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From it's warm, soft coat and mesmerizing blue eyes to it's gentle purr and affectionate nature, the Snowshoe cat may well be the ultimate feline companion. This breed came to be in 1960, when a Siamese cat was crossed with a bi-colour American Shorthair. The result was a unique cat with the beautiful blue eyes and pointed pattern of the Siamese and the white feet and sturdy muscularity of the American Shorthair. These charming creatures are intelligent and innocent, affectionate and laid-back, yet playful and active. They love to play games and can even be taught to fetch. They get along well with other pets, including dogs, and are very adaptable to new environments. The unique coat comes in all the usual Siamese shades including seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn.
Originally, the Snowshoe resulted from crossing Siamese, or Oriental Shorthairs, with American Shorthairs. Today Snowshoes generally result from Snowshoe to Snowshoe breeding. Any of the three breeds are legal, and acceptable out crosses, provided they are the right colour. Some breeders may wish to out cross in order to expand their gene pool, introduce new colours, or improve certain traits within their lines.
Snowshoe Cats trace their origins back to Dorothy Hinds Daughtery of Kensijng Cattery in Philadelphia, PA. During the late 19601s her two Siamese cats produced three kittens with striking white feet. Because of the white feet, they were give the name Snowshoes. The popularity and gene pool of the Snowshoes has been increasing, greatly due to the early efforts of breeders, Jim Hoffman, Georgia Kuhnell, Vikki Olander, and Phyllis Thompson. These breeders recognized the unique beauty of the Snowshoe and insured it's survival. Since, their has been copy cats of the breed, but none are as enduring and true. Currently the Snowshoe is enjoying increasing popularity, through out the country and parts or the world.
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