Arabian Mau

Arabian Mau
Bex Arabian Mau
Origin	Arabian peninsula (particularly United Arab Emirates)
Breed standards
WCF	standard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The Arabian Mau is a formal breed of domestic cat, developed from the desert cat, a short-haired landrace native to the desert of the Arabian Peninsula, which lives there in the streets and has adapted very well to the extreme climate. The Arabian Mau is recognized as a formal breed only by one fancier and breeder organization and cat registry, the Germany-based World Cat Federation (WCF). Based on one landrace, the Arabian Mau it is a natural breed.

It is medium in size, with a body structure that is rather large and firm, not particularly slender, and with well developed musculature. The legs are comparatively long, with oval paws.

The head appears round, but is slightly longer than broad. The nose is slightly concave curved, when viewed in profile. The whisker pads are clearly pronounced, with a slight pinch. The chin is very firm. The eyes are slightly oval, large and slightly slanted. The cat may have any normal cat eye colour, and there is no relation between the eye and coat colours. The ears are large, slightly forward and sideward-placed, high-set on the skull.

The tail is generally of medium length and tapers slightly towards the tip.

The coat is short and lying close to the body. It has no undercoat and is firm to touch. It may not be silky, but is noticeably very glossy.

Bicolor female arabian mau cat

History

The desert cat has been a landrace native to Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates for more than 1,000 years.^[1] Desert cats are well adapted to the hot, arid Middle Eastern environment.^[1] The variety originated (like all domestic cats) from the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica, which has lived for many thousands of years on the Arabian peninsula. The wildcat lives in desert regions near human settlements. As early cities spread more and more into the desert, the wildcat ventured closer and closer to humans, because there was more food and shelter, and eventually domesticated itself.^{[citation needed]} Today, the desert cat variety make up a notable proportion of the street cats of Arabian Peninsula cities, and of course many are not kept as pets due to feral behavior.^[1]

Arabian Mau kitten three months old.

Temperament

Generally Arabian Mau cats have very loving temperaments. The main feature of this cat breed is their devotion, love and affection for the owner. This cat will always be a reliable companion of an individual that loves his cat and cares for it. Arabian Mau gets along very well with children and different kinds of animals. These cats are neat and take care of themselves very well.

Arabian Mau cats were adapted to a desert life style and had to hunt for food themselves; possibly because of this they are not picky about food and they seem to love eating. They like to play and so this breed is very active and curious. They are good hunters, quick and agile. If you let your cat out, he will easily catch a prey and bring it back home. These cats easily jump and jump high. Outdoor cats like to walk around their territory and their house. Males always guard their territory from other male cats. But they always come back home.

Health

Arabian Mau breed has good health. Kittens are born strong and healthy, as the Arabian Mau cats have a good immune system. Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Arabian Mau's are generally healthy cats, as they are a natural breed.

Grooming

Grooming is very easy, the cat does not shed so much. To brush the coat from time to time will remove dead hairs and intensify the beautiful gloss of the coat.

Standard Arabian Mau

Females are medium sized and elegant; however, males can be very huge. They have muscular bodies though females are slightly smaller. Their legs are long with perfectly oval paws. They have large ears. The tail has medium length with tapering toward the tip. The head appears to be round, but it is slightly longer than broad with well-defined whisker pads. Ears are large and well set. Their eyes are oval and match the coat color. The fur is short and without any undercoat; besides it lying close enough to the body. The coat should not be silky. The colors can be different but the most recognized are red, white, black, black and white, brown and brown tabby. ^[2]

The Arabian Mau cat breed is a natural breed, so it must reflect the morphology and behavioral features of the cats living on the Arabian Peninsula. The standard has been drafted on the observation and the description of physical characteristics, which have been found in the cats of this area average population, originating form the Middle East and in its descendants. No prefixed model has been followed. The Arabian Mau cats were approved by the WCF during the Annual General Meeting held on 2 & 3 August 2008, at Germany. The Arabian Mau cats can participate in International Shows since January 1st 2009.^[3]

See also

• Egyptian Mau

References