Popular Domestic Cat Breeds

By Sonia Manning

There is a very long list of domestic cat breeds, but based on availability, personality, appearance or intelligence, there are some that are more popular than others. Here are some of the most popular:

American Shorthair -This if the eighth most popular breed in the United States. The characteristics of this breed are large, lean, powerful and athletic. They come in eight colors and patterns, and are typically healthy cats with a lifespan up to 20 years.

British Shorthair – Now more popular than the Persian (partially thanks to Steven King), these cats have plush, dense coats, eyes are curious and round and bodies are large and muscular. Although they come in a variety of patterns, blue is the preferred choice.

Siamese – For a period in the 20th century, this was the most popular breed in North America and Europe even though they were originally from Thailand. They are known for their wedge-shaped head, distinctive ears, flexible bodies and unique personalities. Although the breed was cross-eyed at one time, this trait has been bred out of them.

Ragamuffin – The Ragamuffin is one of those jaw-dropping breeds you just want to have a dozen of. They are known for their cuddly and friendly personality, in addition to their long, lush, rabbit-like fur.

Maine Coon – This is one of North America’s oldest breeds. The breed is native to Maine and these cats are known to be unparalleled hunters. They have long flowing coats in an variety of colors and patterns. Although they may look intimating since they’re always on the prowl, they are actually one of the gentlest breeds.

Persian – These are the cats known for their smashed in face, stubby nose and big round eyes. They come in a variety of markings and colors including tabby, blue, tortoiseshell, golden and pointed.

American Longhair – The intention with this breed was to create an American Short-hair that had green eyes and a shimmery coat. The actual result was a Persian with a lean body and shorter hair. They are more active than Persians but have the same soft voice.

Bengal – This is quite a popular breed which features rosettes and stripes, making them look wild like a Bengal tiger. Several colors and patterns are recognized. They are fairly gentle in spite of their appearance providing they are at least four generations removed from the Asian Leopard used in breeding.

Bombay – This breed is intelligent, playful and craves attention. They get extremely attached to their humans, love to snuggle, and are excellent with children. They are most often black, but some are born sable.

Sphynx – This Canadian breed is well-known for its lack of coat. They are full of energy, curiosity, affection and are extremely intelligent. Although they don’t have a coat that requires brushing, a weekly bath is needed to clean the oils that build up on their skin.

There are a lot of breeds out there to choose from, all with their unique personalities, energy levels and health concerns. Learning a little bit about various domestic cat breeds will help you decide if there is a specific one you think would be the ideal match for your home.

Is your cat driving you crazy? Find out why at Problem Behaviors in Cats, and visit Sonia Manning’s website Cat Behavior Solutions where you can receive her free mini-course on “Secrets About Your Cat’s Behavior: Why He Does the Things He Does!”

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Tags: animals, breeds of cats, Cat, cat behavior, cat breeds, cats, domestic animals, domestic cat breeds, family, felines, Home and Family, household cats, Pets, pets and animals

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