History of Chartreux
There is a legend that the Chartreux are descended from cats brought to France by Carthusian monks
to live in the order's head monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, located in the Chartreuse Mountains
north of the city of Grenoble (Siegal 1997:27). But in 1972, the Prior of the Grande Chartreuse denied that the monastery's archives held any records of the monks' use of any breed of cat resembling the Chartreux
(Simonnet 1990:36–37). Legend also has it that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats
from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian monastic order.
The first documented mention of the breed was by the French naturalist Buffon in the 18th century.
The breed was greatly diminished during the first World War and wild populations (Helgren 1997:100-103)
were not seen after World War II. A concerted effort by European breeders kept the breed from extinction.
Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette, Charles Baudelaire
and French president Charles de Gaulle.
Temperament
Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying, and some are mute. They are quite observant and intelligent, with some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches. They take about two years to reach adult hood. Chartreux cats are playful cats well into their adult years; some can be taught to fetchsmall objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux are good with children and other animals.
They are non-aggressive, affectionate, good travelers and generally very healthy. Chartreux tend to bond with one person in their household, preferring to be in their general vicinity (often following their favoured person from room to room), though they are still loving and affectionate to the other members of the household.
Wikipedia
There is a legend that the Chartreux are descended from cats brought to France by Carthusian monks
to live in the order's head monastery, the Grande Chartreuse, located in the Chartreuse Mountains
north of the city of Grenoble (Siegal 1997:27). But in 1972, the Prior of the Grande Chartreuse denied that the monastery's archives held any records of the monks' use of any breed of cat resembling the Chartreux
(Simonnet 1990:36–37). Legend also has it that the Chartreux's ancestors were feral mountain cats
from what is now Syria, brought back to France by returning Crusaders in the 13th century, many of whom entered the Carthusian monastic order.
The first documented mention of the breed was by the French naturalist Buffon in the 18th century.
The breed was greatly diminished during the first World War and wild populations (Helgren 1997:100-103)
were not seen after World War II. A concerted effort by European breeders kept the breed from extinction.
Historically famous Chartreux owners include the French novelist Colette, Charles Baudelaire
and French president Charles de Gaulle.
Temperament
Chartreux cats tend to be quiet, rarely making noises such as mewing or crying, and some are mute. They are quite observant and intelligent, with some Chartreux learning to operate radio on/off buttons and to open screen door latches. They take about two years to reach adult hood. Chartreux cats are playful cats well into their adult years; some can be taught to fetchsmall objects in the same manner as a dog. Chartreux are good with children and other animals.
They are non-aggressive, affectionate, good travelers and generally very healthy. Chartreux tend to bond with one person in their household, preferring to be in their general vicinity (often following their favoured person from room to room), though they are still loving and affectionate to the other members of the household.
Wikipedia
