The Snowshoe is a rare breed of domestic cat originating in the United States of America in the 1960s.

Snowshoes were first produced when a Siamese breeder's cat gave birth to three kittens with white feet.

Despite having existed for 45 years, Snowshoes are rare due to the difficulty of reproducing the correct coat markings.

[2] Intrigued by their looks, she began working to breed cats like them, using seal point Siamese with bicolour American Shorthairs.

[3] Other breeders joined Olander, Hoffman, and Kuhnell, and they obtained the champion status from the CFF in 1983.

[2] Snowshoes are also fully recognised by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe),[4] and the Cat Fanciers Federation.

[2][3] The Snowshoe's pattern relies on recessive genes and other factors to produce desired results.

Snowshoe cats come in blue, lilac, lynx, fawn, chocolate, and seal points.

Unlike standard Colorpoint Shorthairs, however, Snowshoe point gradients end in sharply-contrasting white tips on the paws and nose/muzzle.

[10] The Snowshoe's coat should be of medium to short in length, and should be bright and smooth with no noticeable undercoat.

[3] The cats are also noted as being intelligent; they can learn to open various types of doors, and can be taught tricks, especially fetch.