Chantilly-Tiffany
Also known as: Chantilly, Tiffany, Foreign Longhair
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- North America
- Weight
- 2.5–5 kg
- Other names
- Chantilly, Tiffany, Foreign Longhair
About the Chantilly-Tiffany
The Chantilly-Tiffany is a rare cat breed originating from North America. It was developed from chocolate-colored cats, with a distinctive coat pattern.
Body
The Chantilly-Tiffany has a semi-foreign body style and a full semi-long coat. The coat is silky, soft and smooth; the lack of undercoat usually makes grooming simpler than that of cats with an undercoat. The Chantilly was slow to mature and developed its full coat and colour expression at about one to two years old. Adults have a weight range of 2.5–5 kg.
Head
The eye colour of the feline intensified with age. The only accepted eye colour was yellow to gold in any shade with or without a green “halo” around the pupil. Green eyes were not allowed. The eyes were almond to oval-shaped, wide-set, and slightly angled. The head had to be a broad, modified wedge with gentle curves and wide-set cheekbones. It should have a medium-length nose and a strong, broad, short, softly squared muzzle. The whisker pads are defined but not obvious.
Overview
The Chantilly-Tiffany or Chantilly/Tiffany , also known as the Chantilly or the Foreign Longhair , was a breed of domestic cat which originated in the late 1960s in North America. The Chantilly breed never got off the ground and has always been rare. It was near extinction in the late 1980s and again in the late 2000s. Since 2015 the breed has been considered extinct with the passing and neutering of the last two cats of the Chantilly lineage, and with no intact Chantilly cats the inevitable resulting discontinuation of the breeding programme. The Chantilly-Tiffany is often confused with the unrelated Tiffanie , or Asian / Burmilla longhair, a semi-longhaired breed originating in the UK. Similarly, a variety of that breed, the Australian Tiffanie , can cause confusion. Furthermore, the Tiffany in the NZCF (New Zealand) is sometimes confused with the Chantilly-Tiffany, but refers to a Burmese longhair .
Health
Some sources claim Chantilly-Tiffanys were over-groomed. They tended to pull their own hair, which could lead to patches of baldness and the formation of digestive tract hairballs. To help prevent this, the cat should be brushed at least every other day to help control loose and shedding hair. On the contrary, according to the ACFA breed standard and Chantilly originator and breed advocate (J. Robinson and T. Oraas) the Chantilly was easily groomed due to its lack of undercoat and was little shedding .
Registry
The Chantilly was initially registered with ACA in the early 1970s as Foreign Longhair and later as Tiffany . However, with the lack of sufficient cats to form a breed, the recognition was reverted and the breed lost its pedigree status due to its rarity. When the breed was near extinction in the late 1980s, breeder Tracy Oraas and Jan DeRegt revived the breed and registered it under the name Chantilly. Eventually, the Chantilly had been recognised and was eligible for championship or registration as Experimental or New Breed and colour (NBC) status with AACE , ACFA , CCA-AFC , CFF , TCA , TICA , and UFO . In 2009, only a total of 15 Chantilly cats were ever registered in the Experimental Registry -category (VI) with TICA ; 4 in 1992, 3 in 2000, 3 in 2002, and 5 in 2003.
Coat colour
The Chantilly-Tiffany originated in a chocolate colour, but later on was accepted in a range of colours including blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn. In the CCA breed standard black was also included, however it was not with the ACFA . Accepted patterns were solid, mackerel, ticked, and spotted tabby; consequently classic/blotched tabby, colourpoint, and white spotting were not allowed. The colour was rich; shading in solids may occur toward the underside. The overall impression of an ideal Chantilly was a semi-foreign cat of striking appearance resulting from the combination of its rich colour and full, silky semi-longhair coat, plumed tail, contrasting neck ruff, and ear furnishings.
Out-crossing
The ACFA only accepted out-crossings with the Havana Brown , Somali , and Nebelung in this experimental breed. The CCA only allowed out-crossings with Angora, Oriental , Havana Brown, Somali, and Nebelung cats. Out-crossing with Burmese cats was never performed, and never permitted in registries.
Extinction (2010s)
In 2012, a fire destroyed Amorino Cattery and its archives. With the fall of Amorino Cattery, the breed was facing extinction. The last Chantilly known in the US was solid chocolate Frosty (grandson of Nugget and Nuage). Frosty and Nugget appear together in the "Chantilly" episode of Cats 101 , which was filmed at Amorino Cattery in 2012. Later that year after the fire, Frosty was shipped to a Nebelung breeder in Norway (Cacao Criadero Cattery). There was a struggle to get Frosty to breed to the Nebelung female (Nebelungs were permitted cross-outs). One solid lilac kitten, Acey , was produced in the efforts in 2013. In 2015, the Norwegian breeder gave up on the Chantilly breeding program after the death of Frosty , and fixed her female, Acey . As a result of this event, the last known Chantilly lineage ended, and the breed is considered extinct. There are no intact Chantilly cats alive and there are no operating Chantilly breeding programmes as of 2024 [ update ] .
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the Chantilly-Tiffany?
The Chantilly-Tiffany is a rare breed with a long, silky coat and a foreign body type. They have a broad face, short nose, and large ears. The breed was known for its calm and gentle nature, but specific characteristics are limited due to its rarity.
Is the Chantilly-Tiffany a good family cat?
As a rare breed, there is limited information on the Chantilly-Tiffany's temperament. However, general characteristics of foreign longhair breeds suggest they can be calm and gentle, making them suitable for families with older children who understand how to handle them carefully.
What health problems do Chantilly-Tiffanys have?
Some sources indicate that Chantilly-Tiffanys were prone to over-grooming, leading to hair loss and digestive tract hairballs. Regular brushing can help prevent this issue. However, the breed's overall health is largely unknown due to its rarity, and specific health problems are not well-documented.
How much does a Chantilly-Tiffany kitten cost?
As the Chantilly-Tiffany is considered an extinct breed, it is unlikely that kittens are available for purchase. Even if they were, the rarity of the breed would likely result in a high price. It's essential to note that purchasing a kitten from a reputable breeder or rescue organization is always recommended.