History of 
Norwegian Forest Cats

       
    We are told that the Norwegian Vikings kept Forest cats as their pets, taking them along on sea journey's to other parts of Europe. In pre-historic times, it is quite likely, therefore, that the Forest Cat mated with the European Shorthair Cats which then spread all over Europe, in particular Northern France and of course taken back to Scandinavia on the Viking ships.

        The ancestors of the Forest Cat then began to evolve, as only the strongest, most powerful with the thickest fur, waterproof guard hairs and other adaptations were able to survive the long, cold difficult climatic conditions of Norway and the other Scandinavian Countries.

        In Norse Mythology there are many references to the "forest cat" Always referring to cats which are large, powerful with very long bushy tails.

        Norwegian Cat breeders began to take an interest in the Forest Cat as early as the 1930's, but it was not until the 1970's that a breeding programme was introduced. It had been noticed that a reduction in the numbers of the forest cat was occurring, mainly due to the expansion of the urban areas and it was felt that the only way to save these beautiful, naturally occurring cats from extinction, was to start a serious breeding programme and then to apply to the governing body FIFe to accept the breed as a recognised Pedigree breed.

In 1976, after a great deal of hard work by enthusiastic Norwegian Breeders the Norwegian Forest Cat was granted provisional recognition, just a year later in 1977 the General Assembly of FIFe recognised the breed as an International Pedigree Breed.

The first Norwegian Forest Cats to be introduced into the United Kingdom came into quarantine in January 1987. In 1997 they gained full Champion status by the GCCF and are now able to compete at Championship shows for titles.