All Cat Breeds

Abyssinian
Today's Abyssinian retains a resemblance to the noble cats depicted in ancient
Egyptian statues. The breed sports a ticked, richly colored tabby coat without
markings on legs, tail and neck, but with dramatic facial markings. The Aby
comes in four coat colors: ruddy, red, blue and fawn.


American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a short-tailed cat, with a medium to large frame. Its tail
should be clearly visible above the back when the cat is alert, not exceeding the
hock in length.


American Curl
The American Curl gained CFA acceptance and has purred its way into the hearts
of judges and cat lovers all in a short time. The Curl originated in June 1981, when
a spontaneous genetic mutation produced the breed's signature backward-
curling ears.


American Shorthair
Ideal American Shorthairs exude symmetry, with the breed standard calling for
them to be slightly longer than tall. Females tend to be smaller than males. The
American Shorthair's face should be full-cheeked with an open expression.


American Wirehair
The American Wirehair sports an exceptional coat, as each hair is bent or hooked,
producing a dense, springy coat, with whiskers of the same texture. This breed
was developed from the American Shorthair, so apart from the coat, the two
display many similarities.


Balinese
The Balinese gets its name from its sinuous flowing movement, which reminded
early breeders of Balinese dancers. Its oriental body type, with a long, tubular
body and a wedge-shaped head, is softened by the semi-long coat that graces its
body.


Bengal
The International Cat Association defines the Bengal as at least a fourth-
generation descendant of a crossing between the wild Asian leopard cat and a
domestic cat. The first three foundation crosses are identified as F1s, F2s and F3s.


Birman
Also known as the "Sacred Cat of Burma," Birmans are colorpoint cats, meaning
they have a darker color on their tail, legs, ears and face, much like the Siamese or
the Himalayan division of the Persian.


Bombay
This American breed is called the Bombay because its intensely black coat is
reminiscent of that of an Indian black leopard. It's also known as a black Burmese,
because this breed came about after crosses with a sable Burmese and a black
American Shorthair.


British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a stocky purebred that resembles a plush teddy bear.
Although blue is the color most associated with the breed, Brits are found in a
number of colors and patterns.


Burmese
The Burmese was created in the United States in the 1930s from the breeding of a
male Siamese and a brown female cat found on the San Francisco waterfront,
believed to have traveled there from Burma.


Chartreux
The Chartreux dates back to 16th-century France. Its thick, velvety coat is any
shade of blue-gray, from ash to slate, with the tips lightly brushed with silver. The
Chartreux's copper or gold eyes hint at its relation to the Russian Blue, whose
eyes are a deep emerald green.


Chausie
The Chausie combines the genial nature of a domestic cat with the beauty and
elegance of a jungle cat. This big, muscular breed has large, mobile, tufted ears,
long legs and a naturally short tail reaching to the hock.


Colorpoint Shorthair
The Colorpoint Shorthair is the result of breeding between Siamese and other
shorthair breeds, in particular the American Shorthair. These breedings were
performed with the intent of enriching the color varieties and patterns in the
Siamese.


Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex is known for its soft, wavy curls--even the whiskers curl. This
native of Cornwall, England, savors the warmth and comforts of home and is well
suited for apartment life.


Devon Rex
The Devon Rex first appeared in Devonshire, England, in 1960, 10 years after the
birth of the first Rex, the progenitor of the Cornish breed. The Devon Rex's coat,
much like that of the other Rex breeds, is delicate, short and curly.


Egyptian Mau
With characteristics of a wild cat, the Egyptian Mau embodies a spirit reflecting
the deity it once was in ancient Egypt. The breed boasts exotic coats of bronze
and silver spots and is known as the only naturally spotted domestic cat.


European Burmese
The European Burmese's history is quite similar to that of the Burmese known
and loved in the United States. When the Burmese moved to the United States,
the breeders in Europe took the breed in a different direction, resulting in two
distinct breeds today.


Exotic
The Exotic is a man-made breed resulting from the cross of Persians with
American Shorthairs and other shorthaired cats. The Exotic's body and head-
style match that of the Persian, but the breed was separated into its own
category in the 1960s.


