Pharaoh cats were developed in Australia by crossing two existing breeds, Highland Lynx and Maine coon. The foundation Maine coon line, Altai Maine coon, was an Australian accepted developmental breed. Altai Maine coon cats carry a rare dominant blue eye mutation originating from Europe, that can produce blue eyes in cats with any coat colour. This unique phenotype distinguishes Pharaoh from other breeds, which share similar structural mutations.
The Pharaoh name was inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology, specifically the Cat Goddess Bastet and the Jackal god Anubis. The result being a unique and haunting blue-
eyed cat with strong build and appearance, large ear type with loose curl and lynx tuffs, polydactyl paws and prominent square muzzle fitting of the god-like depictions of ancient Egypt.
Head is square and width is medium or broad in mature studs, chin should line up with
the nose and upper lip with broad strong muzzle and high cheekbones.
Eyes should be oval and wide set. All eye colours are accepted with preference of blue
eyes in black, blue and silver coat variants.
Ears should be wide at the base. Large European Maine coon ear type or large ears with loose curl and prominent tufts preferred.
Body is tall and well muscled, long body with medium to large chest and heavy bone
structure, rectangular build preferred.
Tails should be long with a thick base or bobtail. Bobtails can be any length.
Coat can be both short and long hair with long hair being shorter around the head and shoulders, with a ruff around the neck and chest.
Accepted colours are black, blue, chocolate, cinnamon, smoke in solid or tabby variants.
White spotting is accepted but not desired.
Paws are large and round with tuffs between toes, both polydactyl and standard foot
accepted with polydactyl being preferred Breed mutations and restrictions:
All outcrosses of Pharaoh must be to Maine coon to ensure desired type is preserved.
Highland Lynx is not accepted outside of the original foundation line.
Altai blue eye gene is dominant and only to be bred in heterozygous form. Polydactyl gene is dominant and is accepted in all allele variants.
Curl is dominant and preferred in heterozygous form for loose curl.
Bobtail Manx gene is dominant and has no restrictions.
