Know the Different Breeds of Cats and their Characteristics

  • Cats have left their mark on history through various breeds and their representation in culture.
  • Cat breeds are classified by size, coat, and unique characteristics.
  • There are hairless breeds such as the Sphynx cat, which is considered exotic.
  • Crossbreeding has led to the emergence of new species with specific genetic characteristics.

As legendary as it is subtle, and as intelligent as it is independent, the feline species has been known since its earliest recorded history, and this is true not only because of its behaviors and abilities. Another truth is that different cat breeds have left their mark throughout history, being represented in drawings, symbols, and works of art, as well as being cared for by iconic figures.

lineage of small cats

To begin we will talk about the breeds of cats that are small in size.

burmese cat

According to known historical facts about this feline breed, several legends claim that these cats originated in Burmese monasteries. There is substantial archaeological and artistic evidence asserting that this feline was already present in Thailand as early as the 15th century. Regardless of its precise origin, how this breed arrived in North America is definitively known, as it was solely the work of Wong Mau.

This was a cat that traveled a long way from Burma in the company of Dr. Joseph C. Thompson. An experiment crossing her with Siamese cats confirmed that she was not a dark variety of the species, thus establishing her as a distinct breed. Due to her immense popularity, hybrids began to appear at various cat shows. The breed's official recognition was withdrawn in 1947, but reinstated in 1953.

Burmese cat breeds

These felines are normally medium in size, weighing around 3 to 5 kilograms (Kg), with female cats closer to the minimum weight than males. Its build is quite strong and robust, with resistant legs and a rounded shape, having a straight and long tail. The head of this cat is round, with prominent cheeks and distant eyes, with great shine and a curved shape, usually yellow or with golden tones, small in size and somewhat plump.

It is also known that the coat of Burmese cats is short, satiny, with finesse, importantly indicating that it has to be close to the body and that each one darkens from the root, which is lighter, to the tip. It is quite usual that, regardless of the color of the coat, it is lighter in the belly area. In relation to the color gradation of that fur, colors such as tortoise shell, cream, chocolate, red, cinnamon, platinum and champagne are possible, which distinguishes it more.

They have quite a friendly demeanor and are sociable and like to spend time with those close to them as well as new people. For that reason, it is a lineage that does not handle being alone well, which should be considered if long periods of time away from home are shared. They are curious and quite energetic felines, so it is recommended to constantly entertain them with toys. As far as children are concerned, they are great with them, being the ideal pet; It's not territorial at all.

American Curl Cat

This breed, among small cat breeds , is quite young, having originated in California in the 80s, specifically in 1981, when a couple of breeders found a kitten with rounded ears and adopted it. Their first litter included two other kittens with these distinctive ears, one with long hair and the other with short hair, thus marking the beginning of the breed.

For this new breed and its peculiar ears, they were pleasant and many breeders were very interested in having specimens of this cat. Due to this popularity and the great growth of the breed, it was not long before it was recognized by official bodies; for the year 1991, the CFA officially distinguished it, so that later in 2002 a manual on its standards was made.

The felines of the American curl breed have a weight that is around 3 to 5 kilograms (Kg), with the females being closer to the minimum weight than the males, having a height at the withers between 45 and 50 centimeters in males, as well like 40 and 45 in females. They have a body with a certain length and very robust, with a rectangular build, having a wedge-shaped head, being longer than wide and with a fairly firm chin snout, with large round eyes.

American Curl cat breeds

The cats of this lineage are quite affable and calm. They like coexistence with different animals, as well as humans, which is ideal if you have other pets. It is also very good in families with children, because they are fun cats, although tolerant and lacking in nerves. Shared games can be played or the children can invent them, so both parties will have peace and entertainment during those moments of play.

Scottish Fold Cat

According to what their name reveals, these cats come from Scotland and originate from a genetic mutation that was generated in the first cat of this species named Suzie. She was found and adopted in 1961 in Scotland by a man named Willian Ross. The first thing that caught Suzie's attention was her rounded ears, and it was at that moment that he became interested in breeding this breed, crossing it with a British Shorthair cat, from which the first litter was produced.

