Cyprus Feline Society Limassol, Cyprus

25.04.2010.

CYPRUS FELINE SOCIETY Limassol, Cyprus

P.O.Box 52091; 4060 Limassol, Tell:25 622 829; 99 023 824; Fax:[phone].e-mail: [e-mail]

The preliminary project for the two new natural cat breeds in Cyprus “The Cyprus Cat Project”.

The “Cyprus Cat Project” for establishing of two breeds from the natural cat population was launched by Cyprus Feline Society in 2007. The Project is based on the study of feral cat population and the natural cat population around distant monasteries and villages in Cyprus.

The high similarity between the cats of the different colonies all around the island made us believe that these cats can breed true to type, which in practice had been proven. Two phenotypes were separated and called St.Helen’s Cat and Aphrodite’s Cat.

The breeds’ standards were prepared on the bases of long term cooperation between international AB judges and breeders from the island. In 2009 more than 50 cats passed the pre- selection procedure at CyFS shows and were judged by the international AB judges as non recognized breeds according to the preliminary standards.

Geographical situation and History:

Cyprus is a Middle East island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is close to Turkey, Syria, Israel and Greece. The cat population inhabited the island over 9 500 years ago.

The latest discovery of the World’s oldest known evidence of cat domestication

The carefully interred remains of a human and a cat were found buried with seashells, polished stones and other decorative artifacts in a 9,500-year-old grave in the Neolithic village of Shillourokambos in Cyprus. The researchers write that the joint burial indicates a strong association between the human and cat and that the feline is possibly the world's oldest known domesticated cats. Researchers also note that such finds provide evidence that, even then, cats had a spiritual significance and were linked with humans. The scientists reported that the main ancestor of these cats in this region was Felis Silvestris Lybica.

Two most beautiful Legends of Cyprus

In 306 ΑD when Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor of the Roman Empire, he appointed his mother, Helen as the Empress. In 325 AD, Saint Helen was in charge of a journey to Jerusalem. On her way Saint Helen made her way to Cyprus. Her visit resulted in locating in an excavation the foundations of churches and monasteries endowed with pieces of the relic of the True Cross and the world's only pieces of the rope which Jesus was tied with on the Holy Cross. Those days the Cypriot population had abandoned the island due to severe drought, famine, earthquakes and vast population of venomous snakes. The legend has it that Saint Helen eased their return and commissioned a boatload of cats to rid the island of the snakes. She also funded monks to stay behind to take care of cat population near the monasteries. One of the monasteries established by St.Helen is St. Nicholas in Akrotiri (near Limassol), known as “St. Nicholas of cats”.

Some centuries later, another legend of Aphrodite's birth place brings us again to Cyprus. The legend has it that Aphrodite rose from the foam-crested waves opposite the Kouklia sanctuary. Later, a slippery process made the location roll towards the Petra tou Romiou (Rock of the Roman) shore a few km to the east. It is said that if you swim around the Aphrodite Rock then you will be blessed with eternal beauty.

Thus, Cyprus has two most beautiful legends overlapping at the same geographical spot and we have two Cyprus natural cat breeds, St.Helen’s Cat and Aphrodite’s Cat, blessed with eternal beauty roaming Cyprus for centuries protecting us from snakes.

The general breed description of Cyprus Cats: St. Helen’s & Aphrodite’s Cats

Common characteristics.

These two breeds developed from the natural cat population.

Both breeds originate from Cyprus Island and appear in semi-long and short haired varieties. They are large to medium size cats with higher hind legs than fore legs.

During the hot period from spring to late autumn the semi-long haired cats lose undercoat except on their tail. Males are larger than females. They are slow maturing cats; the full development in size can be expected after 3 years of age.

All coat patterns and colors are accepted, except genetic brown and its dilution and color points. All eye colors including odd eyes are accepted. These cats are very affectionate if home reared, they trust people and tolerate other cats and animals. Also, their hunting instinct is strong; they are very skilled in snake killing. They are natural survivors.

St. Helen’s Cat general description

These cats are most numerous on the island. They are medium to large size, strong and muscular cats with triangular head, high ear set, high cheek bones and firm chin. Their body is in proportion with the strong legs and massive head in adult males. They give impression of agile and very powerful animals. They can be very independent and self sufficient when living isolated and out of human attention. Their predatory instinct allows them to survive in the wild same as in the urban conditions.

Aphrodite’s Cat general description

Aphrodite’s Cats are large cats on high legs with obvious difference in appearance comparing to St. Helen’s Cat. They are also less numerous. Aphrodite’s Cats have triangular head which is much longer than in St. Helen’s Cat. The body is rectangular and rather long so the head looks smaller in proportion to their body. Their ears set straight up at the top of the head, their large and opened eyes always give them an alert expression. In semi long haired variety they have very hairy tail that reaches the ground when they stand. Due to long torso, the back is slightly curved inside, since the distance is long between front and back legs. Back legs are higher. Their placid nature makes them excellent companions.

BREED STANDARD

ST. HELEN'S CAT

St. Helen's cat is the natural breed originated from Cyprus. It is medium to large size cat with the short or semi - long thick coat of coarse texture.

The cat does not reach maturity until 3 years of age. Allowance must be made for females and young cats regarding the size in comparison with the size of matured adult males.

HEAD:

Broad modified wedge in shape with gently rounded cheeks and high in set cheek bones. Slight curved profile and medium length nose of even width. Strong jaw and firm chin. Muzzle of medium length, well pronounced full and broad at the base.

EYES:

Large, oval in shape, set well apart and slanted slightly to the nose. All colors acceptable including odd eyes.

EARS:

Medium in size, broad at the base, slightly rounded at the tips. Set high on head with the distance of at least one ear width.

