Snowshoe cats have been on the pop culture radar since Grumpy Cat’s rise to fame as an Internet phenom in 2013. But the cranky kitten’s scowling face is far from the cat breed’s true personality and appearance. Snowshoes, named for their pretty white paws, began as a blend of Siamese and American Shorthair. They speak in a soft voice and come in a range of personalities. A Snowshoe may be reserved or demanding, but she’s always sweet and affectionate, with the inquisitive nature common to all cats.
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#1
Like his ancestor the Siamese, the Snowshoe is a pointed cat, meaning she has a light-colored body with dark areas in seal or blue: the tail, legs, and ears, plus a mask around the eyes, broken up by an inverted V-shaped marking in white between blue eyes and over the muzzle. Four white paws punctuate the dark legs, with the front paws termed "mittens" and the rear paws "boots." The body is more rounded than that of the Siamese, with short hair.
#2
The appearance of the Snowshoe harks back to the late Victorian era, with photographic and silk-screen evidence of Siamese kittens with four white feet, but the breed we know today was not developed until the mid-20th century. White-pawed Siamese known as Silver Laces made a brief appearance in the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1960s that Philadelphia Siamese breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty decided to create a Siamese-type cat with white paws and a moderate body. She called them Snowshoes.
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#3
This medium-size cat weighs 9 to 12 pounds. Females are smaller, weighing 7 to 10 pounds, although some approach the size if not the heft of males.
#4
The Snowshoe is a unique individual who is always interesting to live with. A Snowshoe may be the bossy master or mistress of the home, the feline "Mom" who's always checking in on you, the entertaining clown, or the needy best friend. In whatever guise she comes, you can expect her to be smart, active, and affectionate, although she may take her time warming up to visitors.
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#5
A Snowshoe usually chooses a favorite person in the family, but she maintains cordial relationships with everyone. She stays close to the favored person and can often be seen leading them to something of the Snowshoe's interest.
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#6
Snowshoes are smart and will often learn to open doors or perform tricks, including running feline agility courses. They like to play fetch, may walk on leash, and enjoy dabbling in running water. Some even take to swimming. This is an active cat who can often be found perching on top of the refrigerator or some other vantage point from where he can survey all that's going on.
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#7
Thanks to their Siamese heritage, Snowshoes tend to be "talkers." Fortunately, they have a soft, melodic voice that's easy on the ears. Plan to carry on many interesting conversations with your Snowshoe; she'll want to know all about your day, how you feel about the local school board election, and whether you think dinner will be soon. He won't hesitate to register any complaints with you about her meals or accommodations, but this sweet-tempered cat knows you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
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#8
Snowshoes are mellow and generally get along with other pets, including dogs. That said, it's certainly possible to end up with one who prefers to be the center of your world and will do best as an only cat.
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#9
"A cat will allow you to sleep on the bed--on the edge." --Jenny DeVries
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#10
"Happiness does not light gently on my shoulder like a butterfly. He pounces on my lap, demanding that I scratch behind his ears." --Author Unknown
