Cat Profile

English name Abyssinian Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin Possibly Ethiopia; modern breed developed in the United Kingdom

The Abyssinian has a distinctive ticked coat and an elegant, ancient-looking outline, paired with boundless energy, intelligence and curiosity.

English name American Bobtail Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The American Bobtail is a naturally short-tailed breed with a sturdy build, confident personality and strong adaptability; it needs daily interaction and weight management.

English name Balinese Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States (from longhaired Siamese)

The Balinese is the longhaired Siamese: pointed coloring, silky semi-long coat and blue eyes, with the same talkative, devoted personality.

English name Birman Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin Legendary origins in Myanmar; modern breed developed in France

The Birman is a silky pointed longhair with white gloved paws and blue eyes, legendary temple-cat origins and a balanced, gentle temperament.

English name British Longhair Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United Kingdom

The British Longhair is the longhaired British Shorthair: a round sturdy body under a plush semi-long coat, equally calm and steady.

English name British Shorthair Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United Kingdom

The British Shorthair is a sturdy, dense-coated cat with a calm, easygoing temperament, making it one of the most popular family companions.

English name Burmese Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin Myanmar; modern breed developed in the United States and Europe

The Burmese, rooted in Myanmar and developed in the West, has a satin coat and golden eyes with an intensely social, playful personality.

English name California Spangled Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The California Spangled was a 1980s US breeding project mimicking wild spotted cats to promote leopard conservation; the program ended and it is now extremely rare.

English name Cat Classification Felidae Scientific name Felis catus

Cats are among the world's most popular companion animals: independent, clean and apartment-friendly. Feeding is based on high-protein obligate-carnivore nutrition plus litter, scratching and vertical space.

English name Chantilly-Tiffany Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Chantilly-Tiffany is a semi-longhaired breed classically chocolate-colored, with a tangled history and extremely rare numbers, gentle and quiet.

English name Cheetoh Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Cheetoh is a Bengal-Ocicat cross aiming for a large wild-looking spotted cat; it remains experimental with only TICA new-breed registration.

English name Colorpoint Shorthair Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Colorpoint Shorthair is a Siamese-type cat in nontraditional point colors such as red and tortie, with the same outgoing, vocal personality.

English name Cornish Rex Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United Kingdom (Cornwall)

The Cornish Rex wears only a soft, plush down coat in tight waves over a greyhound-like body, and keeps a kittenish, outgoing personality for life.

English name Cymric Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin Canada (from longhaired Manx)

The Cymric is the longhaired Manx: round, sturdy and often tailless under a plush coat, gentle-natured but carrying the same tail-gene risks.

English name Devon Rex Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United Kingdom (Devon)

The Devon Rex has a soft wavy coat, huge ears and an elfin face, with a mischievous, highly social personality often likened to a monkey in a cat suit.

English name Egyptian Mau Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin Egypt

The Egyptian Mau is an ancient naturally spotted breed with a scarab marking on the brow and a reputation as one of the fastest domestic cats.

English name Exotic Shorthair Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Exotic Shorthair is the shorthaired Persian: flat round face and plush teddy coat, nicknamed the lazy man's Persian, quiet and sweet.

English name Highlander Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Highlander is an experimental US breed with curled ears, bobbed tail and spotted coat styled after wild lynx, without full registry recognition.

English name Lykoi Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Lykoi, named for its werewolf-like look from a natural mutation, has a partially hairless face and roan coat; TICA recognizes it, and it is playful and social.

English name Maine Coon Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States (Maine)

The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic breeds, a rugged, shaggy cat with a friendly, sociable nature often described as a gentle giant.

English name Manx Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United Kingdom (Isle of Man)

The Manx comes from the Isle of Man and is famed for taillessness, a round sturdy build and rabbit-like hop, though the tail gene carries spinal risks.

English name Minuet Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Minuet, formerly Napoleon, is a short-legged round-faced breed from Munchkin-Persian group crosses, sweet-tempered and dual-featured.

English name Munchkin Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Munchkin has naturally short legs from a dominant mutation, earning the corgi-of-cats nickname; it is lively, but health debates persist.

English name Nebelung Classification Domestic cat breed Domestication origin United States

The Nebelung is the longhaired Russian Blue, a silver-tipped blue-gray creature of the mist, quiet, reserved and rare.