Learn about what makes each cat breed unique. If you're considering bringing a cat into your life, it's a good idea to know a bit about his or her breed before making the commitment of adopting. Here, you can learn a bit about some of the more popular cat breeds. What cat breed seems purrr-fect for you and your family?

The large, affectionate Rag doll goes limp with pleasure when you cuddle him in your arms, the trait that led to his name. He’s a big kitty, with males ranging up to 20 pounds, females slightly smaller, starting at 12 pounds and going up to 15 pounds. The Rag doll is a docile, gentle, unusually relaxed animal with a decidedly even disposition. When socialized correctly from birth, they will be friendly & endearing members of the family. Rag dolls can be welcoming to strangers & love being held & snuggled by people of all ages. This breed tends to prefer the company of people more so than that of other pets. They normally are a good pet for young children, as they tolerate & appreciate affection & attention & typically can withstand a child's exploration and potentially unexpected behaviors. Nonetheless, Rag dolls generally prefer calm, rather than rowdy, living environments & are happiest housed entirely indoors. They are great companions for a modern, busy household.

The exotic short hair cat has been called the "lazy" person's Persian because it shares the Persian cat's facial features but has a shorter coat that requires less grooming. Exotic short hairs are soft, medium-sized cats that tend to develop strong bonds with their owners, get along with other pets and kids, & have sweet personalities. Although exotic short hairs have relatively low energy levels & exercise needs, they'll happily play with fishing pole feather teasers or similar toys for hours.

The British short hair cat is a medium-to-large-sized cat breed with a short, dense coat & a distinctive rounded head & face that make it look a lot like a cuddly teddy bear. The British short hair cat is sweet & affectionate without being needy or clingy. This breed hails from the United Kingdom where it developed naturally & was the region’s original domestic short haired cat. Originally, many British short hairs were blue colored (a gray hue), but today’s British short hair comes in a veritable rainbow of colors & patterns, including solid, bi-color, tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, & more. 

Also lovingly referred to as one of the "smushed face" cats, the Iranian cat, or Shiraz cat (named for a city in Iran), Persians have beautiful, long fur coats. They can come in almost any color & have a flat face when compared to most other breeds of cats. Persians are featured in many movies, artworks, &  commercials & have been one of the most popular breeds of cats for decades. Their coats demand regular grooming, otherwise, matting will result. Like many purebreds, they are prone to a variety of diseases, including renal & cardiac problems.

Known for its large stature & thick fur coat, the Maine coon is a cat that is difficult to ignore. Hailing from the state of Maine & the state’s official cat, the Maine coon is a gentle giant. They are great hunters & were popularized after the CFA recognized them as purebred in the late 1970s. They remain one of the most popular cat breeds. Many Maine coons have polydactylism, or extra toes, which makes their already large feet even larger. This great feature helps for hunting in the snow since large feet act as snowshoes. The classic Maine coon coloration is a brown tabby, but this breed can come in almost any color.

Sociable and super-inquisitive, the Abyssinian is not only one of the oldest of all cat breeds, but one of the most intelligent. Once thought to be descended from the hunting cats shown in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings, this elegant, colorful cat is extremely active and playful. If not provided with a sufficient supply of acceptable toys, the Abyssinian is fully capable of devising its own. Friendly and extremely affectionate, the Aby is a loving companion who may settle in your lap for a moment but given its high activity level, it’s unlikely to stay there for long.

An all-American breed, the American short hair cat is an intelligent, short haired feline that has a round face & short ears. They are often confused with domestic mixed-breed cats but are purebred. Its breed name changed from domestic short hair cats in 1966 to differentiate them. This medium-sized cat has a gentle nature that makes this breed a great companion for families with children or other pets. The American short hair is one of the most popular pedigreed cat breeds in North America.

Grooming

As for grooming, these cats may have short hair, but they do require regular brushing due to the thick nature of their coat. You can expect your American Short hair to shed throughout the year, with peaks during the spring & fall. Weekly brushing is ideal for optimal coat health, & other standard grooming practices should be followed as well, including regular dental care, ear cleanings, & nail trims.

