Havana Brown

The British shorthaired breed bearing this name is the brown variety of the Oriental Shorthair, while the American version is a separate breed with a distinctive body and head type.

Though originally named for the brown color, a lavender frost color is also permitted in some associations. The Havana is a very outgoing breed that loves following its people around. It is a very rare breed; one article estimates that there are fewer than 1,000 Havana Browns in existence.

What makes a Havana Brown unique? The first thing an admirer notices is the cat's glistening mahogany-toned brown coat. Their other incomparable feature is the distinctive head that is slightly longer than it is wide. When viewed in profile, the prominent, broad nose has a definite stop at the eyes. A pronounced whisker break combined with the strong square chin forms a somewhat rounded muzzle, which appears to be a protrusion of the head. When viewed from above, the pronounced break in the bone structure behind each whisker pad is easily seen in good specimens and resembles an hour glass shape. If you are looking for a people-oriented cat that is more dog like than cat like, the Havana Brown may be for you. This is a highly intelligent breed of cat that easily learns its name, the word "No," and may be halter and leash trained just to name a few accomplishments. Certainly if you are looking for a brown cat with a nose, then the Havana Brown fits that bill! These are cats that can learn to ride in your car, motor home or fly in the airplane cabin with you when necessary. Some have such a loud purr they simply vibrate!

There is recorded history of solid brown cats in "The Cat Book Poems" dating back to between 1300 and 1767 from early Siam (Now Thailand). These ancient manuscripts were written in the city of Ayudha, between the time the city was founded and before the city was burned by invaders. Seventeen "good luck" cats are described including solid brown cats, which the Thai's considered very beautiful and had the ability to protect them from evil.

The Havana Brown is unique to gaze upon, and even more delightful to enjoy as a companion. Blessed with a pixyish soft voice, the traditional Havana Brown usually exhibits the peculiar trait of using his paws to feel, touch, and investigate items as opposed to other breeds who characteristically use their sense of smell to investigate curious items. One of their endearing qualities is their typical greeting of elevating and stretching out one paw to touch their human friend, or offer a paw in friendship. These charming cats quietly require human companionship. Affectionately sociable, sweet, and considerate by nature, they are quite even-tempered, gentle, and intelligent.

Havana Browns tend to use body language to get their point across, and this breed is known to take well to a harness and lead.

Human companionship is a necessity for this breed. Most Havanas do not use their soft voices often, but they can cry loudly when they have lost track of their human companions. They are very playful, stealing pencils, pens, ear rings or whatever they can get into their mouths, much to the amusement and frustration of their owners. Most love to play with wads of paper and some have learned to retrieve. Havanas seem to be natural shoulder sitters; fortunately, claws are rarely used. Generally, they are very neat and tidy in their personal habits. They are very oral cats, usually bathing themselves and each other thoroughly several times a day.

Changes to their environment are agreeably adapted to with remarkable confidence and poise. They have learned the art of give-and-take. This unflappable breed instinctively molds itself to your habits and is more dog-like in temperament because it seems willing to please. Diversified lifestyles, with children, elderly or all those in between are taken on with style and ease. Traditional Havana Browns crave and thrive on human attention, so be ready to share your household activities with this non-intrusive personality.

With eyes that twinkle with curiosity, glow with mischief or narrow to pure contentment, they can captivate you with their permeating, discerning gaze. Expressive ears are almost always in constant motion, taking in their surroundings with great interest.

Coming with a short coat, the Traditional Havana Brown is an easy care cat. A once a week brushing to remove any loose hair is all that is needed.

Havana (UK) - Current - Chestnut Brown Oriental - Siamese in type, self Chestnut in color. Originated from Seal Point Siamese x British Black Shorthair matings Havana Brown (Havana (US)) - Current - Originated from British Havana x American Shorthair crossings. Less extreme or foreign-looking in type compared to British Havana. Found in brown and its dilute - frost (lavender).

History

Like the Siamese, the Havana brown originates in the mysterious land of Siam, according to a manuscript of verses and illustrations called The Cat-Book Poems. This manuscript was written in the city of Ayudha, Siam, sometime between 1350, when the city was founded, and 1767 when the city was razed by invaders. Solid brown cats were considered very beautiful and were believed to protect their owners from evil.

