Cat Breeds

Origin: Oregon in 1982. Physical Characteristics: curls are a dominant gene carried by both genders, kittens go bald around 2 weeks, grows back around 4 months old. Personality: affectionate, active, lap cat.

Origin: feral population mutation in US. Physical Characteristics: “roan” patterned coat, partial hairlessness, gene is recessive, molt twice yearly, can get sunburnt. Personality: fun-loving, intelligent, social.

Origin: Northeast region of US. Physical Characteristics: sturdy rugged appearance, very large, everything covered in fur to keep warm in winter. Personality: gentle, easy-going, active, intelligent.

Origin: Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. Physical Characteristics: tail-less, breed name gene is incompletely dominant resulting in varying tail lengths, super strong legs, fast. Personality: active, smart, good hunters.

Origin: Norway. Physical Characteristics: almond-shaped eyes, triangular head, semi-longhaired waterproof coat. Personality: independent, need enrichment, homebody.

Origin: Detroit, 1964. Physical Characteristics: mix between Abyssinian, Siamese, and shorthair, well muscled, 12 coat colors, look exotic but have no wild feline DNA. Personality: confident, loyal, active.

Origin: Europe, 1950s. Physical Characteristics: Siamese style cat without the point markings, over 600 possible color, pattern, and coat length combinations. Personality: vocal, intelligent, people-centered, need attention.

Origin: Persia and Iran. Physical Characteristics: broad short bodies, “smushed” face, long hair, lots of coat colors. Personality: affectionate, quiet, not super active.

Origin: breeders formally associated with Ann Baker. Physical Characteristics: full silky coat like rabbit’s fur, puffy whisker pads, slow maturing. Personality: sweet, commonly walk on leashes, easy to please, rarely aggressive.

Origin: Ann Baker of California, 1960s. Physical Characteristics: semi-longhaired, blue eyes, three coat patterns, low maintenance grooming. Personality: clingy, docile, gentle.

Origin: Archangel Isles in northern Russia, 1800s. Physical Characteristics: emerald-green eyes, silvery-grey dense coat, appear to be smiling. Personality: one of the cleverest cat breeds, don’t need a lot of space, prefer quieter environments.

Origin: Tayside Region of Scotland. Physical Characteristics: ears folded forwards and down due to an incomplete dominant gene, large round eyes. Personality: not very vocal, hardy, enjoy companionship.

Origin: Breeder Jeri Newman of Montana. Physical Characteristics: curly coat, heavy boned, large, rounded head, curly whiskers. Personality: patient, tolerant, quiet.

Origin: Thailand, 1800s. Physical Characteristics: color at the points, sleek body, short silky coat, lanky limbs. Personality: communicators, super smart, loving nature.

Origin: national cat of Russia. Physical Characteristics: large, muscular, thick, triple coat, slowest-maturing cat breed (3-years). Personality: attuned to owners’ moods, quiet, like to investigate, dog-like.

Origin: Singapore, Hal and Tommy Meadow. Physical Characteristics: one of the smallest of all pedigreed cats, registered and shown in only one color (sepia agouti), “cheetah lines” on face. Personality: need time to adapt, prefer quiet environments.

Origin: longhaired Abyssinian, Evelyn Mague, 1960s. Physical Characteristics: silky, medium-length coat, plumed tail, green to rich copper eye color. Personality: bold, prefer interactive play, fascinated with water, follow people, match moods.

Origin: Toronto, Canada. Physical Characteristics: hairless, natural genetic mutation, skin is loose exhibiting wrinkles, high maintenance grooming. Personality: active but sometimes clumsy, affectionate, want to be the center of attention.

Origin: developed from Burmese and Siamese in 1960s and 70s. Physical Characteristics: aqua eye color, soft silky fur, muscular, points are colored, short muzzle. Personality: people-oriented, loving, active, playful.

Origin: Russia, 1983. Physical Characteristics: kinked bobbed tail, smaller sized breed, longhair and shorthair varieties. Personality: agile, playful, loving, intelligent.

Origin: Turkey, 1600s, oldest known longhaired breed. Physical Characteristics: elegant but muscular, silky coat. Personality: strong willed, wide range of intelligence levels, one of the most interactive breeds, dog-like.

Origin: Central and SW Asia. Physical Characteristics: all white except on head and tail (piebald), water-resistant coat with no undercoat. Personality: water loving, intelligent, curious.

Origin: coast of Indian Ocean and parts of SE Asia. Physical Characteristics: ticked ruddy coat, muscular body, arched neck, almond-shaped eyes. Personality: active, agenda-driven, affectionate.