It entered the classification officially from the year 1966 with the first offspring that was born, however, these kittens began to have serious health problems such as limb malformations and arthritis, a consequence of the Fold gene, which gave them the folded condition. to his little ears. This health situation caused that in the year 1974 the official rectors of Scotland of the matter prohibited that the Scottish Fold were bred, remaining without recognition and in anonymity.

This is why their breeding became a controversial issue, as several animal welfare organizations disagreed with continuing to reproduce and raise these types of cats . The felines that were conceived would have tiny, floppy ears, which is actually due to a cartilage deformity, causing hearing problems, infections, and even deafness.

From other points of view, some Scottish Fold cats were already being transported to North America, where their progeny continued on their way, albeit at a lower intensity. Currently, famous stars in the world of film and music have managed to bring this class of cats to the forefront, once again being cats desired and loved by all the famous and not so famous.

From a negative angle, in Europe, in 2019, specifically in Brussels, through the Animal Welfare Council, published a regulation by which Scottish Folds could not be bred and marketed according to the fact that these cats suffer, thanks to this genetic deficiency, being a rather unfortunate fact for those people who have been screened with them, more is done for a good cause.

The Scottish Fold species is undoubtedly recognized by its small drooping ears, compared directly to the dimensions of its head, being folded forward. Apart from that, they have a distinctive appearance, since their round head is similar to carrying a small shower cap on top. The fold of their ears is different according to the cat, although some cats have only one fold, there are even some that have three. The latter are proudly displayed.

They have a rounded and thick structure, with a compact texture and a small size, their weight being around 3 to 6 kilograms (Kg). They have round-shaped eyes, projecting sweetness and charm, short but resistant legs and a regular-sized tail. The Scottish Fold tend to be cats with a soft and dense coat, which can be of various colors and of different quite striking shades.

Normally, the color of the eyes has a dependency on the color of the coat. Today the governing organization (TICA), let the traditional oriental colors and dotted pattern be present. These felines are a perfect union between intelligence, agility and sweetness. Within his behavior he has a certain shy and somewhat introverted character, although they are also quite curious and calm meow.

They hate being alone and are quite dependent on company, so it's best not to keep them alone at home or to have another cat as a companion. They are very sweet and affectionate with their owners, which makes them wonderful companions, a characteristic of Scottish Fold cats . They also have several resting positions. They tend to settle on the floor with their paws spread or lie on their backs.

burmilla cat

This cat is from the United Kingdom, where a Burmese cat was in a cross with a male Persian chinchilla during the year 1981. This event occurred randomly, so the first offspring of the breed that today is recognized as burmilla originated selflessly and naturally. Accordingly, the question arises about that name, which is answered very simply, since it comes from the combination between the Burmese cat breed and the chinchilla cat breed.

Burmilla cat breeds

Since it has only been 39 years since the first kittens were born, this is believed to be one of the newest cat species. Even the breed has not yet been recognized by the region of origin, where it is called and used as an experimental breed according to the Cat Association of Britain. Similarly, it is not recognized in North America, however, international organizations such as the International Feline Federation (FIFE) have registered it.

It has a size between small and medium, weighing around 4 and 7 kilograms, with a solid and quite compact body, similar to its limbs, which have defined musculature, being thinner and a little shorter than its front legs. . It has a straight, long tail with a rounded end, having a fairly large and round head, outlined green eyes and somewhat slanted, thanks to black-rimmed eyelids.

Their ears are medium in size, similar to a triangle with a wide rounded base. An important fact to know is that, for a specimen to be completely pure, it must have green eyes and not another color, as has been wrongly said. The burmilla cat's coat is known to be slightly longer than that of a burmese cat, being both silky smooth, and lustrous. It has a large volume because it has a bilayer structure, with a short sublayer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FItsq6xaRc8

An important peculiarity of the burmilla cat is its great and exemplary character, according to the fact that it is a fairly affectionate, docile, attentive cat and very attached to its family. People who have a burmilla as a pet say that it is an incredibly good cat, that loves to be accompanied and has the ability to be liked by all the members of the house, depending on whether they are people, animals of the same species or of some other in particular.

This feline is a very balanced cat, according to the fact that, despite the fact that it likes games and dynamics, it is quite still. Under this reference, it is quite illogical that he has a hyperactive and nervous attitude; when it is displayed in this way, it is interpreted as the cat is not in its best health, so a stress-related problem may be found, which is vital to identify and then treat. He has enough gifts to communicate effectively.