The Havana Brown, a cat the color of chocolate kisses, is another breed that comes from the mysterious land of Siam. Solid brown cats were described and depicted in the Cat-Book Poems, a manuscript written in the city of Ayudha, Siam, some time between 1350 when the city was founded and 1767 when the city was burned by invaders. These brown cats appear in the manuscript alongside royal Siamese, black and white bicolors, and silver-blue Korats. The people of Siam considered the burnished brown cats very beautiful and believed they protected their human companions from evil.

Solid brown (self-brown) cats were among the first felines to come to England from Siam (now Thailand) in the late 1800s. Early records describe these cats as "Siamese, with coats of burnished chestnut, and greeny-blue eyes." It is believed that these imports were not all of the same genetic types, but rather represent what today would be called Burmese, chocolate point Siamese, Tonkinese (Burmese/Siamese hybrids), and Havana Browns. It's hard to tell one from another from mere descriptions.

Solid brown cats were exhibited in Europe during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. A self-brown took first prize at a show in England in 1888, indicating that, at that time, fanciers valued and treasured brown cats. At a 1928 cat show, the British Siamese Cat Club gave a special award to the cat with "the best chocolate body." Writers of the day described these cats as "chocolate-colored Siamese, that is, the same color all over."

Soon after, however, self-browns fell from grace. In 1930 the Siamese Cat Club announced, "The club much regrets it is unable to encourage the breeding of any but blue-eyed Siamese." Solid brown cats lacking blue eyes were accordingly banned from competition and disappeared from the cat fancy.

Self-browns made their comeback in the early 1950s when a handful of English breeders decided brown was still beautiful. Working first separately and then together, these breeders studied chocolate gene inheritance and then started a breeding program, apparently using Siamese, domestic shorthairs, and Russian Blues. The breeders were striving to produce a solid-colored cat in the chocolate point coloring of the Siamese, rather than the sable coloring of the Burmese. At that time in England, the only recognized foreign breeds other than the Siamese were the Abyssinian and the Russian Blue.

In the 1800s, solid brown cats and the pointed pattern Siamese were transported from Siam to Britain. Early reports describe these brown cats as "Siamese with coats of burnished chestnut with greeny-blue eyes." At first, the solid browns were popular. Fanciers exhibited them in Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, in the 1920s, Britain's Siamese Cat Club no longer permitted the breeding of any but blue-eyed Siamese. Without the club's support, interest in the green-eyed solid browns dwindled.

In 1952 the first solid chocolate kitten to be registered in England was born. This kitten, Elmtower Bronze Idol, became the foundation cat for the new breed. Bronze Idol was produced by mating a seal point Siamese that carried the chocolate gene with a solid black cat also carrying chocolate. The black cat was the offspring of a black cat bred to a seal point Siamese. Since chocolate coloration is governed by a recessive gene, Bronze Idol had to receive the gene from both parents to express the trait.

However, interest in the solid browns didn't completely disappear. In the early 1950s, a group of English breeders reproduced them by breeding black domestic shorthairs to chocolate point Siamese, and Russian blues to seal point Siamese. In 1958, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) accepted the breed for championship under the name "Chestnut brown foreign." Later, the breed was renamed "Havana." In 1958 the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy accepted the breed for Championship competition under the name Chestnut Brown Foreign. Later, the breed was re-named Havana.

Two stories exist regarding the naming of the breed. One claims that the Havana was named after a rabbit breed of the same color. The other maintains the Havana was named after the Havana tobacco because it has the color and matt appearance of a Havana cigar.

The first Havanas reached America in the mid-1950s. The breed was given recognition in 1959 under the name Havana Brown, and in 1964 the CFA granted the Havana Brown full Championship status.

The first Havana reached the United States in 1956, a female with the grand name of Roofspringer Mahogany Quinn. This cat became the mother of this continent's Havana brown - almost all Havana browns in North America have Roofspringer somewhere in their ancestry. The breed was first recognized in 1959 under the name Havana brown and in 1964, the CFA granted the breed championship status. Today, the breed has championship status in almost all North American associations.

In Europe, the Havana still exists, but it is very different from the North American Havana brown. This breed is what we would call a chestnut Oriental shorthair - similar in color to the Havana but with a Siamese body style.

Appearance

Havanas are not as svelte as the modern Siamese, but they have a grace all their own. The Havana's conformation falls midway between the stocky Persian type and the extremely svelte Siamese type, but leans more toward the elegant, slender side.

