York Chocolate

Also called York

Historic typeShort profile

From A goat dairy farm in Grafton, New York, United States (1983).1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male4.5 to 6.8 kg2

Weight, female2.7 to 4.5 kg2

Lifespan13 to 15 years3

Sizemedium

Messybeast: males 10-15 lb, females 6-10 lb.

even-tempered lap cat

playful and bright

keen hunter

2 3

Coat and looks how to spot one

semi-long, fine, glossy coat

A medium-to-large, long-bodied cat with solid bone, a softened wedge head, large ears and a long tapering tail. The semi-long coat is fine, silky and shiny.1 2

Colourssolid chocolatesolid lilac (lavender)chocolate or lilac with white1 2

Personality what they are like

Friendly and steady with its family, affectionate and fond of laps, yet playful and clever. It could be reserved with strangers.2 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Energetic; enjoyed climbing, scratching posts and chase games.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Regular brushing of the semi-long coat keeps it tidy and tangle-free.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Needs a complete, balanced cat food built around animal protein, with fresh water always available; portion treats so the cat stays trim.3

Company who they like around

Devoted to its people and happiest with company.2 3

The story where it all began

Janet Chiefari's farm cat Brownie, born in 1983, was bred to a half-brother in 1985 and produced chocolate kittens, and a lilac colour followed in 1990. The breed won recognition with several smaller registries but always stayed tiny, with about 60 cats in 2005, and it is now thought to be gone or nearly so.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The breed is named after New York State, where it began.3
2
Many York Chocolates were said to enjoy water, and some played fetch.2
3
By 1989 the founding cattery already housed 27 chocolate cats.2

Recognised by the official bits

CFF: Experimental 1990; championship 19912
CCA (Canada): Standard published 1995, now dormant1
WCF: Approved 20021
IPCBA: Championship 20022

How many about 60 cats1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a York Chocolate. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery 2 days
Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayDaily playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Start a free diary

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

York Chocolate - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, recognition, status, appearance, population
York Chocolate - Messybeast messybeast.comused for history, recognition, weight, temperament, facts
York Chocolate - Cats.com cats.comused for lifespan, activity, grooming

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.