Origin: Arizona, bobtailed stray bred with seal point Siamese. Physical Characteristics: medium to large, naturally bobtailed, almond-shaped eyes, “hunting gaze”. Personality: loving, intelligent, adaptable, interactive.

Origin: California, 1981. Physical Characteristics: curled ears, walnut-shaped eyes, don’t shed much, autosomal dominant gene (any cat with one copy of the gene will have the trait). Personality: energetic, affectionate, people-oriented, adaptable.

Origin: America/Europe. Physical Characteristics: stocky, many coat colors and patterns, slight brachycephalic face. Personality: gentle, good with kids, playful, easy going.

Origin: New York, 1966. Physical Characteristics: crimped, springy coat (including whiskers), variety of colors and patterns, large round eyes. Personality: easy-going, observer.

Origin: longhaired variety of the Siamese and Colorpoint Shorthair, Helen Smith and Sylvia Holland. Physical Characteristics: fine coat, elegant, sapphire blue eyes, plumed tail. Personality: vocal (less than Siamese), believe they are people, play fetch, affectionate.

Origin: developed by Jean S. Mill in 1963, crossed an Asian leopard cat with a domestic cat. Physical Characteristics: coat “rosettes” that mimic exotic cats, wide noses, muscular. Personality: confident, curious, athletic.

Origin: breeding pair shipped from Burma to France in 1919. Physical Characteristics: stocky, white feet, point color pattern, carry bicolor gene, “golden mist”. Personality: sweet, respond to training, patient, don’t do well alone.

Origin: Louisville, Kentucky by breeder Nikki Horner. Physical Characteristics: glossy black coat, copper-eyed, panther-like, rounded head with a short muzzle. Personality: playful, mischievous, affectionate.

Origin: Rome. Physical Characteristics: stocky, sturdy, “plush” coat that is usually blue, round eyes, medium-large sized body, slight brachycephalic face. Personality: calm and quiet, love people, can be clumsy.

Origin: Burma, 1930s. Physical Characteristics: stocky, muscular, short muzzles, come in four coat colors. Personality: people-oriented, affectionate, intelligent.

Origin: Chinchilla Persian crossed with European Burmese in 1981. Physical Characteristics: sparkling silver coat, “make-up” lining nose, lips, and eyes. Personality: sociable, playful kitten-like quality, affectionate.

Origin: France. Physical Characteristics: blue coat only, wooly coat texture, gold/copper eyes, appear to be “smiling”. Personality: calm and friendly, playful, dog-like behaviors (fetch, following owner, etc.).

Origin: breeders mixed in red gene with the four traditional Siamese colors. Physical Characteristics: non-traditional point colors, fine-boned, long-limbed. Personality: vocal, can be insistent, inventive, like other cats.

Origin: Cornwall, England. Physical Characteristics: wavy coat, many patterns, large ears, curvy, egg-shaped head. Personality: active, people-oriented, affectionate.

Origin: Devonshire, England. Physical Characteristics: super large ears, short wavy fur, round small head, lanky. Personality: playful, driven, loving.

Origin: Ancient Egypt. Physical Characteristics: spotted coat pattern, “cheetah” gait, loose skin from flank to hind legs for extra mobility. Personality: athletic, active, intelligent, loyal.

Origin: Dr. Joseph Thompson, 1950s. Physical Characteristics: gently rounded contours, come in 10 colors, large eyes. Personality: extremely loyal, highly intelligent, thrive on human companionship.

Origin: West Coast Persian breeders, 1950s. Physical Characteristics: body and head type like Persian but with short plush coat. Personality: quiet, more active than Persians, adaptable, rarely meows.

Origin: England. Physical Characteristics: chocolate brown with green eyes, large ears, large muzzle. Personality: outgoing, talkative, playful, inquisitive.

Origin: Japan in the Middle Ages. Physical Characteristics: bobtail due to dominant gene, slanted eyes, triangular heads. Personality: often in motion, entertaining, natural hunters, short attention span.

Origin: exclusive to Thailand until 1999. Physical Characteristics: glistening white coat, richly colored eyes, flexible and springy body, nose and ear tips should form 3 points of equilateral triangle. Personality: clever, mischievous, friendly, highly inquisitive.

Origin: Thailand. Physical Characteristics: silver-tipped blue coat, shimmery “halo” effect, heart-shaped head. Personality: cuddly, really strong senses (hear, sight, scent), energetic.