Chantilly-Tiffany
The Chantilly-Tiffany is a rarely seen breed that has an unusually tangled history — purchased in 1967 by Jennie Robinson as a pair of chocolatey-gold-eyed cats of unknown origin, developed as a breed, nearly lost, then rediscovered and revived by Canadian breeder Sigyn Lund in the 1980s.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–16 years
Weight
3–5.5 kg (6.5–12 lbs)
Height
23–30 cm (9–12 in)
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Chantilly-Tiffany is a rarely seen breed that has an unusually tangled history — purchased in 1967 by Jennie Robinson as a pair of chocolatey-gold-eyed cats of unknown origin, developed as a breed, nearly lost, then rediscovered and revived by Canadian breeder Sigyn Lund in the 1980s. The breed offers a combination rarely seen — a semi-long, silky chocolate-based coat without the flat face of the Persian and with a gentle, devoted personality. It remains one of the less common breeds globally.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Chantilly-Tiffany is a medium-sized, semi-foreign-type cat with a moderately long, silky coat and a full plumed tail. The classic colour is warm chocolate — a rich, deep brown from root to tip — with vivid gold or amber eyes. The coat has a silky, flowing quality without the dense undercoat of the Persian.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Chantilly-Tiffanys are gentle, devoted, and affectionate — they form deep bonds with their owners and are notably quiet. They are described as "dogs in cats' clothing" for their loyalty. They are less demanding than Siamese or Burmese.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Brushing 2–3 times weekly. The silky coat does not mat as readily as Persian coats. Regular dental care. Regular ear cleaning as the semi-long coat around the ears can trap debris.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Small gene pool — health monitoring important. Ear infections elevated. Generally considered a healthy breed otherwise. HCM may occur.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Chantilly-Tiffany nearly went extinct twice — once in the early 1970s when the original breeding programme ended, and again in the 1980s when the revived programme struggled. It remains one of the rarest breeds in North America.
The name confusion around the breed is significant — it was originally called "Foreign Longhair," then "Tiffany," and finally "Chantilly-Tiffany" when it was discovered that "Tiffany" was already used for a Burmilla-derived breed in the UK.
