Furriq

Cat Breed Guide

Havana Brown

Medium · United Kingdom (1950s)

A medium-size cat in a solid rich brown coat, with green eyes, brown whiskers, and a muzzle that stands apart from the rest of the face. Bred in England from Siamese and black domestic crosses, the Havana Brown is intelligent, affectionate, and rarer than its looks suggest.

Quick Facts

Size
Medium
Weight
6–10 lbs (2.7–4.5 kg)
Lifespan
10–15 years
Origin
United Kingdom (1950s)

Key Visual Markers

  • Solid rich warm brown coat, the same shade through the hair shaft, with no white, no tabby, and no shading. The brown even covers the whiskers, nose leather, and paw pads.
  • Distinctive muzzle: narrow and rounded with a pronounced whisker break, and a chin that makes the profile look almost square. Nose tip and chin line up nearly perpendicular.
  • Vivid green eyes, oval and wide-set. Any deep level of green qualifies, and deeper color scores higher in the show ring.
  • Large ears, round-tipped, cupped at the base, and tilted forward, with little hair inside or outside.
  • Medium torso, firm and muscular, standing relatively high on straight legs, with hind legs slightly longer than the front. The tail is medium, slender, and tapering.
  • Short-to-medium coat, smooth and lustrous, with no undercoat.

Temperament & Traits

  • Intelligent and inquisitive, but watches and waits rather than forcing its way into things
  • Uses its paws to communicate, reaching out to touch people and investigate new objects
  • Moderately active and playful; some bond to one person, others greet everyone
  • Gets along with other cats and dogs, often curling up to sleep in a pile
  • Quiet and affectionate; breeders often recommend getting two for company

Health Notes

  • No breed-specific genetic conditions are documented. Veterinary sources describe the Havana Brown as overall healthy, with nothing unique to the breed.
  • Obesity and diabetes. Excess weight is the main health threat, raising the risk of diabetes, lower urinary tract disease, and arthritis; portion control matters.
  • Calcium oxalate stones. Some sources note a tendency toward calcium oxalate urinary stones; a high-moisture diet and fresh water help prevent them.
  • Dental disease. Regular brushing and annual cleanings are advised, as with any cat.
  • Small gene pool. The breed is rare; CFA approved a regulated outcrossing program in 2019 using Oriental Shorthairs, point Siamese, and black or blue domestic shorthairs, so buyers should seek breeders who DNA-test their cats.

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a veterinarian for health advice specific to your cat.

Similar Breeds

Havana Brown is often confused with these breeds. Here's how to tell them apart:

Burmese

Burmese come in sable, champagne, blue, and platinum with gold or yellow eyes and a rounder head. Havana Browns are only chocolate brown with green eyes and a narrow muzzle, and their whisker break is far more pronounced.

Oriental Shorthair

Orientals have a long wedge head, big pointed ears, and come in 300-plus colors. Havana Browns have a rounded muzzle, a defined stop, and are restricted to chocolate brown with green eyes.

Bombay

Bombays are solid black with copper eyes and a short, flat muzzle. Havana Browns are chocolate with green eyes and a distinctly narrow, square-ended muzzle.

Explore Other Breeds

Not sure this is the right breed for you? Check out other popular cat breeds below.

Norwegian Forest Cat

A large, sturdy cat built for cold northern winters — thick water-repellent double coat, triangular head, friendly but independent. Originally working farm cats in Norway, they climb, hunt, and remain deeply loyal to their families without being fussy about it.

Abyssinian

One of the oldest cat breeds, the Abyssinian wears a uniquely ticked coat — each hair striped with alternating bands of color. Slim, muscular, and endlessly curious, these cats stay kittenish well into old age. They bond deeply with their people and hate being left alone.

Russian Blue

A blue-gray short-hair with a shimmering silver sheen and vivid green eyes. Russian Blues are reserved with strangers but deeply affectionate with their own people — quiet, gentle, and sensitive. The breed’s double coat stands up from the body, giving the cat a plush, velvety feel that cat breeders call "the smile under the hand."

Scottish Fold

A sweet-faced cat with ears folded forward and down, giving the head a round, owl-like silhouette. Calm, adaptable, and teddy-bear soft — Scottish Folds live up to their appearance. The folded ears trace back to a natural dominant mutation first found in a barn cat in Scotland in 1961.

Persian

The quintessential lap cat — famous for its luxurious long coat, large round eyes, and sweet, placid temperament. Persians are the most popular pedigreed cat breed worldwide, prized for their serene, gentle nature and unmistakable flat-faced (brachycephalic) profile.

British Shorthair

A sturdy, round-faced cat with a dense plush coat and a calm, undemanding personality. The British Blue — a solid blue-gray coat with copper eyes — is the breed’s most recognized look, but British Shorthairs come in many colors and patterns.