The Snowshoe is a breed that did not appear by accident, but was bred purposefully in the United States in the 1960s. It all started with an American breeder Dorothy Hinds-Dogerty, who decided to combine the grace and temperament of the Siamese cat with the softness of character and external features of the American shorthair. The result was a cat of unusual appearance: with blue eyes, color point, white “socks” on the feet and a characteristic white mask on the face.
The name snowshoe translates to “snowshoe” – a reference to the white paws, which look like a cat walking on snow. There are no other official names for the breed, although it is sometimes called “white-footed Siamese”, “snowshoe cat”, “white-footed cat” or confused with Ragdolls or Tonkinese – which is a mistake. It is a separate breed with its own standard, although it is still rare.
The Snowshoe is not recognized by all international organizations, but has received official status in TICA (The International Cat Association) and ACFA (American Cat Fanciers’ Association). It is less common in Europe and is still considered rare, which only emphasizes its uniqueness.
Appearance, coloration and size
The Snow Shoo is characterized by a harmonious combination of elegance and “homeliness”. It has a medium body – not too long and not chunky, strong paws, smooth body lines, long tail and expressive muzzle with slightly rounded ears. But the main calling card is color-point, white paws (necessarily on all four), often white chest and mask, which creates a contrast with the dark color on the muzzle.
Eyes are exclusively blue, large, almond-shaped. The coat is short, shiny, with no or minimal undercoat, so the Snow Shoo does not need intensive cat grooming. The color of the coat can vary within the color-point: power-point, blue, chocolate, purple. However, the characteristic snow-white markings on the paws must be symmetrical – this is an important breed trait.
Adult cats weigh on average 4-6 kg, cats weigh 3-4.5 kg. They do not look large, but are well built, with a muscular body. This structure makes the Snow Shoo look graceful, but not fragile.
Snow Shoo’s character
Snowshoe is a cat that always wants to be around. He adores human attention, is always looking for companionship and does not tolerate loneliness. If you are looking for a breed that will sit somewhere on the sidelines and not interfere in your affairs – the Snow Shoo is not for you. These cats are very social, but not intrusive: they clearly feel the mood of the owner, can be gentle, playful and even a little talkative – especially in return. They have a soft voice, not as loud as Siamese, but still expressive.
In character snowshu kitten resembles a dog: easily learns, sometimes brings toys, willingly plays with children and gets along with other animals. And when he grows up does not change his worldview. It is easy to teach him simple tricks or even to use the toilet – the breed’s intelligence is at a very high level. He quickly adapts to changes, is not frightened of new surroundings, but always stays close to those he considers “his own”.
The average life span of a Snow Shoo is 12-15 years. With proper care – even longer. Their short coat does not require frequent combing, it is enough to pass once a week with a soft brush to remove excess hair. They are not prone to disease, but it is important to control the diet: these cats love to eat, so they can quickly become overweight. It’s also worth brushing their ears regularly, keeping an eye on their eyes and remembering to prevent plaque.
Snow Shoo feels great in the apartment, does not require a lot of space, but definitely requires attention. It is not a decorative ornament – it is a full-fledged member of the family, which constantly reacts to events in the house, participates in everything, raises the mood and gives a feeling of presence of a living soul nearby.
