What is a Cyprus Cat?

Anyone who has ever been on holiday to Cyprus would certainly have encountered the lovely native cats that roam around the island and which are kept as pets thanks to the fact the breed has always been highly prized for their hunting skills. These charming cats are not recognised as a breed by any of the international organisations, but they have found their way into the hearts and homes of many people outside of Cyprus thanks to their loving and loyal personalities.

A little background history

It is thought that the Cyprus cat could well be one of the oldest breeds on the planet with remains having been found by archaeologists in a Neolithic site that date back 4000 years. It is also thought that these ancient cats were bought to Cyprus by the Egyptians which is why they share many characteristics of Egyptian breeds. They are also known as Aphrodite and are linked to a Byzantine monastery called St Nicholas of the Cats. Today, the Cyprus cat is still highly prized for their hunting abilities on the island and many have been taken home by holiday makers after they have fallen in love and bonded with these fun-loving, loyal and affectionate cats whilst on holiday.

Appearance

The Cyprus cat is an elegant feline that closely resembles the Cyprus Longhair. They are large cats that can weigh up to 15 lbs and more. They are strong in appearance having large, muscular bodies and long backs. Their necks are long too which adds to their overall large appearance. They have beautiful almond shaped eyes which can be a variety of colours. They also come in a variety of colours and their coats can be patterned although many Cyprus cats are tabby or a solid colour. Some cats have short, close-lying coats whereas others have longer or semi-long coats with lovely ruffs around their necks which adds to their endearing looks.

Personality

Loving, loyal, social and inquisitive, the Cyprus cat forms strong ties with their families and love nothing more than to be involved in everything that goes on in their surroundings. They are not overly active by nature which makes them the perfect companion for people who would like to share their homes with a laid-back relaxed feline companion. The Cyprus cat is just as happy sitting on a person's lap being given lots of attention as they are exploring their surroundings. They are also known to like following their owners around so they can check up on what they are doing which is another of their very endearing traits. They have high prey drives which is why they have always been so highly prized as ratters and mousers in their native Cyprus and they love to explore the great outdoors, but cats should only be allowed to roam outside if it is safe for them to do so. They are not overly talkative, but will soon let an owner know when it's meal time.

Caring for a Cyprus Cat

The Cyprus cat comes in two varieties namely the shorthair and the longhair with the latter being slightly higher maintenance on the grooming front thanks to their longer coats. Both the shorthair and the longhair Cyprus cat sheds steadily throughout the year with the longer haired cats leaving more hair around the home than their shorter haired counterparts. As with other breeds, they tend to shed the most hair in the spring when their summer coats grow through and then again in the autumn when it’s time for their winter coats to grow through.

Health and life span

The Shorthair and the Longhair Cyprus cat are known to be robust and healthy cats thanks to the fact man has not messed about with their breeding too much. With this said, it's important to contact reputable breeders if you are thinking about sharing your home with one of these charming cats. They boast long life spans too which can be anything from 12 to 15 years when properly cared for and fed a good quality diet to suit their ages.

Finding Breeders

The Cyprus cat usually ends up in the UK after holiday makers to the island bring a feline friend home with them. As such, finding a reputable breeder in the UK can often prove quite challenging.