Snowshoe
The Snowshoe is a breed developed in Philadelphia in the 1960s by Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, who crossed Siamese with bicolour American Shorthairs to produce a Siamese-patterned cat with distinctive white feet ("snowshoes") and facial markings.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
14–19 years
Weight
2.5–5.5 kg (5.5–12 lbs)
Height
20–28 cm (8–11 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 Snowshoe is a breed developed in Philadelphia in the 1960s by Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, who crossed Siamese with bicolour American Shorthairs to produce a Siamese-patterned cat with distinctive white feet ("snowshoes") and facial markings. The Snowshoe's markings are notoriously difficult to breed precisely — the ideal combination of Siamese pointing, white feet, and inverted V blaze on the face requires very specific genetic combinations that don't always breed true. The result is a medium-sized, affectionate cat that is less extreme than the modern Siamese but shares its sociable personality. Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce), the famous internet celebrity cat, was believed to be a Snowshoe mix.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Snowshoe has a medium-sized, well-muscled, foreign-type body. The head is a modified wedge with large blue eyes. The coat is short and close-lying. The defining pattern: Siamese-style colourpointing (darker face, ears, legs, and tail against pale body) combined with white "snowshoe" paws and optionally an inverted V white blaze on the face.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Snowshoes are affectionate, sociable, and vocal — less demanding than Siamese but more interactive than British Shorthairs. They are adaptable and good with children and other pets. They are intelligent and enjoy play.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming — weekly brushing. Regular dental care. Sociable nature means they do best with company.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Same profile as Siamese — HCM, amyloidosis. Generally a healthy, long-lived breed. Progressive retinal atrophy may occur from Siamese lineage.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce), the most famous internet cat in history with a permanently displeased expression, was believed by many to be a Snowshoe or Snowshoe mix.
The Snowshoe's precise markings are notoriously difficult to breed reliably — the white feet require specific genes from both parents, and the inverted V blaze is even harder to control, meaning many litters produce imperfect-marked individuals.
The name "Silver Laces" was considered as an alternative name for the breed before "Snowshoe" was adopted — referring to the white feet and the occasional white facial markings.
