Snowshoe
The Snowshoe is a striking cross of Siamese and bicolour American Shorthair, producing a pointed cat with crisp white "boots" on the feet, an inverted-V blaze on the face, and brilliant blue eyes.
Updated: October 2026
Overview
The Snowshoe is a striking cross of Siamese and bicolour American Shorthair, producing a pointed cat with crisp white "boots" on the feet, an inverted-V blaze on the face, and brilliant blue eyes. Active, intelligent, and vocal in a softer Siamese register, the Snowshoe combines elegance with a sweet personality.
History & Origins
Developed in the 1960s in Philadelphia by breeder Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty when three white-footed kittens appeared in a Siamese litter. The breed attained champion status with the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) in 1990 and was recognised by TICA in 1993.
Appearance
Medium-sized, balanced. 3-5 kg.
- Coat: short, dense, glossy.
- Colour: pointed (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac) with white markings: boots on the feet and an inverted-V blaze on the face.
- Eyes: brilliant blue.
- Head: modified wedge: between Siamese and American Shorthair.
- Body: medium, muscular.
Temperament & Character
Affectionate, vocal, intelligent. Bonds strongly with family. Many enjoy water, fetch, and harness walks. Less intense than Siamese but more interactive than Persians.
Care
Coat & Grooming
Very low-maintenance: weekly rub-down.
Health & Lifespan
14-19 years.
The breed is generally healthy. The white markings can be genetically tricky - symmetrical white is rare, making show-quality Snowshoes uncommon.
Pros & Cons
Pros: striking pattern, affectionate, long-lived, healthy. Cons: uncommon; show-quality markings are hard to breed.
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Snowshoe - frequently asked questions
Are they hypoallergenic?
No. The Snowshoe is not a hypoallergenic breed.
Are they good with kids?
Yes - the Snowshoe generally does well with children.
Snowshoe vs Birman vs Ragdoll?
All pointed with white markings. Snowshoe is shortest-coated, smallest, most vocal. Birman is medium-long with white gloves and laces only. Ragdoll is largest with various white patterns.
Test yourself: guess the cat
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our cats. Can you name them?
Clue 1.This domestic cat was created by crossing house cats with a small wild Asian feline, producing a pet with a strikingly spotted or marbled coat.
It's the Bengal - read the full profile →
Clue 2.With ears that arch back toward the skull, this affectionate feline is nicknamed the Peter Pan of cats for never quite growing up.
It's the American Curl - read the full profile →
Clue 3.Unlike other curly-coated cats, this stocky breed keeps its dense, woolly curls on a full, non-thinning coat.
It's the Selkirk Rex - read the full profile →
Adoptable Snowshoes near you
Real cats of this breed (and close mixes) waiting in shelters and rescues right now, live from Petfinder. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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