<P> The Norwegian Forest Cat is strongly built and larger than an average cat . Adult females of the species will typically weigh in at 3.5 - 4.5 kg (7.7 - 10 lbs), while males tends to weigh in at 5.5 to 7.5 kg (12 - 16.5 lbs). The breed has a long, sturdy body, long legs and a bushy tail . The coat consists of a long, glossy, thick and water - repellent top layer and a woolly undercoat and is thickest at the legs, chest and head . The profile of the breed is generally straight . </P> <P> The head is long with an overall shape similar to an equilateral triangle, a strong chin, and a muzzle of medium length; a square or round - shaped head is considered to be a defect . The eyes are almond shaped and oblique, and may be of any colour . The ears are large, wide at the base, and high set, have a tufted top, are placed in the extension of the triangle formed by the head, and end with a tuft of hair like the ears of the lynx . All coat colors are accepted except chocolate and lilac and the dilutions fawn and cinnamon . Since the cats have very strong claws, they are very good climbers, and can even climb rocks . </P> <P> Norwegian Forest cats have a quiet voice but can develop a loud voice if kept in a house with a dog . They are friendly, intelligent, and generally good with people . The Norwegian Forest cat has a lot of energy and can be very demanding of attention . Those cats that live primarily outdoors become swift and effective hunters, but the breed can also adapt to indoor life . If bought from a registered breeder in the USA, they tend to cost from $550 to $800 . The cats usually live to be 14 to 16 years old . As they are heavy - boned and tall, they require more food than most other domestic breeds . Males are considerably heavier and larger - boned than females . </P> <P> Kidney and heart diseases have been reported in the breed . In an experiment directed by John C. Fyfea, Rebeccah L. Kurzhals, and others, it was concluded that a complex rearrangement in the breed's Glycogen branching enzyme (GBE1) can cause both a perinatal hypoglycemic collapse and a late - juvenile - onset neuromuscular degeneration in glycogen storage disease type IV in the breed . This disorder, while rare, can prove fatal to cats that have it . There are DNA tests available for GSD IV, and it is highly recommended (some cat associations obligate their Norwegian Forest cat breeder members) to carry out the DNA test before using such animals for breeding . PawPeds provide a pedigree database which comes together with health programmes, through publishing each single cat's test result, to provide useful information for breeders to make a well - informed breeding decision . The breed has also been known to suffer from hip dysplasia, which is a rare, partially hereditary disease of the hip joint . </P>

Where do i get a norwegian forest cat