Snowshoe Cats

A beautiful Snowshoe cat with big bright eyes

A perky Snowshoe cat with its white paws

A happy Snowshoe cat showing off its Snowshoe

History

The Snowshoe's story begins in Pennsylvania in the 1960s, when breeder Dorothy Hinds Daugherty found some Siamese kittens that had four white feet. She took a liking to this unique combination of pointed color and white feet, looking like feline snowshoes. The kittens were bred with an American Shorthair with tuxedo markings.

Over time the Snowshoe breed was established, with white feet and a ‘V’ facial marking. The cats didn’t gain much interest, however, and Daugherty abandoned the breeding program. Fortunately, Snowshoe lover Vikki Olander took up the baton, and she obtained experimental breed status for the Snowshoe from the Cat Fanciers Federation and the American Cat Association in 1974.

Popularity and interest in the breed was dwindling again by 1977, but breeders Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell contacted Olander asking to join in the program. In 1983 the Snowshoe gained championship status with the Cat Fancier Federation and in 1990 attained champion status from the American Cat Fanciers Association. The International Cat Association recognized the breed in 1993.

Behaviour

The Snowshoe is friendly, inquisitive, active, and very affectionate. They enjoy playing with their owners; and although active they are usually docile and calm. They like to pass the time on a high lookout post such as a shelf, fence, or door top, watching the world go by. Like the Siamese, the Snowshoe is very vocal, but not as loud as the Siamese. They don't like being on their own and become stressed or frustrated if left for long periods of time - something to bear in mind if you work all day away from home.