Breed History

Kittens born with white feet were discovered in a litter of Siamese by breeder, Dorothy Hinds Dougherty in the USA. She found the contrast of the white feet with the point colour pleasing, and started to develop this trait by crossing her Siamese with bi-colour American Shorthair cats. This was in the early 1960's, and it has taken many years for the breed to be recognized in the US (1974 ACA), and in the UK (2004 GCCF).

At present, the Snowshoe has preliminary status with the GCCF, we hope to progress the breed to the next level of 'provisional' status later this year (2009).

With FIFe, the Snowshoe was granted full recognition in2003/4 and can be shown to championship level. TICA has fully recognized the breed for some years now, and Snowshoes are competing at championship level with this body.

Although developed in the US, the breed seems not to have progressed as much in the States as it has in Europe. Having searched the net for Snowshoe breeders, there seem to be as many, if not more, in Europe than in the US.

One of the main factors contributing to the success of the breed on this side of the 'pond', is Snowshoe breeder Mollie Southall of the 'Coldenufforsnow' cattery. Mollie is the mainstay of the breed, and her book 'The Snowshoe Cat', is a welcome and authoritative reference for Snowshoe followers world-wide. Thank you Mollie for your unbounded enthusiasm and tireless representation on behalf of this wonderful breed.