Chartreux

Temperament

The Chartreux is an observer. It usually picks one person it is closest to, though it shows affection to the whole family. It follows people around, sits next to them and gives them meaningful looks, and instead of meowing it chirps or murmurs softly; some cats of this breed are practically mute. It is quick to learn, so it easily masters coming when called or playing fetch. It enjoys play, especially chasing a wand toy, but becomes fairly calm as an adult. It avoids conflict: rather than defend itself, it simply leaves the room. That is why it gets along well with dogs and children. It also handles change, travel and moving house well, which is rare among cats. It doesn’t demand constant attention, so it can cope with a household that is out at work all day.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Chartreux for?

The Chartreux suits people looking for a calm, quiet apartment cat, including those who work away from home or are getting their first cat. It gets along well with children and dogs and handles travel and moving better than most cats. If you want a cat that will “talk” to you and demand play, an Oriental or a Tonkinese is a better choice.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Chartreux’s coat is dense, slightly woolly and water-resistant. Combing once a week is enough, two or three times a week during the spring and fall sheds, when the cat loses a lot of undercoat. Baths are rarely needed, and even when they are, the water-resistant coat is hard to get properly wet. The Chartreux matures slowly, reaching full maturity at 3–5 years. Adult cats are not very active and gain weight easily, so portions should be weighed, and play, even 10–15 minutes of chasing a wand toy a day, should be treated as a must. VCA notes that the breed can be sensitive to fatty food and sudden food changes, so a new diet is best introduced gradually, in consultation with your vet.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Chartreux is considered a healthy, robust breed, and the CFA standard explicitly disqualifies cats showing signs of hind-leg lameness. The main known inherited problem is patellar luxation, in which the kneecap slips out of its groove in the thigh bone. Cats with a mild form usually have no trouble getting around, but they should not be used for breeding, so it is worth asking the breeder about the parents’ knee exams. The second issue is the tendency of mature cats to gain weight, which strains the joints. VCA mentions a sensitive digestive tract. VCA gives a lifespan of 12–15 years.

• patellar luxationAn inherited knee joint defect; cats with a mild form usually have no mobility problems but should not be bred.
• excess weightAdult cats are not very active and gain weight easily.
• sensitive digestive tractVCA points to sensitivity to fatty food and sudden diet changes.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

Blue-gray cats from France appear in sources from the 16th century: the poet Joachim du Bellay mentioned one in 1558, and the naturalist Buffon described them in the 18th century. A popular legend links the breed to Carthusian monks, but there is no evidence for it; the name may come from a type of Spanish wool. After both world wars, the breed was scarce. In the 1920s, deliberate breeding began in France using cats from natural colonies, including those of the Léger sisters on the island of Belle-Île. The first Chartreux reached the US in the early 1970s, and the CFA granted the breed championship status in 1987. The Chartreux remains a rare breed, in Poland as elsewhere.

Fun facts

• Many Chartreux barely meow at all, communicating with chirps and body language instead.
• The legend of cats bred by Carthusian monks is not supported by historical sources.
• The breed standard disqualifies cats with green eyes.
• The Chartreux reaches full maturity only at 3–5 years old.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Calmest cat breeds

Sources

1. 1CFA – Chartreux breed profilecfa.org
2. 2VCA Animal Hospitals – Chartreuxvcahospitals.com
3. 3Wikipedia – Chartreuxen.wikipedia.org
4. 4FIFe – Recognised breedsfifeweb.org
5. 5WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.