Last update: 06/29/2003

Havana Brown Cat Articles
The first article is about the Havana Brown Genetic Diversity and the second is a general article about the Havana Brown.

Havana Brown Genetic Diversity
written by by Leslie Lyons, PhD (3/00)

       Over 50 Havana Browns from more than 12 different catteries have supplied samples for this study that is funded by the Winn Feline Foundation. The DNA from the cats was screened with 30 different genetic markers, common to all felines that have been studied in depth in exotic cats, leopards, lions, cheetahs, pumas, and tigers. The genetic diversity of the Havana Brown was found to be as low as that of one of the most endangered species of cat, the Florida Panther. Although this amount of genetic reduction still needs to be compared to other cat breeds, this data suggests that out-breeding (out-crossing) may be necessary to increase diversity in Havana Browns to help prevent health problems. Combined with health records, breed history and pedigree information, an out-breeding program is being developed for the Havana Brown. Havana Brown breeders need assistance with increasing the population size of their cats, thus individuals are sought to help breed and manage cats and to supply cats that would be useful in the out-breeding program. The program will attempt to maintain good type and color but increase genetic diversity; thus, chestnut (chocolate) Oriental Shorthairs and other cats of good type and color, including random bred cats are sought for the project.

Note:  Araquipa Cattery has out-crossed to a domestic black shorthair to increase the gene diversity pool.  This out-crossing has resulted in several beautiful kittens (both F3 and F4).  F3 is the third generation and F4 is the fourth generation.   Out-crossing is a time consuming and very delicate process.  Only the top kittens/cats that meet the Havana Brown standards (type and color) are used for future breedings.

Havana Brown Cat Article
written by source at end of article

       The Havana Brown is neither a natural breed nor a spontaneous mutation. It is believed that this cat came about by accident through the process of cross breeding. When these uniquely colored cats first appeared in England they were named Havana's after the rich color of Havana tobacco. It is believed that the first brown cat appeared in England in 1894 and was at that time called the Swiss Mountain cat. In 1930 the brown cat was shown once again to cat fanciers and in 1951 work was begun on this cat.

This particular type of cat was researched and perpetuated as a breed by several women. Credited with the creation of this breed are Mrs. Munro-Smith of Elmtower Cattery, Mrs.Armitage Hargreaves fo Laurentide Cattery, Mrs. Elsie Fisher of Praha Cattery, and the Baroness von Ullmann of Roofspringer Cattery. Their efforts produced the first chestnut brown kitten in 1953. It was the result of mating a black English Shorthair to a chocolate point Siamese. Other breedings between Russian Blues and Siamese produced Havana Browns as did a mating of a black English Shorthair and a seal point by Mrs. Munro-Smith. The first Havana Brown is recorded as having been a male self-chocolate born in 1952 whose mother was an English Shorthair named Susannah and whose father was a Siamese male known as Tombee.

The established procedure from the early 1950's up until the late 1960's for breeding Havana's was to breed Russian Blues or black English Shorthairs to chocolate point Siamese. It is known that the elusive chocolate point gene must be present in both parents for the Havana Brown to appear in a litter. It should be noted that when Havana's are bred to Havana's it is possible that a pinkish gray cat can be born due to the blue gene factor. It is believed that this trait originated from breeding a Russian Blue and a chocolate point Havana Brown which resulted in the first lavender Shorthair born in England in 1954. It was also determined that breeding Havana to Havana for more than three generations required a cross breeding back to chocolate point Siamese to regain type.

Sufficient generations of breeding were attained in 1958 and official recognition was extended to the breed. The GCCF recognized it as the Chestnut Foreign Shorthair. The first English champion was recognized in the early 1960's and in 1970 the cat was officially recognized as the Havana. English bred Havana's were exported to the United States by Baroness von Ullmann to Mrs. Elsie Quinn of California. This cat, Roofspringer Mahogany Quinn became the first Havana Brown grand champion in the United States and was recognized as AW and AA in 1960, 61, 63 and 64. The American standard for the Havana Brown was set and accepted by the UCF and was first shown in shows in championship classes of the Siamese Society in 1959. Though the Havana is recognized as a foreign cat of Siamese type in England it is recognized as a separate breed in the United States. It should be noted that due to breeding methods and differences the English Havana and the Havana we know here in the United States have a totally different look. The Havana in England tends to have a more Oriental typing, like the Siamese, than those in the United States.

Here in the United States the Havana Brown's head is slightly longer than is is wide and boasts a distinctive stop at the eyes. The head tends to be narrow. The muzzle is round with a slight break behind its brown whiskers. The nose tends to be rosy in color and has a leathery texture. The ears are almost hairless and set wide. They tend to be quite large and rounded at the tip. The eyes are chartreuse and oval in shape and appear large on the narrow face. The solid, muscular body is medium in length. The rich, smooth, mahogany brown coat is of medium length and is true in color right down to the skin.

The Havana Brown is highly intelligent with a gentle nature. Its quiet demeanor masks a creature that is very agile, quick, hardy and an extremely able hunter. It has a great desire for love and affection which we as humans can appreciate as it allows us to transfer our need to give affection and communicate. We respect the Havana Brown for its individuality, independence and quiet demeanor as a warm and equally rewarding bond seems to exist between ourselves and this sensible creature. Its inexhaustible desire to play and sense of humor make the Havana Brown an excellent pet.

Original article from http://www.petsupport.com/CATS/havanabrown.html

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