Abyssinian cat

According to new studies, they safely give it, which is one of the oldest cat lineages. Genetic evidence indicates that its origin is from the nearby areas of the Indian Ocean and the south of the Asian continent, where the merchants of that time denoted trade routes with India, and probably that helped them to have been inserted in Europe for this reason. means, medium. In the year 1872 through a British newspaper, this breed of cats was made known for the first time.

Even today, its origin remains unclear. Numerous legends and even myths suggest that the Abyssinian cat may have been the feline worshipped by high-ranking Egyptian officials, considered sacred. Among the existing names for cats , it is believed that the name "Abyssinian" derives from the fact that the first specimen exhibited to the public (named Zula) was transported directly from Abyssinia, a region of Ethiopia, although the breed did not originate there.

This species arrived in North America in 1900, but it was not until 1930 that the breeding program for this species began, requiring more cats to be imported from Great Britain. This aspect, quite believably, managed to preserve the breed, since, during the Second World War, it almost managed to become extinct, with only 10 cats surviving in the region of England.

The breed was saved and is now a highly valued and admired cat for its remarkable abilities and temperament. It is considered one of the most intelligent cats, with a playful and cheerful disposition. It loves to climb high places, explore every corner of the house, and keep a watchful eye out the window. Its active nature makes it prone to conflicts with other felines, unlike most other cat breeds.

Bombay Cat

The history of this cat begins in the fifties, exactly in the region of Kentucky, where a breeder named Nikki Horner came to know this class, trying to find a cat different from this one, with a solid build and a affable character. Given that, she made crosses with American shorthair cats and with the black ones with the burmese. This lineage was officially released in 1976 by the North American Cat Fanciers Association.

It is known as a very affectionate feline, adapting quite well to various domestic environments; it is also considered a calm cat that will stay close to its family members. It gets along wonderfully with other types of pets and it is not uncommon for it to have a good relationship with dogs, as anyone who has them as pets can certainly attest.

They are incredibly good at finding the warmest place in the whole house during the winter season, plus they have a tendency to get into bed and spend long naps with their masters, however, it is illogical to think that the Bombay is lazy. It is a feline that tends to quickly learn to be walked with a harness on a leash, and also likes to go out and explore different areas such as gardens, paths, among others.

It is also said that it is a cat that has great intelligence, ability and cognitive memory, so dynamic games like to participate in them constantly. Another aspect that stands out from the cat in question is its solid build and weighs around 3 to 5 kilograms (Kg). It is a fairly strong and compact species, which has great mobility and agility, typical of a feline, having a small rounded size with robust legs and a short nose.

Another thing that helps distinguish it from other cats is its black fur with short, smooth and continuous copper gradations, with a shiny hue that can have certain parts where it looks shiny. Their eyes are elements that distinguish them, according to the fact that they have a color that ranges between gold and copper, large, although they are also somewhat slanted.

Korat cat

This feline appears in literature written in ancient Thai script, where it is mentioned as having a platinum color with blue tones, unlike other felines. Currently, it is known as the Korat cat, named after a Thai city from which it supposedly originated. It wasn't until 1883 that this cat became known in the West, although it had been exhibited in London in previous decades.

In this, it was not possible to show in a certain way if it was actually a korat cat or an oriental shorthair cat. It achieved recognition as a lineage in 1865 in North American lands (United States) and later, in 1872, it would be identified in the United Kingdom. Currently, it consists of a cat that is only obtained through breeders, costing around 1000 and 1600 euros.

It is well known that this feline is quite strong and resilient, robust, and in a way, distinguished in its gait, with a great resemblance to the Russian Blue. Its fur has a striking silvery-tinged pattern that gives it a particular luster and color, a property that in the Asian country is called "sea foam," which describes the pleasant effect created when the setting sun bathes its body in the strong rays, projecting a gradation.

This type of cat is quite outgoing and hyperactive, with a great deal of freedom and extreme curiosity. It thrives in a home with many other domestic cats . It is quite expressive and sociable, forming close bonds with its feline companions and always seeking proximity to the responsible humans who care for it.

