Snowshoes - Breed Feature
The Snowshoe breed originated in the U.S.A in the 1960s, when a breeder of Siamese found three kittens with white feet in a litter of Siamese. This was not an unusual occurrence as kittens with white feet had been born in litters of Siamese before.
Cats with similar markings and colouring have been documented from centuries ago in ancient Japanese silk paintings, Asian drawings and in Victorian photographs.
Blue/White ‘Mitted’ COLDENUFFORSNOW ASPEN, 2nd generation (male stud)
One cat breeder, Dorothy Hinds Daugherty, liked the dramatic contrast of seal points with the stark white of the trim so much that she used them to form the basis of a new breed - the Snowshoe. Although the original mating was repeated the white feet were not, so the breed was developed with the use of bi-colour American shorthairs. Eventually the much favoured white facial ‘V’ was obtained in addition to the mitted variety.
Dorothy promoted the new breed at her local Pennsylvania area shows and with a first Standard in hand, approached the Cat Fanciers Federation for recognition of the breed. After some convincing the CFF granted the Snowshoe status of ‘Exhibition’, the first step on the ladder to full recognition. Shortly after this, Dorothy dropped out of the Cat Fancy, leaving the new breed in the hands of Vicky Olander.
In 1977 when Jim Hoffman and Georgia Kuhnell joined the programme, Vicky was the only breeder of Snowshoes left in U.S.A. Together they refined the Standard and Registration rules, recruited new breeders and the CFF promoted the breed to the next level, Provisional. In 1982 the breed finally gained Championship status with this body.
In 1983 both the International Cat Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) admitted the breed. Championship status was granted by TICA and ACFA in 1990. The only registering body in the U.S.A yet to accept the Snowshoe is the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).
Seal/White SS Kittens, eight-weeks-old, 4th generation (Coldenufforsnow)
The Snowshoe is still a rare breed even in the USA, the land of its birth.
SHOWSHOES IN THE UK
A Snowshoe breeding programme was started in the UK in the 1980s following a visit to a cat show in Madison Square Garden by a UK cat breeder and judge, Pat Turner. Pat was so taken by the Snowshoes that on her return she decided to replicate the breed. The initial Snowshoe club included: Pat Turner, John Mais, Maureen Trompetto (later Shacknell) and Pauline and Derek Parsons.
Blue/White ‘Mitted’ Tabby Point, TAJURA BRIEG, 2nd generation (six-months male)
Over the next several years other breeders joined the programme. However interest in the breed gradually waned until, in 1998, Maureen Shacknell was the only breeder of Snowshoes left in Britain. It was at this time that Mollie Southall joined the programme and the Coldenufforsnow cattery was born. Together, Maureen and Mollie worked hard to recruit new breeders and to revive the interest in this cat.
FIFe
The Snowshoe cats were registered with the Cat Association of Britian (CA) when this club was accepted by the Federation Internationale Feline (FIFe). Whilst this body did not recognise the Snowshoe breed, it accepted them on the Experimental register and allowed them to be shown in New Breed classes, competing for special Medallist titles equivalent to Champion, Grand Champion, Supreme Champion and Imperial Champion.
Chocolate Colourpointed Snowshoe Variant, COLDENUFFORSNOW ELMAU E C, 1st generation (queen)
In May 2003 at the FIFe General Assembly the club was granted recognition for the breed and could show at Championship status from January 2004.
GCCF
Meanwhile, a campaign was started to introduce the Snowshoe cat to the GCCF. Several breeders and exhibitors began putting their cats on exhibition within this body. The first was Mrs Margaret Scott (Eryi cattery) with Bardonechia and his litter sister Bellinoza, these two cats were later shown by Mrs Sue Ward (Carneddi cattery). Mollie Southall then exhibited Faline (Coldenufforsnow cattery), a blue ‘preferred pattern’ boy, only the second of this most stunning but difficult to achieve pattern to be bred in the UK. It had taken by Mrs Maureen Shackell thirteen years to breed the first, Linkret Rocky Horror!
