York Chocolate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids York Chocolate |
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| Other names | York |
| Origin | United States |
| Breed standards | |
| WCF | standard |
| FFE | standard |
| CCA-AFC | standard |
| Other | IYCF breed club standard |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
The York Chocolate (or just York) was a special type of cat breed from the United States. These cats had long, fluffy fur and a tail that got thinner towards the end. Most of them were a beautiful chocolate-brown color. Some were even a lighter brown, called lavender.
This breed got its name from New York state, where it first appeared in 1983. The York Chocolate was created by carefully choosing domestic long-haired cats with mixed backgrounds. Sadly, this breed was not widely recognized by big cat groups. By 2016, it was thought to be extinct. This means there were no more breeders, and no cat groups officially recognized it. Even if you see a cat that looks similar today, it's not a true York Chocolate without special papers.
In Italy, this cat was known as “Il Gatto Cioccolato” (The Chocolate Cat). An organization called the International York Chocolate Federation (IYCF) was started there in 2003. This group tried to help the breed, but its website is no longer active.
History of the York Chocolate Cat
The York Chocolate breed was started by Janet Chiefari in 1983. It all began with two of her cats. The father cat had long black fur. The mother cat had long black and white fur.
- One of their kittens, named Brownie, was born with brown fur. This brown color came from their Siamese ancestors.
- The next summer, Brownie had her own kittens with a long-haired black male cat.
- In that litter, there was a chocolate-colored male kitten and a female kitten that was white and chocolate.
Janet Chiefari noticed that these kittens had similar fur and body shapes. This made her decide to start her own special breeding program.
A group in Germany called the World Cat Federation once recognized the York cat. However, by 2013, they no longer actively promoted it. Also, a small group called the International York Chocolate Federation (IYCF) was created in Italy. It seems this group has not been active since 2004.
What Was the York Chocolate Like?
The York Chocolate cat was known for being very friendly and calm. They loved to sit on laps and enjoy cuddles. These cats were also described as smart, full of energy, and curious. They often followed their owners around the house. They made great companions and were good at hunting. Sometimes, they could be a little shy.
