The Norwegian Forest cat. Norwegian: Norse skogkatter is a breed of domestic cat originating in Northern Europe. This furry, large breed is adapted to a very cold climate, with top coat of glossy, long, water-shedding hairs and a woolly undercoat for insulation. According to legend, the breed’s ancestors may have been a group of short-haired cats brought to Norway by the Vikings around 1000 AD.
Some Norwegian Forest Cats lived on Viking ships to keep the rodent population numbers down, which would keep diseases like the plague away. Their nearest and dearest relative is the Maine Coon Cat in the US which is as big and fluffy like the Norwegian Forest cat.
Catlore ‘when you gaze into a Norwegian cat’s eyes you may catch a glimpse of the faery world.’
Source & Reference:
- Furstinger, Nancy (2005). Norwegian Forest Cats. Edina, Minnesota: Abdo Publishing. ISBN 978-1-59679-267-8
*Folklore, poetry & fiction writer 