York - YOR

This is a preliminary standard. 
Final version is to be approved by the Standard Commission, and will soon be published.

General  

The York Chocolate is a recent American breed of show cat. These cats have a long coat of chocolate or lilac colours. Since this breed was established in New York in 1983, the name York was given to this breed. 

Points 

Head:  

 

20 

Shape  

Top of head 

Medium sized, but appears small in proportion to the body. The shape is a modified wedge, which starts at the nose and continues to the tips of the ears. The forehead is slightly rounded. 

10 

Muzzle and chin 

The muzzle is well defined, elongated and with a smooth contour, but it appears somewhat square because of its pronounced whisker pads. After a soft transition the lines of the wedge are continued. The chin is firm with a gentle contour and forms a straight line with the nose and the upper lip. 

Profile  

Long, straight nose, which is evenly medium broad, with a slight indentation at the level of the eyes. 

Eyes 

The eyes are of medium size, oval shaped and set at a slant towards the nose in harmony with the wedge-shaped lines of the head. The distance between the eyes is at least one eye width. The colour ranges from golden to hazelnut to green, the purer and deeper the colour, the better. 

10 

Ears 

Large, moderately pointed, broad at the base, slightly flared and tilted forward, the inner side is well furnished with tufts. They are set wide apart, with at least one ear's width between and continue the  wedge-shape of the head. 

5 

Body: 

 

20 

Size and boning 

Medium to large size, long with substantial bone structure and firm muscles. 

Torso 

The rib cage and the shoulders are not broader than the hips. 

Neck 

The neck is medium to long. 

Legs and paws 

The legs are long and slender with oval paws and tufts between the toes. The hind legs are higher than the front legs. 

Tail 

The tail is medium to long, broad at the base and slightly tapering to a rounded tip. The tail is fully furnished with flowing hairs. 

5 

Coat: 

 

35 

Length 

The coat is of medium length, fine and glossy, falling down the body smoothly. 

Texture  

The texture is soft and silky with well developed undercoat, which shall not be woolly. The coat is shorter on the shoulders and becomes gradually longer towards the back. A little frill is desirable. 

15 

Colour 

Only chocolate and lilac and variation with white are recognized. The coat is evenly coloured on the entire body, even and solid to the roots, without any shading, without rusty traces, without white brindling or tabby markings in adults. 

15 

Condition  

See general part. 

5 

Total  

 

100 

Special breed faults 

 

 

Without certificates 

A white medallion or a white patch on the belly in cats with solid colour. 

 

Disqualify 

 

 

Remarks 

Ghost markings are permitted in kittens up to 10 months. 

 

Outcross 

None