Worshipped as beneficent gods in some cultures, they were castigated as the agents of evil in others, including Christianity. In the current culture, cats now represent sensuousness and refinement. Many more people are likely to be allergic to cats than to dogs, because of their sensitivity to a protein in cats' saliva and skin. Cats are naturally hygienic animals, and cover their hair with saliva as part of the fastidious grooming routine. A unique and curiously appealing aspect of the cat's behavior is its ability to relax into deep sleep apparently at will.
Cats sleep an average of sixteen hours a day.
Just why cats sleep so much is not yet properly understood. Just as fashions change with time, the cat fancy, like the breeds themselves, is constantly changing. Those who favor experimentation pursue as many new developments and traits as possible. Purists want to keep breeds as distinct, and often as limited, as possible. Chartreux Possibly originating in Syria, the Chartreux's ancestors would have arrived in France by ship.