How to Identify a Chartreux Cat

Co-authored by Ryan Corrigan, LVT, VTS-EVN

Last Updated: September 10, 2020 References

The Chartreux is a rare cat breed that is especially revered in France. It has a striking short grey coat and a friendly personality, which makes it an ideal pet for families. You need to assess both its physical attributes and personality in order to identify it. However, the distinctiveness of its looks and personality means that it is relatively easy to identify.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Identifying Physical Characteristics

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Look for a short grey coat. The coat of the Chartreux is distinctive. It is a grey color that is sometimes described as silver. The fur itself is napped in appearance, meaning that it shows breaks in the fur due to it being a double coat.^{[1]
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- The Chartreux is always grey. If your cat is a different color, then it is not a Chartreux.
- The Chartreux is one of only three cat breeds that is always grey. The two others are the Russian Blue and Korat.^{[2]
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2
Look for a smiling face and narrow jaw. The face is often a good indicator to help tell cats apart. In the case of a Chartreux cat, you will see an apparent "smile." This smiling style of face is the result of how the tapered muzzle of the cat is structured.
- Although the Chartreux looks similar to a grey British Shorthair, the Chartreux has a differently shaped face. While the British Shorthair has a very rounded face, the Chartreux has a more svelte and narrow jawline.^{[3]
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3
Recognize the Chartreux's round and golden eyes. When identifying a Chartreux, you should look at the eye color and shape. Most strikingly, the eyes should be bright golden, orange, or copper colored. The eyes are generally round, with corners pointing high on the outside and low on the inside. The eyes look large and open, giving the cat an alert expression.
- Their eyes are often called "Halloween eyes" because of the brightness of their color.
- When differentiating the Chartreux from the British Shorthair, remember that the eyes on a Chartreux will not be quite as round as those of a British Shorthair.
4
Assess the cat for a muscular build. The Chartreux is a large to medium-sized cat that has a muscular build and fine-boned limbs that are fairly short. Make sure your cat has a deep chest, broad shoulders, and a long body for its size.
- A Chartreux's paws look small in comparison to its body size.
- Typically, a Chartreux will weigh somewhere between 7 pounds (3 kg) and 16 pounds (7 kg).^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognizing Chartreux Behavior

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Notice a quiet temperament. Expect the Chartreux cat to be very quiet. These cats do not make much noise at all. Indeed, some will only meow or chirp for attention occasionally and some are completely mute.^{[5]
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- Chartreux cats were named after the Carthusian monks that they lived with in France. It just so happens that they are also quiet like the monks.^{[6]
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2
Look for inquisitive behavior. The Chartreux is known to be very intelligent and curious. They can turn on light switches, open doors, and even set off alarm clocks while playing with the buttons.^{[7]
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- Chartreux cats can often be trained like dogs. With some effort you can teach them to do a variety of tricks, such as fetching.
3
Notice a playful and athletic disposition. The Chartreux cat has fast reflexes and is extremely good at hunting and chasing after toys. It loves to play and run around with other cats and will spend a lot of time playing with its humans.^{[8]
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- Because the Chartreux is so playful and smart, it's important to stimulate their brains in a variety of ways. Give them lots of toys and puzzles to occupy their minds and bodies.
4
Recognize an affectionate personality. The Chartreux is very affectionate and sweet with companion humans. It is a very personable cat that is considered a good cat with families with children.^{[9]
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- This cat does tend to bond with one person. However, it is typically still affectionate toward others in the household, including dogs. This makes them suitable for homes with other pets.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Breed Verification

1
Discuss your cat's breed with a veterinarian. Veterinarians tend to see a wide variety of types of cats. If you want verification about your cat's breed, talk to your veterinarian. They should be able to identify common breeds.
- If your veterinarian doesn't know your cat's breed off hand, they may be willing to do some research for you.
2
Talk to an expert in Chartreux cats. Because Chartreux cats are very rare, you may need to get information from an expert in order to get breed verification. Contact breeders that specialize in the breed and ask for their help identifying a Chartreux.
- There are not many breeders of the Chartreux. This will make it likely that you will need to send them photos instead of having them inspect your cat in person.
- Lists of reputable breeders that might be able to identify your Chartreux can typically be found on the websites of breed appreciation groups or general cat organizations, such as the Cat Fanciers' Association.
3
Have DNA testing done. The best verification you can get it through a DNA test of your cat. To get DNA testing done, contact a company that does pet DNA testing. They will send you a DNA sampling kit that will have supplies and instructions for collecting a sample of your cat's saliva. Once you collect it, you will send it back to the company so it can be analyzed in a lab.^{[10]
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- The company will send you the results of your cat's test once they are complete.