The Aegean cat is one of the oldest naturally occurring cat breeds. In Greece, it’s considered a national treasure and the only cat native to the region.
History
The breed comes from the Cyclades, the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. For hundreds of years, these free-living cats hung around fishing harbors, begging for a tasty morsel. That’s how they were tamed. They reached mainland Greece with a fisherman, and there they became famous as excellent hunters of rats and mice.
But deliberate breeding of the Aegean cat as a separate breed began only in the 1990s, with a handful of Greek breeders. The breed still isn’t officially recognized and is quite rare outside Greece.
Breed Description
The Aegean cat is medium-sized and weighs about 9–11 lb. There’s no officially registered breed standard, but here’s a general description of these cats:
- Head: broad, medium-sized, not round;
- Ears: wide at the base, furred, with rounded tips;
- Eyes: almond-shaped, Oriental type;
- Body: muscular and long. The cat may look fat, but that’s because of its large, athletic build;
- Legs: in proportion to the body, with oval paws;
- Tail: long and straight, without kinks;
- Coat: semi-long, without an undercoat, with a moderately fluffy ruff and a bushy tail.
Personality
Aegean cats are very active and smart, but they’re hard to train. They’re born fishers and hunters, and that’s one of the main things that set them apart from other breeds. An Aegean will be an invaluable helper wherever pesky rodents are a problem.
At the same time, don’t get one if you already have a small pet such as a hamster, lizard or bird; it could easily become the cat’s prey. If there’s nobody to hunt, the cat will play just as eagerly with any object it can get its paws on.
These are very devoted cats that bond with their owner and follow them everywhere. They love affection but aren’t demanding. The Aegean cat also loves to talk.
These cats are genetically used to living outdoors, so a house with a secure yard or a catio suits them better than an apartment. The Aegean cat also loves water and fearlessly jumps in for a swim whenever it gets the chance.
Care and Health
Artificial selection passed the Aegean cat by, so the breed enjoys good health and has no known genetic diseases. Still, like all cats, they can have eye problems, fleas and digestive upsets. The Aegean cat lives about 15 years on average.
Caring for these cats is standard: light weekly brushing, baths as needed or as the cat likes, and regular ear and tooth cleaning.
Don’t forget to give Aegean cats fish, since it’s their natural food. But don’t give it more than twice a week. The ideal option is a balanced commercial food, which already contains all the necessary vitamins. In any case, don’t give your cat sweet, salty or spicy food.
Colors
The Aegean cat can be bicolor or tricolor, but the main color is always white without any yellow tinge. Other colors cover 1/3 to at most 2/3 of the body, usually on the head, tail and back. The second dominant color can be cream, black, blue or red. The colored areas may also have tabby markings. The eyes are green or a shade of green.
Here’s what an Aegean cat looks like:
How Much Does an Aegean Cat Cost?
How much will an Aegean kitten cost you? The price depends on sex, looks and pedigree; kittens brought directly from the Cyclades cost more. There’s no established US price, since the breed isn’t recognized by the CFA or TICA and you won’t find it at US catteries.
Where to Buy
You can reliably find an Aegean cat cattery only in its homeland, Greece. Breeders elsewhere often consider the breed unprofitable, since these cats look like ordinary street cats.
You can buy an Aegean kitten from Greece, but be sure to check reviews of the seller and factor in import costs: shipping or a flight nanny, a vet health certificate and a rabies vaccination.
