Chausie cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A tall, athletic cat developed from crosses between domestic cats and the wild jungle cat, now bred mostly as late-generation pets.
Also known as Chausie cat, Jungle cat hybrid, Jungle domestic cat
Quick facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Typical weight | 8-16 lb (3.6-7.3 kg); males are larger |
| Coat length | Short |
| Coat | Short, close-lying coat in a ticked or solid pattern |
| Colours and patterns | Solid black, black grizzled tabby, and brown (black) ticked tabby; gold or yellow eyes preferred |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Very rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 3 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 5 |
| Playfulness | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 3 |
| Grooming needed | 1 |
| Shedding | 2 |
| Good with children | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 3 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 1 |
Allergies and health
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Chausie. |
|---|
Best suited to
| Suits | An experienced, active owner with a large, secure home who can offer constant stimulation and, ideally, another cat or near-constant company. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Anyone with small pets, little space or little time, or who lives where early-generation hybrids are restricted. |
Registries that recognise it
- TICA
About the Chausie
The Chausie is a tall, lean cat that descends from a cross between the domestic cat and the jungle cat, a wild species that lives from Egypt to Southeast Asia. The first hybrids may have appeared in Egypt long ago, and the modern breed was developed in the 1990s in the United States. TICA granted registration status in 1995, moved the breed through its new breed class from 2001, and made it a championship breed on 1 May 2013.
Generations are counted from the jungle cat. The earliest crosses are labelled A and B, and cats four or more generations removed are called C or SBT. Most pets are late-generation cats, and only SBT cats may compete for championship in TICA shows. Rules on owning early-generation hybrids differ by place. Owning or breeding jungle cats and F1 to F4 Chausies is illegal in the Netherlands and in Flanders and Brussels in Belgium, and other places have their own limits, so check local law before you consider one.
The Chausie is long-legged, deep-chested and muscular, with large ears and a small head. Adult males weigh about 11 to 16 pounds and females 8 to 13. The coat is short and comes in black, black grizzled tabby or ticked tabby. Gold or yellow eyes are preferred.
Temperament and living with one
The Chausie is intelligent, active and athletic. Kittens are very busy, and adults are calmer but stay playful and curious. They bond strongly with their people, and that can make rehoming an adult difficult. They do best with another cat or near-constant human company, and they usually get on well with dogs.
They need room to run and climb and more mental work than most breeds. A bored Chausie will open cupboards, take things apart and unscrew what it can. Small pets such as birds and rodents are at risk because of the strong hunting drive.
Care: coat, food and play
The coat is easy to keep. Brush weekly. The care that counts is exercise. Provide tall cat trees, shelves, a secure outdoor enclosure or harness walks, and several play sessions a day with wand toys and puzzle feeders. Cats should be kept indoors or contained for safety.
Feed a complete diet in measured portions. Ask your vet about a suitable food, as some owners report sensitive digestion in the breed.
Health
There are no well-documented breed-specific diseases, and published health data is limited. Some Chausies are said to have a shorter intestinal tract, which might make them prone to food intolerance, but this is not established. Ask a breeder about the generation of the parents, their health records and any digestive trouble in the line. A vet can advise on diet, vaccination and checks. Recurring vomiting or loose stools need a vet visit.
Is it right for you?
The Chausie suits an experienced owner who wants an athletic, clever cat and has plenty of time and space. It is not a good match for beginners, small flats or homes with small pets. For a more common domestic wild-look cat, compare the Bengal. For another large hybrid breed, look at the Savannah.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026