It has large eyes, bright eyes, with a certain highlight and rounded. It has excellent luster hair, and at the same time it is short and fine, which has a tendency to break on the back, it has a thick and wide tail at the beginning and ends rounded or curved at the tip. . Within their specimens, they are likely to be affected by a genetic disorder, which influences the neuromuscular system and is recessive in nature (it is not generated if the allele is dominant).

Japanese Bobtail cat

Regardless of the fact that it is currently a breed that lives and is recognized throughout the world, this cat is a species native to Asia. Seen in this way, it has similar physical features with other types of felines of these origins, although, in this particular case, it must be found in the first steps that were taken in feudal Japan, not being corroborated if it comes from the Kuril Islands However, it is believed that they have been part of the great culture and history of Japan for 1000 years.

Within this perspective, the species of the cold zones arises, corresponding to its northern archipelagos. In any case, in 1602 they were granted a condition of freedom and protection, in order to help eliminate the rodent plagues that plagued the rice and silk industries. It was not until the year 1968 that they became known in the western world at the hands of Lynn Beck and Elizabeth Freret, who inserted it in the United States.

Deducing the names of felines can provide clues about their most striking physical trait; the terms bobtail cat or Japanese bobtail highlight the most important characteristics of this breed, referring to a Japanese cat with a short tail. Going beyond the almost obligatory comparison to a rabbit, this tail stands out not only for its small size but also for ending in a pom-pom or a large tuft of fluff.

As a result, it becomes more visible in long-haired specimens, where it can be lifted without adding much or little weight. In a way, this curled tail, believed to be related to a recessive gene, has become a defining characteristic of the lineage. It's important to note that no two are alike, as each tail is associated with a specific cat breed.

As indicated above, these felines can have shorter or longer fur, and it becomes both an attraction and a distinctive mark of bobtails, being of varied colors and shades, standing out among their kind those with spots. red on white and black. It should be borne in mind that the Japanese consider it a lucky cat, however, it is believed that this type of luck will be as long as the short-haired specimens are constantly brushed every three days.

In the case of long-haired species, they must be brushed daily. Under this premise, it benefits the feline since it will not endanger its life by being drowned by a hairball that causes so much damage to its stomach. A curiosity is that these cats have larger hind legs than the front ones, being a vital quality because it gives them wide mobility with great agility and, proportionally, jumps with great power, either for games or for necessity.

Balinese cat

Starting in 1928, a rather curious fact happened, specifically in Great Britain a Siamese with long hair was identified, the most attractive being that, at the genetic level, it acted as a recessive trait, which led to the assumption that the first Siamese that arrived to the European continent, they carried this component. From that moment, the Balinese cat became known, although not officially or reliably.

Shortly after World War II, Marian Dorsey, a woman dedicated to breeding purebred cats , obtained long-haired Siamese specimens in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1955. It was introduced to society and the general population with great success and definitively in 1961, it became a recognized breed of cat in the registries.

This breed did not arrive in Europe until the mid-70s, when a dispute arose among Siamese cat breeders because they disliked the term " long-haired Siamese ." There were considerable obstacles to establishing this breed as a distinct variety in Europe. Consequently, the name was changed to Balinese cat, which it retains to this day.

In recent times, this lineage has presented a fall in terms of its purity, where it seeks to recover its previous purity. It has the peculiarity of having whisker pads of different shades, a fairly light structure and a size between small and medium size, having a very long tail, which is provided with a lot of hair, which helps in balance and movement. movement.

There is a discussion regarding the colors of the Balinese cat. A comparison is made between Europe, which has developed a great diversity of colors and patterns, while, in North America, the different governing organizations have only released 4 colors without changes to date, the same happening with the Siamese itself, among which are chocolate, blue and lilac.

If a cat within this group exhibits a color pattern outside of the established ones, it is no longer recognized and is placed in another subgroup, which is called " Javanese ". It is interesting to note that the Balinese, which has medium-length hair that is usually straight throughout its body, although it also has a soft texture, which facilitates its maintenance, not requiring excessive care.

Regarding temperament, the Balinese cat is often different from other breeds . It's said that Balinese cats sleep very little compared to other cats, and they enjoy observing, which is one of their greatest pastimes. Like other cats, they are naturally curious and often spend long periods looking out of windows or even observing human behavior and habits, almost as if they were studying them.

