Chantilly-Tiffany

The Chantilly-Tiffany (often just called "Chantilly" or "Tiffany") is a now practically extinct breed of semi-longhaired domestic cats that originated in the late 1960s in the USA, known for its silky coat and affectionate, people-oriented nature.

Origin and Status

The breed originated in the late 1960s in the USA from chocolate brown, semi-longhaired domestic cats and was temporarily known under names such as "Foreign Longhair" or "Tiffany". Due to a small breeding base, name confusion with the British "Tiffanie", and the discontinuation of organized breeding programs, the Chantilly-Tiffany is today considered practically or officially extinct, although occasionally similar-looking domestic cats exist.

Appearance

Chantilly-Tiffanys were medium-sized, elegant but not extremely built (semi-foreign type) with a muscular body and 6–12 pounds weight. Typical features included a semi-long, silky coat with little undercoat, a bushy tail, pronounced ruff and "pants" on the hind legs, initially mainly in chocolate brown, later also in colors such as black, blue, cinnamon, or fawn. Characteristic were large, almond to oval-shaped eyes in gold to amber tones, whose color intensified with age.

Character and Behavior

The breed was considered very people-oriented, affectionate, and loyal, actively seeking the proximity of "their" humans, often with the reputation of being rather "dog-like". Chantilly-Tiffanys were social, friendly, gentle, and rather moderately active: they enjoyed playing but also spent much time relaxing on laps or following their caregivers from room to room. Typical were soft, quiet "chirp" sounds and a communicative but not intrusive manner.

Care and Maintenance

Due to the semi-long, fine coat without dense undercoat, grooming was comparatively easy; regular brushing (1–3× per week) was recommended to remove loose hair and prevent knots. In terms of temperament, the breed suited families, singles, and seniors well, as long as sufficient time for attention and interaction was available; long periods alone were considered unfavorable, as the cats bonded strongly with people.

Health and Life Expectancy

Chantilly-Tiffanys were generally described as robust cats with medium to rather high life expectancy of roughly 12–16 years, sometimes with reports up to about 14–16 years. Due to the small population, possible genetic risks were discussed, but reliable breed-specific data is limited; recommended were the usual preventive examinations, weight control, and good dental hygiene as with other domestic cats.

Summary Table

Trait	Description
Origin	USA (late 1960s)
Status	Practically extinct
Other Names	Chantilly, Tiffany, Foreign Longhair
Size	Medium, elegant, semi-foreign type
Weight	6-12 lbs
Coat	Semi-long, silky, little undercoat
Colors	Chocolate brown, black, blue, cinnamon, fawn
Eyes	Large, almond to oval, gold to amber
Temperament	Affectionate, loyal, people-oriented, gentle, social
Activity Level	Moderate - playful but relaxed
Grooming	Moderate - brushing 1-3× per week
Lifespan	12-16 years

The Chantilly-Tiffany, though now extinct, was a beloved breed known for its silky chocolate coat, gentle nature, and dog-like devotion to its human companions.

References

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