EGYPTIAN MAU
HISTORY
HISTORY
Egyptian Maus are the oldest breed of
domesticated cat. A descendant of the
African wild cat, Maus were an integral
part of life in Ancient Egypt, both as
treasured family members and working hunters. Pharoahs
often had their companion Maus mumified and buried with
them in their royal tombs so the cats could accompany
them in the afterlife. Maus were so treasured in ancient
times that families would shave their eyebrows in mourning
upon their death. They have survived in Egypt, and
although their lofty status has suffered in their native land,
they can be seen running still through the streets of Cairo
today.
domesticated cat. A descendant of the
African wild cat, Maus were an integral
part of life in Ancient Egypt, both as
treasured family members and working hunters. Pharoahs
often had their companion Maus mumified and buried with
them in their royal tombs so the cats could accompany
them in the afterlife. Maus were so treasured in ancient
times that families would shave their eyebrows in mourning
upon their death. They have survived in Egypt, and
although their lofty status has suffered in their native land,
they can be seen running still through the streets of Cairo
today.
The Egyptian Mau as we know them today were
brought to the United States from Italy by the Russian
Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy. Her efforts to
preserve the breed took the name of Fatima cattery,
and her work won Maus recognition formally by CFA
in 1968. The Traditional lines are now largely mixed
with Egyptian Imports and the Indian lines brought to
this country by Jean Mill, who also used those Indian
Maus to found the Bengal Breed. The diversity of the
gene pool was helped immensely by the confluence of
the three lines, and modern Maus enjoy vitality and
health.
brought to the United States from Italy by the Russian
Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy. Her efforts to
preserve the breed took the name of Fatima cattery,
and her work won Maus recognition formally by CFA
in 1968. The Traditional lines are now largely mixed
with Egyptian Imports and the Indian lines brought to
this country by Jean Mill, who also used those Indian
Maus to found the Bengal Breed. The diversity of the
gene pool was helped immensely by the confluence of
the three lines, and modern Maus enjoy vitality and
health.