Another characteristic of this breed is their ability to adapt quite easily to other domestic cats they live with, regardless of their lineage, forming strong emotional bonds with them. They do not cope well with the loss of a companion, and a grieving process has sometimes been observed when another feline dies.

Kinds of curly-haired cats

Although perhaps many do not know them, there are cats that have curly hair, get to know them below.

LaPerm Cat

curly haired cat breeds

This large and imposing feline breed came about due to a genetic alteration that occurred spontaneously in a group of offspring born in the barn of some North American farmers; more precisely, they were born in the state of Oregon, with a striking characteristic, which is that some of the small felines were born bald and their fur did not appear until some time later, for a few months.

A group of breeders were curious about these quite particular cats, generating various breeding programs to achieve a healthy class, which was made official in 1997 through the development of the LPSA club and, several years after this, the TICA established the classification of the LaPerm caste. These cats are classified as a hypoallergenic class, based on the fact that they shed hair.

The LaPerm are a species of medium-sized cats, weighing between 3 to 5 kilograms in females, as well as 4 to 6 kilograms (Kg) in males, the latter being taller. They have a solid and fibrous body, with a quite accentuated resistance, which hides their fur, having strong hind legs, which are slightly longer than the front ones, having a wide tail at the base and it becomes thinner at the moment of arrival. to the tip, with a leafy mantle of hair.

Both the body and the size of the head are of medium size, triangular in shape and comprising a long snout, whose nose is straight and long. Making a further description of the head, it is finished by wide and triangular ears, which have small tufts, very similar to those of lynxes. His eyes have an oval geometry and with a color gradation according to that of his fur.

Species of the LaPerm class are quite affectionate, they reverence the fact that their owners show them all their attention and share a lot of time, caressing and pampering them; under this it becomes understandable that they are not a species that is always alone, rather they repel it, for which it is not advisable to leave them alone for a long time. Contrary to this, they are animals with a great sense of obedience and intelligence, which is why they decide to show them different tricks, which they can happily learn.

Cornish Rex cat

The origins of this breed date back to 1950, on a farm in Bodmin, Cornwall, England. A small, curly-haired kitten was found there, one of a litter from a wild cat that lived nearby. Nina Ennismore, the woman who found it, was very surprised to see it, even suspecting that it was related to a mutation similar to the " Rex " breed, which was common in rabbits, and similar to the Devon Rex.

She successfully raised the kitten she named " Kallibunker " and protected the entire litter, just as she had protected its mother, Serena. Following this, it was observed that the variety of kittens in this group confirmed that curly fur, a relatively new trait not previously seen, was a recessive characteristic, and all the offspring of the new generation possessed this trait, unlike any other cat breed.

The Burmese cat species, coming from Great Britain and with short hair, were used to develop the new class, while those with short hair, Oriental and Siamese, were inserted into new groups from the North American region, where the Cornish Rex would be in the year of 1958. For this fact is that there are differences regarding what its physiognomy refers to between this last region and the North American one.

All the investigations carried out on the origin of this new class, and especially of the small curly-haired cat, managed to create doubts among the experts, as to whether Kallibunker would have oriental ancestors within his pedigree, taking into consideration the qualities of his parents. and the character of previous generations. In other words, the Cornish Rex meant a cat that had no resemblance to those found in the surroundings, having a more active and elegant character.

It has a quite accentuated taste for constant meowing and producing different peculiar sounds, in order to attract attention. She corresponds to a feline that likes company, regardless of whether she is human or one of the cats themselves; It is explained that this species is hypoallergenic, which means that there is less chance of a negative reaction from allergic people with reference to its hair.

Devon Rex Cat

It corresponds to a species of cat that had its origin thanks to a natural mutation in Devon, located in England during the year 1960. A woman, worker and a local animal protector found a specimen and, at first glance, the first thing she managed to object is that it had a great resemblance to the Cornish Rex, which this group occurred 10 years earlier, in a community quite close to the aforementioned.

The name of this first kitty was Kirlee, which was quite popular and caused quite a stir; At the time of making the successive observations, they were able to conclude that the silky and wavy hair was largely due to a recessive gene, but different in a great way from the one that the Cornish Rex possesses, establishing this new species immediately in Great Britain, being made official.

