Alternate Names: The California Spangled has no other names.
Size: Medium;
Average Weight: Males: 12-15 lbs, Females: 8-10 lbs
Coat & Color Variations:
Classic varieties: Black, brown, blue, bronze, charcoal, red, gold, and silver. Two other special varieties exist as well – the snow leopard and the king spangled.
Life Expectancy: 12+ years
There is no specific genetic health issues for this cat.
Temperament:
Although the California Spangled has a wild appearance they do not have aggression. They are social, affectionate, and gentle. They are energetic though, and will be very active. They enjoy high spaces. Toys with feathers are always a hit. But like all cats, the California Spangled enjoys games in which you take an active role. The spangleds are known for their well-honed intelligence. They also have strong hunting instincts and are quick to pounce on unsuspecting toes, catnip mice, or even the real thing.
Care:
Grooming: The California Spangled need little grooming. Brush the California Spangled weekly. Slightly more brushing may be needed during the fall/spring shedding seasons.
Feeding: The California Spangled needs a well-balanced commercial diet.
Characteristics:
Body: The California Spangled cat is athletic with a long, strong and cylindrical body. Thier eyes medium to large sized, the eyes are almond shaped. Wide open, they are set oblique, which the high cheek bones emphasize. The Spangled’s ears are medium large, are relatively short with a wide base and rounded tips. Thier body is semi-foreign in type, long, slender, and muscled. It may also seem heavier than it really is. The California Spangled medium long legs are well muscled and strongly boned. The feet are large and round with prominent toes. The tail is medium and equally thick from base to tip.
Coat: The California Spangled coat is short and soft, except on the tail and underside where fur is longer. Spots cover back and flanks, with fine stripes from top of the head to the shoulders. Their hair is short and close lying on the face, neck, back and flanks, the coat can be slightly longer on tail and abdomen. The spots themselves are dark, well-defined, and sharply contrasted to the background color.
The two special coat varieties: The snow leopard has a light background, vivid spots, and blue eyes. Born white, the snow leopard develops markings as it matures. The king spangled resembles the endangered king cheetah. At birth, the king spangled is completely black except for the face, legs and underbelly. In adulthood, strap-like segments and rows of diamond-shaped markings join at the cat’s sides. The face shows pale tear-stain markings which extend from the inner corner of the eye down to the outer edge of the mouth.
Origins:
The California Spangled was specifically bred to resemble spotted wildcats such as the ocelot and leopard. In 1971, while breed creator, Paul Casey, was in Africa he had discovered that one of the last breeding leopards in the region he was visiting had recently been killed by poachers. After discussing ways of raising awareness about the plight of big cats in the wild, Paul realized that people would have a far stronger emotional reaction to the cause if they could see a wild cat reflected in their beloved domestic pet.
So Paul Casey began a long breeding and selection program in the following years during the 1970s. He drew up an 11-generation blueprint for his lap-sized leopard, crossing Siamese, British shorthairs, American shorthairs, (spotted) Manx, Abyssinians, plus a line of Egyptian and Asian street cats. The breed was formally introduced in 1986.
Ironically, the spangled cat is one of the rarest domesticated cat breeds. After much research it seems like the California Spangled may not be available anymore after the death of Paul Casey in 2007. Due to the ridiculously rareness of the California Spangled, if you are a breeder, please contact us for free directory listing.
Cost:
The cost may vary greatly from breeder to breeder. The cost may or may not also include other services such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, shipping… etc. Some breeders may also have retired breeding adults available for a much lower fee.
The average cost for a pet California Spangled is $800 +. The average cost for a breeding/show quality California Spangled is $800-$2,500+.
Interesting California Spangled Facts:
The California Spangle was first introduced on the cover of Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog in 1986. The cats were featured in a two-page spread as “his and hers” gifts priced at $1400 each.
One of the most expensive cats ever sold was a California Spangled, at $24,000.
