How to Identify A Havana Brown Cat

The Havana Brown cat is also known as the Swiss Mountain Cat and was well known in England since the early 1980s. The cat received its name because their dark brown or chocolate coats resemble the color of Cuban cigars. They are a close relative of the Siamese and are often interbred with them because of the rarity of pedigree Havana Browns. This would definitely be classified as an indoor cat. They don't care about hunting and hate being alone. They like being around people, will actively follow them through the home, and cuddle at any opportunity they get. This breed is very soft voiced and rarely meows unless in distress. Havana Browns are also exceptionally intelligent and can often recognize certain words if they hear them repeated often. They also use their paws to interact with their environment. Trying to open cabinets, pointing at things, and manipulating small objects of interest in a way more akin to an ape than a cat. This guide will explain the steps to identifying a Havana Brown Cat.

Identifying A Havana Brown
Step 1:
Look at the cat's general shape and build. Browns are a small species and rarely stand more than ten inches at the shoulder and are a little over a foot in length. The average male weighs between eight and ten pounds, while the females are a bit smaller at between six and eight pounds. They are generally very thin and sleek with small paws and a very long tail that narrows to a point near the tip.

Step 2:
Examine the cat's fur. True Havana Browns have only one accepted color, a rich mahogany or chocolate that gives them their name. There should be no patterning on the fur, though kittens sometimes have tabby markings that disappear as they mature. The fur should be short and densely packed; to the touch it should be lightweight and incredibly soft. It is often likened to touching mink fur.

Step 3:
Check the cat's head. The Havana Brown's neck is long and slender, which connects to a square shaped skull. The cat's jaw is squared as well, making the snout seem more prominent and jutting than it really is. Wide expressive eyes and forward pointing ears give them a constant inquisitive or curious look. The eyes are always green too. The best way to tell if the cat is a Havana Brown is to examine the nose. If you are looking at the cat from straight ahead, the top of the nose should form a level line with the bottom of the eyes. If the cat does not have this trait then it is not a pedigree Havana Brown. If it does then you're looking at one of the rarest species of domestic cat in the world and should be grateful for the opportunity.

Tips & Warnings
During WW2 This cat breed was almost lost because of unchecked breeding with other random species. As a result this is considered an endangered breed because of the very small breeding population of pedigree Havana Browns that still exist. It's thought there are only about one thousand of these cats in existence today.