This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
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The Havana brown is a cat breed that was developed in England in the 1950s for its distinctive brown color and piercing green eyes. It is a friendly and intelligent breed of cat that loves human interaction and companionship. If you think that you have a Havana brown, or would like to know how to identify one, you should assess both its physical appearance and its personality. If you have a deep brown, medium-sized cat with piercing green eyes and a friendly personality, then you may be lucky enough to have a Havana brown.[1]
Steps
Identifying Physical Characteristics
Recognize the Havana brown's unique head shape. The Havana brown's head is often described as light-bulb shaped. The skull is round and the muzzle sticks out from the skull very distinctly. The junction between the head and the muzzle should be very clear.- The muzzle should be rounded and relatively narrow in comparison to the rest of the head.
Look for large, upright ears. The large ears stick up and are forward tilted, which makes it appear alert most of the time. They are rounded at the tips and cupped at the base. There is very little fur inside the ears, so the difference in color between the cat's coat and the inside of the ears is distinct.- The large ears of the Havana brown should not be so large that they dominate the look of the head. Unlike a Siamese, which has distinctly huge ears, the Havana brown has large but proportionate ears.
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Look for clear, bright green eyes. A Havana brown cat should have solidly green eyes that are oval in shape. The eyes should be uniform in color and the greener and deeper color of the eyes the better.[2]- The cat's eyes should be medium sized and should be set well apart from each other, meaning that the eyes are not squeezed together towards the muzzle.
Check for a brown, smooth, and short coat. The Havana brown's coat is a very distinct brown color that is rich, warm, and consistent. In fact, the breed was originally bred to create a naturally brown cat. This color tends more towards reddish brown than blackish brown and the coat should also appear smooth and glossy.[3]- The coat of a Havana brown is short. As such, they don't tend to shed very much.
- If the cat is purebred, there should not be any variation in coat color.
Assess the cat's general body shape and size. The Havana brown is a medium-sized cat that has an athletic frame and skinny legs and tail. It is generally well proportioned, with a medium long neck and a torso that is medium in length.[4]- Male Havana browns tend to be slightly larger than females.
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Recognizing Havana Brown Behavior
Recognize the friendliness of a Havana brown. Havana browns need to have interaction and companionship from their owners in order to be happy. They are a social breed that enjoys spending time playing and snuggling with their family members.[5]- They tend to get along with other cats, as well as other species and humans. This means that they tend to be great members of the family.
- Don't be surprised if your Havana brown comes up to you, puts its paw on your hand, and meows at you as if it is talking to you.
- Remember that individual cats will have different personalities and may not conform to breed standards. Poor socialization as a kitten can make a cat less friendly, so temperament shouldn't be your only indicator of breed.
Look for an inquisitive personality. Havana browns tend to be very intelligent and playful. They are naturally inquisitive about their environment and tend to investigate everything around them.[6]- Havana browns are known for reaching out their paws and touching things in their environment in order to investigate them.
Anticipate having a moderately active cat. Havana browns are not simply couch potatoes. They love to play and run around, especially if they have other cats to play with. That being said, they would not be considered hyper or overly active, as they also love to nap and lay around for part of the day.[7]- If you have a Havana brown, it is likely that the cat will love playing with a feather on a string or a laser pointer.
Look for a balanced temperament. Overall, the Havana brown is cat that has a wonderfully balanced temperament. They are inquisitive and smart but they also love to be affectionate and have companionship as well.[8]- Havana browns are moderately active for a short-haired cats. They may run around your house like crazy for a bit but they also love napping or snoozing in someone's lap.
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Looking Into Their Lineage
- 1Ask the breeder about your cat's pedigree. If you got your cat from a breeder or a reliable pet shop, they should have records of your cat's pedigree. Ask to see your cat's papers so that you can see if they come from purebred Havana Brown parents.[9]
- 2Get a DNA test. You can get a DNA home test that allows you to collect a swab from your cat's cheek and send it off to a lab. The lab will then be able to look at your cat's genes to establish its heritage. Look for a company that has a large cat DNA database, as this will provide the most accurate results.[10]Advertisement
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/havana-brown
- ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/havana-brown
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ http://cfa.org/Breeds/BreedsCJ/HavanaBrown.aspx
- ↑ https://www.catpedigrees.com/
About this article
To identify a Havana brown cat, see if your cat has clear, bright green eyes that are oval in shape and a coat that’s brown, smooth, and short, both of which are characteristic of the breed. Also check if your cat has the breed’s unique light-bulb head shape where its rounded, relatively narrow muzzle sticks out from the skull noticeably. Additionally, look for large, upright ears with little fur inside. Along with these physical characteristics, you can observe whether your cat enjoys playing and snuggling as Havana browns are known for their friendliness. For more help from our Veterinary co-author, including how to look into your cat’s pedigree, read on!
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