Cyprus
From Cyprus, where the oldest known burial of a cat alongside a person was found, around nine thousand years old. Large, rangy, and still largely a natural breed.
Overview
The Cyprus cat has the best archaeological claim of any breed on this shelf. A cat was found deliberately buried beside a human at Shillourokambos in Cyprus, dated to around 9,500 years ago, and it is the earliest known burial of a cat with a person anywhere.
The modern breed is the island's landrace given a standard: large, long legged, and either short or semi longhaired, developed by circumstance over thousands of years rather than by design.
Temperament
Active, sociable and confident. These are cats shaped by an island where they had to make their own living, and they are alert, curious and good hunters.
They are affectionate with their own people and adaptable, and they are noticeably athletic. They generally get on with other cats and with dogs.
Care and grooming
A weekly brush, more for the semi longhaired ones. Nothing demanding.
A landrace gene pool means no documented breed specific disorder and generally robust health, which is one of the real advantages of a breed that was not designed. Ordinary preventive care covers it.
Living and exercise
They want space and stimulation and they do best with safe outdoor access or a large catio.
They are large cats and they are active ones, so an indoor only life needs real vertical territory to work. Twelve to fifteen years is normal.
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