Havana Brown

When a cat breed has a name like Havana Brown, it can only come in one color, right? Well, actually, the active Havana Brown comes in a rich Chocolate color or an attractive Lilac color.

This breed was created when a Chocolate Point Siamese cat produced a solid Chocolate kitten. Although this has been happening in Siamese cat litters for centuries, these Chocolate kittens were usually disqualified by both the Cat Fancier's Association in the United States and cat associations in Great Britain. In the nineteen fifties, a breeder in the United States fell in love with the Chocolate Siamese and imported a female cat from Great Britain to found a new breed of cat called the Havana Brown.

Since this breed is so closely related to the Siamese, it is no surprise that it has a very similar appearance. The Havana Brown has a long head with a face that looks rather square when it is viewed from the side. Long, graceful legs and a sleek body complete the picture.

These cats may be on the small side, weighing in at a lightweight six to ten pounds, but they have big personalities. The Havana has a very dog like nature and is extremely affectionate towards people.

Don't be surprised if your kitten quickly learns to come when he is called. This breed also can learn to fetch and walk on a leash with ease. The playful Havana will spend hours plotting an elaborate ambush, suddenly diving from behind a chair or leaping off of a fireplace mantle to pounce on unsuspecting family members. These cats are a bit on the nosy side and enjoy helping their family members with household chores, especially if the job involves emptying bags. After all, this energetic breed feels that there is nothing better than using a paper bag to play an impromptu game of hide and seek.

Although the Havana Brown will survive if it is left home alone for long periods of time, this breed prefers having its family home on a regular basis. If you decide that you want a Havana, but you don't have a lot of free time, you may want to consider adding a second of these mischievous cats to your household. Of course, if you have two Havanas, you may find that when you arrive home after work that your home is not quite as orderly as it was when you left. After all, two of these cats are naturally twice as playful as a single cat.

While the Havana is not so vocal that it is obnoxious, this breed does have a loud purr. You will hear that purr frequently, since these cats will hop into their owners' laps, roll onto their backs and start purring loudly to encourage them to give them the petting they crave.

Since this breed is a shorthair breed, you should not find grooming your Havana to be too difficult. Simply comb through his hair or wipe him down with a cloth once a week to keep his coat in tip top condition.

If you want a cat that has a coat with a rich mahogany sheen and a stellar personality, then the active and curious Havana Brown may be the ideal choice for you.