Norsk skovkat

En smuk tofarvet norsk skovkat med tabby markeringer

En stor norsk skovkat med sin smukke lange pels

Norske skovkatte er store, men meget soppy

History

The Norwegian Forest Cat originates in Scandinavia where they were kept on Viking ships as pest controllers as well as pets. This rough beginnings is perhaps why the Norwegian Forest Cat has developed into the heavy coated, well muscled and large cats that we know them for today.

Also known as the "Skogkatt", the Norwegian Forest Cat has been a part of Viking legend and mythology depicted as a fairy like cat that can scale sheer rock faces.

In the early 1900s the Norwegian Forest Cat was becoming a rarity in Scandinavia and was at risk of extinction. Because of this plans were started to preserve the breed in the 1930s but WWII interrupted this work.

Finally in the 1970s a special breeding program was organised in Norway to protect the breed. The late King Olaf then designated them the official cat of Norway which increased their popularity and helped the breed’s population recover. The Norwegian Forest Cat was granted Championship status by TICA in 1984.