Forestfriend

About The Breed

The Norwegian forest cat is an ancient breed that developed naturally, without human assistance, for hundreds of years in the forests of Norway. Called the skogkatt, Norwegian for forest cat, in its native country, the Norwegian forest cat is sometimes given the nickname ‘Wegie’.

The Norwegian forest cat has possibly been around since the time of the Vikings. Images and written descriptions of cats resembling the Norwegian forest cat exist from as early as the 16^th century and the breed even plays a major role in a Norwegian fairy tale about the Norse goddess Freya with two huge Norwegian forest cats pulling her chariot.

By the turn of the 20^th century however, the breed was nearly lost due to indiscriminate cross-breeding with other types of cats. People took notice, recognising that the breed was a national treasure. In 1938, Norway’s King Olav V deemed the Norwegian forest cat the national cat breed of Norway. It took many decades but breed fanciers in Norway eventually managed to save the breed and bolster its numbers through careful breeding programmes.

N – is for NORWAY where their ancestors live,

O – is for OODLES of purrs that they freely give,

R – is for the RUGGED LOOK of these beautiful cats,

W – is for the WOOLY UNDERCOAT as thick as doormats,

E – is for EARS, with tufts, large and high,

G – is for GENTLE GIANTS with large oval eyes,

I – is for INTELLIGENCE they show along the way,

A – is for AFFECTION they give every day,

N – is for NOSE and the straight profile,

F – is for FUR, to stroke it brings a smile,

O – is for OVERCOAT that the guardhairs supply,

R – is for RASCALS, they are this, I cannot lie,

E – is for ELEGANCE they portray despite their size,

S – is for SEMI LONG HAIR, this coat before your eyes,

T – is for TAIL bushy and long,

This beautiful cat so big, so strong,

I dare any of you to buy just the one,

because then your addiction will have begun.

Whether you buy to show or have as a pet,

the most loyal friend is what you will get.