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Havana Brown vs York Chocolate
Two Very rare chocolate-coloured breeds. The Havana Brown is a short-coated Siamese-line cat that can still be found; the York Chocolate may no longer exist.
Verdict
Both cats come in rich chocolate brown, and availability decides it. The Havana Brown is a short-coated cat from Britain, a CFA championship breed since 1964, Very rare but still bred. The York Chocolate is a semi-longhaired American cat developed in New York from 1983. It is critically rare or possibly extinct, with no known active breeder. The Havana Brown is more devoted and playful, and the York Chocolate is quieter. Choose the Havana Brown if you want a kitten, and read about the York Chocolate for its history.
Choose the Havana Brown if
- You want a chocolate-brown cat you can realistically find, with patience.
- You want a very affectionate, curious cat.
- You prefer a short, smooth coat.
- You are home for much of the day.
Choose the York Chocolate if
- You are interested in the history of American rare breeds.
- You like the idea of a semi-long, silky coat.
- You want the quieter cat of the two.
- You accept that kittens are unlikely to be available.
Where they are alike
Both are medium cats, both are Very rare and neither has a named breed-specific health watch-list in its profile. Both rate well with children and other pets.
Side by side
| Havana Brown | York Chocolate | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | England, United Kingdom | Grafton, New York, United States |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-10 lb (2.7-4.5 kg); males are larger | — |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | — |
| Coat length | Short | Medium |
| Coat | Short to medium, smooth and glossy, with no undercoat | Semi-long, fine, glossy coat with a soft, silky texture and a non-woolly undercoat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1964 | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Very rare | Very rare |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The smooth coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to this one. | — |
| Suits | A household that wants a rare, devoted, curious cat and is prepared to wait for a kitten. | A reader interested in the history of American rare breeds; cats are unlikely to be available. |
| Less suited to | A home that is empty for long hours, or anyone who needs an easy, quick choice of breeder. | Anyone hoping to buy a kitten. The breed has no known active breeder. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026