EGYPTIAN MAU

HISTORY

After the pyramids and kohl painted eyes, almost nothing evokes more awe and mystery than the fascination the ancient Egyptians had for their cats.

They were not only the most popular animal in the house, but their status rose to sacred animal and were represented by the goddesses Bastet and Sekmet.

No one knows for sure exactly when the cat became domesticated, but it was probably around 2000 BC.  Most of today’s domestic cats are descended from these cats.  Part of the reason it is difficult to determine the time of domestication is because all cats (wild and tame) were referred to as Mau, the Egyptian word for cat.

It is assumed that the domestication took place when the wild cats strayed into the houses to hunt rats, mice and snakes.  They were well received and decided to stay.

MAU CHARACTERISTICS

The role of the Mau in the religion, mythology, and everyday life of the Egyptian conveys the degree of affection and respect in which these cats were held.   Cats were cherished pets, protected by laws (to be the cause of a cats death, was a death penalty), and they were mourned and treated as a valued family member with mummification and burial in the family tomb.

Their history in North America began with their importation in 1956 by the exiled Russian princess, Nathalie Troubetskoy.  In the past, all Egyptian Maus in the U. S. And Canada traced their ancestry to two of the original imports from the Fatima Cattery.  Recent imports have enriched and broadened the available gene pool for breeders.

The Egyptian Mau has the distinction of being the only natural spotted breed of domestic cat.  An extremely intelligent animal, they are moderately active and often express their happiness by chortling in a soft melodious voice and wiggling their tails at great speed while treading with their forepaws.

The Egyptian Mau has an elegant body that is randomly spotted, has banded legs and tail , expressive gooseberry green eyes, distinctive mascara lines, a worried expression on the face, and a graceful cheetah-like stride and comes in three main colours - Silver, Bronze, and Smoke.  They also come in colours that are accepted for registration, but are not allowed to be shown - solib Black and these dilute colours, Blue silver, Blue spotted (dilute bronze), blue Smoke and the solid Blue.

Egyptian Mau