York Chocolate
The York Chocolate is a rare, semi-longhaired breed that originated from a chocolate-coloured kitten born on a farm in New York State in 1983.
Origin
United States
Lifespan
13–15 years
Weight
3.5–6.5 kg (8–14 lbs)
Height
25–33 cm (10–13 in)
Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
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 York Chocolate is a rare, semi-longhaired breed that originated from a chocolate-coloured kitten born on a farm in New York State in 1983. The founding cat — named Brownie — was a natural-occurring longhaired chocolate cat, and breeder Janet Chiefari recognised the richness of the colouration and began developing the breed. The York Chocolate is one of few breeds where chocolate and lilac are the only accepted colours. It remains rare and has limited formal recognition. The semi-long, silky coat comes in a warm chocolate brown that rivals the Havana Brown for depth and warmth.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: needs-manual
The York Chocolate is a medium to large, well-muscled, semi-foreign-type cat with a semi-long, silky coat. The colour is restricted to warm chocolate brown, lilac (a softer grey-lavender dilution of chocolate), and white-patched versions of each. The eyes are vivid gold, green, or hazel.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Coat Length
semi-long
Coat Type
silky
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Temperament & Personality
Affectionate, sociable, and curious — York Chocolates are loyal companions that form strong bonds with their family. They are playful and enjoy interaction without being as demanding as Siamese or Burmese.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
5/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
10 to 20 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 25°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
50%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
quiet
Stress Signals
hiding, appetite loss, over-grooming
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Brushing 2–3 times weekly. The silky coat does not mat readily. Regular dental care.
Nutrition Notes
Near-extinct farm-origin breed. Chocolate/lavender only. Very few health data. Generally healthy.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Very limited health data. Near-extinct. 1983 New York farm cat origin. Chocolate/lavender only. CFA registered but effectively extinct. 13-15 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Generally healthy — no documented breed-specific conditions beyond standard feline concerns. HCM. Small gene pool requires careful monitoring.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Effectively extinct. Chocolate only. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$600 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The York Chocolate is one of very few breeds in which the breed standard is defined purely by colour — chocolate and lilac are the only accepted colours, making it more restrictive than most colour-defined breeds.
The founding cat Brownie was a natural farm cat from New York whose unusually rich chocolate coat caught the attention of her owner — the same informal origins as many American natural breeds.
