Articles » Cat Breeds
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If you are looking for a rare, distinctive looking longhair cat, then you may want to take a close look at the Turkish Van. This cat breed is also known as the swimming cat, since the Van, unlike other cats, actually enjoys taking a leisurely swim. With their love of water, it is no wonder that these cats are named after the Lake Van region of Turkey, which is where the breed originated.
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Is The Turkish Angora Right For You?
If you want a longhair cat breed that is as intelligent as it is beautiful, you may want to take a look at the beautiful Turkish Angora. This breed is one of the oldest cat breeds, originating in the fourteen hundreds in Turkey. For some time, cat fanciers thought that the Angora was extinct, since imported cats had been bred so frequently to Persians to improve the Persian coat that Angoras in other countries died out. Luckily, Turkey was more careful to preserve this ancient breed. At first, this country refused to part with any Angoras. However, finally Turkey agreed to sell a few cats and some pure Turkish Angoras were imported to Europe and America after World War II.
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Many people are under the mistaken impression that cats are arrogant, moody creatures that will ignore their owners' attempts to train them. They think that cats could obey and choose not to. Although cats do ignore commands because they don't feel like doing what their owners ask, sometimes they are not obeying because they simply do not understand.
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If you just can't decide whether you want a Burmese cat or a Siamese cat, then you may want to consider a cat that is the descendant of both of these wonderful breeds, the Tonkinese. The Tonkinese cat breed was officially created in the nineteen sixties in North America when a Burmese cat was crossed with a Siamese. However, for many years before the breed was created, cat fanciers crossed the two breeds unofficially.
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If you've always had a secret longing to own that charming little alien in the ET movie, you will probably fall in love with the Sphynx cat breed. This cat's wrinkly small face, huge ears, and enormous eyes definitely give it a very similar appearance. When you add in its whisker free appearance and a coat so fine that the Sphynx appears to be bald, it is no wonder that this unusual little cat breed gets plenty of attention at cat shows.
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Is The Somali Cat Breed Right For You?
If you love the Abyssinian cat breed, but prefer longhair cats, then you may want to take a close look at the striking Somali. This cat breed is a descendant of the Abyssinian and has many of the same traits.
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Out of the many cat breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, the Singapura is probably the breed with the strongest will to survive. These tough little cats have endured almost impossible conditions to grow and thrive. This breed is also called the drain cat because the cats originally lived in the water culverts of Singapore. Luckily, several cats were imported to the United States before Singapore's officials decided to control their feral cat population and cleaned out the drains, or these plucky cats would no longer exist.
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So You'd Like To Own A Siberian Cat
It is no surprise that any cat that was created in the bitter cold temperatures of Siberia has a thick, long coat that helps protect it from the weather. The Siberian cat breed is a large cat, weighing up to twenty pounds, with an insulating coat of slightly oily hair.
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About The Popular Siamese Cat Breed
Even people who do not like cats have heard of the Siamese cat breed. After all, these cats are even characters in several popular mystery series, perhaps because the curious nature and adventurous spirit of this cat breed makes it an ideal detective's helper.
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Is The Selkirk Rex Right For You?
For people who like cats with a unique appearance, the Selkirk Rex is definitely a good choice. The curly haired Selkirk has a coat that looks similar to that of a poodle, although it is much thicker and plushier. This cat breed, which has both longhair and shorthair varieties, originated in the United States in the late nineteen eighties when one kitten in a litter born at an animal rescue had a very curly coat. This cat was bred to a Persian cat and produced a litter of three curly kittens and three normal kittens. The breeder named these curly haired kittens after the mountains near her home. Since there were three kittens that carried the Rex gene in the litter, this gene is dominant and outcrossing the Selkirk to other cat breeds still produces Rex kittens.
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If you have a fondness for teddy bears, you may want to take a look at the cuddly Scottish Fold cat breed. These cats first appeared in the nineteen sixties, when a Scotsman saw a kitten with ears that folded down and forward to rest against his head. He bred this kitten to a British Shorthair cat to develop the unique looking Scottish Fold.
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Is The Russian Blue Right For You?
If you are concerned that a cat could ruin your furniture or make too many messes in your home, then you may want to consider the cat breed that many cat fanciers consider to be the most house friendly, the Russian Blue. These cats, which originated in Russia before the eighteen hundreds, have an undeserved reputation for being unfriendly and withdrawn, because they are so timid around strangers. In reality, the Russian is a very affectionate and intelligent cat, but keeps his affection for family members.
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Is The Ragdoll the Right Breed For You?
During the mid nineteen hundreds, an American breeder developed a cat breed that was so laid back and relaxed that it would hang limply like a cloth doll when people held it. This breed was developed from a Birman cat and a longhair cat with an unknown ancestry. The breeder called these cats the Ragdoll because of their calm, relaxed nature. Although the Cat Fancier's Association did not recognize these first cats as the Ragdoll, their descendants became the gentle Ragdolls we know today.
