York Chocolate
This breed gets its name from the state it hails from, New York, with the ‘chocolate’ part being added on the end, due to its brown colouring. The first York Chocolate kitten came to be as if by accident, born among a litter of moggy cats whose parents were both long-haired, and neither of which had brown or chocolate fur!
Key facts about the York Chocolate
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Origins and history
This breed came about in the eighties, when an American woman called Janet Chiefari had a litter of moggy cats, one of which stood out from the others because of its chocolatey colour. When she grew up, the same cat had kittens herself, and some of them also had the same chocolate coat. The pairings that followed then allowed this distinctively coloured breed to develop. Chiefari began attending exhibitions and introduced her cat into the bloodlines of certain Siameses, choosing individuals with slightly rounder heads in order to preserve her own cat’s basic morphology as much as possible. This is how the lilac variety came to be.
The breed wasn’t officially recognised until 1992, and they remain very rare, with only about a hundred York Chocolates in existence.
Physical characteristics of the York Chocolate
Adult size
Female : Approximately 12 in
Male : Between 12 and 14 in
They will have the appearance of an adult cat at the age of about 1 year.
Weight
Female : Between 9 and 11 lb
Male : Between 13 and 18 lb
Coat colour
Chocolate, lilac
The only permitted coat colours are lilac and chocolate, with or without some white colouring.
Type of coat
Mid-length
Eye colour
Blue, aquamarine, golden yellow, green, odd / dichroic eyes
All colours are accepted.
Description
York Chocolates are fairly big with a lovely round head, reminiscent of their moggy cat origins. Their well-defined, muscular body oozes elegance, and their coat is a beautiful colour, made up of different lengths of fur.
Good to know
Kittens can sometimes have tabby markings on their coat, which last for about a year and a half before disappearing.
Temperament
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Affectionate
These little feline teddies are super soft - both in terms of their coat and their affectionate nature!
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Playful
They can prove to be lively and dynamic if offered captivating activities - all you need to do is wave a duster in the distance and that’s the next quarter of an hour taken care of!
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Calm
They also have their moments of respite between periods of play - they’ll use this time to groom themselves, keep an eye on what’s happening around them, and steal a little nap!
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Intelligent
Sneaky as anything, York Chocolates know how to use their creativity to achieve their ends… or they’ll just learn how to make you crack and do as they wish!
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Fearful / wary of strangers
York Chocolates are usually curious when a new person enters their home. But you’ll need to give them time to acclimatise to the novelty, offering them high places where they can take refuge should they need it. A few treats and games couldn’t hurt either!
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Independent
They will enjoy spending time with you but also manage just fine occupying themselves. York Chocolates are good at splitting their time between the two just to make sure the relationship stays beneficial to them!
Behaviour of the York Chocolate
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Chatty
These cats aren’t too loud, despite their ancestors having been cross-bred with Siameses, which are very chatty!
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Need for exercise / Sporty
York Chocolates need to run and use up their natural hunter-like energy. To ensure their happiness and wellbeing indoors, it’s important that you take the time to play with them.
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Tendency to run away
These cats are more than capable of adapting to life indoors, but if they see an opportunity to go out into the garden, they are unlikely to pass it up!
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Greedy / Gluttony
If they start to eat more than they need, this could be because they have nothing better to do and are just looking for something to fill their time. Whatever the reason, you’ll need to keep an eye on this and make sure they don’t overindulge!
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Is the York Chocolate right for you?
take the testCompatibility
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York Chocolate and cats
Having a fellow cat around is unlikely to please them much at first, but this is only temporary. These cats tend to deal well with novelty and they shouldn’t take long to warm up to the new arrival!
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York Chocolate and dogs
Naturally, these cats will be unsettled by the company of another animal at first. But once you’ve introduced them properly, and your cat knows that there are plenty of places for them to take refuge, dog and cat will find a way to get along and, who knows, one day become the best of friends!
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York Chocolate and children
These cats makes excellent companions for children thanks to their perfect mix of calm and energy. They have the patience it takes to play with children, who will be overjoyed with their new friend!
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York Chocolate and the elderly
When they’re young, York Chocolates are perhaps a bit too lively and energetic for calmer people. But as they get older, their maturity will take over and they should become a good companion for a tranquil person, as long as that person can satisfy the cat’s need to move.
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price for a York Chocolate. The price varies depending on the lineage of the kitten, their breeding, their age when purchased or even their sex. For your monthly budget, you should allow around £25 per month to cater to their needs in terms of buying litter and quality food.
Grooming
Their coats have a reputation for being easy to maintain, despite the density and the fact that there is an undercoat. A weekly brush will be enough.
Shedding
They don’t lose much fur except maybe during seasonal moulting periods.
Nutrition of the York Chocolate
They need a balanced, high-quality diet, recommended by a vet, that will allow them to stay healthy. Combine this with daily exercise and you’ll maximise your four-legged friend’s chances of maintaining excellent health!
Health of the York Chocolate
Life expectancy
Their life expectancy is between 15 and 20 years.
Strong / robust
Their dense fur offers them some extent of protection against the cold and the heat, but not so much against extreme temperatures.
Tendency to put on weight
They have a tendency to get a little overweight if their feeding isn’t monitored and they don’t get enough exercise. Serve their food in interactive bowls and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: you’ll keep them occupied and their caloric intake will be reduced.
Common illnesses
At some point, York Chocolates may develop any of the same conditions as other cats, such as oral diseases. Other diseases they might suffer from include the following:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which results in a thickening of the heart muscle. As it worsens, this condition can lead to heart failure, which may result in arrhythmias, lung oedema, arterial thrombosis, and other complications. Screening is performed by echocardiogram, usually on a yearly basis. Treatment can be administered according to the findings of the scan, in order to make the cat more comfortable.
Reproduction
The number of cats per litter is usually around 3. Pairings with other breeds are not permitted.