For the year 1979, in the United States, it is officially recognized as a new breed of feline, thanks in large part to the Cat Fanciers Association, being in modern times, an animal with a great presence in homes worldwide. . He tends to be quite affectionate, always needing company, since he likes humans and will seek to create quite strong bonds, and primarily with those beings with whom he manages to feel more affinity to them and connected.

This species is considered, as with black cats, one of the most intelligent cat breeds that could exist. For this reason, they mostly like dynamic and interactive type toys, which manage to stimulate their cognitive abilities. The Devon Rex group is prone to being affected by health problems thanks to its evolution at the genetic level and what originated through crosses. They can be named among the diseases or conditions with the greatest impact on the feline are hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, muscle weakness and myopia, generally.

Selkirk Rex Cat

The history of this breed relates that a little cat that was in a shelter, which they had taken since she was close to conceiving, from which seven kittens were born, and of that number one was different, which caused an alert for people who picked her up, according to her unique mustache and curly coat. She managed to grow up in the shelter and some time later, she was taken in by a woman named Jeri Newman, a scientist in the area of ​​animal genetics, who was quite interested in her.

Newman gave her a rather unusual name, which would later become the name of a new breed of very special cats: Miss DePesto No Face . Some time after her adoption, he successfully bred her with a Persian cat, resulting in a litter of ordinary kittens. However, some of these kittens had their mother's striking coat, proving that it was a dominant gene.

This breed was called Selkirk under the inspiration of the famous mountains of Canada and in recent times, both the long- and short-haired Selkirk Rex are classified as current breeds in the different existing registries. The wonderful curly hair of this species is quite particular, without a doubt, because, unlike its short-haired British relative, to which it bears a great resemblance, the curls have a random arrangement, called ringlets by the breed classification.

Some of its qualities include a cat that not only has a small nose and curly fur, but also has round eyes that are somewhat more distant than usual. It has legs of medium length, although with strong claws. Making a detailed observation, the muscular and somewhat square build is quite striking, with a straight tail and a rounded shape at the tip.

Medium Cat Class

Now we will see which are the breeds of cats that are characterized by having a medium size.

American Wirehair Cat

It corresponds to a species within the felines that originated relatively recently, according to what happened in the 60s, specifically in 1966, when an American family living in New York City had their cat a very special progeny, because one of her kittens had a distinctive coat from the others, whose quality was quite rough curly hair.

This rough-haired or strong-haired feline was sold to a breeder who took the initiative to develop this breed, capturing this little cat with its peculiarities in the sentiment. Essentially, wanting to avoid hereditary problems and difficulties due to the purity of the breed, the American Wirehaired Pointers were mated with American Shorthaired Pointers. These measures succeeded in improving and fueling the growth of the number of American Wirehair cats.

The breed achieved recognition in 1978 by various governing organizations such as the Cat Fancy Association (CFA). Medium-sized American cats have a weight that is around 6 to 8 kilograms (Kg) for males and between 4,3 to 5,5 kilograms for females. They have a high life expectancy, since they can manage to live much more than 20 years, this being the average.

The build of these cats has a highly developed musculature, with fairly robust and resistant legs, with a medium-length tail. The shape of its head is rounded, ending in a short snout with a somewhat protruding chin, and it also has eyes that are large, distant from each other, round in shape and quite bright, although the colors are different depending on the color. type of feline fur, with medium-sized ears.

American Wirehair cat breeds

Making a note about the hair of the American Wirehair, it can be indicated that this is incredibly special, since it usually attracts attention due to its rough texture. It has the peculiarity of being wire-like and curly throughout its length, being a different curly according to the area of ​​its body, with mustaches made of hard hair and also, although it seems quite strange, they are curly as well as its coverage.

The shades of the hair of the cat in question turn out to be varied, with no restrictions in terms of patterns and gradations. Faced with this situation, all sequences and colors are approved for this breed of cat. The small cats of this group are famous for being quite loving, reaching the extreme that their pleas for love and attention manage to be orders and impositions on their part.

European common cat

One of the first things to know about this type of cat is its name, because it is one of the most popular cats in homes and has been scattered throughout Europe for several years. This distinguished species has been accepted by many families, either for its sense of independence, its intelligence and, above all, for representing a very good company.