NECK:

Strong, medium length.

BODY:

Medium to large, well muscular rectangular body of strong boning.

LEGS & PAWS:

Medium high heavy boned legs, back legs are higher than the front. Large and round paws.

TAIL:

Medium in length. Round and evenly thick tail from the root to the end in short haired variety. Semi-long haired have hairy and bottle brush shape tail.

COAT:

Shorthaired

Short coarse coat standing off from the body.

Semi-long haired

Semi-long coat full of undercoat in winter time, with full ruff and britches. Silky in texture. Summer coat is much shorter over the body.

Any color and pattern are acceptable except color points and genetic brown and its dilutions. Lockets, spots and buttons accepted. All colors and patterns in combination with white of any amount are allowed.

FAULTS:

List of faults in WCF General Faults in all breeds has to be respected.

Breed faults:

Week boning and small cats, oriental type of the body, narrow head, straight and long profile, not prominent muzzle, small eyes, deep eye set or too close to the nose, small or too large ears, too short or long tail.

Recommended out crossing:

None

APHRODITE'S CAT

The Aphrodite’s Cat is the natural breed originated from Cyprus. It is large to medium sized cat with semi-long or short coat. The breed reaches the full maturity at the age of 3 years. Young cats and females shouldn’t be penalizing for the difference regarding the size of matured males. Females are generally smaller than males.

HEAD:

Extended triangular in shape. High set of cheek bones. Head appears a bit small in proportion to the body.

A long nose with the barely perceptible dip to the profile and of uniform width. Long and fine muzzle.

EYES:

Large size, oval in shape, set wide apart, slanted towards the nose. All colors acceptable including odd eyes.

EARS:

Medium size, set high on the head, broad at the base, with slightly rounded tips. Ideally the distance between the ears is the width of the base of one ear. The outer line of the ears should be aligned with the cheek bones.

NECK:

longer than in St. Helen’s Cat, but still the medium size and in proportion with the head.

BODY:

Long and of strong bone structure with athletic appearance. The shoulders and the hips must be of the same width.

LEGS & PAWS:

Long and of strong bones. Back legs higher than front. Paws oval and of medium size.

TAIL:

Medium to long and very hairy but not full brush tail, broad at the base tapering to a slightly rounded end.

COAT:

Semi-long haired

Long and soft, full of undercoat. Winter coat is longer and heavier than summer coat. Tail retains its semi-long appearance even in hot summer period but with less hair.

Shorthaired

Short and coarse, laying close to the body.

All pattern and color accepted, excluding color points and genetic brown and its dilution. All color with white in any amount is acceptable. Locket, spots and buttons allowed.

FAULTS:

List of faults in WCF General Faults list in all breeds has to be respected.

Breed faults:

Less than medium size, cobby or oriental type body and week bone structure. Short and broad head, prominent muzzle, prominent break in profile, small eyes, close to the nose or deep eyes set, small ears, short legs, and short tail.

Recommended out crossing:

None

Breeding rules for Aphrodite’s and St. Helen’s Cats

1. A female can be mated at the age over 10 month and give birth 3 times in 2 years period with a break of 6 months approximately between the litters.

1. Only cats certified in pre selection at CyFS shows in Cyprus and of Cyprus origin can enter the breeding program.

1. Only cats with 3 “ex.1” from 3 different international judges can enter the breeding program.

1. Line breeding should be avoided.

1. Cyprus breeds can be bred in the following way:

Aphrodite’s: SLH x SLH

SLH x SH

SH x SH

St. Helen’s: SLH x SLH

SLH x SH

SH x SH

1. Cyprus breeds have no out crossing allowances.

7. A cat cannot be used for reproduction if there are any faults that are presently listed in WCF general faults list and CyFS breed faults in the standard for the breed.

*Breeding with color restriction is a subject for discussion, but no restriction is imposed at the moment.

REGISTRATION RULES

1. REFERENCE REGISTRY

*Cyprus breed cats originated from Cyprus that have 3 certificates in preliminary recognition given by 3 different international AB judges at Cyprus Feline Society national or international shows in Cyprus.

2. BREEDING REGISTRY

Aphrodite’s or St.Helen’s Cats preliminary recognized cats of Cyprus origin with 3 “exc. 1” certificates given by 3 international AB judges at the CyFS national or international shows held in Cyprus. All cats entered in this register have permission for experimental breeding.

3. EXPERIMENTAL REGISTRY

The first, second, third and fourth generations of *Cyprus breed cats born in Cyprus, coming from *Cyprus breed parents born and preliminary certified in Cyprus, registered with CyFS Breeding Registry.

4. FULL REGISTRY

* Cyprus breed cats that have in their pedigree at least 4 generations from only *Cyprus breed cats parents registered with CyFS Experimental Registry.

* Cyprus breeds= St. Helen’s Cat & Aphrodite’s Cat

* * The two Cyprus breeds Aphrodite’s and St. Helen’s Cats are temporarily indicated as follows in registration documents:

Aphrodite’s semi- long hair= APH / slh

Aphrodite’s short hair= APH/sh

St. Helen’s semi- long hair= St.HE/slh

St. Helen’s short hair= St.HE/sh

SHOW RULES

Cats applied for pre selection will be exhibited and judged as provisionally recognized breed.

WCF show classes:

Class 22a

Provisionally recognized breeds In this class all provisionally recognized breeds, with recognized colour, with provisionally recognized colour and with not recognized colour are exhibited. They receive the qualification “ Excellent ” and are ranked, but do not receive any title certificate. Cats are separated by breed, colour and sex. They compete also for the title „Best Variety provisionally recognized breed“and/or „Best in Show provisionally recognized breed“.

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