Cat Breeds Encyclopedia

Abyssinian

Ethiopia (Abyssinia)

The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known cat breeds, distinguished by its ticked tabby coat, athletic build, and an endlessly curious, energetic personality.

Aegean

Greece

The Aegean is a naturally occurring Greek cat breed known for its love of water and sociable personality.

American Bobtail

United States

The American Bobtail is a naturally occurring short-tailed breed known for its wild appearance and devoted, dog-like personality.

American Curl

United States

The American Curl is distinguished by its uniquely backward-curling ears, giving it a cheerful, alert expression.

American Longhair

United States

The American Longhair is a domestic breed with a flowing, silky coat and a calm, sociable temperament.

American Polydactyl

United States

The American Polydactyl is a cat with a genetic mutation that gives it extra toes, historically prized by sailors as good luck ship cats.

American Shorthair

United States

The American Shorthair is an all-American breed known for its robust health, easygoing personality, and classic silver tabby pattern.

American Wirehair

United States

The American Wirehair is a rare breed distinguished by its unique crimped, springy coat that feels like steel wool.

Aphrodite Giant

Cyprus

The Aphrodite Giant is a large, naturally occurring breed from Cyprus, named after the Greek goddess of love.

Arabian Mau

Arabian Peninsula

The Arabian Mau is a natural desert cat breed originating from the Arabian Peninsula, well-adapted to hot climates.

Asian

United Kingdom

The Asian cat is a group of Burmese-type cats developed in the UK, encompassing several coat patterns and colors.

Asian Semi-longhair

United Kingdom

The Asian Semi-longhair, also known as the Tiffanie, is a semi-longhaired variant of the Asian cat group with a silky coat.

Australian Mist

Australia

The Australian Mist is a spotted or marbled shorthaired breed developed in Australia from Burmese, Abyssinian, and domestic shorthair crosses.

Balinese

United States

The Balinese is a longhaired variant of the Siamese, named for the grace of Balinese dancers rather than any connection to Bali.

Bambino

United States

The Bambino is a hairless, short-legged cat breed created by crossing the Sphynx with the Munchkin.

Bengal

United States

The Bengal is a striking domestic cat breed with wild-looking spotted or marbled coat patterns, combining the beauty of a leopard with the temperament of a loving house cat.

Birman

Myanmar (Burma)

The Birman is a color-pointed cat with striking blue eyes and distinctive white 'gloves' on all four paws, known for its calm and loving nature.

Bombay

United States

The Bombay is a sleek, jet-black cat bred to resemble a miniature black panther with striking copper eyes.

Brazilian Shorthair

Brazil

The Brazilian Shorthair is a naturally occurring breed developed from common street cats in Brazil, known for its agile build and expressive eyes.

British Longhair

United Kingdom

The British Longhair is the semi-longhaired counterpart of the British Shorthair, sharing its calm disposition with a luxurious flowing coat.

British Shorthair

United Kingdom

The British Shorthair is a sturdy, round-faced breed with a plush coat, known for its calm demeanor, teddy-bear appearance, and dignified independence.

Burmese

Myanmar (Burma)

The Burmese is a sleek, muscular cat with a satin-like coat and golden eyes, known for its dog-like devotion and people-oriented personality.

Burmilla

United Kingdom

The Burmilla is a silver-coated breed that originated from an accidental cross between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese.

California Spangled

United States

The California Spangled is a rare spotted domestic breed created to resemble wild cats and raise awareness about endangered felines.

Chantilly-Tiffany

United States

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a semi-longhaired breed known for its rich chocolate coat and devoted, moderate temperament.

Chartreux

France

The Chartreux is an ancient French breed known for its blue-gray woolly coat and quiet, smiling expression.

Chausie

United States

The Chausie is a large hybrid breed created by crossing domestic cats with the jungle cat (Felis chaus), resulting in an athletic, wild-looking companion.

Cheetoh

United States

The Cheetoh is a large spotted breed created by crossing Bengals with Ocicats, combining wild looks with a gentle domestic temperament.

Colorpoint Shorthair

United Kingdom

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese-type cat with non-traditional point colors such as red, cream, and lynx patterns.

