York Chocolate
The York Chocolate is a rare American cat breed with a solid chocolate coat, developed in 1983 and now likely extinct or critically low in numbers.
The York Chocolate is likely extinct or exists only in critically low numbers as of 2026, with the last known breeder ending her program in 2016. This rare American breed, established in 1983, is defined by its solid chocolate or lilac coat and a history that has seen it fade from the global stage.
Origins in a New York dairy farm
The breed began in 1983 on Janet Chiefari's goat dairy farm in Grafton, New York, from a female cat named Brownie. Brownie was the offspring of a black-and-white bicolour long-haired domestic and a solid black long-haired domestic. Chiefari noticed similarities in coat and body type among her cats and initiated a selective breeding program. In 1985, Brownie was mated with her half-brother and son, producing the first chocolate-coloured kittens that formed the foundation of the breed.
The dilute form of the coat colour, known as lilac, first appeared in 1990. This variety was described as a rich, warm cocoa tone. Kittens were typically born in a lighter cocoa or chocolate shade, with the coat deepening as they matured, reaching full colour development at approximately 12 to 18 months of age.
Registration history and international recognition
The breed's path to formal recognition was fragmented and short-lived. In March 1990, the Cat Fanciers' Federation (CFF) of New England recognised the York Chocolate as an "experimental" breed, allegedly granting it championship status in March 1992. A breed standard was published in May 1993. The Canadian Cat Association (CCA) supposedly granted champion status in March 1995, but by March 2013, the organisation had stopped advertising the breed, and its standard was labelled as "dormant" as of 2020.
The World Cat Federation (WCF) in Germany recognised the breed in August 2002, though their standard differed from previous versions, with most of the earlier differences now lost. Outside of the WCF, the breed has not been recognised by any other major international cat fancier organisations as of 2026. In Italy, the breed was known as "Il Gatto Cioccolato," and the International York Chocolate Federation was founded in 2003, but it appears to have been dormant since 2004.
Population collapse and current status
At its peak in 2005, there were approximately 60 York Chocolates in existence. The decline was rapid thereafter. The last York Chocolate kitten in France was born in 2010, with only 10 kittens recorded in the country between 2005 and 2010. There are no records of the breed in the WCF Best Cat database, indicating they have not participated in worldwide cat shows since the 2010s. The final blow came in 2016 when Debbie Reber, the last remaining breeder, ended her breeding programme.
As of 2026, it is unknown if any unaltered York Chocolate cats remain alive. If the breed still exists, it must be in critically small numbers, effectively placing it on the brink of extinction.
Physical characteristics and breed standard
The York Chocolate is a medium to large cat with an elongated body, substantial bone structure, and firm musculature. The rib cage and shoulders are not broader than the hips. The legs are long and slender, with the hind legs slightly higher than the forelegs. Paws are oval with tufts between the toes. The tail is medium to long, broad at the base and tapering to a rounded tip, fully furnished with flowing hair.
The head is medium in size but appears relatively small in proportion to the body, forming a modified wedge. The forehead is slightly rounded, and the nose is long, straight, and evenly medium broad with a slight indentation at eye level. The muzzle is elongated and well-defined, though it may appear somewhat square due to pronounced whisker pads. The chin is firm and aligned vertically with the nose and upper lip.
Ears are large, moderately pointed, broad at the base, and set wide apart with at least one ear's width between them. Eyes are medium-sized, oval, and set at a slight slant, with colours ranging from golden and hazelnut to green. The coat is semi-long, fine, and glossy with a soft, silky texture and a well-developed undercoat that is not woolly. The fur is shorter on the shoulders and gradually lengthens towards the back.
Colour variations and faults
Recognised colour varieties include solid chocolate and solid lilac, as well as bicolours with white. In solid-coloured cats, the coat should be evenly coloured to the roots across the entire body, without shading, rusting, white brindling, or tabby markings in adults. Ghost markings are permitted in kittens up to ten months of age. A white medallion or a white patch on the belly in solid-coloured cats constitutes a fault.