Havana Brown
The Havana Brown, a breed of medium size and structure, is noted for its dark,
chocolate coat. The well-toned, muscular body conveys a sense of power. The
first Havana was born in England some 50 years ago when a black "shorthair"
Persian had a brief fling with a chocolate point Siamese.


Highlander
With its sloping forehead and distinctive curled ears, the Highlander captures
attention with its unique wild cat looks. Its substantial body structure and
muscular build add to its wild cat mystique, yet this breed is thoroughly
domestic.


Himalayan
Depending on the association, the Himalayan may be considered a separate
breed or a color pattern of the Persian breed. The Himalayan was originally
developed from crosses between Siamese and Persians in an effort to transfer
the pointed pattern to the Persian type.


Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is an ancient breed indigenous to Japan. As its name
indicates, the Bobtail is a partially tailed cat. Medium in size, with long, clean
lines, the Japanese Bobtail comes in a variety of colors and patterns--solids,
bicolors and tabbies.


Javanese
Take one Balinese, dip it in the colors of the rainbow and you have a Javanese.
The Javanese is everything that is Balinese, and then some. This breed appears
in the lynx point and tortie point patterns, as well as red and cream point colors.


Korat
The Korat is an ancient shorthaired breed named after a province of Thailand.
These felines are graced with a silver-blue coat, originally derived from black,
following dilution. Korats live for tranquility and will not tolerate excessive
activity, noise and the coming and going of new faces.


Kurilian Bobtail
The signature element of the Kurilian Bobtail is its unique pom-pom tail, unique
from cat to cat. This native Russian breed also features wild looks that are
popular with cat lovers. The intelligent, independent Kurilian Bobtail forms
strong bonds with its owner and adapts easily to most households.


LaPerm
The LaPerm is an exceptional combination of curly hair and affection. This
longhair breed often wears a curly, plumed tail and exhibits a full, curly ruff. The
shorthair LaPerm has more texture to the coat than does the longhaired variety.
Both come in all colors and coat patterns.


Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is one of the most popular breeds at show tables. This shaggy
feline shares its affection with the entire family, but elects a single person as its
beloved owner. The breed sports four color classes: solid, tabby, tabby with
white and particolor.


Manx
The Manx is tailless, an unmistakable trait that makes it immediately
recognizable. These purebreds are stocky and rounded in appearance, with short
front and long hind legs that give them a rabbit-like appearance.


Manx (formerly Cymric)
From the earliest beginnings of the Manx breed, longhaired cats were born in
litters; however, they were not always recognized as true Manx. For a time,
some associations accepted them under the breed designation Cymric (kim-rik),
as does The International Cat Association today.


Munchkin
The Munchkin is distinguished by a spontaneous dominant mutation that
shortens the cat's legs. Except for their disproportionately short legs, cats should
be well-balanced. It is important that the legs be straight, never bowed or cow-
hocked. The head shape is an equilateral triangle.


Norwegian Forest Cat
This breed traces its ancient origins to Norway and has been tagged as a skilled
hunter, intelligent, attentive and cautious. Nicknamed "Wegies," these cats sport
a thick, heavy coat, almond-shaped eyes and sweet expressions. The Norwegian
Forest Cat displays almost all colors and patterns.


Ocicat
Ocicats look like small, wild, spotted cats, but are a domestic breed created by
combining the Siamese, Abyssinian and American Shorthair. The typical coat is
actually a spotted tabby, in colors ranging among tawny, cinnamon and
chocolate.


Oriental
Similar to the Siamese in body type and personality, Orientals do not, however,
share the characteristic Siamese coloring. They are slender yet hearty and are
generally of a solid color or tabby-patterned in a variety of colors for both the
shorthair and longhair varieties.


Oriental Longhair
Recently accepted as a version of the Oriental Shorthair, the Oriental Longhair
has a semi-longhair coat, which softens and adds grace to the long lines of the
Oriental body. The two largest cat associations treat these cats differently.


Persian
The impressive Persian is a massively built cat clothed in a long, flowing coat.
Short, heavily boned legs support the Persian's boxy body. The cat's head
should be round, with large, round eyes and a short, snub nose.


