York Chocolate

The York Chocolate has a gentle and compliant character. They are moderately obsessive and unpretentious. Very attached to all family members. They are affectionate, adore attention, and definitely will not let you get bored. Suitable for a large and friendly family, and are great with kids of any age.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The formation of the York Chocolate cat breed began in 1983. In the USA, New York state, the cat lover Janet Chifari noticed a kitten with an unusually rich chocolate color. The kitten was born from her black and white cat and a local stray cat. Janet kept the cat and named it Brownie. A little later, Janet got her offspring from Brownie, a kitten with the same appearance.

What is surprising is that Janet was not an experienced breeder or breeder. Creating a new cat breed for her turned out to be pure chance. Nevertheless, she was very enthusiastic about the idea and began to study the issue of cat genetics. In 1989, Janet managed to create an entire home cattery. Five years of work had not been in vain; Janet had about 27 purebreds of the breed. All of them had long and shiny brown hair. The researchers said that among the Yorkies’ ancestors were Siamese cats; the chocolate color gene was inherited.

Next, the work of recognizing the York Chocolate cat began. A veterinarian acquaintance introduced Janet to Nancy Belser, a CFF judge. She advised Janet to take part in the show, thereby showing the world the new breed. By 1992, several felinological associations had officially recognized the “York Chocolate Cat”. And in 1997, the popularity of the Yorkie increased so much that there were more than 20 catteries of York cats worldwide.

It is interesting that now the Yorkie remains a rather rare breed of cat. Some major cat organizations never recognized the breed. And breeders continue to work on Yorkies, each year improving the appearance and qualities of these four-legged animals.

Appearance

Its graceful appearance distinguishes the Yorkie. The physique is strong but not massive. The chest and shoulders are not wider than the hips. The head is medium-sized, wedge-shaped. Slightly convex forehead. The eyes are oval, moderately large. Owners note the piercing and unusual look of Yorkies. Eye color depends directly on the color of the coat. Most often, the color of the eyes is golden or light green. Large ears are spread wide, slightly inclined forward, and with rounded tips.

Limbs slender and long, paws oval with tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is straight, proportional to the body’s length, wide at the base, and narrows to the end. According to the standard, the Yorkie has half-long hair. The texture of York Chocolate fur is soft and fine. The undercoat is well developed. The hair on the shoulders is slightly shorter, becoming longer on the back.

What makes the coat unique is the breed-specific “collar” that forms on the animal’s neck. Permissible colors: necessarily solid and even along the entire length of the chocolate or purple color. Kittens and young cats up to 1.5 years old may have tabby patterns and white spots on the belly or chest.

Character

The York Chocolate has a gentle and compliant character. They are moderately obsessive and unpretentious. Very attached to all family members. They are affectionate, adore attention, and definitely will not let you get bored.

Suitable for a large and friendly family, and are great with kids of any age. Will support any play or children’s pranks. Yorkies are not prone to aggression. It applies to both other animals and strangers. They are more likely to show interest and friendliness than dislike or aloofness.

Care

A long coat of a Yorkie does not require complex care. It is enough to comb your pet every week with a special soft brush. Frequent water procedures are unnecessary, as they deprive the coat of the Yorkie of softness. Bathe your pet once every few months. Otherwise, follow standard hygiene guidelines. Brush teeth, clip nails, clean the eyes and ears of your four-legged friend every two weeks.

Education

The Yorkie Chocolate is attentive to all its owner’s requests. He is not at all stubborn and unnecessarily independent. Be sure that you will not have much trouble getting the Yorkie accustomed to the litter box and the scratching post. A positive attitude, encouragement, and a bit of persistence will pay off. Yorkies are balanced and active, and their curiosity will help you train them.

Common Diseases

Breed researchers have not received data on any hereditary diseases. Yorkies are hardy and have a strong immune system. They are not at risk of severe diseases. But that doesn’t save you from an annual routine visit to the veterinarian. Pet health checks and seasonal vaccinations are a must.

Nutrition

Vigorous Yorkies need a healthy and regular diet. They are not prone to overeating or allergies. The Yorkie’s diet should be balanced and contain the necessary vitamins. Both natural food and premium dry cat food for medium-sized breeds are suitable.