Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The York cat breed was formed in the second half of the 20th century and belongs to the relatively rare and valuable varieties of domestic cats. It received its name in honor of the English city of York, where the first representatives were officially registered in the breeding book. Mentions of cats with a similar coat color and fur texture can be found as early as the late 19th century, but selective breeding was consolidated much later. The main goal of breeders was to create an elegant and harmonious cat with a dense, silky coat and a balanced temperament. Today, the York is valued for its beauty, calm nature, and growing popularity among breeders and enthusiasts.
General Appearance
The York cat gives the impression of a harmoniously built, elegant, and proportionate animal with a distinct breed individuality. It is medium-sized, well-muscled, yet neither coarse nor heavy. All body lines are smooth and rounded, and the silhouette is balanced. The coat plays a key role in the breed’s overall appearance: it is dense, silky, with characteristic luster and rich texture. The head is rounded with soft contours; the eyes are expressive and large, giving the cat an open and friendly expression. The York demonstrates elegance in motion and a noble bearing, emphasizing its decorative and show quality.
Important Proportions
The main proportions of the York breed are the harmony of the body and head, balance of all parts, and the absence of disharmonious features. The head should be proportional to the body, with smooth, rounded lines and a gentle transition from forehead to nose. The body length slightly exceeds its height, giving the cat an elegant and elongated appearance without heaviness. Limbs are of medium length, slender and proportionate to the body. The tail should be about two-thirds of the body length and complete the overall silhouette. The coat is evenly distributed, accentuating the body’s shape without creating excessive volume. All proportions form a harmonious and finished appearance.
Behavior and Temperament
The York cat has a calm, even-tempered, and friendly disposition. This breed adapts easily to various living conditions, coexists well with other animals, and shows affection toward humans. The York is not prone to aggression, displays curiosity and intelligence. It is sociable but not intrusive, enjoys attention while retaining independence. The breed is patient and tactful, making it an excellent companion for families with children. These cats are valued for their innate cleanliness, gentle temperament, and ability to form close emotional bonds with their owners, combining friendliness with nobility.
Head
The head of the York cat is medium in size, harmoniously matching the body, with soft, rounded lines and smooth transitions. The skull is slightly arched, without rough angles or sharp edges. The forehead is broad, smoothly merging into a short and neat muzzle. Cheekbones are pronounced but not coarse, emphasizing the rounded form. The chin is strong and well-developed but not protruding. The overall head shape gives an impression of noble softness and elegance. The balance between skull, muzzle, and eyes gives the breed an open and friendly appearance.
Facial Part
The facial part of the York is neat and expressive, with soft contours. The muzzle is short, rounded, neither pointed nor excessively elongated, and its length harmonizes with the overall silhouette of the head. The nose is straight, of medium length, with a gentle transition from the forehead. The nose tip may be slightly rounded. The cheekbones are smooth, moderately wide, emphasizing the expressiveness of the muzzle. The chin is firm and symmetrical, matching the line of the profile. The entire facial area conveys harmony, softness, and noble roundness.
Eyes
The York’s eyes are large, wide open, and expressive, round in shape. They are set at an average distance from each other, highlighting the balanced appearance of the face. The gaze is always friendly, open, and lively, giving the breed a special charm. The eye color is deep and rich, corresponding to the coat color. Different shades are allowed, but purity and brightness of tone are always valued. The eye rim is neat, accentuating expressiveness. Thanks to their large and shining eyes, York cats appear intelligent, attentive, and emotionally warm.
Ears
The ears of the York are medium-sized, proportionate to the head, with softly rounded tips. Their placement is moderately high, and the distance between the ears is balanced, emphasizing the harmony of the head. The ear shape is gently rounded, without sharp points. The inner surface is covered with fine hair. The ears must always be clean and tidy, blending naturally into the general facial silhouette without distracting from the eyes. They lend the cat a noble and attentive expression, completing the soft lines of the head and giving the face a harmonious look.
Neck
The York’s neck is of medium length, smoothly connecting the head and the body. It should be firm yet graceful, without signs of heaviness or roughness. The neck line is soft and curved, emphasizing the cat’s harmonious silhouette. The coat in the neck area is dense and silky, creating a light “frame” effect that highlights the head. The neck must be proportional to the body, naturally integrated into the overall appearance, ensuring elegance of outline.
Body
The body of the York cat is medium-sized, elongated, and proportionate, with smooth lines. The chest is rounded and sufficiently deep, the back straight and strong. Shoulders and hips are balanced, giving the silhouette harmony without coarseness or heaviness. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing lightness and grace. The musculature is well-developed but not excessive. The body should convey the impression of a graceful, elegant, and healthy animal.
Tail
The tail of the York is of medium length, in harmony with the body, about two-thirds of its length. The base is strong, gradually tapering toward the tip. The line of the tail is smooth and straight, without kinks or bends. The tail should be flexible and mobile, emphasizing the cat’s grace. When at rest, the tail is held naturally; in motion, it acts as a balance. The fur on the tail is dense and even, enhancing the cat’s overall elegance.
