California Spangled

The California Spangled is a spotted domestic cat bred deliberately to look wild, and now so rare that it may no longer be a going breed.

History

It was developed in California in the 1970s and 80s by a screenwriter who wanted a cat resembling a spotted wildcat, as an argument against the fur trade — and pointedly without wild ancestry, drawing instead on domestic breeds from several continents. It reached brief fame after being sold through a department-store catalogue, then faded almost completely.

Temperament

The breed is known for being affectionate, confident and highly active, with a strong play drive and a habit of seeking out high vantage points.

Care

The short spotted coat is easy to keep. The energy is the commitment: this cat needs climbing space, height and real play, and it stays busy well into adulthood.

Health

Built from domestic stock rather than wild hybrids, it was not associated with a breed-specific defect; the concern now is that so few cats remain that little can be said with confidence. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.