The First Titled NFCs in the UK
A historic record of the very first Norwegian Forest Cats in Britain to earn each of the major GCCF titles — the pioneers who led the breed from imported rarity to established Championship status. The cats below are listed in the order in which they made breed history.
PR. Vieuxtemps Impromptu
Bred and owned by Mary-Rose Douglas, UK. Imp was the first Norwegian Forest Cat to gain Premier and the first titled cat of the breed in the UK, gaining his title at the Three Counties show in August 1997.
CH. Skovmus Felis Jubatus
Bred by Jette Eva Madsen and Martin Kristensen of Denmark; owned by Mary-Rose Douglas. Mouse was the first Norwegian Forest Cat to gain the title of Champion in the UK, winning her title at the Bucks, Oxon and Berks show in September 1997.
UK Grand Premier Maysula Helenya
Bred by Roger and Doreen Dobson, UK; owned by Shirley and Ivan Layzell. Maisie was the first female UK Grand Premier, gaining her UK title at the Supreme show in 1999. She was also the very first Grand titled NFC, gained at the Somerset Cat Club show in 1998.
UK Grand Champion Kyrrekatt Claire
Bred and owned by Eileen and Brian Hancock. Claire was the first UK Grand Champion in the breed, gaining her UK title at the Supreme show in 2001. Claire was also the first Grand Champion of the breed, gaining that title in 1998.
Grand Champion / Grand Premier Tindrende Phantom
Bred and owned by Janice Llewellyn and Phil Dark, UK. Phantom was the first cat in the breed to gain both Grand Champion and Grand Premier titles in the UK. He gained his titles in 1999.
UK Grand Premier / Champion Klatringkatt Merlin
Bred and owned by Vanda Clunas, UK. Merlin was the first male UK Grand Premier, gaining his UK title at the Supreme in 2000. He went on to become the first cat in the breed to hold two titles — Champion (1997) and Premier (1998) — and was also the first male in the breed to achieve the title of Champion.
Spotted a missing pioneer?
If you know of a Norwegian Forest Cat who was first to gain a major GCCF title and isn’t listed above, we’d like to hear about it. Please send a brief outline and a photograph to the Roll of Honour co-ordinator and we’ll add them to the record.