Chartreux
France's national cat. Quiet, plush blue-grey "smiling" cat. Often confused with British Shorthair.
Photo: Vincent M.A. Janssen / Pexels
The Chartreux is a natural French breed dating to medieval Carthusian monasteries. Famously quiet (some are nearly mute), plush blue-grey coat with copper eyes, and a distinctive "smiling" mouth. Often confused with the British Shorthair.
Temperament
Quiet, observant, affectionate, easy-going. Excellent with families.
Exercise needs
Moderate.
Grooming
Dense double coat, weekly brush — daily during seasonal moults.
Common health issues
Patellar luxation. Polycystic kidney disease. Generally hardy.
👍 Best for
Calm households, retirees, families.
👎 Not best for
Owners who want a vocal cat.
Buying guides for Chartreux owners
Buying guides for Chartreux owners
Compare Chartreux with…
Similar breeds
British Shorthair
Calm, dignified, plush-coated. The classic "British Blue" cat.
Russian Blue
Quiet, elegant, often well-tolerated by allergy sufferers. Long-lived and undemanding.
Persian
Glamorous longhair. High grooming demands and brachycephalic health concerns.
Birman
Sacred Cat of Burma. Calm, devoted, with white "gloved" paws and blue eyes.