The oriental short hair is a svelte cat with elegant features & a coat that comes in a rainbow of 300 color variations. Part of the Siamese family of cat breeds (which also includes the Balinese & oriental longhair), this beautiful "rainbow cat" is intelligent, athletic, &  vocal—it is not shy about demanding attention. The oriental short hair craves affectionate interaction with its family, both the human members & other pets.

The Devon Rex is a breed of unique appearance. Its large eyes, short muzzle, prominent cheekbones, &  huge ears create a characteristic elfin look. Hard & muscular; slender; medium length; broad chest; medium fine boning; body carried high on the legs. Modified wedge head broad but slightly longer than broad; face full-cheeked with pronounced cheekbones & a whisker break; in profile, nose has strongly marked stop; muzzle short & well developed; prominent whisker break; chin strong & well developed. All colors & patterns including the Himalayan pattern.

The Devon Rex is an extremely intelligent cat that makes a lively, affectionate companion. They are very creative & are known to invent clever games on their own, to be shared with their human & other household companions whenever anyone will play. Anything that can be picked up or moved becomes a toy or a target to a Devon Rex. They are highly people-oriented & bond very strongly with their owners. For that reason, ownership of a Devon Rex should be considered a lifelong commitment. They give, & expect to receive, a great deal of devotion, attention & affection. The Devon Rex is not well-equipped to survive outdoors due to its short hair coat. These cats should be kept exclusively indoors.

Strikingly unusual and surprisingly playful, the Cornish Rex cat is a curly-coated cat breed with a reputation for being an active, sociable member of the family. These cats are the result of a natural mutation in the 1950s in Cornwall, England. Today, they are popular in the United States. Unforgettable in appearance, these unique cats are delightful companions that prove to be easy-going in today's fast-paced households.

Grooming

The curly coat is one of the most notable features of the Cornish Rex, but it requires relatively little care. Like all cats, the Cornish Rex is an avid self-groomer. However, this breed completely lacks guard hairs—meaning that the coat can sometimes become oily, especially around the chin & paws. If this is the case for your Cornish Rex, you may need to bathe your cat regularly to keep them from feeling greasy to the touch. Brush your Rex's hair gently to avoid damaging the tight curls.

Without the protection of guard hairs or the insulation of a soft, downy undercoat, the Cornish Rex often feels warm to the touch but is sensitive to either hot or cold temperature extremes. For the happiest, healthiest cat, keep yours indoors with adequate heating or air conditioning.

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The Norwegian Forest cat is an ancient breed that developed naturally without human assistance for hundreds of years in the forests of Norway. Called the skog katt (Norwegian for “forest cat”) in its native country, the Norwegian forest cat is sometimes given the nickname "wegie" in the United States. This large, wild-looking cat has a dense, long coat & furry ears with lynx tips (tufts of hair growing on the tips of the ears). It will form strong bonds with its human family but usually prefers to occupy its own space rather than anyone's lap.

Norwegian Forest Cat Care

The dense coat of the Norwegian forest cat requires a thorough weekly brushing to keep tangles & mats at bay. Once a year in the spring, the Norwegian forest cat sheds most of its undercoat for the summer season when extra insulation is not needed. Shedding can be heavy during this seasonal transition, so brush more frequently. At all other times of the year, the Norwegian forest cat sheds moderately.

In addition to brushing, bathe your Norwegian Forest Cat every few months, keep the nails trimmed short & check the ears weekly, cleaning if necessary.

