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The Egyptian Mau is a fascinating cat, not only because of its past history, but because of its delightful personality and
striking appearance.
The Mau (mau is the Egyptian word for cat) has been clearly identified in the artwork of the ancient Egyptians, leaving
no question in the minds of many experts that the Egyptian Mau is indeed the cat domesticated from a spotted subspecies of
the African Wild Cat by this unique culture. To gaze upon this beautiful and engaging creature is an opportunity to view a
living relic.
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. They were worshipped as deities, cherished as pets, protected by laws, and mummified
and mourned upon their death.
Their history in North America began with their importation in 1956 by the exiled Russian princess, Nathalie Troubetskoy.
Recognition by The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) for championship competition came in 1977. 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 importations
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, the Mau places a great importance on family, both human and their own, and is fiercely loyal in his devotion to them.
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.
With an elegant body that is randomly spotted, banded legs and tail, expressive gooseberry green eyes, distinctive mascara
lines, a worried expression on the face, and a graceful cheetah-like stride, it is no wonder that the Mau attracts such a
tremendous amount of attention at cat shows.
The Egyptian Mau comes in three colors that can be shown in championship classes: Silver, Bronze, and Smoke.
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