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About The Ragamuffin Cat Breed
If you are looking for a cat breed that won't mind if your children decide they want to play dress up, you may want to take a look at the Ragamuffin cat breed. These cats are very tolerant of children and other pets and will allow children to play games that would have other cat breeds and even many dog breeds running for cover.
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Is A Persian The Right Cat For You?
The grumpy looking face and long coat of the beautiful Persian cat are familiar characteristics to most cat lovers. After all, this striking cat breed has been well known since it was first developed in the eighteen hundreds. However, these cats are certainly not the perfect breed for everyone, since caring for the lush coat of the Persian breed can be a bit time consuming.
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Is The Oriental The Right Breed For You?
Do you love the temperament of the Siamese cat breed, but wish you could find a cat with a very different coat color? If so, the exuberantly affectionate Oriental is the perfect breed for you. These charming cats are closely related to the Siamese and are even considered to be Siamese by many cat associations. However, the Cat Fanciers Association considers these cats to be a distinct breed that just happens to be descended from the Siamese cat breed.
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A Look At The Fascinating Ocicat
Have you always been an admirer of the beautiful and dangerous leopards and ocelots? While these spotted big cats can be lethal pets, there is a domesticated cat with the same exotic appearance, the Ocicat. These cats were actually developed completely by accident when a breeder in the United States was trying to create a Siamese of a different color by breeding a Siamese cat to an Abyssinian cat and ended up with a lovely spotted kitten instead. Of course, while the Ocicat may look wild, this breed actually has a wonderful personality.
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So You Want A Norwegian Forest Cat
The thick coated Norwegian Forest Cat originated in chilly Norway during the early nineteen hundreds, but its ancestors accompanied the warlike Vikings as they sailed around the world. The cats kept their owners company, but they also had a more important purpose, rodent control. The Norwegian's exceptional hunting ability enabled it to keep the Viking food supply mouse free during long voyages at sea and at home in the village. These big cats are often thought to be unfriendly and aloof by strangers, but are actually quite loving and affectionate with family members.
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When you picture a cat in your mind, the animal probably has a long, gracefully tapering tail. However, one cat breed actually has no tail at all, the Manx cat. While tailless Manx cats are the only type of cat seen in the show ring, you can also find cats known as stumpies or tailies. These cats make wonderful pets, but are disqualified from the show ring because they are not tailless.
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Is The Maine Coon The Right Breed For You?
Are you a dog lover who wants to own a cat? If so, you may want to take a look at the extraordinary Maine Coon cat breed. This breed is extraordinary intelligent and has a personality that is not exactly cat like. If you think all cats act the same, you probably haven't seen a Maine Coon decide to take a leisurely dip in your family's wading pool.
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If you've ever seen a cat breed that looks like it is having a bad hair day, you may have been looking at the La Perm, a breed that is probably closely related to the Rex cat breed. These cats have a wavy coat reminiscent of the hair permanents that were so popular in the nineteen eighties, which could be why they received this name. After all, the breed originated in the United States in the early eighties.
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If you are at all superstitious, you may want to take a look at the Koret cat breed. This breed originated in Thailand well before the seventeen hundreds. The Thai people believed that the silvery blue color of this stunning breed stood for monetary wealth, while the brilliant green eyes of the breed symbolized abundant crops, since this was the same color of immature rice grains. It is no wonder that the Thai believed a newly married couple should receive a pair of Koret cats to ensure a successful marriage.
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Is The Rare Japanese Bobtail The Perfect Match For You?
Although the Japanese Bobtail is a breed that goes back several centuries, this breed is still incredibly rare. If you are fortunate enough to find one of these beautiful cats, you will have a wonderful pet.
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Is The Havana Brown Right For You?
When a cat breed has a name like Havana Brown, it can only come in one color, right? Well, actually, the active Havana Brown comes in a rich Chocolate color or an attractive Lilac color.
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How To Choose The Right Cat Breed
There are so many cat breeds. How can you decide which breed is right for you and your family? Follow this handy guide to select the perfect cat breed. The first thing you should consider is whether you will be able to handle having a vocal cat. Some cat breeds can actually be quite noisy. While many cat owners do not have a problem with these vocal breeds, as they realize their cats are just communicating with them, a loud cat can be a problem in an apartment situation. Breeds that are very vocal are the Siamese Cat, the Korat, and the Burmese. The Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl are considered to be very quiet cat breeds.
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A Look At The Exotic Cat Breed
If you are a fan of the beautiful longhair Persian cat, but are concerned about being able to keep your cat's coat from matting, you may want to consider the Exotic. This breed looks exactly like the Persian, except that it has a much shorter coat.
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Is The European Burmese Right For You?
If you love the temperament of the American Burmese, but don't care for the breed's exaggeratedly round head, then you may want to take a close look at the European Burmese. This breed is actually descended from the American Burmese, which originated from temple cats in Burma. The temple cats were pure white, but suddenly changed color. According to legends, this color change happened when the cats took on the coloring of the temple's goddess. However, cat fanciers have a more practical explanation. They think a wandering Siamese fathered a few litters of kittens. The American Burmese first arrived in Europe at the end of World War II.