Blue/White ‘Preferred Pattern’ 4th generation, COLDENUFFORSNOW WHISTLER (male stud)
Also exhibiting were Mrs Barbara Pointing with Heavenly, another blue mitted tabby point female and Mrs Nicky Goulter with Kaprun, a blue mitted boy. All of these exhibits were Coldenuffor-snow cats and had been bred by Mollie. Also at this time the club applied for recognition of the breed name, which was duly accepted. These cats attracted much attention from the general public, breeders and judges alike and the club was invited to present them at a seminar ‘Rising Stars on the Horizon’ hosted by Mrs Anne Gregory in October 2003.
Encouraged by this, the club decided to try for recognition for the breed and in November 2003 the club held its breed seminar. This was well attended by judges, executive committee members, breeders and exhibitors. The application went forward in the following December and in February 2004, the club was granted Preliminary recognition. The cats could now be shown in assessment classes at shows licensed by the GCCF.
Seal/White ‘Bi-colour’ WYREWOOD SNUGGLEDOWN, 4th generation (queen)
This means that Snowshoes may be exhibited in ‘assessment’ classes where they are judged against the breed standard and if deemed to be sufficient quality will be awarded a ‘Merit’. They may also be shown in the miscellaneous classes in the Foreign section where they are judged on equal terms with the recognised breeds. Much to the clubs delight, several exhibits have had ‘Red Card’ days. The club is now working towards the next level of ‘Provisional’ recognition, the second rung on the ladder to Championship status.
A club had been started in the initial stages of our push for Preliminary recognition with GCCF. A third club, the Snowshoe Cat Society, was started in April 2005 to give the Snowshoe the extra support needed to promote the breed.
GCCF STANDARD OF POINTS FOR THE SNOWSHOE
The Snowshoe is a medium sized cat, first bred in the USA of Foreign type. The Snowshoe combines the heftiness of its Shorthair ancestors with the length of its Siamese ancestors. It should be well balanced, neither too large nor too small; it should be firm, muscular, deceptively powerful and agile. A long cat with the appearance of a runner than a weightlifter. The unusual combination of pointing, the white pattern and the moderate body build set the Snowshoe apart from all other breeds. It has a sparkling personality and is human orientated and affectionate.
ATUCHOVFRRROST COLDENUFORSNOW, Seal/White ‘preferred pattern’, 2nd generation stud male who is a son of Coldenufforsnow Elmau E C.
SNOWSHOE
The colour of mask, ears, legs and tail to be dense and clearly defined (exept in kittens) and in harmony with the body colour where it is not overlain by white. On maturity the mask is connected to the ears by tracings.
PREFERRED PATTERN SNOWSHOE
A balanced inverted ‘V’of white on the face starting on the bridge of the nose, extending downwards covering the nose, whisker pads and chin but not extending beyond the outer aperture of the eye. The chin should be white. A white bib on the chest and white on stomach is normal. Nose leather should be pink. Body colour should be even with shading to a lighter tone. Allowance should be made for darker shading in older cats, providing that there is a definite contrast between body colour and the points. Paw pads should be pink. The two front paws should have white mitten that are evenly matched and preferably extending to the angle formed by the paw and the leg. The back legs should have white, evenly matched boots to just below the level of the hock.
NB: The balanced inverted ‘V’ on the face may start on the forehead and the face may be a combination of white with point colour nose spots with the nose leather being point coloured or mottled. Both upper and lower lips chin may be white. The paw apds may be pink, point colour or mottled. The amount of white may vary from paw to paw and leg to leg and cover only the toes or extend above the knee on the front paws or may cover only to the ankles or may extend to the mid leg area above the hock on the back legs, all of which are acceptable and should not be penalised an otherwise good specimen.
Seal/Tortie ‘Harlequin’ SHADYCOMBE SHADY LADY, 2nd generation (queen)
The following are varieties of the Snowshoe which, at present, are acceptable on the snow bench with preference being given to the Preferred Snowshoe pattern: Mitted (Low White Snowshoe), Bi-colour Snowshoe and the Harlequin (High White) Snowshoe.
The Snowshoe Cat Society has various forthcoming events including seminars, social events and well as stands at various cat shows including the Supreme and the National.
For further information about the club please some and see us at a show or phone Mollie Southall on 01926 402937.
Thanks to Paddy Cutts, Alan Robinson & Robert Fox for the use of their photographs
