Havana Brown
Solid warm brown from nose to tail, with brown whiskers, which no other breed requires. Developed in England, and it reaches out a paw to get your attention.
Photo by Havanabrowngirl, CC BY 4.0
Overview
The Havana Brown is a solid brown cat developed in Britain in the 1950s by crossing Siamese with black domestic shorthairs, and it is one of the few breeds where the standard specifies the colour of the whiskers. They must be brown, matching the coat.
The head shape is also distinctive and unusual: longer than it is wide, with a definite stop at the muzzle, which is not quite like any other breed.
Temperament
Affectionate, curious and unusually hands on. Havana Browns investigate with their paws rather than their noses, reaching out to touch things and people.
They attach strongly and want to be involved. They are moderately vocal in a soft voice rather than a Siamese one, and they do not do well left alone for long periods.
Care and grooming
A weekly rub down brings up the gloss on the short coat, and that is all it needs.
The breed is very rare and descends from a small founding group, and inbreeding has been a documented concern, with outcrossing to Oriental Shorthairs used to widen the pool. The Siamese ancestry makes the oriental group conditions worth asking about.
Living and exercise
An indoor household where somebody is usually about. They are moderately active and enjoy interactive play.
Availability is the practical obstacle: this is one of the rarest breeds in the world and finding a kitten takes patience. Twelve to fifteen years is usual.
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