but increasing popularity.

The former "Foreign-Longhair" is registered in the US and Canada under the name  "Chantilly," "Tiffany," or "Chantilly/Tiffany," depending on association.

The International Cat Association (T.I.C.A.) recognized the breed in 1979, including the "Tiffany" name in the Burmese breed section although the cat itself was not Burmese.

In late 1989, two Canadian breeders, a Siamese/Oriental breeder, J. De Regt (Catkins/Millgrove) and Tiffany breeders, G & T Oraas (Purrfecta/Opurrtune) collaborated efforts to research what had been published as the breed's British origin

Finding no evidence supporting the theory of a Burmese ancestry, T.I.C.A. breeders requested separate status from the Burmese breed section in the early 90's. Unfortunately there was another development in Britain accepted as "Tiffanie" which resulted in renaming by some associations. The "Tiffany" name Americans authored was selected to reflect vintage elegance and good taste after a theater from which it originated. Canadian breeders retained that objective with the new name "Chantilly".

Type and characteristics

Body, legs and feet:

The Chantilly/Tiffany is a medium-size cat. Medium musculature and bones - female cats are about 6-8 pounds, male cats are about 8-10 pounds. The breed requires a rich colouration in blue, chocolate (most famous), cinnamon, lilac, in solid and tabby patterns.

Head:

A medium-sized head has a gently sloped nose and a short, broad muzzle.  The chin is firm and the cheek bones are broad and high.

Eyes:
Preferred eye-color is golden and yellow amber. oval shaped.

Ears:
Ears are broad at the base and are medium in size, rounded tips that are tilting forward and outward.

Tail:
The tail is plumed tail

Coat:

The coat is rich colored, silky and a semi-long with a contrasting neck ruff and ears. Shedding is minimal and white spotting is not allowed

Temperament

Chantilly/Tiffany are moderate, gentle,  loyal, close, and affectionate. They get attached to one person and don't like to be alone. Get along with children and other pets.

(If you feel that you have a better description for this category we would love to hear from you chendel@quiknet.com

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More Breed Descriptions on the Net

Cat Fanciers: The Chantilly/Tiffany: Cat Breed FAQ