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Many people are surprised to find out that there are many different purebred or pedigree types of cats in the world today, ranging between approximately forty-five to seventy different breeds, depending on which cat fancier's group you are researching. The wide variety of types of cats is based on several factors including coat type, colorations, social characteristics, breed standards, physical descriptions as well as patterns and size. It is very important to remember that there is a difference between a colour type and an actual breed, although many people call specific colours of cats as actual breeds.
The actual colours or patterns that many people mistakenly take as breed of cat along with the visual description of the colour type are detailed below:
Tabby (Ginger, Orange, Orange Tabby, Marmalade) - these are cats of many different breeds, or even the domestic mix cats that have a distinctly orange or orangey-yellow coat. They will have slightly darker stripes or even rings around the tail, and may have some white on the face, chest, paws or the tip of the tail. Many different breeds of cats come in the tabby or orange tabby colouration and it is not considered a separate breed.
Tuxedo or Jellicle - this is the black cat with the white chest, abdomen, paws and tip of the tail and face. This is often the colour of the cats in cartoons or comics, and is also one of the most common colourations in the domestic cat population.
Maltese - this is the solid grey colouration that is seen in many of the breeds such as the Korat or Russian Blue. Usually a Maltese coloured cat will not have any white or other colouration, although there may be slightly darker patches in the coat and slight rings on the tail. In pedigree and purebred cats this colouration is usually known as blue.
Calico - this colouration is variable with a predominantly white cat with distinct patches of at least two different colours such as black and brown. White will separate the colours and the spots or splotches.
Tortoiseshell - with the tortoiseshell colouration the black and brown colours are blended together with the coat, not separate as in the calico. There may or may not be white on the face, paws, body or chest of the tortoiseshell colouration.
Torbie - this is a combination of a tortoiseshell and a tabby. The blended colours on the cat will have a regular pattern throughout all of the patches of colour, but not on the white.
To make this even a bit more confusing, it is possible to have a calico cat with tortoiseshell patches or even tabby patches. In the even that there is more than one colouration on a cat, typically look at the most predominant pattern to consider this the colouration name. For example if a tri-colour has some patches that are black, some that are brown, and some that are clearly tortoiseshell or tabby, she will still be a considered a calico colouration.
As mentioned above there are may be many different colourations or coat patterns allowed within a particular breed, whereas other breeds may be specifically coloured or patterned. It is important to keep in mind that cat breeders estimate that less than five percent of all the cats in the world are purebred or pedigree cats, and the rest are domestic cats that have interbred throughout the centuries to create the wonderful and striking coat colours that we see in modern cats and cat breeds.
To help prospective cat owners understand the various types of cats a general overview of the breeds is provided. Keep in mind that the same breed of cat may have several different names, depending on the area of the world that the cat and owner are located in. When possible the alternate names for the breed are provided in parenthesis behind the common UK name for the breed.
Abyssinian (Aby) - this is one of the oldest breeds of cats, believed to have descended from the ancient wild cats in Africa. The Abyssinian cats have the same look as the cats depicted in Egyptian artefacts, and have the same almond shaped eyes and highly sculpted bodies, faces and ears. The cat is very athletic looking with long, strong legs and a very highly carried tail. The breed has a unique coat that is very soft and short to the body, with bands of colour on each hair. Coats can be a variety of colours with browns, greys, fawns, silvers and ruddy. Other colours are acceptable but there cannot be large amounts of white on the Abyssinian for show purposes.
The Abyssinian cat is very people oriented and will quickly bond with the family. While not a nestle in your lap kind of cat, they are very interested in what is going on in the household and are considered to be one of the most intelligent of the cat breeds. The Abyssinian cat is not a cat that can easily adapt to constant changes in the environment or living conditions, and they tend to be somewhat standoffish with strangers.
American Wirehaired - this breed is named for the crimped or twisted medium length coat that develops when the cat is full grown. Kittens will have a typical cat coat, but adults must have a definite "hook" to their hair to be considered as show quality. They are a very relaxed cat and enjoy being with lots of people, including children and even other pets and animals. The American wirehaired cat can be any one of a variety of colours.
Angora (Turkish Angora) - this striking looking cat has semi-long straight hair that gently cascades down the back and forms a plume on the tail. The breed does not have a double coat so the hair is very close to the body, moving gracefully with the cat. The head and ears are very triangular in shape and the eyes are slanted. All colours are acceptable although most breeders consider the pure white Angora to be the traditional colouring for this breed. They are very affectionate cats and enjoy living in a house with children and other pets. They are a bit dominant and may become the more assertive of the pets, even with larger, gentle breeds of dogs. If they are housed with other cats they will usually assume the leader of the group position.