Front Limbs
The front limbs of the York are of medium length, slender and graceful, yet strong and stable. The bone structure is fine but strong enough to support the body. Paws are rounded, compact, with firm pads. Shoulders and elbows are correctly positioned, neither turned outward nor inward. During movement, the forelegs are straight and parallel. Their proportions and stability provide the cat with confidence, lightness, and fluidity of gait.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs of the York are slightly longer than the front ones, giving the body an elegant, lifted appearance. The thighs are muscular but not heavy, knees strong and correctly angled. The shanks are slender with a smooth outline. Paws are neat, rounded, with firm pads. When standing, the hind legs should be straight and parallel. This structure ensures stability, springiness, and powerful jumping ability. Movements are light, graceful, and elastic.
Gait and Movement
The York’s gait is smooth, soft, and graceful. Movements are free, confident, and light, creating an impression of harmony and elegance. The front and hind limbs work in coordination, with an even stride and good reach. During movement, the tail is used as a counterbalance, emphasizing flexibility. There should be no stiffness or tension. The gait demonstrates strength, stability, and elasticity, while maintaining refinement.
Coat
The coat of the York is dense, silky, and of medium length, with a characteristic soft sheen. The texture is smooth and pleasant to the touch, never coarse or fluffy. The undercoat is moderate, not heavy, merely emphasizing body shape. The hair is evenly distributed over the body, lying close without forming tangles. The breed’s hallmark is the healthy shine and silky smoothness of its coat.
Accepted Colors
Accepted colors for the York include a wide range of solid and combined shades. Uniform tones with rich pigmentation harmonizing with the eye color are preferred. Silver, golden, blue, and cream variations are acceptable, as well as clearly patterned tabby types. White markings are allowed but should remain minimal and not disturb color harmony. The coat color should be clean, evenly distributed, without patches or blurriness.
Size
The York is a medium-sized breed. Males are larger, with a stronger body and more developed musculature. Their weight usually ranges from 4 to 6 kg, while females weigh between 3 and 4.5 kg. Height at the withers is proportional to the body length, emphasizing harmony. All cats should appear balanced and elegant, without signs of heaviness or excessive delicacy.
Faults
Faults in the York breed include any deviations disrupting harmony or breed type. These may include an excessively large or small head disproportionate to the body, a coarse or overly elongated torso, a weak or narrow chest. Undesirable features are excessive heaviness or thinness, weak bone structure, or limb curvature. Faults also include overly large or small ears, incorrect ear set, unbalanced eye shape, overly bulging or too almond-shaped eyes, and a weak or narrow chin. Coat faults include dull coloration, sparse fur, excessive fluffiness, or coarse texture. Blurred or uneven color, patches, and uneven pigmentation are also considered faults. Behavioral issues such as excessive aggression, shyness, or unstable temperament are likewise undesirable.
Disqualification
A York cat may be disqualified for serious defects affecting conformation or health. These include evident deformities of the head or body, visible tail breaks or shortening, and congenital limb defects. Cross-eyed cats, incorrect bites, missing teeth, or severe eye or ear deformities are disqualifying. Colors that completely contradict the standard, such as large white patches, mismatched tones, or lack of the characteristic coat shine, lead to exclusion. Animals with hereditary or genetic defects, serious illnesses, or psychological abnormalities are disqualified. Aggressiveness toward humans, uncontrollable fearfulness, or refusal to interact are also grounds for disqualification. Most importantly, absence of official ICCF documents confirming pedigree and breed purity disqualifies a cat from shows and breeding.
Important Notes
Within the ICCF system, special attention is paid to maintaining the health and breed type of the York. Breeders must conduct breeding responsibly to avoid genetic diseases, carefully select pairs, and consider color genetics. Animals with structural or behavioral defects are excluded from breeding. Proper coat care is essential — regular grooming, balanced nutrition, and veterinary supervision. Temperament balance is equally important: cats must remain friendly, stable, and sociable. In shows and breeding programs, not only conformation but also health, grooming, and coat condition are evaluated. Participation is allowed only with official ICCF documents confirming origin, ensuring breed purity and quality.
Conclusion
The York cat is an elegant and harmonious breed combining beauty and gentle temperament. It is valued for its expressive appearance, silky coat, and balanced nature, making it an excellent companion and show animal. The ICCF standard defines strict requirements for conformation, proportions, coat quality, temperament, and health. Participation in shows and breeding is possible only with official ICCF documents confirming origin and breed authenticity. This guarantees quality control, prevents defects, and maintains the high standard of the breed. Breeding should preserve proportional harmony, coat elegance, and balanced temperament — traits that make York cats truly unique representatives of their kind. Through responsible breeding and care, York cats continue to embody grace and bring joy to their owners around the world.