The Havana's head shape is unique in the cat fancy. It is longer than it is wide and narrows to a rounded, somewhat narrow muzzle with a pronounced break on both sides behind the whisker pads. This unique muzzle shape is sometimes described as a light bulb or a corn cob. Large, alert ears tilt forward, giving the cat a look of constant curiosity. The brilliant, alert and expressive eyes are oval in shape and set wide apart.

Most associations accept the breed in only one color and pattern: solid warm mahogany brown. However, the Cat Fanciers' Federation (CFF) and The International Cat Association (TICA) accept the breed in solid lilac as well - a color described as frost gray with a pinkish tone. Lilacs have the same brilliant green eyes, as do the browns. In both associations, the breed is called the "Havana," since it is no longer solely brown.

The Havana is the only cat whose breed standard requires a specific whisker color. The standard specifies brown or lilac whiskers to complement the color of the coat.

Personality

Havanas are gentle, intelligent and remarkably adaptable. They take almost any situation in stride, and with confidence and poise set about to rule whatever roost they are given. One-room walk-up or palace - it's all the same to them as long as they have plenty of love and attention from their human friends.

Havanas make wonderful companions if you like interactive cats. Devoted, affectionate and constantly curious, Havanas want to be where you are, preferably right in the middle of the action. They want to help you read the paper in the morning, type on the computer in the afternoon, and prepare dinner in the evening. Their playful attitudes and ability to adjust to other pets and children make them great family companions. Unlike the Siamese, they are vocally quiet.

However, like the Siamese, Havanas need human interaction and don't do well if they are ignored or left alone for long periods. Havanas are just not happy without humans around to love. If you work all day and have an active social life at night, consider a less dependent breed.

More distinctive than the muzzle, ears, or minklike coat is the Havana Brown's personality. Although still quite rare and for years one of the cat fancy's best kept secrets, Havanas have built a solid following of enthusiastic fanciers. Havana Browns are affectionate, gentle, highly intelligent, and, unlike their Siamese compatriots, quiet. They are remarkably adaptable and agreeable cats, and adjust to any situation with poise and confidence.

Havanas must have human interaction if they are to live happy, healthy lives. They crave attention from their human companions and are not content unless they can be by your side, helping you with your household tasks. Havanas love to reach out and touch their favorite humans; they often nudge their human friends with an outstretched paw as if asking for attention.

"Fetch" is a favorite Havana Brown game, and they can often be found carrying toys and stray objects around in their mouths. If you've misplaced a sock or some other small, easily carried object, check your Havana's cat bed. You might find that it has magically found its way there.

Two features separate the Havana Brown from any other breed. The first, and most obvious is a glistening mahogany-brown coat. Medium short and close lying, it glows with reddish highlights and should be sound to the roots. The second feature is a distinctive "corn cob" muzzle that appears as if it has been added to the skull rather than flowing from it. Unlike any other breed of cat, the whiskers are the same brown as the coat.

Kittens are born a lighter shade of brown. Tabby markings are common in young kittens, but generally fade as the coat darkens and evens out at around ten months of age. Havana breeders prefer to keep their kittens until they are four months old. By this time, the potential of the kitten is apparent, soundness of coat colour can be determined, eye colour is coming in and individual personalities are surfacing.

Because of these attributes, they make wonderful companion animals whether you plan to exhibit and show or simply as a very best friend in your home. It is not unusual for a Havana Brown to touch you with a paw to get your attention or to run, then flop on the floor right in your path for a tummy rub. This is also an adaptable breed, a tribute to its intelligence. Adult Havana Browns following show careers often go to new approved homes without missing a beat as long as the human gives the attention and affection this cat demands. Because of the adaptability of this breed, the Havana Brown will adjust to your home/work schedule, but, as with any companion animal, it should never be left alone for long periods of time.

Several theories exist as to how the breed got its name. Some historians insist it was named after the rabbit of the same color; however, most Havana Brown fans choose to believe that the breed got its name because it was the color of a fine Havana cigar. The medium sized eyes of the Havana Brown are green in color, oval in shape, expressive, and positioned lower on the head than those of most other breeds. This gives the appearance of a cat looking down its nose. The resulting high forehead accentuates large, round-tipped ears, which are tilted slightly forward, lending an alert appearance.

Picking up a Havana Brown for the first time can be a surprising experience, as this lithe-looking cat actually weighs more than it appears. Its medium-sized body must be firm and muscular, exhibiting a sense of power, yet also showing definite elegance and gracefulness. Males tend to be larger than their female counterparts, usually weighing around eight to ten pounds, while the females average six to eight. Kittens are born brown, all brown. Whiskers must be brown to complement the coat color but with age they turn snow white.

