Snowshoe Cat 101 : Breed & Personality

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In today's video, we are going to talk about a Siamese and American Shorthair crossbreed. These cats are affectionate and have a sweet disposition. Also you'll easily spot it's distinctive fur markings, and ask yourself, why don't I know one of these cute kitties?

The SnowShoe Cat Breed.

The appearance of the Snowshoe dates back to the late Victorian era, with photographic and silk-screen evidence of Siamese kittens with four white feet, but the breed we know today was not developed until the mid-20th century. White-pawed Siamese known as Silver Laces made a brief appearance in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that Philadelphia Siamese breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, decided to create a Siamese-type cat with white paws and a moderate body. She called them Snowshoes.

While the Snowshoe is a distinct breed, the cats are still sometimes bred back to Siamese or Oriental Shorthairs to maintain their traits. It’s not easy to produce kittens with the desired markings, so the breed is uncommon, despite the ubiquity of Grumpy Cat.

This medium-size cat weighs 9 to 12 pounds. Females are smaller, weighing 7 to 10 pounds.

The Snowshoe has a short, smooth coat that’s easy to care for. Snowshoe kittens are born white. Their points, dark patterned areas of fur on the tail, legs, head, and ears begin to develop when they are a few weeks old. The body is usually a light cream color, ranging from beige or tan with seal or blue points. Other point colors such as chocolate or lilac are difficult to produce and rarely seen. Those colors also provide little contrast with the white paws. Paw pads and nose leather can be pink; the same color as the points; or a combination of the two.

Because the Snowshoe’s pattern is recessive, and involves several gene factors, it’s difficult to consistently achieve the desired look. No cat has perfect markings. Those who come closest to the ideal look, are the ones you’ll see in the show ring. Showring cats usually have an inverted white “V” between the eyes. You can spot two white mittens in the front and two white boots in the back. The more symmetrical the markings, the better.

A Snowshoe glances at you with large, wide eyes of a sparkling blue tone. The eyes are described as walnut-shaped, larger and rounder than the Siamese eye, but not as round as the eye of a Persian.

The rectangular body is firm and muscular, but never bulky. The Snowshoe resembles a runner, not a wrestler, but is more powerful than she looks. When you pick her up, you may be surprised at how substantial she feels. Medium to large ears top the slightly rounded head, which should be as wide as it is long. Medium-size paws are oval and taper to the toes.

Snowshoes are mellow and generally get along with other pets, including dogs. That said, it’s certainly possible to end up with one who prefers to be the center of your world, and will do best as an only cat.

Choose a Snowshoe if you will enjoy spending playtime and interacting with your cat. A Snowshoe likes company, and would prefer not to be home alone all day. If you work long hours, she’ll appreciate having some extra pets as company.

The active and social Snowshoe is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. She will play and dedicate most of her time to show you how much they love you. Snowshoe cats can easily learn tricks, and they appreciate the attention that they receive.