Describing a Norwegian Forest Cat


How Do They Look?  What Do  They Weigh?
Adult males can weigh upwards to 25# and it is not unusual for a one year old to reach the 17# mark. Females are lighter, 10-12# as an adult, but can surpass this also.  Both sexes do not reach full adult stature until five years of age.  It is not so much the weight of the cat that is of prime importance, but it is the overall conformation -- or the way the cat is "put together" that is important.  For judging a cat at shows, the Norwegian Forest Cat must have certain characteristics to their build.  In winter they look like a big, fluffy teddy bears, shedding that undercoat of down each Spring as the days become longer. With this winter coat they were undaunted by the harsh Scandinavian climate where they originated.  Their feet also are equipped with fur growing between their pads to aid as "snowshoes" as well as protection from cold and rocky terrain.  Their fur coat is the crowning glory of the Wegie (a term of endearment for those loving this breed). As mentioned previously, winters are the season when they are decked out in full glory, displaying that long train of luxurious fur that can reach the ground.  On the very outside of the coat are "guard hairs", which provide the Wegie with an impenetrable raincoat that seals off the downy undercoat and holds in body heat.  Their beautiful full, fluffy tail is another of this cats' crowning glory -- being a "neckscarf"  to wrap around their own faces in their dens or to envelope the young as they snuggle close to mum.
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Maggie's gorgeous full tail!

What Does a Judge Look For?

The Norwegian Forest cat is very sturdy looking, having good boning and musculature.  With the full winter coat they sit "close to the ground".  The hind legs are a little longer than the front, making the rump higher that the shoulders.  The head of the Wegie is of utmost importance in identifying him. The face has a triangular look -- from the outside of the base of the ear to the point of the chin.  The nose is to be "flat", or straight, from the brow ridge to the tip of the nose. 
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Tove,as a kitten, showing his straight profile
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Wild Colour Tove, Eur. GC

Temperament: How Do They Behave?

  • To put a Wegie in a box, so to speak, and say "this is their behavior pattern" is just the same as categorizing human beings.  But as a general rule the Wegie is a very calm, personable companion. They not always want to be on your lap, but they do enjoy being close -- like right next to you at the computer.  You can count on them to greet you at the door when you come home -- to be your shower companion -- to help with making the beds or folding clothes.  They just love to be wherever you are, engaged in whatever your're doing. Wegies tend to bond with one person, but are very loving and outgoing toward all.  They are extremely intelligent and trainable and can be taught to do almost anything.  Wegies like to "play fetch" and will give you high fives.

What Are Their Colors? 

This is one of the pluses for this breed of cat.  They come in every color imaginable from white to black and everything in between.  As in others of the animal kingdom, such as the horse, it is not the color that defines this breed of cat:  it is the distinguishing physical characteristics that make up the Norwegian Forest Cat.
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Picture shows several colors of NFC, click on the picture

Lets Discuss the Eyes

Norwegian Forest Cats have almond shaped eyes that have the outside corner making an invisible line toward the flare of the ear with the outer corner higher than the inner. They are to be wide and expressive, and can be any colors of green, yellow, and blue in the white cats.  Sometimes white cats will also have different color eyes, one blue, one yellow.
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Robbie: color of eyes yellow, nicely slanted