| Many cat owners favor one of the more unusual | | | | was recorded at 36miles per hour. |
| breeds. If you are looking for, or just interested in, | | | | Breed Standards |
| rare and unusual breeds of cat, then you may like to | | | | As previously mentioned, the Egyptian Mau is |
| consider the Egyptian Mau, which is not only a rare | | | | spotted. Interestingly, it is the only breed, which is |
| cat, but it is also one of the oldest breeds. It is | | | | officially recognized, that has spots without the help |
| recognizable by its spotted fur. Additionally, the Mau | | | | of selective breeding. In other words, it is the only |
| is extremely fast, beating every other domestic cat | | | | breed to become spotted through natural selection |
| for speed. | | | | rather than human intervention. Even more intriguing |
| Breed History | | | | is that the spots of an Egyptian Mau are not merely |
| The age of the Egyptian Mau is not definitively | | | | found on the fur. In shaved Maus, the spots are still |
| known, but it could be argued that it is the oldest | | | | visible on the skin. |
| breed, dating back to Ancient Egypt. Several | | | | A Mau's hind legs are significantly longer then his, or |
| thousands of years ago, the Egyptian Mau was a | | | | her, front legs. This fact has a large impact on the |
| feral cat, which roamed free and was worshipped by | | | | incredible speeds that the breed is able to achieve. In |
| the Egyptian people who believed that cats were | | | | addition, the breed has a section of loose skin around |
| gods. Some cat experts claim that the Egyptian Mau | | | | the abdomen, which is also beneficial in running, |
| may be a direct ancestor of the modern domestic | | | | because it allows the cat to take a much longer |
| cat, but, again, this cannot be definitively ascertained. | | | | stride than would otherwise be possible. |
| During the 1980s, a new breed, the American Keuda, | | | | All pure bred adult Egyptian Maus have green eyes. In |
| was created and the Egyptian Mau was used in the | | | | addition, it is bred in five colors, but only three are |
| breeding program to develop the new breed. Today, | | | | considered show standard: Silver, smoke and bronze. |
| the Egyptian Mau is one of the rarest breeds; it is | | | | The other two colors, blue and black, are still bred |
| believed that only 3000 of them exist worldwide. | | | | nonetheless. |
| Personality Traits | | | | With any animal, but especially with rare breeds, such |
| All cats have differing characteristics that are typical | | | | as the Egyptian Mau, it is important for any potential |
| to their breed. Most cats are known for loving a spot | | | | owner to do some homework about the breed. |
| close to a cozy fire, but the Egyptian Mau is | | | | Ensure that you know all there is to know before |
| particularly fond of warm temperatures. This is | | | | making the commitment to own a pet. |
| perhaps unsurprising, when you consider its country | | | | In addition, seek out a reputable breeder, again this is |
| of origin. | | | | particularly important when looking for rare breeds. |
| Additionally, Maus are said to make sounds that are | | | | You should be able to identify reputable breeders in |
| unlike other cats, they are often described as being | | | | the phonebook or on the internet, but if you're |
| able to chortle, chirp and even sing. Of course, one | | | | having trouble finding a local cat breeder, you may |
| of the most striking features of the Mau is, as | | | | find information from a shelter or veterinarian. |
| mentioned above, its speed. In fact, the fastest Mau | | | | |