Description: Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a strikingly beautiful and historic breed known for its spotted coat, almond-shaped green eyes, and graceful movements. One of the few naturally spotted breeds of domestic cat, its spots are not only on the coat but also on the skin underneath. This medium-sized cat is muscular and agile, often described as especially athletic. Originating in Egypt, this breed is considered one of the oldest cat breeds, and is revered for its high energy, intelligence, and loyal nature. Egyptian Maus are known to have a melodious voice and often communicate with their families with chirps, meows, and musical trills. They have a strong prey drive, being excellent hunters, but are also deeply affectionate with families, making them ideal companions for those who appreciate an active and engaging pet.
Properties
The Egyptian Mau is a strikingly beautiful breed with a rich history that is believed to date back to ancient Egypt. This breed is particularly known for its elegant, athletic body, beautiful spotted coat, and large, almond-shaped green eyes that give it a captivating and exotic appearance.
One of the most distinct features of the Egyptian Mau is its coat, which comes in various colors including silver, bronze, and smoke. The coat is medium in length and has a silky texture with random spots that enhance its wild appearance. This beautiful spotting is considered one of the breed's most valuable traits. The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted breed of domestic cat, which contributes significantly to its appeal.
Apart from their physical beauty, Egyptian Maus are known for their incredible agility and speed. They are among the fastest domestic cats and are able to reach impressive speeds thanks to their powerful hind legs that are slightly longer than their front legs. This breed is also recognized for its unique 'tiptoe' stance, which is a result of the structure of their hind legs.
Egyptian Maus are not just about beauty and agility; they also have a wonderful temperament. They are known to be loyal, friendly, and intelligent cats, making them excellent companions. They have a somewhat reserved nature but are very devoted to their families. This breed tends to form a strong bond with one person in particular, although they are loving towards all family members. They are also known for their musical voices and are capable of making a variety of sounds to communicate their moods.
Beyond their social traits, Egyptian Maus are also reported to be quite sensitive to temperatures, preferring warm environments, which harks back to their origins in hot climates. They can be shy around strangers, which makes them excellent watch cats as well. Overall, caring for an Egyptian Mau requires understanding their need for affection and interaction, combined with plenty of playtime to accommodate their energetic nature. With the right care, these beautiful cats can be a wonderful addition to any cat-loving household, offering beauty, companionship, and a touch of ancient mystery.
Appearance
The Egyptian Mau, revered for its regal and majestic demeanor, is one of the oldest cat breeds in existence, with a lineage that dates back thousands of years. This breed boasts a striking and distinct appearance that sets it apart from other cat breeds. A medium-sized cat, the Egyptian Mau possesses a graceful, muscular build that reflects its high levels of activity and athleticism.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Egyptian Mau is its spotted coat, which is not only beautiful but also unique among domestic cats. The spots are randomly distributed and vary in size and shape, appearing on the tips of the hairs of its shiny and silky coat. The background color can be silver, bronze, or smoke, and the markings are typically dark and contrasting. The smoke variety possesses a stunning silver base coat with black tips, giving it a smoky appearance, while the darker markings highlight the spots distinctly.
The eyes of the Egyptian Mau are another captivating trait, often described as 'gooseberry green', a color that may take up to eighteen months to fully develop from a lighter shade at birth. The eyes are large, almond-shaped, and expressively set, giving the Mau an appearance of perpetual alertness and curiosity. Other facial features include a slightly rounded, wedge-shaped head with medium-length ears that are broad at the base and pointed at the tip, enhancing their alert and intelligent expression.
Adding to their elegant silhouette, the legs of the Egyptian Mau are proportionately long, with the hind legs being longer than the front. This creates a distinctive tippy-toe stance that contributes to their striking look. Their tail is medium in length, thick at the base and tapering to a rounded tip, usually displaying a few rings and a dark tip, aligned with the spots that grace their coat.
The Egyptian Mau’s coat also features two distinct lines running from the head down the spine to the tail, known as the 'M' marking on the forehead which is also seen in other tabby cats but holds significant mythological importance in Maus. These intricate details, along with its vibrant personality, make the Egyptian Mau not just a pet but a glimpse into the majesty of ancient Egyptian times, making them not just compelling in appearance but also rich in history.
History
The Egyptian Mau holds a special place among the feline breeds as it is one of the few naturally spotted breeds of domestic cat. Often revered, the history of the Egyptian Mau is deeply entwined with the culture and mythology of ancient Egypt, dating back as far as 1550 B.C. Some believe that this breed descended directly from African wild cats, as evidenced by their striking green eyes, distinctive coat pattern, and eloquent, muscular body structure.
The term 'Mau' is actually the Egyptian word for cat. Historically, these cats were celebrated, thought to bring luck and protect the home from evil spirits. They were so revered that families would often mourn their loss as they would a family member, sometimes even mummifying their beloved pets to accompany them in the afterlife. Imagery and sculptures from ancient Egypt frequently depict spotted cats, alongside their owners, providing strong evidence that Maus were indeed a part of everyday Egyptian life.
In terms of historical documentation, the Egyptian Mau was brought to the limelight in the Western world by Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy, who exiled in Rome after World War II with her Mau, Baba. In 1956, she brought some Maus to the United States, establishing the breed officially in the Western world. She also founded the Fatima Egyptian Mau Cattery in Italy and was pivotal in getting the breed recognized by cat fancier associations worldwide.
The Egyptian Mau is a relatively rare breed. Its distinctiveness not only lies in its historical origin but also in its physical appearance. The Mau is the fastest of the domestic cats, thanks to its unique flap of skin extending from the flanks to the knees, which allows for greater extension of the legs. This physical characteristic, combined with the striking spotted coat, creates a silhouette that is not only elegant but also highly efficient for sudden sprints.
Today, while still not as numerous as other breeds, the Egyptian Mau is cherished by breed enthusiasts and pet owners alike, prized for its athletic prowess, loyalty, and striking appearance. Efforts to sustain and protect the pedigree continue, driven by dedicated breeding programs and love for this historic and majestic breed.