Grey cats come in many different breeds. Determining the breed of a grey cat requires looking at several factors beyond just the colour of their fur. Some of the most common grey cat breeds include Russian Blue, British Shorthair, Chartreux, Korat, Norwegian Forest Cat, Turkish Angora, Turkish Van, Nebelung, and more. Each breed has its own distinct characteristics beyond coat colour.
Physical Features
The physical features of a grey cat can provide clues into its breed. Looking at the cat’s body type, coat length and texture, eye colour, ear shape, face shape, and other attributes can help narrow down the possibilities.
For example, Russian Blues have a medium-sized muscular body, a short dense double coat, striking green eyes, and large pointed ears. British Shorthairs are heavily boned with a broad chest and round face. Chartreux have a muscular body, a thick double coat, copper eyes, and medium-sized ears. Korats are medium in size with a single short blue coat, large green eyes, and large ears positioned high on the head.
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, long-haired breed with a thick water-resistant double coat, almond-shaped eyes, and medium-sized ears tufted with fur. The Turkish Angora is long and slender with a silky single coat, pointed ears with tufts, and eyes that can be blue, green, amber or one of each colour. Nebelungs have a long, dense coat, green or yellow eyes, and medium-sized ears.
So examining physical features like body type, coat, eyes, ears, and head shape can begin narrowing down what breed a grey cat might be if its ancestry is unknown.
Origins and History
The origins and history of a breed can also provide clues into the breed of a grey cat. Many breeds originated in particular countries or have unique background stories related to their establishment.
For example, Russian Blues are believed to have originated in the Archangel Isles in Russia and British Shorthairs originated in Britain. Chartreux are thought to have been bred by Carthusian monks in France. Korats originated in Thailand and were prized by Siamese royalty. Norwegian Forest Cats come from Norway and were used as ratters on Norwegian farms.
The Turkish Angora originated in central Turkey, while the Turkish Van hails from the Lake Van region of eastern Turkey. Nebelungs were first bred in the United States in the 1980s from long-haired domestic cats. Knowing the backstory of a breed can help determine if a grey cat might belong to that lineage, especially if its origins are traced to the breed’s place of origin.
Temperament
The temperament common to a breed can also indicate what type of cat a grey feline might be. Breeds have personality traits that have become associated with them over time.
For example, Russian Blues are intelligent, playful, and attentive but also calm and gentle. British Shorthairs tend to be laidback lap cats that enjoy human companionship. Chartreux are robust, intelligent, and communicative cats renowned for their “smile.”
Korats are active, intelligent, and bond strongly with their families. Norwegian Forest Cats are social, loyal, and adapt well to living indoors. Turkish Angoras are intelligent, playful, and affectionate. Turkish Vans form close bonds with their humans and love swimming. Nebelungs are gentle, affectionate, and bond deeply with their families.
So observing a grey cat’s personality can provide hints to its breed if it matches the expected temperament. An energetic and mischievous grey cat may be a Russian Blue while a laidback lap cat is more likely a British Shorthair.
Care Requirements
The grooming and care requirements of a breed may also indicate what type of grey cat an individual feline might be. Some breeds need more intensive grooming and care than others.
For example, Norwegian Forest Cats and Turkish Angoras with their long fur need regular brushing to keep their coats looking their best. Turkish Vans, with their unusual affinity for water, require bathing more often than many other breeds.
Breeds prone to genetic health issues like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons may need more specialized veterinary care over their lifetime. Knowing what a breed typically needs in terms of grooming and care can provide clues into whether a grey cat might belong to that breed.
Body Shape and Facial Features
A grey cat’s body shape and facial features can also point to its breed. Breed standards often describe ideal features for a breed in detail.
For example, Russian Blues are described as having a wedge-shaped head that is long and tapered. British Shorthairs have a very round head and face. Chartreux heads are trapezoid in shape with relatively small ears. Korats have a unique heart-shaped head.
Turkish Angoras have a small, fine-boned body while Norwegian Forest Cats are large and muscular. The Nebelung has a long, graceful, semi-foreign body shape. With knowledge of breed standards, assessing a grey cat’s body type and facial features can help identify its origins.
Eligibility for Competition
Whether a grey cat is eligible to compete in competition under a certain breed standard can confirm if it truly belongs to that breed.
For example, The Cat Fanciers’ Association allows only blue-furred Russian Blues and blue-eyed white Turkish Angoras to be shown. Traditional Korats are silver-tipped blue. Only brown-spotted Tabby Turkish Vans are recognized. If a grey cat meets breed entry requirements, it is very likely a true member of that breed.
Genetic Testing
Commercially available genetic testing can scientifically determine a cat’s breed makeup beyond visible characteristics. Tests like Basepaws CatKit use DNA analysis to detect breed markers in a cat’s genetic code and provide a breed profile indicating likely ancestry.
While more expensive than appraising physical and behavioral traits, genetic tests give definitive insight into a cat’s breeding when its origins are uncertain or mixed. For the most accurate determination of an unknown grey cat’s breed, DNA analysis provides the clearest answers via genetic science.
Conclusion
Determining the breed of grey cats with unknown heritage involves assessing physical features, personality, care needs, conformance to breed standards, and geographic origins that may point to specific breeds. While not as precise as genetic testing, characteristic analysis helps triangulate the likely breed a grey cat belongs to when its background is ambiguous. With some detective work and breed knowledge, clues in a cat’s looks, temperament, and requirements can shed light on its breed identity.
