York Chocolate

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: March 16th, 2016

About York Chocolate

Weight

10-16 lb

Physique

Large body, firm muscles

Lifespan

13-15 years

Temperament

Friendly, affectionate, playful, energetic

Best Suited For

Any cat loving household, including singles and families with children and other pets

Comparable Breeds

Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Longhair

Height

8-10 inches

York Chocolate Breed History

The York Chocolate breed was started in 1983, when a black-and-white spotted female farm cat named Blacky mated with a longhaired black male named Smokey. Within that litter was one brown kitten, thanks to their Siamese ancestry, and she was named Brownie. Janet Chiefari, the farm owner, took note of this unique kitten, who had both charm and looks.

The following summer, Brownie had a litter of kittens, and one of her babies was a semi-longhaired black male who also featured a deep brown undercoat, which was quite unique. This kitten was named Minky.

A year after that, Brownie mated with Minky, and they had a kitten named Teddy Bear, who was solid brown. They also had a brown-and-white female named Cocoa.

Chiefari started breeding the cats and spreading the word about them, and the experimental breed was accepted in 1990. By 1995, it had CFF Championship status and Canadian Cat Association Championship status as well.

York Chocolate cats are even-tempered, friendly, intelligent, curious, and energetic.

Breed Traits

York Chocolate cats are even-tempered, friendly, intelligent, curious, and energetic. They are also loyal and will gladly follow you around the house. Even though they can be shy sometimes, they can also be really social, and they have a unique fascination with water.

In addition to being affectionate, these cats are also known for enjoying plenty of hugs and cuddles, and they will gladly sit in a warm lap. They crave attention and will spend as much time with their owners as possible. In fact, these kitties will greet you when you come home and purr contentedly in order to communicate with you.

The York Chocolate will get along great with other pets and with children of all ages. These cats enjoy plenty of play time that involves interaction with other pets and their human family, so you should make it a point to spend time with your cat, rather than letting him play with his toys alone. Moving toys and interactive play are best for this breed, which has a strong instinct to hunt.

Overall Description

This is a large feline breed with solid bones and firm muscles, much like a traditional farm cat.

However, what differentiates this breed from other farm cats is its semi-long, lustrous fur, which is light, soft, and resistant to matting. The undercoat is also extremely soft, and the fur is thicker at the chest, neck, and upper legs. Also, the tail is puffed and full, and the feet have some tufting between the toes. There is also a bit of feathering within the ears.

The York Chocolate has beautiful eyes that are almond shaped. The eye color may be golden, hazel, or green.

Colors

The York Chocolate comes in chocolate brown or lavender, as well as a combination of these two colors. Typically, the coat will be lighter in kittenhood, but it will develop into a silky, rich chocolate color as the kitten grows and reaches maturity.

Grooming Requirements

This breed requires minimal grooming, so a regular brushing that will help maintain the health of the skin and coat is enough.

Photo credit: Kosobu/Bigstock; oxilixo/Bigstock

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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