The Majestic Egyptian Mau Cat

The Egyptian Mau breed

while perhaps not the oldest recognized cat breed in registries, is believed to stem from the oldest domesticated cat. The original African Wild Cat, is thought to be the cat originally domesticated by the Egyptians, over 4,000 years ago. Today, the Egyptian Mau is the only naturally-occurring spotted breed of cat.

This long, graceful cat really stands out in a crowd due to its unique spots and markings.

These spots come in a variety of shapes, be they round or oblong, and differ from cat to cat. The Egyptian Mau's face, meanwhile, is adorned with an M-shaped mark on the forehead and two black streaking lines across its cheeks.

Additionally, the cat's gleaming coat, which is soft and silky, is covered with smoke-colored hair, and its eyes are almond-shaped and gooseberry-green.

Highly intelligent and personable

the Mau is extremely loyal and devoted to his family members, both human and 4-legged. Maus have a distinctly soft melodious voice, and chortle to express their happiness. Although regarded as a "living relic" because of their ancient historical roots, Maus are very much "today" in their roles of being active, expressive family members, while at the same time enthralling throngs of worshipers at cat shows.

Beauty may inspire love at first sight but good nature nurtures it.

The same goes for the Egyptian Mau. It may originally be acquired for its beautiful coat, but it is valued and loved for its good temperament and helpfulness.

It follows orders and is very good at fetching things -- perhaps a vestige of its ancestors, who retrieved game shot by their owners. Hunting is also an inherited attribute: Egyptian Maus love to play hunting games indoors and if given a free hand they would hunt outdoors.

Although it is extremely loyal to its human family, many are initially wary with strangers. The Mau also has a melodious voice, which it uses to communicate distress or hunger to its owners. The Mau may even wag its tail or tread its feet to further illustrate its displeasure.

The Mau (which is the Egyptian word for cat) is one of the oldest cat breeds in the world

its forefathers were even part of religion, mythology, and everyday life in ancient Egypt. It was also depicted in ancient Egyptian art, such as sculptures and paintings, including a papyrus painting (circa 1100 B.C.) depicting Ra in the form of a spotted cat cutting the head off Apep, an evil serpent.

Another painting, dated 1400 B.C., portrays a spotted cat bringing back a duck for an Egyptian hunter. This evidence shows that not only were cats revered in ancient Egypt but that they had proved their usefulness to man.

The breed conformation is described as

a balance between the compactness of a Burmese and the slim elegance of a Siamese. Its medium-length body is muscular, with the hind legs longer than the front, giving the Mau the appearance of standing on tiptoes when upright

They frequently land on their back feet when taking a leap, making them appear rather haughty and kangaroo-like.

The Egyptian Mau is the fastest of the domestic cats, with its longer hind legs, and unique flap of skin extending from the flank to the back knee, providing for greater agility and length of stride. Maus have been clocked running more than 30 mph (48 km/h)

Maus are more temperature sensitive than most breeds

they are fond of very warm temperatures. They are more sensitive to medicines and anesthesia. Maus allegedly have an unusually long gestational period, about 73 days. The maximum normal period for cats is 6567 days, although Siamese may take a day or two longer.

For some unexplained reason

Maus tend to be more sensitive to anesthesia and medicine, so work closely with your veterinarian if any medical treatment is required. In addition, they prefer warm temperatures, more so than the average cat.

The Egyptian Mau prefers to be a “four on the floor” cat (all four feet on the ground) rather than being picked up and placed in your lap.

This athletic breed is capable of leaping up to six feet in the air from a standing position.

Regarded as the greyhound of cats, the Mau can run at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Grooming needs are minimal.

Their easy-maintenance coat will benefit by being wiped down by a damp washcloth once a week or so and keeping the nails clipped.

Females weigh between 6 and 10 pounds and males average between 10 and 14 pounds.

Even though domesticated

several characteristics of their early ancestors have been retained. These include the Cheetah gait and a loose skin flap that extends from flank to hind leg, which allows the Mau remarkable freedom and agility in twisting and jumping.

Most people are attracted to Egyptian Mau because of their exotic good looks.

They fall in love with them because of their incredible, irrepressible personalities. All cats are characters, but these, well, they're absolutely enchanting. Like all cats, they are individuals, one and all, but typical for the breed they tend to take it to extremes. Friendly to everyone in the family, they tend to be cautious with strangers and select their "Special Person." On their own territory, they tend to be extremely outgoing with absolutely no fear and a ton of curiosity. They make wonderful companions.

The Egyptian Maus are interactive cats.

They dote on their humans and expect to be an integral part of the family. Some people call them the gentle cousins of the Abyssinian. While they certainly aren't hyper, legend has it that they have some of the fastest reflexes ever seen in a feline. They are shoulder riders, refrigerator vultures, and furry alarm clocks but can definitely take a confident hand when handling. Most Egyptian Maus have very distinct ideas about who can handle them and when. They are sensitive, people-oriented cats, but they like things on their terms and dote on their people.

Egyptian Maus are a relatively rare breed.

As of 2007, fewer than 200 kittens are registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy each year. As of 2006, a total of 6,742 Maus were registered with the Cat Fanciers' Association.

Maus come in five colors. From most to least common these colors are: silver, bronze, smoke, black and blue/pewter.

Black and pewter Maus cannot be shown, but may be used in breeding. All Maus must have green eyes, but an amber cast is acceptable in kittens and young adults up to eighteen months old.