Snowshoe

The Snowshoe is a colourpoint cat marked by white paws and often a white blaze on the face — a striking cross of the Siamese and the American Shorthair.

History

It was developed in the United States from the 1960s by pairing Siamese with bicolour American Shorthairs, aiming for a pointed cat with crisp white "snowshoe" feet. The white markings are notoriously hard to reproduce exactly, which keeps the breed uncommon.

Temperament

The breed is known for being affectionate, social and vocal — a people-focused cat, softer-voiced than the Siamese, that bonds closely and dislikes being left alone. It is intelligent and often dog-like in its attachment.

Care

The short coat is easy to keep with occasional grooming. The real requirement is company, since a Snowshoe left alone for long is an unhappy one.

Health

The breed is generally healthy, sharing a few minor traits with its Siamese ancestry such as the occasional kinked tail. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.