Cat Information index - covering cat insurance for every breed and cat breeding and showing information

LONG-HAIRED CATS

LONG-HAIRED CHINCHILLA

One of the loveliest of the long-haired breeds is the Chinchilla, and its fairy-like appearance is much admired at shows, where it often wins the high award of ‘Best in Show’. Fifty years ago there was a great interest shown in this breed, and at one show there were over thirty exhibits. After the last war, with its feeding troubles and consequent effects on breeding, it was difficult to get the matings that were required to arrive once again at the perfect type, colouring and eye colour. During the last ten years many more have taken up breeding these cats, and it is possible that in the near future per-war numbers will be reached once again.
The beauty of this charming cat is its purity of colouring, the white undercoat, each hair tipped with black, coming over the head, ears, chest, stomach and under the tail, and the white eartufts showing up against the ticking on the ears. Very little shading on the legs is allowed and there should never be bars or smudges. The slightest pencilling or tabby marks on the face are great faults. Yellow or lightish brown shadings are not permitted, and the tail should always be kept clean as, owing to the grease that sometimes accumulates at the roots of the tail, the hair becomes darkened and is discoloured. A light powdering well brushed into the tail will keep it from going yellow.
The ticking of the black on the white ground gives an ethereal look to these cats. Great beauty is added by the large wide-open eyes of deep emerald or sea green. Eye colour during recent years does not seem to be as good as in the past, which is a great pity. The eyes are made even more attractive by the skin of the lids showing a black or deep brown rim, the same colour as the pads of the feet. The standard calls for a ‘brick red’ tip to the nose, but this is not always seen today.
The name Chinchilla may bring to mind the small rodent which breeds high in the Andes, but there is no similarity at all, and no one seems to know why this particular name should have been given to the cats. The Chinchilla rabbit too is unlike in colouring, being bluish.
In North America and in the Commonwealth, a breed akin to the Chinchilla is bred and exhibited. This is the Shaded Silver which has a pale silver undercoat, not white, and darker markings.
When first born, Chinchillas may give novice breeders a shock, as they have the appearance of being tabbies, with marks on the legs, tails and bodies; but as the kittens grow these markings gradually disappear, and the ticking shows up as the undercoat pushes through, so that the sparkling effect can be seen. The eyes become a lovely green, deepening as the kitten gets older.
The bone structure of the Chinchilla is not as heavy as in other long-haired breeds, but this is correct-so long as it is not too fine, as substance is wanted as well. Strength and firmness, without any signs of coarseness, are also required.
The Chinchilla should be always well groomed, to enable the undercoat to come through well, for without it the ticking lies heavily on the coat, making the appearance too dark, and sometimes patchy. A clear even ticking is required, and this is shown to full advantage when the undercoat is full and holding up the ticked hairs.
Although both in Europe and North America there are outstanding specimens of this breed, winning Chinchillas from England are always in great demand.

Standard Points

Colour The undercoat should be pure white, the coat on back,
flanks, head, ears and tail being tipped with black, this
tipping to be evenly distributed, giving the characteristic
sparkling silver appearance; the legs may be very slightly
shaded with the tipping, but the chin, ear tufts, stomach and
chest must be pure white; any tabby marking or brown or
cream tinge is a drawback. The tip of the nose should be
brick-red, and the visible skin on eyelids and the pads
should be black or dark brown. 25

Head . Broad and round, with breadth between ears and wide at
the muzzle; snub nose; small well-tufted ears. 20

Shape Cobby body; short thick legs. 15

Eyes Large, round and most expressive, emerald or blue-green
in colour. 15

Coat and
Condition Silky and fine in texture, long and dense, extra long on frill. 15

Tail Short and bushy. 10