Cornish Rex

United Kingdom

The Cornish Rex is a slender, elegant breed with a distinctive wavy coat made entirely of soft down hair.

Cymric

Isle of Man

The Cymric is the longhaired variety of the Manx, sharing its tailless trait with a plush, semi-long coat.

Cyprus

Cyprus

The Cyprus cat is one of the oldest natural cat breeds, having lived on the island of Cyprus for thousands of years.

Devon Rex

England

The Devon Rex is a pixie-faced cat with oversized ears and a soft, wavy coat, famous for its clown-like antics and love of human companionship.

Domestic Shorthair

The Domestic Shorthair is the most common cat worldwide, encompassing mixed-breed shorthaired cats of no particular pedigree.

Donskoy

Russia

The Donskoy is a Russian hairless breed distinct from the Sphynx, caused by a dominant gene mutation rather than a recessive one.

Dragon Li

China

The Dragon Li is a naturally occurring Chinese breed descended from the wild Chinese mountain cat, known for its brown mackerel tabby coat.

Dwelf

United States

The Dwelf is a small, hairless cat with curled ears and short legs, combining traits from the Sphynx, Munchkin, and American Curl.

Egyptian Mau

Egypt

The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted domestic cat breed, prized for its exotic appearance and remarkable speed.

European Shorthair

Continental Europe

The European Shorthair is the continental European counterpart of the British and American Shorthairs, representing the common domestic cats of Europe.

Exotic Shorthair

United States

The Exotic Shorthair is essentially a short-haired Persian — same flat face and sweet personality, but with a plush, easy-care teddy bear coat.

Foldex

Canada

The Foldex is a Canadian breed combining the folded ears of the Scottish Fold with the compact body of the Exotic Shorthair.

German Longhair

Germany

The German Longhair is a rare European longhaired breed with a balanced, moderate build and a silky flowing coat.

German Rex

Germany

The German Rex is a rare curly-coated breed, one of the earliest recognized Rex mutations in cats.

Havana Brown

United Kingdom

The Havana Brown is a rare, elegant breed known for its rich mahogany-brown coat, green eyes, and distinctive muzzle shape.

Highlander

United States

The Highlander is a large, distinctive breed with curled ears and a naturally short tail, developed from Desert Lynx and Jungle Curl crosses.

Himalayan

United States

The Himalayan is a color-point variant of the Persian, combining the Persian's luxurious long coat with Siamese-style point coloring and blue eyes.

Japanese Bobtail

Japan

The Japanese Bobtail is an ancient breed recognizable by its short, bunny-like pom-pom tail, deeply rooted in Japanese art and folklore.

Javanese

United States

The Javanese is a longhaired color-point cat similar to the Balinese but with non-traditional point colors such as red, cream, and lynx.

Jianzhou cat

China

The Jianzhou cat is a rare Chinese breed with ancient origins, known for its distinctive appearance and cultural significance.

Kanaani

Israel

The Kanaani is an Israeli hybrid breed developed from crosses between domestic cats and the African wildcat, named after the ancient land of Canaan.

Karelian Bobtail

Russia

The Karelian Bobtail is a rare natural Russian breed from the Republic of Karelia, featuring a short, kinked tail.

Khao Manee

Thailand

The Khao Manee is a rare ancient Thai breed with a pure white coat and jewel-like eyes that can be blue, gold, or odd-eyed.

Kinkalow

United States

The Kinkalow is a small designer breed combining the Munchkin's short legs with the American Curl's backward-curling ears.

Korat

Thailand

The Korat is one of the oldest and most revered cat breeds from Thailand, known for its silver-blue coat and luminous green eyes.

Korean Bobtail

Korea

The Korean Bobtail is a naturally occurring short-tailed breed native to the Korean Peninsula with a long cultural history.

Korn Ja

Thailand

The Korn Ja is a rare Thai breed described in the ancient Tamra Maew manuscript, known for its solid dark brown or black coat.

Kurilian Bobtail

Russia

The Kurilian Bobtail is a natural breed from the Kuril Islands with a distinctive pom-pom tail and a gentle, dog-like personality.