This breed, known as the common European cat, comes from the old continent and although the exact origin of the ancestors that make up its pedigree is not known; It has been commented that it may be a descendant of the jungle cat and the African wildcat, which have existed in certain regions of Asia and Africa. In another way it is also called the Roman cat, for the reason that, under a theory, it is explained that this civilization was the one who introduced it to Europe, during the times of the Great Empire.

The breed was classified in 1983 by the International Feline Federation (FIFE), however, recognition was sought in previous years, specifically in 1925, in England, being standardized as a third category by the FIFE with certain physical qualities and some sequences in the shades of its distinctive coat. The common European cat is a medium-sized animal with a broad, solid and strong complexion, being robust, but not fat, having a fluffy coat.

It has a round head and a tail, which is usually broad and wide at the base, becoming thinner when it reaches the tip; Its legs are resistant and of medium size, weighing between 3 and 6 kilograms (Kg). The tonality of the color of their eyes is between yellow, blue and green (this color, particularly, the most common), there are also cases where the specimen has a different color in each eye (heterochromia).

snowshoe cat

It corresponds to a kind of cat that manages to make its appearance in the year 1960, in the United States, through Dorothy Hinds, a caretaker who seeks to recover a quality typical of the first Siamese cats, which are white fingers. It is believed that its origin came from three small cats of the Siamese class, which had white paws and that it adopted simultaneously with an American shorthair feline (American Shorthair), which had white markings on its coat.

Consequently, it was possible to redeem what, in earlier times, was considered a flaw in the breed, giving rise to the Snowshoe cat , named for its distinctive white paws. This feline has been accepted by most of the existing international governing bodies; however, it generated a negative reaction among many Siamese breeders, who had managed to eliminate this characteristic from their paws to purify them.

The Snowshoe is considered to be an elegant and slim feline, agile when making its movements, with a large head, a moderately built body, a compact, short and smooth coat, with medium to large ears. , with legs that are proportional to the body. His weight is between 2 and 5 kilograms (Kg). The supporting part of its legs have a round shape and have a certain particular width.

Referring to the color, this feline has all the uniform colors and even a tone that is similar to that of the turtles, there are also the tabby patterns, the dotted sequences and with white spots, essentially on the face, with a triangular geometry on the bottom. The blue ones and the seal mitted are accredited, being curious that the progeny of the Snowshoe, are born with practically white fur and later, they take on their distinctive shades.

Carthusian cat

It corresponds to a type of cat that is native to Turkey and Iran, being among the oldest species of cat breeds that have existed. It was named by the naturalist Georges-Louis Lecrerc as the feline of France, perhaps because it already existed in this region of the continent during the XNUMXth century, with certainty that it previously came from Syria, when the Crusades of the XNUMXth century took place. The legend explains that the Carthusian monks welcomed them to eliminate rodents in periods of plague.

The Chatreux or Carthusian cat is an animal characterized in essence by being docile and independent like some, keeping quite calm, it is even reported that they took the vow of silence in a similar way to the Carthusian monks who protected them and to whom it is due. your name. They are quite sociable, but, at the same time, introverted with unknown people. It is added that they can establish close and important ties with their owners and with whom they feel a connection.

Although they enjoy a sense of independence, these cats adore feeling pampered and loved by their owners. For this reason, once they bond with their owner, they can't bear to be far away and will follow them wherever they go. They are great lovers of play, and in these situations, their dominant nature prevails over other cats or domestic cats . Despite being quite calm, they are also skilled hunters.

This feline has a solid and resistant body texture. In this regard, upon reaching maturity, it is possible to observe that his shoulders cease to have their shape, since due to his broad complexion, it would reflect that he did not have a neck, since his broad face joins with his torso. Among the peculiarities are round and immense eyes of a coppery color, which give it distinction. They have a medium size, weighing around 3 and a half to 7 kilos (male), but a female between 2 and 3 kilograms.

Egyptian Mau Cat

Being able to closely examine the Egyptian Mau, it is possible to assess that it bears a great resemblance to the felines represented in ancient Egyptian writings and walls, with an athletic build, long and with spots lacking in sequence with each other. They generally have a hard and strong abdomen, an aspect difficult to find in other cats, knowing that their front legs are much shorter than the back ones, a physical quality that gives them great mobility and makes it easier for them to use a great speed of movement. .