Peterbald
Since it first originated in Russia in January 1994, the Peterbald has charmed
cat lovers with its elegance and intelligence.


Pixiebob
The Pixiebob is a domestic cat visually resembling the North American Bobcat.
Despite its fierce look, the Pixiebob is noted for its loving, trustworthy and
tractable personality.


RagaMuffin
With its teddy-bear looks and sweet personality, the RagaMuffin is a wonderful
family pet or an ideal companion for a single person. The breed was developed
in California in the 1990s.


Ragdoll
The Ragdoll earns its name from its habit of relaxing to the point of utter
limpness in one's arms. The Ragdoll's light-colored body has darker Siamese-
type points on the face, legs, tail and ears.


Russian Blue
As its name indicates, this blue-coated cat seems to be of Russian origin; it is
said to have arrived in England during the mid-19th century aboard a Russian
merchant ship. The most distinctive feature of the Russian Blue is its fur, which
seems to be frosted with powdered sugar.


Savannah
The Savannah inherits its tall, lean, muscular build from the serval cat of the
African plains. Its outstanding features are exceptionally long legs, ears and
neck. Colors include solid black, black smoke and spotted tabby.


Scottish Fold
The most striking characteristic of the Scottish Fold is its small ears, folded
forward and downward, set in a cap-like fashion. As its name indicates, the breed
is a native of Scotland.


Selkirk Rex
The Selkirk Rex is covered with a downy, curly coat with every little hair arranged
in ringlets that lie close to the body. If the whiskers are curly, a breeder knows
they have a kitten that may grow up to be a top show cat.


Siamese
Named for Siam, this popular breed is intelligent and has a striking personality,
suggestive of an inscrutable inner life. The breeding tradition began generations
ago, but the Siamese of today still have the graceful elegance suggested in the
earliest breed standards.


Siberian
Living with a cat is quite pleasurable, but living with a Siberian cat is a rewarding,
life-changing experience. A confident, problem-solving house clown, the Siberian
can be your best friend.


Singapura
The Singapura has many appealing features, including its pastel coloring and
distinctive visage. The breed is characterized by its alert expression, its healthy,
small- to medium-sized muscular body and noticeably large eyes and ears.


Snowshoe
As its name suggests, the outstanding feature of the Snowshoe breed is its four
white feet. The distribution of the white and the pointed color is carefully
outlined in the breed standard. Ideally the white pattern should be symmetrical.
The cat itself is medium-sized, its body long but hefty.


Somali
Though its name would indicate an origin in Somalia, this breed first appeared in
the United States. However, it was named Somali because it derived from an
Abyssinian. Despite its medium-length coat, it does not tolerate the cold.


Sphynx
The Sphynx is known as the hairless cat; however, it does have an almost invisible
fur. The coat of the Sphynx is sparse and does not have layers. The cat's skin is
clearly visible on the muzzle, ears, paws and tail. They are highly sensitive to cold
and abrupt changes in temperature.


Thai
When cat lovers first see the Thai, they often recall the Siamese cats they lived
with as children. Often referred to as the old-style Siamese, the Thai features
the beautiful pointed coat and distinctive blue eyes on a moderate, rounded
body.


Tonkinese
This cat blends the best features of its ancestors into one beautiful, medium-sized
cat that proudly wears one of three coat patterns, each of which comes in four
colors. Tonkinese have a surprising sense of humor and a highly intelligent and
gregarious personality.


Toyger
The Toyger is a medium-sized, shorthaired domestic cat that resembles a toy
tiger. The Toyger has a long body, long tail, round ears and large chin/muzzle with
a broad nose tip. The cat's coat resembles a tiger's wild stripes.


Turkish Angora
The long coat of the Angora is like no other coat, with a sensuously silky, luxurious
texture. Angoras are fine-boned felines, and surpass many other breeds when it
comes to playfulness and affection. They quickly form devoted attachments to
their owners, lavishing adoration.


Turkish Van
The Turkish Van traces its ancient origins to the region of Turkey's Lake Van. A
natural breed, the Van sports a full, brush-like tail as soft as cashmere. The Van
pattern is all-white with colored markings restricted primarily to the head and tail.