Lambkin

United States

The Lambkin is a rare designer breed combining the Munchkin's short legs with the Selkirk Rex's curly coat, creating a lamb-like appearance.

LaPerm

United States

The LaPerm is a curly-coated breed that originated from a spontaneous mutation in a barn cat litter in Oregon.

Lykoi

United States

The Lykoi, known as the 'werewolf cat,' has a unique partially hairless coat that gives it a striking wolf-like appearance.

Maine Coon

United States

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cat breeds, known for its gentle giant personality, tufted ears, and luxurious long coat.

Manx

Isle of Man

The Manx is a tailless cat from the Isle of Man, known for its round body, rabbit-like hopping gait, and devoted, dog-like personality.

Mekong Bobtail

Russia

The Mekong Bobtail is a color-pointed, short-tailed breed with Siamese coloring, developed in Russia from Southeast Asian cats.

Minskin

United States

The Minskin is a small, partially hairless breed with short legs and fur points on the extremities, created from Munchkin, Sphynx, Burmese, and Devon Rex crosses.

Minuet

United States

The Minuet, formerly called Napoleon, is a short-legged breed combining the Munchkin with the Persian group for a round, doll-like appearance.

Munchkin

United States

The Munchkin is a controversial breed characterized by its distinctively short legs caused by a genetic mutation.

Nebelung

United States

The Nebelung is a rare, elegant breed with a shimmering blue-gray semi-long coat, often described as the longhaired Russian Blue.

Neva Masquerade

Russia

The Neva Masquerade is the color-point variety of the Siberian cat, named after the Neva River in Saint Petersburg.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Norway

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large, sturdy breed with a thick double coat and tufted ears, originally adapted to survive harsh Scandinavian winters.

Ocicat

United States

The Ocicat is a spotted domestic breed that resembles a wild ocelot but has no wild blood, created from Siamese, Abyssinian, and American Shorthair crosses.

Ojos Azules

United States

The Ojos Azules is an extremely rare breed distinguished by its deep blue eyes, which can appear in cats of any coat color or pattern.

Oregon Rex

United States

The Oregon Rex was a curly-coated breed from Oregon that is now considered extinct as a distinct breed, having been absorbed into Cornish Rex lines.

Oriental Bicolor

United States

The Oriental Bicolor is a Siamese-type cat with a bicolor (white and colored) coat pattern and the same elegant, svelte body.

Oriental Longhair

United States

The Oriental Longhair is the semi-longhaired variety of the Oriental Shorthair, featuring a silky coat in hundreds of color and pattern combinations.

Oriental Shorthair

United States

The Oriental Shorthair is a sleek, elegant breed in the Siamese family, available in over 300 color and pattern combinations.

Persian

Iran (Persia)

The Persian is a long-haired breed known for its flat face, luxurious coat, and calm, dignified personality.

Peterbald

Russia

The Peterbald is an elegant Russian hairless breed created from crossing the Donskoy with Oriental Shorthairs.

Pixie-bob

United States

The Pixie-bob is a large, muscular breed with a bobbed tail and wild appearance, rumored but not proven to descend from naturally occurring bobcat hybrids.

Raas

Indonesia

The Raas cat is a rare natural breed from Raas Island in Indonesia, known for its distinctive facial structure and wild appearance.

Ragamuffin

United States

The Ragamuffin is a large, gentle breed closely related to the Ragdoll, known for its plush rabbit-like coat and docile, affectionate nature.

Ragdoll

United States

The Ragdoll is a large, semi-long-haired breed famous for going limp when picked up, with striking blue eyes and a calm, dog-like personality.

Russian Blue

Russia

The Russian Blue is an elegant, silvery-blue cat breed known for its dense double coat, vivid green eyes, and reserved but deeply loyal personality.

Russian White, Black and Tabby

Australia

The Russian White, Black and Tabby are color variants of the Russian Blue, developed in Australia with the same elegant body type and gentle personality.

Sam Sawet

Thailand

The Sam Sawet is a rare natural Thai breed with a solid build and short coat, prized for its loyal temperament.

