THE PUREBRED CAT

The cat is America’s most popular household pet, and its no wonder; cats are easy and available. They don’t need to be walked, they will accommodate a variety of living situations, are adaptable to lifestyle and are generally self-sufficient. The plethora of cats and kittens at shelters or from the latest neighborhood pairing offers an endless variety of colors, shapes and sizes. But there is another side to the world of the domestic cat – that of the purebred. 

For those who own purebred cats, color and conformation are just a part of the reason they have made the significant commitment to own a pedigreed animal. While in the minority of cat owners, most select their cat breed for much the same reasons a dog owner will select a particular breed. Cats of the same breed have been selectively bred to exhibit similar traits in features and personality that differentiates them from other breeds, with this breeding providing consistency and dependability in those traits. Learning more about the world of the purebred cat might pique your interest in one of these special breeds. By studying the characteristics of different cat breeds, you can pick the one that most closely matches your ideal in terms of temperament and conformation.

The Cat Fanciers Association is the world’s largest registry of pedigreed cats. The breeds described below are the top breeds listed in accordance with their last year’s registration statistics. 

1. Persian. Over half of the cats registered with CFA are Persians. A 16th century traveler brought the long-haired cats he saw in Persia back to Europe. They were introduced into this country as early as 1885. Massively built, this cat has short, heavily boned legs and a long, flowing coat. The head is round with large, round eyes and a short snub nose. Known for its’ easy going personality, the essential daily grooming might be a drawback for some. The pointed Persian cat is known as the Himalayan.

2. Maine Coon. Distinctive large, tufted ears and wide-set eyes, with a semi-longhaired coat that is longer on the stomach to protect against snow and cold. Males often weigh up to 18 pounds. Available in a variety of colors, the Maine Coon is noted for its pleasant disposition. This breed, probably originating from breedings between European longhaired cats and descendants of early British settler cats, the Maine Coon has been competing in cat shows since the mid 1800’s. 

3. Siamese. From Thailand, or Siam, this elegantly slender cat with triangular face has large ears, pointed and wide at the base and strikingly blue almond shaped eyes. The characteristic markings or points are traditionally seal, chocolate, blue and lilac. Vocal and social personality.

4. Exotic Shorthair. A man-made breed crossing Persians with Domestic Shorthair to get the look of a Persian without the demands of grooming. A rounded body, thick neck, snub nose and velvety coat in many color varieties. Gentle natured like the Persian, the Exotic is somewhat livelier and more inquisitive.

5. Abyssinian. The Abyssinian has remained relatively unchanged for centuries with a slender, finely boned structure and long tapered tail. Darker facial markings accentuate almond-shaped eyes. Alert, intelligent and loyal, acceptable colors are ruddy, red, blue and fawn with a ticked tabby pattern. 

The next five breeds complete the top ten registrations. The Oriental is a combination

of the Siamese silhouette and more than 300 colors and patterns achieved by cross-breeding. The calm and docile Birman has evenly colored points, symmetrical white gloves on all four feet and an elongated, stocky body. The American Shorthair decends from the shorthaired barn cat with a wider and shorter muzzle. The Scottish Fold, which began as a mutation in a Scottish barn cat litter in the 1960s, has distinctively tightly folded ears, large round eyes with long or short hair. The Burmese is a compact and heavy cat with rounded body, round eyes head and paws and is most commonly a sable color. 

Purebred cats offer an incredible variety, from almost hairless to a breed called LaPerm, so named because of its wavy coat. There are long tails, short tails or no tails; facial, ear and eye shapes in an astonishing range. If you are interested in a pedigreed cat, just as with a puppy or dog, do your homework to be sure your preferred breed fits your lifestyle, temperament, personality and the expectations you have for your feline-human bond. Visit a cat show if at all possible, and talk with breeders. If you are a novice buyer, confine your search to those established, responsible breeders who are registered with one of the well-known cat registries.