Brown cats have been known for centuries. Their origins were probably from South East Asia as a branch of the Royal Cats of Siam. They first arrived in Britain in the 19th century along with the importation of the Siamese. Simpson's Book of the Cat published in London in 1903 (page 234) refers to them and The Encyclopedia Britannica 11th Edition mentions a "wholly chocolate-coloured strain of Siamese. Master Timkey Brown and his dam, Granny Grumps, were cats shown in London in 1894." They were described as "Siamese with coats of burnished chestnut with greeny-blue eyes." The self-brown Siamese, sometimes called Swiss Mountain Cat, lost favor and the breed was abandoned after the 1920s when the Siamese Cat Club of Britain issued a statement, "The club much regrets it is unable to encourage the breeding of any but blue-eyed Siamese." Roofspringer Mahogany Quinn was bred to Laurentide Brown Pilgrim of Norwood, also an import, and produced the very first Havana Brown reputedly to achieve the status of Grand Champion in CFA, Quinn's Brown Satin of Sidlo. All of the Havana Browns in North America today can trace their heritage back to this cat.

Devoted, affectionate and constantly curious, Havanas need human interaction. This is the perfect cat for the person who wants a sociable, affectionate and intelligent feline friend. A cat as sweet in appearance and color as ... chocolate.

Conformation

Rather than attempt a Siamese body style as British breeders have done, American breeders have favored a more moderate body and head type for their Havana Browns. The British Havana Brown is considerably more Siamese in conformation than North American Havanas. The American Havana Brown's distinctive muzzle, rich color, expressive eyes, and large ears make it distinctive and exceptionally striking among the American cat breeds.

The Havana's coat is also distinctive. Color is very important to this breed: the coat should be a rich, even shade of warm brown, tending toward red-brown or mahogany rather than black-brown. Allowance is made for ghost tabby markings in kittens and youngsters.

General	The overall impression of the ideal Havana Brown is a cat of medium size with a rich, solid color coat and good muscle tone. Due to its distinctive muzzle shape, coat color, brilliant and expressive eyes and large forward tilted ears, it is comparable to no other breed.
Body	Torso medium in length, firm and muscular; general conformation is mid-range between the short-coupled, thickset, and svelte breeds; stands relatively high on its legs.
Head	When viewed from above, the head is longer than it is wide, narrowing to a rounded muzzle with a pronounced break on both sides behind the whisker pads. The somewhat narrow muzzle and the whisker break are distinctive characteristics of the breed and must be evident in the typical specimen. When viewed in profile, there is a distinct stop at the eyes; the end of the muzzle appears almost square; this illusion is heightened by a well-developed chin, the profile outline of which is more square than round. Ideally, the tip of the nose and the chin form an almost perpendicular line. Allowance to be made for somewhat broader heads and stud jowls in the adult male. Allow for sparse hair on chin, directly below lower lip.
Ears	Large, round-tipped, cupped at the base, wide-set but not flaring; tilted forward giving the cat an alert appearance. Little hair inside or outside.
Eyes	Shape: aperture oval in shape. Medium sized; set wide apart; brilliant, alert and expressive. Color: any vivid and level shade of green; the deeper the color the better.
Body/Neck	Torso medium in length, firm and muscular. Adult males tend to be larger than their female counterparts. Overall balance and proportion rather than size to be determining factor. The neck is medium in length and in proportion to the body. The general conformation is mid-range between the short-coupled, thick set and svelte breeds.
Legs/Feet	The ideal specimen stands relatively high on its legs for a cat of medium proportions in trunk and tail. Legs are straight. The legs of females are slim and dainty; slenderness and length of leg will be less evident in the more powerfully muscled, mature males. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Paws are oval and compact. Toes: five in front and four behind.
Tail	Medium in length and in proportion to the body; slender, neither whip-like nor blunt; tapering at the end. Not too broad at the base.
Coat	Short to medium; smooth and lustrous.
Color	Rich and even shade of warm brown throughout. Color tends toward red-brown (mahogany) rather than black-brown.
Penalize	Short to medium in length, smooth and lustrous.
Disqualify	Kinked tail, locket or button, incorrect number of toes, any eye color other than green, incorrect color of whiskers, nose leather or paw pads.
Allowable Outcrosses	None