Birman (Sacred Cat of Burma) - very similar in colouration to a Siamese cat, the Birman is a semi-longhaired cat with amazing sapphire eyes that are very alert and attentive to all that is going on around it. The Birman is a large cat, typically weighing between six to ten kilograms. The coat, while long and very soft, does not tend to mat or tangle, and requires less grooming than other of the longhaired breeds of cats. The coat often looks like it has been sprayed or misted with gold, and the cats always have all four paws white. This is a standard for the breed and sets it apart from other breeds that have similar colouration. The breed will have darker points around the legs, ears and face but they will not fully develop until the kitten is at least a year of age. The Birman is considered a very relaxed cat, good with families, children and even well behaved dogs.
British Shorthair - considered to be one of the largest of the domestic cat breeds, the British shorthair can trace its origins back to the cats kept in Rome to keep vermin out of the city and buildings. They are avid hunters but are very calm and well-mannered cats, not prone to destructive behaviours. They may be any colour but grey is the most common. The coat is short but thick and heavy looking, with round, large eyes that must be of the appropriate colour for the coat. The short dense coat requires little upkeep on the part of the owner, which makes it an ideal indoor or outdoor cat, although they definitely prefer the company of their human family to being outdoors.
Cornish Rex - an easy to recognise cat, the Cornish Rex has a very short, curly coat that is almost woolly in appearance and appears to be in very short waves over the body. The coat feels very similar to velvet or rabbit fur, and is amazingly soft. The cat breed originated in the 1950's in Cornwall and although it looks like the Egyptian cats there is no lineage connection that has been confirmed. The Cornish Rex has very long legs and a long tail that makes it appear much taller than it really is. They have a very sharp, foxy looking face and are very athletic and playful cats, extremely active for most of their lives. The Cornish Rex is a low shedding or moulting cat, which may be an important consideration for some families. The breed gets along well with other animals and children but does not do well when left alone for long or even medium amounts of time. They may engage in destructive behaviours if they are bored or are not getting enough attention from their owners.
Maine Coon - one of the largest of the cats, this American developed breed is known for its resemblance to the wild lynx. They have tufts of hair on the ears and the paws and often have the stripped tortoiseshell coat patterns. Maine Coons also have a distinctive plumed tail that is often curled around the body when they are seated. All colours and patterns are acceptable and the coat is dense and thick allowing the cat to stay outdoors even in very cold climates. They are considered to be a very intelligent family cat and are excellent with children and dogs.
Manx - Manx cats can be born with a full tail, a short tail or no tail at all. They can either have short or long hair, and almost any colouration or eye colour is allowed. Both the short hair and long hair coat varieties are double coated, with the outer coat being somewhat stiffer and courser to the touch than the downy undercoat. Show cats must not have a tail, but pet Manx cats can have part of a tail or a full tail. It is interesting to note that may prize winning tailless Manx cats have mother's that have a full tail. The breed is very round in appearance, with the back legs longer than the front giving a forward slanting appearance to the profile. The Manx is very playful and is one of the most "puppyish" of the cats, often playing fetch or even digging holes to store food and toys. The Manx is very athletic and uses its strong hind legs to jump an amazing distance into the air. They also use their hind legs to move through long grass and brush in a hopping type fashion. Generally they are good family cats although they will usually bond more strongly with one person, typically an adult rather than a child.
Ocicat - like the Ocelot, which this breed was named after, these cats are very athletic and natural hunters. They also have the dense, deeply dappled or spotted coats like the wild Ocelot. They have a very muscular body and they tend to mirror the slinky walk that wild cats have. As a pet cat the Ocicat has only been in existence since 1964 but has quickly become popular with cat fanciers. The breed is very athletic and active although still great with families and other pets. Ocicats, like Manx, have many dog-like behaviours and can be taught to walk on a leash, follow basic commands as well as fetch. They require attention but do not need to be constantly with people, as long as they know that people are around. The Ocicat is more outgoing than many breeds and will be very open to being around new people and seems to enjoy getting out of the house and spending time in the garden with owners.