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Discover The Exotic Egyptian Mau
If you've always wanted to own a wild cat, you may want to take a close look at the Egyptian Mau. This cat, which is descended from cats that lived in ancient Egypt, is closely related to the African Wild Cat. When you look at a Mau, you are looking at the same spotted wild cat that the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt domesticated and kept as pets and objects of worship.
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Is The Devon Rex Right For You?
If you've always wanted a monkey, then you may just want to take a look at the charming Devon Rex cat breed. These playful, good natured little cats have been frequently compared to monkeys and mischievous children.
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If you ever felt the need to take a second look to be sure the animal in front of you was actually a cat, then you've probably already seen a Cornish Rex. These unusual looking cats are very different from other cat breeds in appearance and coat texture. Some people think they look like alien creatures and others feel that they are very similar in appearance to the cats depicted in ancient Egyptian artwork. However, the Cornish Rex actually is a breed that was established in Great Britain in the late twentieth century.
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About The Cat Fancier's Association
Are you interested in finding a purebred cat? As you shop for your cat, you may notice the initials CFA in some advertisements. What exactly does this mean? CFA stands for the Cat Fancier's Association, the largest purebred cat registry in the world. The CFA was created to maintain breed standards and register litters of purebred kittens. In addition, this association holds cat shows, where cats are judged to see how closely they adhere to their breed's standard. The CFA recognizes only forty one breeds of cats.
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A Look At The Colorpoint Shorthair Cat
Even if you've never heard of the Colorpoint Shorthair cat before, you may have seen several of these elegant animals. Many people mistake Colorpoint Shorthairs for their close relative, the Siamese. After all, the only real difference in their appearance is that the Colorpoint has a variety of point colors that Siamese cats do not have.
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Is A Chartreux Cat Right For You?
If you are looking for a cat breed that is as wonderful as a good French wine, you may want to consider the Chartreux cat. After all, a legend tells that this breed was named for the Chartreuse liquor that Carthusian monks were so famous for. Of course, while it is true that the Chartreux cat is mentioned in Carthusian records as early as the fifteen hundreds, this breed probably received its name because its coat looks similar to the wool of the Chartreux sheep.
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Is The Burmese Cat Right For You?
If you are a fan of the Oriental cat breeds, but want a quieter cat, you may want to consider the Burmese. These cats are not as talkative as the chatty Siamese, although they are actually closely related.
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Is The British Shorthair The Perfect Cat For You?
If your home has a rodent problem, then you must not own a British Shorthair. These big cats may look placid and lazy, but they are actually great hunters. After all, the British Shorthair is descended from Britain's barn and house cats.
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Take A Walk On The Wild Side With The Bombay
If you've always wanted to own one of the dangerous and powerful big cats, but don't want to risk endangering your life, you may want to consider a domestic cat that looks like the deadly black panther, the Bombay. After all, the breeder who developed the Bombay created this breed so that she could have a cat that looked like a miniature panther.
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Do you want a cat that is considered to be a sacred animal? Many people think that the beautiful Birman cat breed originated from cats that guarded the Burman temples. This breed is even rumored to have helped the Burmese monks fight off attackers when a Birman's coat turned the golden color of the goddess the monks worshiped, except for his paws which stayed pure white. Of course, less fanciful cat lovers say the Birman is simply a French relative of the Himalayan cat breed.
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Is A Balinese The Breed For You?
When people first see a Balinese cat, they often think that this elegant looking cat must be haughty and unsociable. However, nothing could be further from the truth. This breed may look refined, but it is actually incredibly friendly and fun loving.
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So You Want An American Wirehair
Do you want a cat that has a distinctive and unusual looking appearance? If so, you may want to consider the American Wirehair. This breed has hair that looks like colored steel wool, although it doesn't feel quite so coarse to the touch.
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Is An American Shorthair The Right Breed For You?
If you aren't familiar with pedigreed cats, you may be under the impression that the American Shorthair is a fancy name for an alley cat. However, the American Shorthair, which was called the Domestic Shorthair until the nineteen sixties, is a pedigreed cat that meets a specific standard.
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Should You Own An American Curl?
The first time you see an American Curl, you may think that the cat has a deformity. After all, cats don't usually have ears that curve back toward the back of their heads. The American Curl has varying degrees of curl to the ears, from ears that barely tip back to ears that curve so far back that they form a crescent shape. Only cats with ears that form a crescent curve are suitable for showing, but all American Curls make delightful pets.
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So You Want An American Bobtail?
If you want a friendly cat and don't mind that the breed you've chosen is a bit of an upstart in the cat world, since it only has existed since the nineteen sixties, you may want to consider the American Bobtail.
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Is The Playful Abyssinian The Right Breed For You?
If you've always thought cats were too snooty and unaffectionate, you haven't met an Abyssinian. These cats are very personable and affectionate animals that love to interact with their families.
