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– 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”

* 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!

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

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

Cross between Burmese and American Short-hair

graceful, charming, gets along well with others, including strangers

Medium size

Jet black with copper colored eyes

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

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 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.

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!

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

Multiple colors

talkative companion, intelligent, witty, elegant, dependent upon people, playful

medium size, can be mistaken for Siamese

Good health, except some respiratory problems

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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