The Egyptian Mau stands as a unique treasure in the feline world, distinguished as the only naturally domesticated breed of spotted cat. This breed embodies an active and vibrantly colored feline of medium stature, graced with well-defined musculature. The overall impression of an Egyptian Mau is one of perfect physical harmony, exhibiting an alert and balanced demeanor both physically and temperamentally. Notably, male Egyptian Maus typically exhibit a larger build compared to their female counterparts.
Head Conformation
The head of the Egyptian Mau is characterized by a gently rounded wedge shape, devoid of flat planes and of medium length. It should not present a full-cheeked appearance. In profile, the head displays a subtle contour with a slight elevation from the bridge of the nose to the forehead. When viewed from the front, the nose maintains an even width throughout its length. It is important to allow for the presence of jowls in mature males.
Muzzle and Chin
The muzzle should seamlessly integrate with the wedge shape of the head, avoiding both shortness and pointedness. The chin should be firm and well-defined, neither receding nor protruding.
Ears
The ears are medium to large in size, held in an alert position, and moderately pointed, extending the lines of the head. They are broad at the base and set with ample width between them, exhibiting a slight flare. The hair on the ears is short and closely aligned. The inner ear presents a delicate, almost translucent shell pink hue and may feature tufts.
Eyes
The eyes are large and alert, almond in shape, and subtly slanted towards the ears. The eye apertures are neither round nor oriental in shape. The ideal eye color is a distinctive “gooseberry green.” It’s important to note that eye color transition is expected, with discernible green appearing by eight months of age and full green coloration achieved by one and a half years. Preference is consistently given to greener eyes at all ages within judging standards for the Egyptian Mau Cat.
Body Structure
The body of the Egyptian Mau is medium-long and graceful, showcasing well-developed muscular strength. A distinctive feature is a loose skin flap extending from the flank to the hind leg knee. Balance is paramount, holding greater importance than mere size. Allowance should be made for muscular necks and shoulders, particularly in adult males.
Legs and Feet
The legs and feet are proportionate to the body. The hind legs are proportionally longer, creating the illusion of standing on tip-toe when upright. The feet are small and dainty, slightly oval, almost round in shape. Egyptian Maus have five toes on the front feet and four on the hind feet.
Tail
The tail is medium-long, thick at the base, and tapers slightly towards the tip.
Coat Characteristics
The coat of the Egyptian Mau is medium in length with a lustrous sheen. In smoke-colored varieties, the hair is silky and fine in texture. For silver and bronze Egyptian Mau cats, the coat is dense and resilient, accommodating two or more bands of ticking separated by lighter bands.
Mau Pattern: Spotting and Markings
The defining characteristic of the Egyptian Mau is its distinctive spotted coat pattern, common across all color variations. The markings on the torso are randomly spotted, exhibiting variance in size and shape. Spots can range from small to large, round, oblong, or irregular, all considered of equal merit as long as they are distinct. A good contrast between the pale ground color and the darker markings is essential.
The forehead is marked with a characteristic “M” and frown lines, forming lines between the ears that ideally continue down the back of the neck, breaking into elongated spots along the spine. As these spinal lines reach the rear haunches, they merge into a dorsal stripe extending along the top of the tail to its dark tip. The tail is heavily banded.
The cheeks are adorned with “mascara” lines: the first line starts at the outer corner of the eye and extends along the cheek contour, while a second line begins at the center of the cheek, curving upwards to almost meet below the base of the ear. The upper chest features one or more broken necklaces. Shoulder markings represent a transition between stripes and spots. The upper front legs are heavily barred, though not necessarily matching. Spotting patterns on each side of the torso need not be symmetrical. Haunches and upper hind legs transition from stripes to spots, breaking into bars on the lower leg. The underside of the body displays “vest buttons” – dark spots against the pale ground color.
Egyptian Mau Colors
Eye Color
The eye color is consistently described as “gooseberry green,” a hallmark of the breed.
Silver Egyptian Mau
The Silver Egyptian Mau exhibits a pale silver ground color across the head, shoulders, outer legs, back, and tail, fading to a brilliant pale silver underneath. All markings are charcoal colored, contrasting well against the lighter ground color with a white to pale silver undercoat. The back of the ears is grayish-pink, tipped in black. The nose, lips, and eyes are outlined in black. The upper throat, chin, and area around the nostrils are pale clear silver, appearing almost white. The nose leather is brick red, and paw pads are black, with black extending between and beyond the toes.
Bronze Egyptian Mau
The Bronze Egyptian Mau presents a warm bronze ground color across the head, shoulders, outer legs, back, and tail, darkest on the saddle and lightening to a tawny-buff on the sides. The underside fades to a creamy ivory. Markings are dark brown-black with a warm brown undercoat, providing good contrast. The back of the ears is tawny-pink, tipped in dark brown-black. The nose, lips, and eyes are outlined in dark brown, with a brown bridge of the nose. The upper throat, chin, and area around the nostrils are pale creamy white. Nose leather is brick red, and paw pads are black or dark brown, with the same color between and beyond the toes.
Smoke Egyptian Mau
The Smoke Egyptian Mau features a pale silver ground color across the head, shoulders, legs, tail, and underside, with each hair tipped in black. Markings are jet black, contrasting sufficiently against the ground color with a white to pale silver undercoat. The nose, lips, and eyes are outlined in jet black. The upper throat, chin, and area around the nostrils are the lightest in color. Nose leather and paw pads are black, with black extending between and beyond the toes. Whiskers are black.
Penalties and Disqualifications
Penalties within judging include: a short or round head, pointed muzzle, small, round, or oriental eyes, a cobby or oriental body, a short or whip tail, absence of broken necklaces, pencillings in the spotting pattern on the torso, solid stripes instead of “vest button” spots on the underside, lack of any green in eye color in cats over 1 year 6 months, amber cast in eye color in cats over 1 year 6 months, and poor physical condition.
Disqualifications include: lack of spots, blue eyes, lack of green eye color in cats over 1 year 6 months, mottled or pink paw pads, kinked or abnormal tail, incorrect number of toes, and a white locket or button distinct from acceptable white areas in color sections of the standard.
Conclusion
The Egyptian Mau cat is a captivating breed celebrated for its natural spotted beauty, athletic grace, and distinctive gooseberry green eyes. Understanding the breed standard provides valuable insight into the desired traits and characteristics that define this remarkable feline. Whether you are a breeder, a judge, or simply an admirer of this exquisite cat, appreciating these standards enhances your understanding and appreciation for the unique Egyptian Mau.
