The Chausie is a hybrid between the wild Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) of Asia and domestic cats. It captures the beauty and allure of the wild cats, yet is a suitable house pet.

This is a very active breed. Chausies are very playful, curious and intelligent. They are also very affectionate, but if you are looking for a quiet 'lap cat', this is not the pet for you. The Chausie is a high-energy breed that likes to jump, run, and play. The Chausie delights in climbing to high places within the home. This is not to say it will not make a good house pet, but it does require the appropriate room and space to play. The Chausie gets along well with other animals, particularly if it is raised with them. In fact, it is recommended to have another cat if the Chausie is going to be left alone during the day while the owners are at work.

Because the Chausie is a hybrid between a domestic cat and a wild cat, there is often discussion of F1, F2 and F3 when talking to breeders. These terms are not always common when referring to domestic animals and bear some room for discussion. F1 refers to any progeny of a mating between a wild cat and a domestic. The 1 signifies that these are the first generation from the wild. The F1 cats have 50% wild and 50% domestic blood. F2 refers to the litter of kittens bred from the mating of an F1 with a domestic cat, which equals 25% wild and 75% domestic, these are second-generation cats, hence the 2. The F3s are the subsequent third generation, containing even less wild cat blood. It is important to note that the all F1 males and most F2 males are sterile. The F3 males can sometimes reproduce, but this is not guaranteed.

The Chausie resembles the Jungle Cat in many ways. Breeders are working hard to preserve their wild appearance; from their tufted ears, large size, and glorious colors ranging from pure black (melanistic) or golden to black and silver. They are large cats, typically 14-20, though some as large as 35 pounds have been noted. Their large size and activity level must be considered before purchase.

The Chausie was originally developed in the United States. This is a new breed that has not gained widespread recognition yet. Its popularity is increasing as more and more people have participated in the delight associated with owning a Chausie.

The Chausie requires room to run, play and jump, they do not require an extraordinarily large house, but they must have space. They enjoy seeking high places in your house. If you own many delicate items or do not want a highly energetic cat that will explore your entire house, you may not want a Chausie. They should be allowed to run around the house, as they do not do well if confined to one space.

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