Types of Cats

The Turkish Angora cat takes its name from the city of Angora, Turkey, now renamed Ankara. European travellers first wrote about the elegant cats in the 1400s and brought them back to Europe....

Siberian cats are relative newcomers to professional cat fanciers' organizations--as well as to the United States. Since the first Siberian cats set paw on American soil in 1990, this breed has...

"Hairless" is not a particular breed of cat, but a category of cat breeds that have the hairless characteristic. Hairlessness is a recessive gene, meaning a cat with hair might produce some...

Contrary to popular belief, calico cats are not a breed or a color of cat. The term "calico" refers to the unique pattern formed on the cat's fur when a genetic "spotting factor" effectively turns...

The ancestor of a modern Russian Blue cat could purr at the feet of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, according to Irina Turina. Since then, the Russian Blue has become a popular show breed and a...

Ragdolls are big, semi-long haired cats that developed in California in the 1960s. They were bred not only to look a certain way, but also to behave a certain way. They are noted for their...

If you prefer cats to dogs, but sometimes wish your cat was more bonded to you, then consider adopting a Manx. This affectionate cat breed is much like a dog in that it follows its owner...

You have decided you want a cat as a pet, now it is time to decide what kind of cat you want. Some people want to go to their shelter and choose a cat that they can rescue which is a wonderful...

A Mancoon cat, more commonly called a Maine Coon cat, is one of the oldest natural cat breeds in North America. The breed was first noticed in the state of Maine, which is how the Maine Coon cats...

The Singapura is a breed that was originally thought to have come from Singapore, hence the name. A few animals were brought to the U.S. by American tourists in the mid '70s. A more in-depth...

The Korat is a Thailand breed that is often associated with good luck because of their silver storm grey coats, and shining eyes. They take their name from the city of Nakhon Ratchasimain, also...

Exotic Shorthairs are wonderful shorthaired versions of the Persian, being hybrids between Persian and American Shorthair cats. They have the flat faces of the Persian but a short plush teddy-bear...

Relatively new to the U.S., the Siberian is a long-haired, sweet-tempered breed of cat native to the coldest areas of Russia. It has enjoyed a huge surge of popularity in the last few years...

While they don’t get the level of publicity that the Westminster Dog Show does, cat shows take place almost every weekend throughout the United States. Your kitty doesn’t have to...

The first two recorded Munchkin cats were found by a school teacher under a pick-up truck in rural Louisiana two decades ago. They take their names from the diminutive munchkins from the story...

Manx cats come from the Isle of Man, which is how they inherit their name. Anybody coming from the Isle of Man may be referred to as a Manx. They are a very energetic and intelligent cat and are...

The Burman or Birman cat is shrouded in mystery. Very little is known about its history although they are considered a sacred animal among certain Buddhist priests. There are very vivid legends...

The Bengal cat is a distinctive breed of domestic, shorthaired cats. They inherited the spotted pattern of their coat from the untamed Asian Leopard cat, located in Central Asia. Although this...

The American Curl is a relatively new breed of cat, which originated in 1981 and received championship class by the Cat Fanciers Association in 1993. The breed originated in California when two...

The American Shorthair is the descendant of the British Shorthair, many of which were brought to the New World by European settlers during the times Colonial America. They were put aboard ships...

The actual origin of the American Bobtail cat is debatable, but most believe it is traceable to a short-tailed brown tabby and a seal point Siamese female. These medium to large-sized cats have...

The originating country for the Turkish Van Cat is, of course, Turkey. They come from the snowy regions of the country near Lake Van and were imported to England in 1955. Although this breed isn't...

American Wirehair cats are a relatively new breed of cats. A cat breeder created the breed after coming across a cat with an unusually coarse coat of fur. It is a truly American breed as the first...

People breed many animals for specific features. In the case of the ocicat, the desired characteristic is this breed's likeness to wild cats such as ocelots, leopards and margays. Ocicats' coats...

Himalayans, also known as Colorpoint Longhairs, were originally brought up to combine the Persian coat and body qualities with the Siamese coloration in one breed. Himalayans are considered very...

Described as being a mix of a monkey and Dennis the Menace in a cat's body, Devon Rex cats are often the delight of owners. The Devon breed is an offshoot of the Cornish Rex breed. Devons are very...

Often described as visually striking, the Egyptian Mau is believed by historians to be the breed domesticated by its namesake culture. Maus are extremely loyal cats. They choose a family and...

Japanese Bobtail cats came to the United States from Japan but are thought to have migrated originally from China or Korea over a thousand years ago. These cats are often depicted in Japanese...

The Maine Coon is a Native American breed. Over time, they have become the point of many conversations and folkloric tall tales. They have been described as elegantly beautiful and are known to...

Norwegian Forest cats, once known as SkogKatts and also known as Wedgies, have mild temperaments. They are gentle cats who are often very good with children and other pets. This breed may have a...

RagaMuffins are known for their stunning appearance and tender disposition. They are often likened to the soft loyalty of lapdogs. These cats appear to crave human attention and are often found in...

Ragdolls, called a pointed breed for their colorations, were specifically bred into their appearance and temperament. They were intended as a large and gentle breed of cat to be good house cats...

Balinese cats are thought to be derived from the Siamese. They have identical body types and colorings, but the Balinese has longer fur, which offers a sleeker appearance. The Balinese breed is...

Birman cats were once believed to be sacred by the people of Burma. After being shipped to France, the Birman breed had a weak start. At the end of World War II, there were only two cats left....

Bombay cats are also called parlor panthers. They are often described as exotic in appearance and are very similar to their wild namesakes. Bombay cats originated from the American Shorthairs and...

Burmese cats are from Burma and are the product of Siamese cats. They come in both dark and light colors. Lighter-colored offspring were originally called Malayans but were later established to be...

Chartreux cats are said to have lived with the Carthusian monks in France. It is likely that these cats are named for the qualities of their fur. Chartreux cats are playful. They will play hard...

Pixie-Bobs are believed to be a descendent of the bobcat, but it is not a hybrid. It's a young breed - the Pixie-Bob was officially declared a breed by the International Cat Association in 1994.