Adapted from a paper by Joseph Huehnerhoff, RebelSkog LLC
The Norwegian Forest Cat (also called Skogkatt or NFO) is a unique breed. It has a long storied history full of myth and intrigue which is further compounded by the fairy tale-like physical qualities of this feline. The large size and long double coat create a hardy cat capable of living in the extremes colds of nature, while its intelligence, playfulness, and affection make it an ideal companion for the modern household.
An ancient, natural breed, the exact history of NFOs is unclear. However, studies suggest the Skogkatt “emerging from the forest some 4000 years ago”1 or are related to short-haired cats brought over from Great Britain by the Vikings.2 There are are also Norse mythological references to Norwegians, such as the depiction of Thor (god of thunder) being unable to lift a mighty Skogkatt as he is tricked by Jörmungandr (a large magical sea serpent).3 In addition, there is the belief that the goddess Freyja’s carriage was pulled by Skogkatts.4
Much of the history available is from old Norse legends as well as study into the evolutionary traits of this breed. The NFO has a long double coat: the outer coat sheds water, while the inner insulates. This is only necessary in an animal which lives in a cold and wet climate. Norwegians also has large paws with strong claws that are shown to facilitate adept climbing.
There is a belief that the Maine Coon is a descendant of the NFO, who were thought to have been brought across the ocean by Vikings as they came upon North America. Just as with the previous mythology much of this is speculation and lore.
A resurgence of the Skogkatt in the 1930s was quickly dampened by WWII. It was not until the 1970s that the Skogkatt population regained traction, heavily in part to efforts such as when, “…Helene Nordane and Edel Runas began a project to restore the Norwegian cat, who was going extinct.”5 This was followed by the formation of the still active Norsk Skogkattring Club in Norway. This was just the start of the work, as over the following decade, the foundation of the breed was formed from judged examples of non-pedigreed felines. As the cats became more popular in Europe, they were eventually imported into the United States of America.
The Norwegian Forest Cat first started appearing in the United States around the 1980s with the first documented breeding pair being imported in 1979.6 The breed itself is still rare in the US with only a short list of breeders and exhibitors. Due to this lack of genetic diversity, many NFOs are still imported from the Scandinavian region or other European countries.
The temperament and character of the Norwegian Forest Cat is also a unique attribute to this breed. They are extremely devoted and affectionate, but that affection is first accompanied by trust, and then on their own terms. These cats are intelligent and are often watching their surroundings from a perched position. The funniest aspect of these large-framed cats is their meow. Instead of a loud yowl like might be expected, they let out little high pitched chirps/meows when they do choose to be vocal. Overall the NFO is an undemanding but affectionate breed.
These few excerpts from the breed standard are ones which distinguish the NFO significantly. The triangular shaped head (and ideally it should be equilateral), with a long straight profile. The ears should also be large and wide at the base. These features contribute to the breeds iconic “look”.
To better understand of the origins and historical significance of the Norwegian Forest Cat, it is first necessary to understand the breed characteristics. The breed standards differ slightly in description between many cat clubs around the world. However, they all share very nearly the same conformance standards. These common aspects include a substantial body which is long and strongly built, long legs with the hind legs longer than those in the front. The paws should be large, and the tail should be long and bushy, and at least as long as the body.1 In FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline) EMS (Easy Mind System), the Norwegian Forest Cat is given the designation NFO and is often referred to as such. The NFO, in all clubs, should have a semi-long coat with a woolly undercoat.7 These standards do not govern the mass of the cat, typically between 8.5-22 lbs (4-10 kg).
The Norwegian, or Skogkatt, is not immune to genetic disease. In part, due to the relative lack of genetic diversity the Skogkatt does suffer from more genetic disorders than other more common breeds. The most severe of which include Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD), Hip Dysplasia (Hd), Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), and Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD IV). At RebelSkog, we genetic test all of our breeding cats for PK Deficiency and GSD so as not to perpetuate these traits into our kittens.