Types of Cats

The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds. It resembles the ancient Egyptian cat more than any other, although there's no solid proof the Aby is the same breed.

The Burmese is a medium-size, muscular and surprisingly heavy cat, with big, round, gold eyes that can sucker you into anything. Sable is the most popular color, but Burmese can also be blue,...

Many American shorthairs arrived on the Mayflower - brought along to hunt rats.

The Korat is a breed of cat from Thailand that is rare even there, where it is considered good luck. A pair of Korats is often given to a bride. The Korat is medium-sized with silver-blue fur and...

American curls are best known for their unusual curled ears, which are the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation. The breed was discovered in the form of a stray named Shulamith in California...

The Maine coon is a solid, rugged working cat that can withstand a harsh climate. Maine coons are known for their shaggy tails, tufts on the paws and ears, and longer fur on the belly for...

The American wirehair's curly, dense, hard coat is the result of a spontaneous gene mutation found in farm cats in upstate New York in 1966.

The British shorthair won "best in show" in the first-ever cat show, held in 1871. The breed is increasing in popularity and has been featured in recent films and TV commercials.

In ancient Siam the elegant Siamese cat, with its blue eyes and either triangular or apple-shaped face, was considered royalty. According to legend, Siamese cats received the souls of mortals when...

With its pushed-in face, the Himalayan looks a lot like a Persian cat, but it has Siamese colorings. Himalayans are sometimes considered part of the Persian breed.

Persians, with their smooshed-in faces and long, flowing fur, are the most popular breed of cat in the country.

The Bengal is a newer breed of housecat which is essentially a cross between wild, forest-dwelling Asian Leopard Cats and domestic shorthairs.

The Egyptian mau bears a remarkable resemblance to ancient Egyptian cats depicted in ancient paintings. Mau is the Egyptian word for cat, and the mau's one of the few breeds of domestic cat with...

When most people see a sphynx these days they think of Mr. Bigglesworth, companion to Dr. Evil in the Austin Power movies. Despite the lack of hair, coat color and pattern are visible in the...

The Somali resembles an Abyssinian, but has long hair and a bushy tail - a trait that engendered the nickname the "fox cat." In the 1960's they were considered a breeding "mistake," but quickly...

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.

The Manx breed is known for its lack of a tail, but the breed can actually be a "longie" (normal tail), "stumpy" (short tail), "riser" (a bit of cartilage at the base of the spine), or "rumpy" (no...

Longhaired Manx are hardy cats with few special care requirements. Still, your Manx depends on you for food, shelter, health care and love.

Pixie bobs may look exotic, but they're as easy to care for as most other 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...

British Shorthairs were first recognized in Rome for their hunting abilities and physical strength. They soon became known for their calm demeanor and loyalty to humans. These intelligent cats...

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...

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...

Originally known as the Archangel cat, the Russian Blue is believed to be brought by sailors from the Archangel Islands. They are also believed to be the preferred pet of Russian czars and of...

Colorpoint shorthair cats are relatives of the Siamese. The 2 breeds are very similar except in color. There are many ways to identify this socially treasured breed. Below are many characteristics...

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...

A cat's breed is not always obvious. Frequently there are multiple blood lines, which can make the process more complicated. Identifying a breed is useful if you are thinking of selling kittens or...

Abyssinian cats are thought to be descendents of the cats that the ancient Egyptians immortalized in carvings and pyramids. These sleek, regal felines are loyal and quickly become attached to...

Stray or abandoned cats often band together to form colonies. Cat colonies can be wonderful support systems for lonely kitties, but they increase breeding, antagonize your indoor cats and can be a...

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...

Every breed of cat has a history and characteristic that distinguishes them from other breeds. One of the newer breeds of cats to arrive on the scene is the Selkirk Rex. It arose from the cross of...

It is easy to identify a Korat with its unique silver blue color and huge green eyes. These adorable little felines are originally from Thailand, where they are a sign of good luck. Korat cats are...

The Toyger cats were named by combining the words "toy" and "tiger." They have been bred in the USA and have recently been accepted by TICA as a qualifying breed. They are bred from a striped...

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...

The Cornish Rex cat and the Devon Rex cats are distinct and separate breeds although they have many similar characteristics. Mated together however, they can't reproduce the characteristics of...

The Exotic cat has been on the cat world scene since about 1960. They are a mix of a Persian Longhair and an American Shorthair cat. The Exotic is also known as Exotic Shorthair. Here are a few...

The European Burmese cat arrived on the cat world scene around the early 1930s. The breed was a cross between an Oriental brown cat imported to the US from Burma with a Siamese. Within the North...

Also called a long haired cat, Persian cats add elegance to any house. You'll deal with a lot of cat hairs, but hold a Persian in your lap when you watch TV and he'll warm you in winter....

Known for their grace, elegant colors and oriental eyes, Siamese cats have been around for a while. Prior to the '80s, though, there was basically only one breed to choose from, the traditional...

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...

Turkish Angora cats originated in Turkey, particularly in the Ankara region. They were imported to England in about 1955. The region they come from is rather snowy and probably gives the...