Breed Profile
A rare gem of the feline world, the Chantilly-Tiffany is a semi-longhaired beauty known for its luxurious chocolate coat and gentle, chirping voice. Often confused with other breeds, this cat is a unique treasure for those lucky enough to find one.
⚡ Quick Look
The Chantilly is a moderate cat in every way—not too active, not too lazy. They are affectionate “lap cats” who love to converse with their owners using soft trills and chirps rather than loud meows.
History & Origin: The Accidental Beauty
The history of the Chantilly-Tiffany is a tale of mistaken identity and near-extinction. It began in 1967 in New York, when Jennie Robinson purchased two chocolate-colored cats of unknown origin named Thomas and Shirley. They produced kittens with the same stunning chocolate coat and golden eyes.
Originally registered as “Foreign Longhairs,” the breed was thought to be related to the Burmese, but blood tests proved otherwise. In the 1980s, the breed was revitalized and renamed “Tiffany,” causing confusion with the British Tiffanie. To clarify, “Chantilly” was added. Today, the breed is extremely rare and faces the threat of extinction, maintained by a small group of dedicated breeders.
Personality: The Sweet Conversationalist
Chantilly-Tiffanys are renowned for their sweet, gentle nature. They are not demanding but deeply devoted. They tend to bond closely with one or two family members and will follow them from room to room.
🎵 Soft Voices
Instead of loud meows, they “talk” in trills, chirps, and pigeon-like coos. It’s a delightful sound that owners fall in love with.
🤝 Loyal Companions
They can be shy with strangers but are cuddly and loving with their chosen humans. They don’t like being left alone for long periods.
They are playful but not hyperactive. A feather wand or a ball to chase is enough exercise, followed by a long nap on your lap.
Appearance: Chocolate Luxury
The Chantilly is a medium-sized cat with a semi-foreign body type—elegant but substantial. Their most striking feature is their coat.
- Coat: Semi-long, silky, and lacking a downy undercoat, which makes it less prone to matting than other longhairs. It has a beautiful plumed tail and a ruff around the neck.
- Colors: While the original and most prized color is a rich, warm chocolate, they also come in blue, cinnamon, lilac, and fawn.
- Eyes: Oval-shaped and set wide apart, typically gold, yellow, or amber, intensifying with age.
Health & Care
Chantilly-Tiffanys are generally healthy cats with few breed-specific genetic problems. However, their rarity means the gene pool is small.
Care Requirements:
- Grooming: Despite the long hair, grooming is easy because they lack a thick undercoat. Brushing twice a week is sufficient to prevent tangles and reduce shedding.
- Ears: They have significant ear furnishings (hair inside ears), so regular ear checks and cleaning are important to prevent wax buildup.
- Diet: Some Chantillys are known to have sensitive stomachs. A high-quality, easily digestible diet is recommended.
Is the Chantilly-Tiffany Right for You?
If you are looking for a calm, affectionate, and beautiful companion who will chirp back when you talk to them, the Chantilly is perfect. They thrive in quieter homes where they can be the center of attention.
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This cat is very attractive because of its long, silky and different colors and shades of its fur. Chantilly Cat requires occasional grooming. Basically, they are healthy and it has no specific breed problems. However, their ears must be cleaned and checked regularly to avoid waxing that might cause infection. They are charming, loyal to their owners, affectionate, intelligent, demanding and friendly. They are get along with other pets and especially with children. They are calm and they speak to their loved ones in soft, sweet voice and respond well. Chantilly cats do not want to be alone for long period of time. They like to snuggle and follow the people around the house.
This is just SO wrong ! There is NO Burmese in Chantilly. That was a misunderstanding a long,long time ago, and is no longer a description of a Chantilly’s history. I am one of very,very few breeders of Chantilly, and the solid Chocolate cat ,filmed together with the tabby, in AP’s video, is my Frosty. I adopted him from his breeder in USA, and he is part of a deperate attempt to save this beautiful breed. But again : Burmese has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Chantilly !
Hi! I recently found a tiny little kitten. It has an unusual coat, blackish brown with a sprinkling of very sparse longer silver/white hairs on it’s belly and legs. I have been googling kitten images for days and finally found a kitten that looks almost identical if a few weeks older. It was a Chantilly-Tiffany. I was wondering if anyone here might be able to look at a few photos of it and see if they think my kitten could be this breed. I’d be happy to text or email pics of her. (I believe it’s female, it’s probably only 3-4 weeks old) thanks for any help! My email is [email protected]
Absolutely no Burmese in the Chantilly Tiffany which was the result of a breeding program for chocolate Angoras in Europe. I am one of the original two Canadians who worked with breed development!
wow! I didn’t know anyone was still breeding Chantilly/Tiffany cats. I purchased my breeders from Tracy many years ago. I showed them in ACFA and loved the breed. Sweetables Cattery . I had over 22 chantilly cats at one time. My mother also worked on this breeding program ..Purrplace cattery. I have one cat that is half chantilly left after all these years.
I got Midnight last year as a pound cat. She was picked up pregnant. I hope her kittens found good homes. Definitly a bit feisty getting her into the carrier the first time A couple months later Roger, a spotty mackrel oriental became part of the household. Midnight may have had some stress in her life. She is social, but on her terms. Quite likely to take a swing at you unless approached the right way. She’s trusted me more over time, but doscile, a word used for the breed, she is not. Roger looks at the world as full of toys. There’s been mutual respect between them from the beginning, but She has spit and hissed at him a bit when he has chased her. She does occasionally stalk and attack him as well. Which he is unused to. She will come in low against this tall long kitty and make him retreat. One thing I don’t see mentioned about the breed is how she will camoflage herself with plant debris when outdoors.
She is now about four years old, and Roger just had his first birthday. I’m hoping all three of us hang around for a few decades.
I have a Chantilly/Tiffany and come to find out, this type of breed is genetically disposed to having urinary problems if not given the right diet. Other than that, the characteristics are spot on and great with my two young children.
Hi I have to agree with Ed. My Chantilly docile she is not lol she has serious trust issues, doesn’t like strangers & torments our other cat. She doesn’t like kids either & doesn’t like being picked up but enjoys occasional lap time. She thinks my room & bed belongs to her. She follows me around everywhere but makes out it’s just a coincidence that we’re always in the same room. Her personality is unique. She’s such a contradiction in terms. Pretty but feisty, slowish but stealthy,, big but not a big eater, loving but nasty lol we just love her to bits
I rescured what I believe to have been a Chantilly, but had no idea of the breed, I just though he was a beautiful long haired black car. I had him for 16 years and would love to have another one. Felix was an incredible cat. He attached himself to me and would sleep on my arm at night. He adapted to any situation he was put in. We moved 5 times while we had him and it never phased him. Yes, he was very talkative which was adorable. I also believe I saw one in KS in a cat adoption center but because I was from IL they didn’t really want to adopt her to me. She looked just like my Felix.
Did you ever find out of your kitten is a chantilly? I adopted a cat found in a junkyard and I’m pretty sure she’s also a chantilly. She’s got all the characteristics. And she is the nicest, most adaptable, friendly kitty I’ve ever known. How you and your kitten are enjoying a similar life together :)
I have a lovely Chantilly named Leo. he is developing a lot of black flecks in his beautiful golden eyes. This has been occurring over time – he is now 12 yrs old and healthy. when he had his recent check up the young vet was worried this is melanoma yet the previous vet who has retired had commented years past that this was normal for this breed.
Just hoping to get some information . I can send photo.
I have a chantilly. She is about 10 yrs. old. She is a great cat. i want another one when she dies. I doubt i will find one.