Resembling a rounded wedge shape, the face of this type of cat is smoothly conducted, until it ends in the muzzle, which has the same dimensions in width, in contrast to its length. It is usually a cat that has a strong and determined character, which will not hesitate to create important bonds of friendship with the human beings with whom it is most related in the family nucleus.

Egyptian Mau cat breeds

Ocicat cat

This breed of cat originated in the United States in 1964. During this period, Virginia, a cat breeder living in Michigan, crossed a Siamese cat with an Abyssinian cat. Unaware of the many cat breeds , she pondered and formulated ways to obtain a traditional Siamese cat with its spotted and tabby coat.

The litter that was born as a result of that experiment was quite similar to the Abyssinian cats, as far as fur and color tones are concerned, but when this second generation was able to cross again under the same conditions, Virginia achieved the desired goal. , giving rise to a new breed of felines, which would have a name inspired by the crossbreeding and the tone of its coat, the Ocicat or ocelot.

It has a fine, short and soft coat, with a solid build, with resistant and muscular limbs, looking stylish and athletic. It has a broad, wedge-shaped head with wide ears and slightly slanted eyes. The weight of this cat is between 7 kilograms (Kg), having a size between medium and large, with an average life expectancy of 13 years.

Tiger Cat (Toyger)

This cat is one of a kind; thanks to Judy Sugden, who wanted to create a breed of cat that resembled the great Indian tiger, around the 1980s in North America (United States). The Association of International Cats (AIG) began recognizing the Toyger cat in 1993, it was upgraded to a new breed at the beginning of the 21st century, and it received full championship recognition in 2007, making it a popular breed. TICA is the only organization that recognizes it.

The Toyger cat is stocky and robust, with a short, thick, orange coat that has a noticeable sheen and a beautiful striped pattern. It lacks curved lines and features the typical dorsal stripe of the Mackerel tabby. It's one of those breeds with thick legs and a long neck held horizontally when moving. Its long body, with its lean lines, and small, round ears are characteristic features.

The tiger cat is a very calm cat, but with great energy and intensity when something really attracts him. It has a great ability to see any detail that humans can go unnoticed. There are opinions from people who live with it, that it is surprisingly anticipated when a family member is close to coming home, which is quite impressive for a cat.

manx cat

This type of small feline was first introduced to society in 1860 at early cat shows, where it was very well received due to its unusual appearance and rather unique behavior. In the 20th century, it became known worldwide. Organizations recognized the Manx breed among existing cat varieties, but only Western colors were accepted.

Among the peculiarities of this species of cat, it can be found that they have a short and thick tail, which is accompanied by a rest of tail or cartilage, however, there are some within this group that do not have a tail and, where this should be , there is a gap or gap. Another curiosity of these felines is that the Longies species has long fur and has a rather unusual curved tail shape.

Manx cat breeds

lineage of hairless cats

There are also some breeds of cats that do not have hair, such as the following:

Sphynx Cat: It is described as exquisite, strange, and exotic; some have even compared it to an alien. Some people classify this breed as hairless, characterized by its complete lack of fur. It may be a very rare breed, but what is certain is that the Sphynx cat inspires curiosity and wonder.

Lykoi Cat: This species of feline is also called wolf cats, thanks to its physique which is similar to that of a small wolf, in which its fur and eyes are characteristics that make them so distinguished and popular.

Peterbald Cat: Although its shape and appearance link it to the skin of a Sphynx cat and its figure, like that of an oriental cat with very short fur, the Peterbald is a unique and quite original breed in itself.

Hairless cat breeds

Diseases of cats by genetic criteria

According to what has been commented previously, the keepers use the most advanced genetics in their favor, to preserve certain traits and specify a particular breed of cats, such as the facial features, the coat, the ears, the pattern and also morphology. One point that turns out to be true is that, in this competition for the definition of a group of purebred cats with great lineage, although they are trying to take advantage of other genes that are hidden in fine cats and use them to the fullest.

The most recent advances in this area and responsible care would be a possible solution to these problems. At the time of counting them, it can be added that some come as a variety from a specific region or nation, being an example the Russian Blue, although others have been developed by the hand of man, generating and giving value to certain particularities or mutations, achieving provide a single standard.


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