Kanaani Breed History

The Kanaani is an experimental, hybrid feline breed from Germany, though it seems to have originated in Jerusalem at the Ha Jeruschalmi Cattery in the 1990s. The area’s local African Wildcats were bred with domesticated house cats.

It seems that the breed has been bred specifically to resemble the African Wildcat, but the goal was to give it a temperament that would be suitable for a domestic environment.

The Kanaani cat is agile, playful, and athletic, as well as highly intelligent and affectionate.

Breed Traits

This breed is agile, playful, and athletic, as well as highly intelligent and affectionate. Kanaani cats love to climb and jump, so your home should allow for plenty of activity and stimulation, such as a large cat tree and many different types of cat toys.

In addition to giving this pet plenty of space to exercise, you should also be able to supervise your cat’s playtime as much as possible in order to prevent him from getting into trouble, destroying things around the house, or getting hurt.

Because this breed is a hybrid and has a bit of a wild personality, you need to be sure you have plenty of time to devote to its care, and it may not be the best cat for a household with small children. Also, if you are in search of a really calm and docile feline, this breed will likely disappoint you.

Overall Description

The elegant Kanaani cat is truly beautiful. It is typically medium to large in size, but it is a slender breed that is very athletic and muscular. Both the legs and the neck are slender and long, and the paws are oval. Also, the tail is quite long, tapering at the tip.

A Kanaani’s ears are set wide apart on the top of the head, and they are also quite large. The eyes, too, are set apart and large, and they can be yellow-green or green.

In terms of its coat, the Kanaani is a shorthaired breed with only a small amount of undercoat, and the hairs lie close to the body. The structure of the fur is more coarse than soft, and there is usually a ticking within the base color and pattern.

The spots on this cat’s coat will be aligned diagonally or horizontally, and there will also be barring on the kitty’s legs, along with rings around the tail and neck, so it looks like the cat is wearing a necklace.

The belly color will typically be pale beige, and it will be spotted. The throat and chin, too, will be white or light beige.

Colors

These cats come in a variety of colors and patterns, such as marbled and spotted patterns. Colors include chocolate, cinnamon, beige, and seal.

Grooming Requirements

Because the coat is short, grooming is simple. All you have to do is give your pet an occasional brushing to help the fur look and feel great.

Photo credit: Allatvilag Net/Flickr