Havana Brown
Discover the history, distinct body types, and unique traits of the Havana Brown cat, from its 1950s origins to its status as an endangered breed today.
The Havana Brown is a rare, solid chocolate short-haired cat breed developed in the 1950s by British fanciers crossing chocolate-carrying Siamese with black domestic cats. The breed exists in two distinct forms today: an extreme Oriental type in the UK and a moderate USA type, with only about 15 registered catteries remaining worldwide as of 2024.
The name comes from cigars, not rabbits
The most widely accepted explanation for the breed's name is that its rich, warm brown coat closely resembles the color of Havana cigars. While some have argued the name derives from the Havana rabbit, which shares a similar hue, historical records from the UK suggest the cigar comparison is the more likely origin. The breed was originally created to be a self-brown cat of Foreign Type, a specific look that required careful genetic selection.
Two different body types exist today
Registries use the name Havana Brown for two very different body types depending on the region. In the UK, the breed retains the extreme Oriental conformation, looking very similar to a solid chocolate Oriental Shorthair. In North America, the breed evolved differently to be moderate in every way, with a rich mahogany color and a head shape that is not a wedge. This divergence occurred because US breeders focused on maintaining the unique head shape of the imported cats without breeding for extremes, while the UK program continued to develop the Oriental type.
British fanciers created the foundation
The breed began in the early 1950s when a group of British cat fanciers, calling themselves The Havana Group, set out to create a self-brown cat. Key figures included Mrs. Armitage Hargreaves, Mrs. Munroe-Smith, the Baroness Von Ullmann, Mrs. Elsie Fisher, and Mrs. Judd. By selectively breeding a Siamese cat carrying the chocolate gene to a black cat also carrying the chocolate gene, they produced the first chestnut-colored kittens. Early attempts included an Oriental Siamese type Russian Blue, but modern genetic testing suggests almost none of that specific bloodline remains in the gene pool.
Genetic problems reshaped the American line
When two kittens were exported to the US in the early days of the breed, the breeding path diverged significantly. Genetic problems began to plague the new breed in the UK, necessitating the use of other breeds for genetic outcrossing, which altered the phenotype. In the US, breeders crossbred with chocolate and seal point Siamese, focusing on producing only self-brown offspring. This approach resolved genetic defects and allowed the breed to gain Championship status in the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1964, the world's largest feline registry.
The Suffolk is a distinct English revival
Early in the 21st century, English breeders attempted to recreate the vision of the original Havana breeders, leading to a new development. In 2011, a registered Havana Brown was imported from Europe and bred back to English Havana Orientals. This effort, combined with selective breeding for type, shifted the look of some English Havanas toward the USA-type. In June 2014, this line gained recognition by the GCCF under the name Suffolk. While the Suffolk uses USA-type Havana Brown genetics, it is a distinct breed closer to the original Chestnut/Havana Oriental than to the modern USA-type Havana Brown.
Appearance requires specific details
A Havana Brown is a well-balanced, muscular cat with a moderately active temperament. The coat must be a warm, reddish-brown with no obvious tabby markings, though kittens will show markings that dissolve completely by one year. Whiskers must be brown, eyes green, and paw pads pink or rose, never black. The head is slightly longer than wide with a distinct stop at the eyes, but never a wedge shape. Sterilized animals may become larger and somewhat chubby, but the breed standard calls for no extreme features.
Behavior is defined by curiosity and attachment
These cats are highly intelligent and use their paws to examine objects and communicate, often placing a paw on a human's thigh to offer a meow of introduction. They are curious, greeting visitors at the door rather than hiding, and rarely become destructive unless left without companionship. While many are lap cats, a significant number prefer to ride on their human's shoulders and assist with daily activities. A unique trait shared by most Havana Browns is their love for playing in and grooming human hair, a behavior so frequent that owners often do not notice it until an observer points it out.
Health and care are straightforward
Grooming requirements are minimal, with a gentle brushing and wiping with a damp cloth once or twice a week being sufficient. There are no known genetic diseases associated with the breed, though they may have a slightly higher occurrence of gingivitis due to their Siamese ancestry. They become very attached to their families and do not thrive when left alone for long periods, often forming strong bonds with family dogs and traveling easily without objection.
The Havana Brown remains a rare and distinctive breed, valued for its unique coat color, moderate body type in the US, and engaging personality. Whether the extreme Oriental type or the moderate USA type, the breed represents a successful effort to create a specific genetic outcome that has survived decades of breeding challenges.