The Sphynx is one of the most unusual & rare of all domestic feline breeds. Its most distinguishing characteristic is that it appears to be entirely hairless. However, most Sphynx do have some degree of short, sparse downy fur that is most noticeable on the ears, muzzle, tail, feet & scrotum. When present, even this fur is barely perceptible to the human eye or to the human touch. The fine fur tends to be more visible on young kittens & then thins or disappears with age. The markings & coloration are highly unique to each Sphinx cat, with color depending entirely upon the pigmentation of its skin. All of the usual domestic cat colors & coat patterns can be found in the Sphinx. The texture of the cat’s skin – which has been said to resemble the fuzz of a peach - feels like soft chamois leather or suede & usually is noticeably warm to the touch. Whiskers & eyebrows may or may not be present, and when present they may be either whole or broken. Kittens are more uniformly wrinkled than are adults, but mature Sphinx should retain some wrinkling, especially around their shoulders and neck.

The hairless Sphinx is muscular with broad ears & a wide-eyed, friendly expression. This sweet-natured, lively cat is inquisitive & loves being the center of attention. A devoted, affectionate feline, the Sphinx follows her human companions everywhere, purring with delight. This breed does not do well when left alone all day. The Sphinx is a healthy, hardy cat.

The Scottish fold cat is a sweet-tempered, short-haired breed with an unusual trait for which it is named: folded ears. The cat's small ears fold forward & downward, giving it a unique countenance that almost resembles an owl. The trait can be traced back to a barn cat in Scotland that carried the mutated gene that became the basis for the breed. Unfortunately, the gene for folded ears is also associated with a painful skeletal disorder.

While the ethics of breeding Scottish fold cats is controversial due to the potential for anatomical deformity, the practice continues because people love this attentive, devoted, & interesting-looking feline.

The Bengal is a relatively new companion breed. It was created by crossing a domestic cat with a wild Asian Leopard Cat, with the goal being to transfer the wild cat’s exotic markings to a new, tame domestic breed. Today’s Bengals are long, sleek & muscular cats of medium size. They come in a number of different coat colors & patterns. All Bengals have spots, marbling & or swirls, & many look remarkably like a tiny wild leopard. Bengal kittens are usually born with a fairly coarse, camouflage-patterned coat, which gradually changes to the adult color & characteristics. It can take up to one year for the mature leopard pattern to develop. It is preferred that Bengals have large spots arranged randomly in a horizontal flow, eventually developing into beautiful, peacock-like rosettes.

These beautiful, exotic & playful animals should have the disposition of a loving house cat, with the coloring & markings of a wild leopard. A sound temperament, without overt aggression, is essential in the domestic Bengal breed, given the closeness of its truly wild ancestors. Bengals are naturally inquisitive. They love to cuddle. Bengals are typically extremely affectionate & devoted to all members of their home. They can be wonderful pets, especially if children, other cats & dogs are already established in the household when the Bengal is introduced. The Bengal has a wide range of vocal sounds and frequently communicates through unusual but pleasing chirps, trills & cooing.

Popular since the 19th century, this cat breed originated in Thailand (formerly known as Siam). The Siamese has been a foundational breed for the Oriental short hair, Sphinx, & Himalayan. Most Siamese cats have distinct markings called "points" that are the areas of coloration on their face, ears, feet, & tail. Two varieties of Siamese cats have an "apple" shaped head & chubbier body & the other features a larger head & slender body. The animated Disney film "Lady & the Tramp" featured Siamese cats singing a song, demonstrating their intelligence & vocal skills. Many Siamese cats that originated from Thailand had a kink in their tail - a trait bred out of most Siamese, but you can still see it in street cats in Thailand.

Like the Persian, the Himalayan cat is considered a sub-breed in some cat associations & a separate breed in others. Himalayan cats were bred from crossing Persians & Siamese to achieve their color points. They love attention & affection from their owners, have sweet personalities, & are playful.

The Russian Blue is quite an old feline breed that descends from cats native to the current, & former, country of Russia. This is a lean, medium-sized cat with a short, dense, plush double-coat that is described as being seal-like in texture. The color should be a solid bluish-gray, with a distinctly silvery sheen that comes from the dilute expression of the black gene. The silver-to-transparent hair tips on darker slate-blue hairs are what give the coat of the Russian Blue such a shimmering appearance, which is especially apparent when observed in natural light. There should be no trace of white or tabby markings on the ideal Russian Blue. Top-quality coat color & texture are the single most important characteristics of the Russian Blue in show competition.

