Havana Brown: the cat named after the color of Cuban cigars
The first known Havana Brown cat is Elmtower Bronze Idol, a chocolate-colored kitten born in England in 1952 who was different from his litter siblings, who were all black.
The result of a mating between a Siamese chocolate point and a black-haired cat, this kitten is considered the precursor of today’s breed.
The name comes from the deep dark brown color of Havana cigars.
Two different selection paths
A group of English breeders collaborated to systematically isolate the genetic makeup of this pure brown cat.
However, in 1956 two of these cats were exported to America, where they were crossed with Russian Blues to expand their gene pool.
Over the years, Americans and British have practically developed two different breeds.
The English Havana has the characteristics of the Siamese, a wedge-shaped head, long muzzle, brown or pinkish skin, green almond-shaped eyes and strictly brown coat.
The American Havana, on the other hand, is closer to Russian Blue and has oval eyes ranging from pale green to dark green but also gold or hazel, an oval and not straight head, and a pink nose and pads.
The Havana Brown breed is very rare
Both types of Havana are extremely rare.
There are 14 breeders of Havana worldwide, and among feline breeds, this kitty is considered almost endangered.
To ensure a larger gene pool, to avoid inbreeding and ensure the survival of the breed, breeders today cross the very few existing Havanas with black or blue domestic cats and Chocolate Point Siamese.
All Havana specimens are solid-colored: patterns and piecing are not allowed.
Accepted color shades are only between brown and reddish brown.
In fact, however, some breeding associations have also included in the standard the color Lilac which is a dilution of chocolate.
Liliac means a uniform light pinkish gray without any kind of streaking.
Chocolate or Liliac it may be, the coat is short-haired, silky and highly polished
Grooming requires only weekly brushing to remove dead hair.
The Havana is a cat with no undercoat, so it is quite sensitive to cold.
He loves to stay within the walls of his home, warm in the winter and cool in the warmer months.
He prefers quiet and his physical activity level is quite low, yet he loves to interact with his humans.
Havana is an affectionate and talkative cat
Towards strangers, the Havana Brown may appear shy and reserved, especially at first.
Yet, he is able to bond deeply with his humans whom he loves to cuddle with.
Blessed with a strong personality, Havana is considered a big talker, and meowing at his human is one of his favorite activities.
A feline breed without recurrent genetic disorders
In contrast to other feline breeds that are genetically predisposed to recurrent disease, the Havana is a long-lived, robust cat that rarely falls ill.
Obviously nutrition plays a key role in the health and well-being of each cat as well as regular veterinary checkups.
To have your Havana Brown checked, for vaccines and periodic check-ups, contact the veterinary doctors on our staff who are always available to you.
We would also like to remind you that Clinica La Veterinaria is always open h24 every day including holidays and with First Aid service from 8 pm to 8 am.
