PHARAOH (ALTAI GENE)

This is a blue-eyed breed being developed in Australia by crossing the bobtailed, curl-eared Highland Lynx (TICA name "Highlander") and Altai Maine Coon (a Australian developmental form of European-style Maine Coon with dominant blue eyes). It is a strongly-built, muscular cat with large, loosely curled ears with lynx-tufts. The loose curl of the ears is found in cats heterozygous for the curl gene. The paws may be polydactyl and the tail may be long, or any length of bobtail. It has a broad, strong muzzle and wide-set oval eyes. Both longhair and shorthair forms are bred. Only the black-based colours are accepted and may be solid, tabby or silver/smoke. White spotting is undesirable, but may be unavoidable. In order to maintain the desired conformation, it can only be outcrossed to the Maine Coon (European style).

The photos have been provided by Jake Macmillan and the breed is currently (2021) registered with REFR. The Altai Maine Coon is accepted in Australi as a developmental breed.