Popular Cat Breeds

Common Feline Terms Tom – Male Cat Queen – Female Cat Kitten – Young Cat of Either Sex Clutch – Group of Cats Queening – Giving Birth Felis Catus – Scientific Name

Breeds 35 Species Over 300 Breeds Domestic House Cat Species Over 300 Breeds Most domestic breeds are mutants or accidents. Unlike dogs really are no purebreds.

Lets take a looks at some common breeds of domestic cats or “felus catus”

Abyssinian * One of the oldest breeds known * Descendant of Egypt and worshiped as sacred * Extremely affectionate, quiet, highly intelligent, and alert. Very active and be taught to retrieve!

American Shorthair Brought to U.S. from England Affectionate, great lap cat, easily disciplined and trained Very large cat, males-14 lbs., female- 1 lbs 34 recognized color patterns

Birman Sacred cat of Burma Very sociable; needs company, sweet natured, charming, intelligent medium to large in size Genetic defects have been known to occur: weak hind legs, nasal obstruction, poor occlusion

Bombay Cross between Burmese and American Short-hair graceful, charming, gets along well with others, including strangers Medium size Jet black with copper colored eyes

Burmese Originated in the U.S.- 1930’s by crossing a Siamese and Burma sweet disposition, stubborn, bossy, and angry. Like to be held Upper respiratory diseases are common in kittens especially if inbred

Devon Rex Crossed domestic cat with a feral (wild) cared for stray medium size wide based ears are set low and very characteristic of breed likes people and can be taught to retrieve Excellent climber

Japanese Bobtail Japanese origin sign of good luck affectionate, sweet tempered, and loves people medium to large size distinctive “short” (bob) tail is kinked and hair forms a “pom” Care must be taken not to hurt the sensitive tail area.

Korat Native to Thailand- highly prized intelligent and active, protective of family members, reserved with strangers. Silver tipped fur Prone to upper respiratory infections. Vaccinations are important!

Manx Native to Isle of Man Result of a genetic mutation affectionate but leans towards one-on-one relationships, very healthy 3 types: no tail (rumpy), short tail (stumpy), and long tail (longy) Carrier of lethal gene that makes weak spines causing paralysis

Oriental Shorthair Multiple colors talkative companion, intelligent, witty, elegant, dependent upon people, playful medium size, can be mistaken for Siamese Good health, except some respiratory problems

Persian Oldest and most popular breed well-mannered, easygoing, quiet, excellent apartment cats divided into 6 groups for showing purposes, depending on eye and coat color Some white are born deaf if blue eyed or odd eyed (one blue/one green) Require daily grooming, often experience breathing problems and clogged tear ducts Persian

Ragdoll Originated in U.S. in 1960’s Named for its floppy posture when handled They have little fear or pain, docile, quiet, and composed Large and heavy breed

Siamese One-on-one cat, even within a family talkative, loyal, fearless, very unpredictable medium size, very long, refined very little pigmentation; mask, ear, foot and tail tips Always has blue eyes Sensitive to vaccinations and anesthetics

Singapura Originates in Singapore Shy, but wamrs up after feeling of safety playful and sociable small breed; Males-6 lbs, females-4 lbs Ticked coat is famous trait

Somali Crossed with Abyssinian recessive carriers for long hair Friendly, affectionate, prefers company, playful, very active medium size usually orange-brown ticked with black or red ticked with brown coat gold or green eyes

Turkish Angora “Ankara Cats” Polite, intelligent, and very responsive. Prefers a clean, almost spotless environment small to medium size use to be only white, now many colors are noted Persian cousin

Scottish Fold Natural Mutation Ears are folded downward and and forward Excellent family cat, gets along well with other cats or dogs medium size crippling gene may affect length of life

Sphynx Canadian origination- 1960’s Hairless, indoor cat Very dependent upon people for survival Constant purr, affectionate, adore body contact Needs to eat frequent meals because of its lack to store body fat Body temperature is higher than normal