Aphrodite giant
The Aphrodite Giant, or Cyprus cat, is a landrace from the Troodos mountains of Cyprus, where cats have lived since at least the Neolithic — the oldest known human-cat burial, around 9,500 years old, was found on the island.
It weighs 4 to 9 kilograms, making it one of the larger natural cats, with a semi-long coat, a long muscular body and hind legs slightly longer than the front, suited to mountain ground. It matures very slowly, taking three to four years to reach full size. It is rare outside Cyprus and Greece, and being a landrace rather than a constructed breed it has a wide gene pool and no known breed-specific disease.
- Origin
- Troodos mountains, Cyprus — an ancient landrace
- Size
- 4–9 kg; males much larger
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Semi-long, weather-resistant
- Maturity
- Slow — three to four years to full size
- Health
- Broad natural gene pool; no known inherited conditions
2 aphrodite giant photos, newest first
Living with a aphrodite giant
Feed as a growing cat for longer than usual. Three to four years to maturity means the nutritional needs of a youngster persist well past the point most cats have finished.
The semi-long coat wants brushing twice a week, more when it moults.
They are athletic mountain cats and want height, climbing and real activity. A cat tree that reaches the ceiling is used, not ignored.
As a landrace there is no breed-specific screening to request, and general health is good.
They are rare outside their home range, so acquiring one usually means importing, and buyers should check that any breeder is registered with a recognised body rather than simply exporting local cats.
General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual cats vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.
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