The Snowshoe cat is a somewhat new breed. These cats date back to the 1960s. Dorothy Hinds-Daugherty, an American breeder of Siamese cats, found three unique kittens in one of her litters. These kittens had four white paws, which gave them a unique look when combined with the typically pointed markings.  This caught her eye, and she decided to cross these cats with an American Shorthair cat with tuxedo markings. Her goal was to develop this look. In time, a new and distinct breed developed; the beautiful Snowshoe. There was only one breeder in the 1970s in the US. However, they are becoming increasingly popular. The Cat Fanciers’ Federation recognized them in 1982, and the International Cat Association in 1994.