EGYPTIAN MAU
Standard of Excellence
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
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The Egyptian Mau is the only natural domestic breed of spotted cat. The body is graceful, showing well-developed muscular strength. It strikes a balance between the heftiness of the cobby and svelteness of the oriental types. It is an alert, active, strong, colourful cat of medium size. It should be well balanced physically and temperamentally. General balance is more to be desired than size alone.
| Head
| Shape
| Medium length, slightly modified wedge without flat planes. Cheeks are not full.
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| Ears
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Medium to medium large, moderately pointed, broad at base. Upstanding with ample width between ears. Set well-back on head, cupped forward, alert. Short, close lying hair on outside, may have lynx tips.
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| Eyes
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Large, rounded almond shape. Aperture is level in head with slight upward slant to lower lid. Neither round nor oriental. Gooseberry green (light green) colour preferred. Allow for slow development. Amber cast acceptable in kittens and young adults up to 18 months of age.
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| Muzzle
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Medium rounded, neither short nor pointed, rounded planes blending with overall head shape. Allow for jowls in mature males.
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| Nose
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Even in width throughout length.
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| Profile
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Gentle rise from bridge of nose to forehead which then flows into arched neck without a break.
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| Body
| Torso
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Balance between cobby and foreign types. Medium in size. Medium-long in length. The shoulder blades are high and angulated. There is a loose skin flap (belly flap).
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| Legs
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Medium in length, with hind legs proportionately longer. Medium boning with well-developed musculature. The hind legs are longer than the front, but carried flexed so the back is level.
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| Feet
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Slightly oval, almost round. Small in size, with very long toes on back feet.
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| Tail
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Medium length, medium at base, with slight taper.
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| Boning
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Medium.
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| Musculature
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Well-developed.
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| Coat
| Length
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Medium, long enough to carry two bands of ticking.
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| Texture
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Fine, silky, resilient and close-lying.
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