Snowshoe

Temperament

The Snowshoe combines the Siamese's people focus with the calmer disposition of a shorthaired cat. It is affectionate, devoted to its family and likes having someone nearby: it follows people around, climbs into laps and happily sleeps snuggled up. Its voice is softer than a Siamese's, but it likes to speak up, especially when it wants something. It is intelligent: it learns to fetch, open doors and walk on a harness, and many Snowshoes are interested in water and play with a dripping faucet. It usually gets along well with children and other pets. It approaches strangers with mild caution but warms up quickly. Its weak spot is loneliness: a Snowshoe copes badly with long hours without company and is happiest in a home where someone is around often or where a second cat lives.

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 Snowshoe for?

The Snowshoe suits people who want an affectionate, people-oriented cat that looks a lot like a Siamese but is calmer and less loud. It fits apartment life, families with children and homes with other pets. It is not a good choice for someone who leaves the cat alone all day or wants an independent loner. You will also need patience, because there are few breeders in Europe.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The Snowshoe's short, close-lying coat needs minimal work: a once-a-week going-over with a rubber grooming mitt is enough, and baths are unnecessary. Company and stimulation need more attention. This cat needs daily play, interactive toys, a scratching post and a high spot for watching the world. It responds well to learning tricks and walking on a harness. Since many Snowshoes like water, a shallow bowl to play in or a water fountain is a good idea; it also encourages drinking, which matters given the tendency toward stones. Measure its portions, and if you work away from home, consider a second cat. Kittens are born white, and the points darken over the first months, just as in Siamese.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Snowshoe is considered a healthy, long-lived breed: TICA gives a life expectancy of 15–20+ years, depending on environment and diet. No inherited diseases unique to it have been described. The only signal in the literature concerns urate stones: in a review of more than 5,000 cases, the Snowshoe was overrepresented, but this involved just 3 cats out of 16 in the population studied, so the conclusion is weak. Even so, keep the cat well hydrated and have an adult cat's urine checked periodically. Given its Siamese ancestors, it is sensible to ask the breeder about eye and heart health in the line. The white-paw pattern is hard to fix, which is why breeders are few.

• urate stonesIn a review of more than 5,000 urate urolith cases, the Snowshoe was overrepresented, but based on a very small sample.
• no documented breed-specific diseasesThe breed is considered healthy; given its Siamese ancestry, ask about the health of the line.

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

Breed history

The breed was born in the 1960s in Philadelphia. Siamese breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty noticed three kittens with white paws in one of her litters. To fix the pattern, she crossed seal point Siamese with bicolor American Shorthairs and then bred the offspring back to Siamese. At first the cats were called Silver Laces, and later, after their white paws, Snowshoes. Vikki Olander took over the program, wrote the first standard and in 1974 obtained experimental status for the breed in two American registries. By the late 1970s she was the only breeder in the US, so the breed survived thanks to a handful of enthusiasts. TICA recognized it in 1993 and FIFe in 2004.

Fun facts

• The breed was originally called Silver Laces.
• Every Snowshoe has a unique arrangement of white markings.
• By the late 1970s, only one Snowshoe breeder was left in the US.
• Many Snowshoes love to play with water.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1TICA – Snowshoe breedtica.org
2. 2Wikipedia – Snowshoe caten.wikipedia.org
3. 3FIFe – Breeds (SNO)fifeweb.org
4. 4WCF – Breed standards shorthairwcf.de

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