Savannah

United States

The Savannah is a tall, lean hybrid breed created by crossing domestic cats with the African Serval, known for its striking spotted coat and dog-like loyalty.

Scottish Fold

Scotland

The Scottish Fold is instantly recognizable by its unique folded ears, giving it an owl-like appearance, paired with a sweet, gentle temperament.

Selkirk Rex

United States

The Selkirk Rex is a curly-coated breed with a stocky build, known for its plush, teddy bear-like appearance and patient temperament.

Serengeti

United States

The Serengeti is a spotted breed developed to resemble the African Serval without wild blood, combining Bengal and Oriental Shorthair lines.

Siamese

Thailand (Siam)

The Siamese is one of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds, known for its striking blue eyes, color-point coat, and exceptionally vocal personality.

Siberian

Russia

The Siberian is a large, powerful natural breed from Russia with a luxurious triple coat, known for being surprisingly agile and reportedly hypoallergenic.

Singapura

Singapore

The Singapura is the world's smallest domestic cat breed, with large expressive eyes, a ticked sepia coat, and an irresistibly playful personality.

Snowshoe

United States

The Snowshoe is a pointed breed with distinctive white paws, combining Siamese coloring with American Shorthair markings.

Sokoke

Kenya

The Sokoke is a rare natural breed from Kenya's Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, featuring a distinctive modified tabby pattern resembling tree bark.

Somali

United States

The Somali is the long-haired version of the Abyssinian — a strikingly beautiful fox-like cat with a ticked coat and a lively, curious personality.

Sphynx

Canada

The Sphynx is a hairless cat breed known for its wrinkled skin, large ears, and an exceptionally outgoing, attention-loving personality.

Suffolk

United Kingdom

The Suffolk is a rare British breed developed from crosses between Abyssinians and other pedigree cats, producing a chocolate-colored cat with a gentle disposition.

Suphalak

Thailand

The Suphalak is an extremely rare ancient Thai breed described in the Tamra Maew, prized for its solid reddish-brown coat.

Thai

Thailand

The Thai cat, also called the Old-Style Siamese, represents the traditional moderate body type of Siamese cats before modern breeding elongated the breed.

Thai Lilac

Thailand

The Thai Lilac is a rare Thai breed with a distinctive lilac-toned coat, closely related to the Korat and Thai Blue Point.

Tonkinese

Canada / United States

The Tonkinese is a lively cross between Siamese and Burmese, combining the best traits of both in a medium-sized, aqua-eyed companion.

Toybob

Russia

The Toybob is one of the smallest cat breeds in the world, originating from Russia with a naturally bobbed tail and a sweet, kitten-like appearance.

Toyger

United States

The Toyger is a designer breed developed to resemble a miniature tiger, featuring bold vertical stripes on a vivid orange coat.

Transylvanian

Romania

The Transylvanian is a rare natural breed from Romania, adapted to the mountainous Carpathian climate with a dense, weather-resistant coat.

Turkish Angora

Turkey

The Turkish Angora is an ancient, naturally occurring breed prized for its silky white coat, graceful build, and spirited, mischievous personality.

Turkish Van

Turkey

The Turkish Van is a large, ancient breed famous for its love of swimming, with a distinctive color pattern limited to the head and tail.

Turkish Vankedisi

Turkey

The Turkish Vankedisi is the all-white variant of the Turkish Van, prized in Turkey as a national treasure and sometimes associated with heterochromia.

Ukrainian Levkoy

Ukraine

The Ukrainian Levkoy is a distinctive hairless breed with inward-folding ears, created by crossing Donskoy Sphynx with Scottish Fold cats.

Ussuri

Russia

The Ussuri is a rare natural hybrid from the Russian Far East, believed to descend from crosses between domestic cats and the Amur Forest Cat.

Van cat

Turkey

The Van cat is a landrace from the Lake Van region of Turkey, occurring in all-white form and celebrated as a cultural symbol in eastern Turkey.

York Chocolate

United States

The York Chocolate is a now-rare American breed developed in the 1980s from a farm cat, known for its rich chocolate-brown semi-long coat.