All About the Egyptian Mau

•  the only naturally spotted breed of domesticated cat
• more temperature sensitive than most breeds- fond of very warm temperatures
• more sensitive to medicines and anesthesia
• unusually long gestational period-73 days (other cats have around 69 days)
• fastest breed of domestic cat
• cat can run up to 36 mph (giraffes also run at this speed)

Coat Colours

• spots are on the coat and on their skin
• Maus come in five colours:

-silver - hair is dense and resilient in texture

- smoke - hair is silky and fine in texture and accomodates two or more bands of ticking separated by lighter bands

- brown

- black

- pewter- hair is dense and resilient in texture and accomodates two or more bands of ticking separated by lighter bands

• Solid Black and dilute colours such as Blue Silver, Blue Spotted, Blue Smoke and the Solid Blue are not for showing
• Colour coat can take up to 15 months to develop

Characteristics

• musical voices- chirp, chortle and other distinctly unusual vocalisations when stimulated
• alert and moderately active
• delightful personality
• extremely intelligent
• places great importance on human family and their own
• fiercely loyal
• they express their happiness by chortling in a soft melodious voice and wiggling their tails at great speed while treading with their forepaws
• nature seems to be fearful and gun shy, hiding under furniture when company arrives
• hands on socialisation during kittenhood to ensure a well adjusted cat. Otherwise they may growl and hiss in the presence of a new or uncomfortable position.
• always seeking company
• quite clingy to owner and may single out one family member
• inbred cats have been reported to have a higher incidence of respiratory disease, intestinal disease and neurological problems
• well balanced physically and temperamentally
• companionable, curious and charming
• easy to groom, requiring minimum attention
• likes company
• likes to exercise. Can be trained to a harness and lead

Description

•  Medium sized, short haired
• medium length, muscular body
• striking appearance
• hind legs are longer than the front, gives the appearance of standing on tip toes when upright.
• longer hind legs result in great speed
• loose skin flap on the lower abdomen, similar to the cheetah, which allows a longer stride while running, again contributing to its great speed (primordial flap)
• all Maus have gooseberry green eyes. An amber cast is acceptable up to 18 months
• elegant, randomly spotted body, banded legs and tail
• distinctive mascara lines
• graceful cheetah- like stride
• ears are medium and large and set well back on the head
• eyes are round, almond shape
• neck is muscular and arched
• coat is short, fine and silky and lies very flat against the body
• the Silver has a brick red nose and black paw pads
• the Bronze has a brick red nose with a light brown ground colour paw pads
• wedge shaped head with rounded contours and no flat planes
• males tend to be larger than females
• five toes in front, four behind
• tremendous strength
• athletic