Persians - even people that are not "cat fanciers" recognize the Persian breed. This cat has long, flowing hair and a rather flat looking face, often described as a pansy shape. The breed is known for its very gentle and hrefined temperament and its overall distinguished personality. The cats tend to be very reserved but loving and bond strongly with the family. They are some of the longest lived of the cat breeds, often living up to twenty years with proper care and regular veterinary visits and vaccinations. They require constant, daily grooming and are not considered appropriate as outside cats. There are many different colours and colour patterns permissible with this amazing breed of cat, but the long flowing coat and the distinctive wide eyes are always present.
Ragdoll - this breed of cats was developed as companion cats, bred to behave lovingly and engage with the family, rather than independent and aloof in personality like some of the domestic breeds. The Ragdoll breed is lighter on the body and darker on the points, or legs, tail, face and ears. They have a semi-long coat that requires moderate care, but they are not overly active cats so constant grooming is not required. The Ragdoll will want to be present with the family, and will tend to want to be on a lap when the family is relaxing or when the owner is around the house. They do not do well when left alone for long periods of time and need to be with people more than they are alone.
Russian Blue - the Russian Blue cat has an amazing grey-blue coat that appears as if each hair is tipped in silver. The coat is also double, which gives a soft and dense texture to the coat, often compared to that of a mink. The head is described as cobra shaped, or narrows down to the nose from the wider forehead area. This highlights the strinking green eyes of the breed, which are the easiest way to distinguish this from the other grey or blue breeds. In addition the ears are set more to the side of the head than many of the breeds, further emphasizing the vivid green eyes.
The Russian Blue is a very shy breed, but will bond with family and enjoy being with them at all times. They are naturally very playful and are excellent companions for children and even other pets. They are able to tolerate being left alone and are not destructive or problematic when left in the home, provided they have time to play and get attention from the owners on a daily basis.
Siamese - the distinctive points on the Siamese cat coupled with their lithe, athletic appearance makes them easy to identify. Siamese also have almond shaped, slanted blue eyes that are wide set, giving a highly intelligent appearance. They are very alert and intelligent cats, considered one of the easiest breeds to train. The Siamese may be lilac point, seal point, blue point and chocolate and all have light bodies with specific colouration on the ears, face, legs and tail. The Siamese are affectionate cats that will demand attention if it is not provided. They have a very distinct yowling cry that can be heard a great distance, and they will use it to remind the owner they need some love and attention. They are often excellent cats with families if they have been raised with children from kittens, but older Siamese may have difficulty adjusting to children, especially younger kids.
Sphynx - actually first bred in Toronto, Canada in 1966, the Sphynx is one of the most unusual of the cat breeds. It can be either totally hairless or have a fine downy coat on either a solid coloured or patterned skin. They are rather like a Cornish Rex in overall body appearance, having a smallish head with very large, alert ears. The breed also has large, very round eyes which are very intelligent looking and tend to follow all movement in the surroundings. The tail is very long and tapering, with long, muscular legs and an overall high level of energy and athletic ability. The Sphynx cats are very friendly and want to be picked up and held whenever the family is around. They are relatively outgoing towards strangers and are excellent with children and other pets. The Sphynx cat loves to the be centre of attention and will often jump up on a coffee table or chair and entertain the family with silly antics and playful behaviour. They are an excellent show cat breed because of their outstanding and extroverted personality.
There are many other types of cats from around the world, but these are some of the most unique and popular of the breeds. Some of the breeds such as the Scottish Fold have ears that are completely folded over until they appear to be non-existent, or breeds such as the Exotic, which looks like a variation of a shorthaired Persian. Each of these breeds is due to a genetic mutation in the breeding that has produced the current breed standards.
Some breeds such as the Ragamuffin are very large, with males often weighing over 20 pounds or ten kilograms, to the Singapura, which only weights about four kilograms or nine pounds when fully grown. Most cats will fall between these two extremes with males typically being somewhat larger than the females in most breeds.
Choosing a type of cat is very important as matching a cat to your home environment, routines and schedules, expectations for the cat as well as attention and time you wish to spend with your new pet are very important both now and in the future. In the next section on "Which Type of Cat", the various considerations to choose a cat will be explored. It is important to take the time to determine what you want in a cat and also what you would like to do with the pet. If you wish to breed him or her or show the cat there will be additional factors to consider. If you just want a loving pet in the house or even a cat to keep the mice out of the cellar or barn there are still important considerations to make when you choose what type of cat is best suited for your needs. |