Russian Blues normally make quiet, gentle & affectionate companions. They are strikingly handsome &  unique among domestic cats in their combination of color, coat &  conformation. These are docile, sensitive, kind animals that are particularly in-tune with their owners’ emotions. They develop strong bonds with their loved ones & are extremely affectionate & loyal. The Russian Blue is also known for getting along quite well with other pets & with children that live in their immediate household. They are typically tidy and clean. Russian Blues can be shy around strangers, unless they are brought up in a very well-socialized living environment. They are not known to be aggressive or especially reclusive. They do not like to be left alone for prolonged periods of time & prefer the company of either a person or another companion pet at all times. The Russian Blue makes an exceptionally devoted companion.

The Siberian is an ancient, semi-longhaired domestic breed that originated in and is the national cat of Russia. The breed is recognized by most purebred cat registry organizations, which accept Siberians of any color (including color points) for competition. The traditional, and still the most common, coat color is the Golden Tabby. Siberian kittens are short-haired at birth, with no outer guard hairs developing until they reach about three months of age. Their winter coats are decidedly more lush than are their summer coats.

Siberians are considered to be quite intelligent and good problem-solvers. They are loyal, outgoing, playful, affectionate and sociable, making the breed a good choice for those who think that they are so-called “dog people” rather than “cat people.” Many a devout dog-lover has succumbed to the zany, charming ways of the Siberian cat. The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) profile of this breed warns people in a friendly way to expect the unexpected when sharing your home with a Siberian.”

Burmese cats are medium-sized felines with strong, muscular bodies, rounded heads, & expressive gold eyes. These affectionate & intelligent kitties may descend from an ancient breed in Myanmar (formerly Burma), but they were officially bred in the United States in the 1930s.

This breed is vulnerable to a genetic skeletal disorder, but it can be ruled out with a simple DNA test, so you should be able to buy or adopt one with confidence in its health. A Burmese will likely get along with everyone in a family, including friendly dogs, so it makes a charming addition to just about any household.

Birmans are another color-pointed cat like the Siamese & rag doll. They have blue eyes & a medium-long coat but no undercoat, the primary trait that sets them apart from Persians & Himalayans. Birmans were the original stock for breeding ragdolls, so they look very similar, but they have slightly different markings & personalities. They are fun, social cats that love attention - from their chosen person. They are more of a one-person cat than others.

Tonkinese cats are generally trim & muscular cats. They are heavier than they appear to be due to their very muscular bodies. They have a distinctive oval shaped paw, & a modified wedge shaped head, with large ears set towards the outside of their head. The most commonly accepted colors are: platinum, champagne, blue, & natural. Typically, solid Tonkinese cats have gold or green eyes, cats with the pointed pattern are blue eyed, & the mink cats have a shade of aquamarine. A great deal of subtle variation exists in colors & patterns, & Tonkinese body color darkens with age to some degree in all patterns. Cats kept in colder climates will typically be darker in their mink or point shading, like their Siamese cousins.

Tonkinese cats are unusually intelligent, curious, affectionate toward & interested in people. Tonks are playful cats, but not hyperactive, although they can be mischievous if they become lonesome or bored. Some interesting toys & a cat tree, or another Tonkinese, will keep them occupied when you're not around. Unlike most breeds of cat, they are reported to sometimes, even often, engage in fetching, & they can often be found perched on the highest object in the house. Do not be alarmed if your Tonkinese jumps on your shoulders, as the breed is known for their love of heights. Tonkinese are more like Burmese in temperament than Siamese. They are less high strung & demanding. Their voices are also less piercing in most cases than the Siamese, but most Tonks are fairly vocal. Most observers feel they combine the more attractive features of both ancestor breeds.